World Famous Illinois Garden’s Spectacular Holiday Light Show Returns

If you thought it was impossible for Anderson Japanese Gardens to be more beautiful, think again. The gardens will be magically transformed for the holidays.

One of the most beautiful spots in the state of Illinois will again become one of the most popular lighted holiday displays in the Midwest.

Rockford's Anderson Japanese Gardens

One of the highest-quality Japanese gardens in North America will be lighting up its 12 acres for the 2022 holiday season.

Anderson Gardens Illuminated

I had the pleasure of being one of the first to see this new holiday display's debut in 2021 and I can tell that it really was nothing short of incredible. Here are some of the photos I took.

Get our free mobile app

 Here's Your Chance to Experience Anderson Gardens Illuminated

Anderson Gardens Illuminated begins on Thursday, December 1, and will be open Thursdays through Sundays from December 1 until December 18th. Illuminated will be open the entire week before Christmas except for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Your last chance to see the gardens lit up for the holidays will be December 26-December 30.

Open nightly from 5:00 pm - 8:30 pm

Friday and Saturday nights will also feature local middle and high school choirs singing Christmas carols and other musical performances.

Hot chocolate from Rockford Roasting Company will be available nightly inside the visitor center, plus made-to-order Woodfire Pizza every night. The gardens will also have a rotating schedule of local food trucks.

Anderson Japnese Gardens Illuminated Admission Rates

Non-Member: Adult $11, Senior $10, Student $9, Children 5 and under FREE

Basic Member: $8, Premium Member: FREE

Much like their Concerts In The Garden during the summer, weekend offsite parking will be available at the University of Illinois College of Medicine and you can ride the shuttle to Anderson Japanese Gardens (Shuttle available on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays only).