Boerner Botanical Gardens
Hales Corners,
Wisconsin
CHINA LIGHTS WISCONSIN 2026
FAQ
Plan your visit with quick answers about tickets,
event policies, accessibility, parking, food, and more.
- Boerner Botanical Gardens Hales Corners, WI
- September 11 – November 1, 2026
- Tuesday – Sunday
- 5:30 PM – 10:00 PM
Browse by topic to find answers faster.
VISIT BASICS
TICKETS &
TIME SLOTS
ACCESSIBILITY & PARKING
EVENT
POLICIES
FOOD &
BEVERAGE
Frequently Asked Questions
A. VISIT BASICS
What is the China Lights event?
China Lights is an event that celebrates the art, skill, and beauty of traditional Chinese lantern festivals that have been celebrated across Asia for the last 400 years. This has been accomplished through an almost two-month long building process where about 40 exhibits, made of more than 1,000 components, are welded together, covered with colored fabric, and then hand painted. These displays are then illuminated with LED lighting to complete the amazing visual experience. Every year we showcase different lanterns and themes!
The show site is approximately 9 acres and has a 3/4 of a mile route that includes some steps and uneven surfaces. We recommend 2 hours to experience the entire exhibition.
In addition to the lighted displays there are multiple nightly performances of classic Chinese arts. Performance times are posted at the stages nightly. There are also displays and videos highlighting Chinese culture in the Garden House. Asian and American food is available for purchase along with beer and non-alcoholic beverages in the Shrub Mall and the Perennial Mall.
Where is China Lights being held?
China lights is being held at the Boerner Botanical Gardens, 9400 Boerner Dr., Hales Corners, Wisconsin. The Botanical Gardens are located in the northeast corner of Whitnall Park and is about 3 minutes west of Southridge Mall in Greenfield, Wisconsin. See location details.
What are the hours of the event?
China Lights is open Tuesday through Sunday from 5:30pm to 10:00pm (closed on Mondays). The onsite box office is open from 5:00pm to 9:00pm, but it may close early if attendance exceeds the venue’s capacity limit. The Visitor and Education Center building will be closed at 4:00pm daily during China Lights.
Is this an indoor or outdoor event?
This is an outdoor event – rain, snow or shine. Please check current weather conditions for your visit and dress appropriately. In the unlikely event of weather causing cancellation, patrons within the show grounds will be given rain checks for a subsequent show.
**Severe weather ( i.e. lighting, flooding, etc.) will require us to close for safety**
What does ticket admission include?
All tickets include admission to view the displays, exhibits and nightly stage performance.
What is Twinkle Tail Night?
Twinkle Tail Night is an exclusive, one-night-only, dog-friendly evening!
- Well-behaved dogs on leash only.
- Dogs enter for free. Humans require tickets.
- Relief stations available at the festival
Get a FREE pair of tickets when you adopt a pet from today through November 1 at a participating shelter (Olyver and Co., Tailwaggers911, and Second Chance Animals of Greater Milwaukee). Present your tickets at the box office to redeem—no online reservation needed.
Please keep in mind the last day of China Lights is November 1.
B. TICKETS & TIME SLOTS
Where can I purchase tickets?
Tickets are available online and at the box office in front of the festival entrance when the event is open. A limited amount of discounted General Admission tickets are also available at Festival Foods stores in the Milwaukee and Madison areas. Limited number of hard General Admission tickets are also available at the arboretum atrium. Please check our ticket page for more information.
Can I change the date and time of my tickets?
Yes! Ticket holders can change the date and time of their tickets up to 1 hour BEFORE the event starts. To move the date and time slot of your tickets, please follow instructions of this link here.
Tickets date and time cannot be changed AFTER The event starts.
Can I transfer my ticket to another person?
Yes! If you would like to transfer the ownership of your ticket to another person, you can do so from your Universe account. Tickets can only be transferred individually. Once a ticket has been transferred, the action cannot be undone. Any order with a transferred ticket will become non-refundable. For more information on how to transfer your tickets, please check the link here. Season passes cannot be transferred under any condition.
What are the time slots and how do they work?
We have 3 time slots on all event days.
- 5:30pm time slot ticket holders must enter between 5:30pm – 6:45pm.
- 6:45pm time slot ticket holders must enter between 6:45pm – 8:00pm.
- 8:00pm time slot ticket holders must enter between 8:00pm – 9:15pm
Last entry to the festival is 9:15pm.
Once you enter the festival, you may stay until we close at 10:00pm.
Do you donate tickets to nonprofit organizations?
Yes! Please visit our ticket page and scroll down to the “Donation” section to see information on how your organization can receive China Lights tickets.
Can I donate my unused tickets?
Yes! Please visit our ticket page and scroll down to the “Donation” section to see information on how you can donate your unused tickets to Vet Tix.
Do you donate tickets to nonprofit organizations?
Yes! Please visit our ticket page and scroll down to the “Donation” section to see information on how your organization can receive China Lights tickets.
How do I get a $5 off discount code?
Donate blood with Versiti Blood Center and receive a $5 discount code.
Visit Festival Foods at the following locations: Kenosha, Mount Pleasant, Hales Corners, West Allis, Somers, and Hartford.
Do you offer a group discount?
