Oct. 26, 2026
The Dawes Arboretum is celebrating the holiday season with its 9th annual Winter Wonders Walk! You don’t want to miss this exciting event with an amazing light display, photo opportunities, community performances, Santa Claus, reindeer and more!
Frequently Asked Questions
Where should I purchase my ticket?
Members and non-members need to pre-purchase their tickets online for the designated time and day they’d like to visit. Tickets will not be sold at the gate. Registration will be open on Nov. 1. Registration for each specific date is listed below.
- Members Only: Dec. 10 from 6 - 7:30 p.m.; Dec. 10 from 7:30 - 9 p.m.
- Dec. 11 from 6 – 7:30 p.m.; Dec. 11 from 7:30 – 9 p.m.
- Dec. 12 from 6 – 7: 30 p.m.; Dec. 12 from 7:30 – 9 p.m.
- Sensory Friendly, All Night: Dec. 17 from 6-7:30; Dec. 17 from 7:30 – 9 p.m.
- Dec. 18 from 6 – 7:30 p.m.; Dec. 18 from 7:30 – 9 p.m.
- Dec. 19 from 6 – 7:30 p.m.; Dec. 19 from 6 – 7:30 p.m.
What time do I show up?
Attendees should arrive at the times that are designated on their tickets: either 6 p.m. or 7:30 p.m.
How long is the Parkwoods Trail?
The trail is approximately one mile. There will be warming barrels along the trail and warming stations near attractions.
What else can I do when I’m at The Arboretum?
There will seasonal craft activities, drone footage of the walk and a Plants Behind the Lights exhibit inside the Visitor Center.
Santa Claus will be available for nightly visits near the Learning Garden. Darby, The Arboretum’s mascot, will be onsite as well.
Are there any special events each night?
- Dec. 10 is members only night. There will be a community performance.
- Through Dec. 10 – 12, The Arboretum will feature a wintery snow globe photo opportunity to capture holiday memories. The snow globe will be near the Learning Garden.
- On Dec. 11, Heath Choir will be performing.
- On Dec. 12, Sheridan High School Show Choir is performing.
- The entire night of Dec. 17 will be a Sensory-Friendly night. There will be lower lighting and a quieter environment outside. Tickets will be limited to a smaller group as well. There will also be a quiet space in the Visitors Center. will have an adult changing table, a few community resource tables and a designated sensory-friendly area with a few sensory bags available for check out.
- On Dec. 18, Heath Choir will be performing.
- On Dec. 19, Santa’s reindeer will be stopping by before their journey for a visit to Dawes! A community performance will also be present.
What food will be available?
Food will be available near the Zand Education Center, which is a dining room and warming area.
On Dec. 10 and Dec. 19, Rolls by the Pound, B&H Coffee and Lynette’s BBQ will be available.
On. Dec 11, Lynette’s BBQ and B&H Coffee will be available.
Is there anything else I should know?
An adult changing table will be available nightly, thanks to Licking County Board of Developmental Disabilities.
The Daweswood House Museum will be open on Members-Only night. It is an open house style with a docent in each room to share stories about The Arboretum’s family. One of Bertie's favorite punch recipes will be provided to visitors.
In the Zand Education Center, there will be a video of three snowy Tree Dedications as well as historic photo displays of The Arboretum in winter.
Who are your sponsors?
Thank you to our sponsors: QTS, Arnet Technologies, Hazen and Energy Cooperative.
Please note that this event may be canceled at short notice in the event of inclement weather. Please check our social media channels for information ahead of time.
