Riparian After Dark 2025

The Riparian Preserve comes alive with a holiday glow during Gilbert's annual Riparian After Dark event. Stroll around the 1.5 miles of trails and walkways that weave through the park and enjoy thousands of holiday lights and displays at every turn. This is a rare opportunity for those who appreciate nature to experience the thrill of nighttime at the preserve.

Local vendors will be serving up warm, delicious drinks every night to keep you cozy. On weekends, enjoy tasty treats from a snack vendor too. It's the perfect pairing for a magical evening outdoors!

This year's event takes place at 5:30-9:00 PM each night from December 12-22. The last ticket time slot is 8:30 PM, and the entrance will close at 8:45 PM so everyone has time to enjoy the experience before the lights turn off at 9:00 PM.

Tickets fees: $5.00 per person + tax/fees.

Children 3 and younger are free.

Tickets are single-use and only valid for their designated date (please make sure you are selecting tickets for the correct date before purchase).

Tickets are non-refundable. If you would like to transfer tickets to a different date, you can do so on your Eventbrite account (service/transfer fees apply). The transfer must be completed before the event begins on the selected evening.

Online ticket sales close at 4:30 pm each event day.

On-Site Ticket Sales will be available from December 12th - December 22nd.

On-Site ticket sales open at 5:30 PM-8:30 PM as space allow. On-Site tickets will not be sold after 8:30 PM.

$10 per person plus tax/fees.

Children 3 and younger are free.

On-Site Tickets can be purchased with a credit card only. No cash will be accepted.

Ticket buyers may have a wait time of up to 15 minutes before entering the event (if space is available).

This event is held on the paved trails around the preserve and is fully accessible by strollers, wheelchairs and walkers. Please do not allow children to climb on light displays. Violators will be asked to leave the event without a refund. Leashed pets are allowed at the Riparian Preserve. Please remember to pick up after your furry friend!

Parking is available at the Southeast Regional Library. The event entrance is located in the north parking lot on the corner of the Library at Guadalupe and Greenfield Roads. All other entrances to the Riparian Preserve will be closed during event hours. If you are parking at one of the local businesses, please be courteous of the site, and do not leave trash or block customer parking. There will be no parking available at the Riparian Preserve parking lot after 4:00 PM on event days.

A Hot Chocolate/Coffee truck will be on site for the event each night near the entrance gate. There will also be one food truck selling snacks and treats on site for the weekends only.

Alcohol and glass containers are strictly prohibited. Please do not feed the animals.

Note: Each vendor determines their own payment methods. Some may accept both cash and card, while others may only take one form of payment. No ATMs are available on site. Please plan accordingly. Vendors are subject to change.

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