A spectacular Christmas light attraction that became Fort Worth's top spot for holiday-time proposals, greeting-card portraits, and Instagram videos is returning for this holiday season: The Fort Worth Botanic Garden will bring back the towering, twinkling "Winter Cathedral" as part of its 2026 Christmas in the Garden presentation.
First introduced as part of the FWBG's "Lightscape" event in 2022, the Winter Cathedral was described as an18-foot-tall, 110-foot-long cathedral that guides guests through a long tunnel illuminated by tens of thousands of LED light globes. "Andrea Bocelli singing 'O Holy Night' adds to a true “cathedral” experience," CultureMap wrote of the experience. "Pause and take in the light-filled spectacle when he gets to the rousing line, 'Oh Night Divine.'"
It came back with "Lightscape" in 2023 and 2024, but disappeared when FWBG introduced Christmas in the Garden, a more Christmas-traditional concept, in 2025.
Back by popular demand, the Winter Cathedral will be the centerpiece of Christmas in the Garden 2026, which will run November 20-January 3 at the Fort Worth Botanic Garden.
According to a release, the event will include 22 illuminated installations spread throughout the garden. The Winter Garden will be joined by three new installations making their U.S. debut: Neon Gallopers, a herd of illuminated horses; Nenufars, glowing Japanese flowers set on the water; and Snowflakes, a path lined with illuminated crystal-like forms.
The garden is also once again leaning into its Texas setting, with cowboy nutcrackers; a display inspired by the "12 Days of Christmas;" a large illuminated Texas flag; and the popular field of lighted Texas bluebonnets.
Every Texan should love the lit-up bluebonnets. Photo courtesy of Houston Botanic Garden
The holiday soundtrack will feature music from Sony Music, which is partnering with the Botanic Garden on this year's event, they say.
Food will return, too, with Westland Hospitality (the group behind the FWBG's forthcoming new cafe Flora House) as the culinary partner. Its lineup will include Fort Worth favorites JD's Burgers, Magdalena's, Pulido's, Curly's Frozen Custard, and Margie's Italian Gardens.
Here's a tantalizing tease that would please Santa: Curly's will offer a Christmas Sugar Cookie frozen custard created for the event, combining vanilla frozen custard with sugar cookie crumbles, vanilla frosting, and sprinkles.
Speaking of Santa, the jolly old man will be at Santa's Village each evening through Christmas Eve for family photos.
"The greatest gifts aren't wrapped — they're felt, in the glow of the lights and the laughter of the ones you love," said FWBG President and CEO Patrick Newman in a statement. "That's the kind of gift Christmas in the Garden hopes to give every family who walks through our gates this season."
Tickets for Christmas in the Garden go on sale Wednesday, September 16. Advance prices vary by night, with adult tickets ranging from $20 to $34 and children's tickets from $13 to $22. Members receive discounts on regular- and peak-night tickets. A $5 surcharge applies to tickets purchased at the Garden on the day of the event.
On-site parking is $25 per car, with remote parking at Dickies available on select nights.
Tickets and additional information are available at the event website.