Yes! For groups of 20 or more (ages 12 and above), we offer a 20% discount on General Admission tickets. Group tickets are available as a ticket type, and the group rate is automatically applied. Group discounts are available online only.
Do you offer military discounts?
Occasionally, we have promotional tickets available for eligible veterans, active-duty military personnel, first responders, and their families. To check availability, please visit the following links:
Please note that you must have an existing account or create a new one to request tickets.
If I cannot attend, can I get a refund for my tickets?
Sorry, we do not offer refunds for unused tickets, but you may transfer or change the date and time of your tickets. Instructions are here.
C. ACCESSIBILITY & PARKING
Where can I park for the China Lights event?
There are 5 fully lit lots. Follow the signs, maps on tickets, and our parking staff to gain access to the parking areas. The close-up paved lot is $20/car on a first-come-first-serve basis, paid onsite with either cash or card. There are two free grass lots in walking distance to the festival entrance. The outer lots #4 (Golf Course) and #5 (Hales Corners Park & Ride) are free, and shuttle services are provided from outer lots to the entrance.
*Wet and/or muddy conditions may close grass lots for a 2-3 day dry out procedure.
Visit the Location & Parking tab of our website.
Is there paid parking available?
Yes, please visit here for parking information.
Where is parking for people with disabilities?
We will have limited parking spaces near the front gate to the show available on a FREE first-come, first-served basis with state-issued disabled parking or disabled Veteran parking license plates, or the state-issued disabled parking identification card.
These limited spaces are located in the Staff Parking Lot and are accessed through the entry at 92nd Street and College Avenue. Additional parking will be offered on a limited basis, which may include grassy areas. This is also first-come, first-served.
How accessible is the China Lights event?
The show does not have wheelchairs available for rent. The show site is approximately 3/4 of a mile and does include some steps and uneven surfaces. All displays can be viewed from garden paths. Multiple vantage points are available for some displays.
D. EVENT POLICIES
What are admission policies of the event?
Regular admission rates to Boerner Botanical Gardens apply during daytime hours. See the hours here. The Gardens will close at 4:30 p.m. Both will reopen for China Lights at 5:00 p.m.
Persons presenting a ticket assume all risks incidental to the event. Tickets are all date and time specific. There is no refund due to rain or unused tickets. In the unlikely event of weather causing cancellation, patrons on the grounds will be given rain checks for a subsequent show. No reciprocal garden admissions or Friends of Boerner Botanical Garden Memberships are valid during the China Lights special event.
Photography of the displays and performances is allowed, but please do not touch, climb on, or go over rope lines around displays. By attending the event, you permit your image and/or likeness to be reproduced for promotional and/or advertising purposes and/or by the media in print or digital formats.
These items are not allowed into China Lights: carry-in food or beverages (alcoholic or non-alcoholic), illegal drugs and controlled substances, weapons or objects that could be used as weapons, outside brochures or pamphlets, pets/animals (except service animals), lawn chairs, skateboards or skates, kites, Frisbees, or other carry-ins as determined by management. Outside vendors are not allowed into China Lights or on Milwaukee County Parks property without a valid permit. China Lights Officials reserve the right to eject any person violating any law, rule, or policy.
Do you allow animals?
For the enjoyment of all those attending this event, we do not allow animals except for registered service animals and for our special event, Twinkle Tail Night on September 29.
Can I smoke onsite?
This event is a smoke-free event. No smoking of any kind will be allowed. This includes vaping.
Can I photograph the lanterns?
Absolutely! Guests may take photos, but please do not touch, climb on, or go over rope lines around displays. Due to the large volume of people, only monopods are allowed until 9:30 p.m. each night. After 9:30 p.m. you are welcome to use a tripod. Keep in mind the show closes at 10:00 p.m.
How close can we get to the displays?
Guests may get near displays, but please do not touch, climb on, or go over rope lines around displays. We want to reduce wear and tear as much as possible. For our interactive displays visitors can touch and play with them.
Do you have a lost and found?
The lost and found is operated in the office inside the Garden House during show hours. During daytime hours, the information stand inside the Boerner Botanical Garden atrium can assist with lost items.
Can I volunteer?
Yes, we are seeking more Exit Guides. Each volunteer can earn a free ticket to the festival and an invitation to the staff-appreciation party. Positions must commit to two nights per week (3-4 hours a night) for the duration of the festival. Please reach out to marketing@tianyuculture.com.
What happens to the lanterns after the show?
The lanterns are taken apart by the Chinese artisans and technicians. Then they are carefully packed to move to the next show site to be rebuilt and refreshed. They are not available for purchase.
Bag Policy
Please review before arriving at the gate.
- ALLOWED
- Single-compartment bags 9" x 5" x 2" or smaller
- Clear single-compartment bags 12" x 12" x 6" or smaller
- One-gallon clear zip-lock bags
- Diaper bags and medically necessary items (up to 16" x 16" x 8")
- Strollers, wheelchairs, umbrellas
- NOT ALLOWED
- Multi-compartment bags
- Outside food or drink (except infant or medical use)
- Weapons
- Laser pointers
- Noise makers
- Pets (except registered service animals)
Food Vendors
Enjoy a variety of food and drinks during your visit.
Still have questions?
Contact our team if you need help before your visit.