Ethel M Holiday Cactus Garden Opening Night 2026
Celebrate the beginning of the holiday season during the free opening night of the Ethel M Holiday Cactus Garden Lights in Henderson.
Santa and Mrs. Claus will flip the switch, illuminating more than one million sparkling lights throughout the three-acre Botanical Cactus Garden. Ethel M is even promising a 100% chance of snow during this family-friendly celebration.
Date: Thursday, November 5, 2026
Time: 5:00 p.m.
Admission: FREE
Venue: Ethel M Chocolates Flagship Store & Cactus Garden
Age Requirement: All ages
Free Holiday Cactus Garden Opening Night
Ethel M Chocolates launches its 33rd Annual Holiday Cactus Garden Lights with a special opening-night ceremony on Thursday, November 5, 2026.
Beginning at 5:00 p.m., Santa and Mrs. Claus will welcome the holiday season by flipping the switch on more than one million lights. The colorful display illuminates the garden’s desert plants, walking paths and seasonal decorations.
Opening night also includes a special snowfall experience, bringing a touch of winter weather to the Henderson desert. Admission to the garden is completely free for this one-night kickoff celebration.
Event Details
- Event: Ethel M Holiday Cactus Garden Opening Night
- Date: Thursday, November 5, 2026
- Time: 5:00 p.m.
- Admission: Free
- Age Requirement: All ages
- Venue: Ethel M Chocolates Flagship Store & Cactus Garden
- Address: 2 Cactus Garden Drive, Henderson, NV 89014
- Phone: (702) 435-2608
No standard garden reservation is required. Guests should arrive early because opening night is expected to be popular and parking may fill quickly.
What to Expect on Opening Night
- Complimentary admission for all guests
- More than one million sparkling lights
- Santa and Mrs. Claus leading the official lighting ceremony
- A special holiday snowfall experience
- A walk through the three-acre Botanical Cactus Garden
- Colorful illuminated cacti and desert plants
- Family holiday photographs and festive displays
- Hot chocolate and chocolate-covered treats available for purchase
- Cocktails and mocktails available for purchase
- Access to the Ethel M Chocolates Flagship Store
More Than One Million Holiday Lights
The Ethel M Botanical Cactus Garden offers a distinctively Southern Nevada version of a traditional Christmas light display. Instead of snow-covered trees, more than one million lights illuminate cacti, succulents and other desert plants throughout the three-acre garden.
The self-guided walking experience provides plenty of opportunities for family photographs while allowing guests to explore the lighted displays at their own pace.
Santa, Mrs. Claus and Snow in Henderson
Santa and Mrs. Claus will make a special appearance to officially launch the 2026 Holiday Cactus Garden Lights. Together, they will flip the switch and reveal the fully illuminated garden.
Opening night will also feature simulated snowfall, creating a winter-wonderland atmosphere in the middle of the Henderson desert.
Regular Santa visits begin November 6 and continue through December 23. The paid Santa Express Pass is not required for the November 5 opening-night lighting ceremony.
Food, Drinks and Holiday Treats
Opening-night admission is free, but seasonal food and beverages will be available for purchase. Offerings are expected to include:
- Ethel M Chocolates
- Chocolate-covered treats
- Hot chocolate
- Seasonal mocktails
- Cocktails for guests ages 21 and older
The Flagship Store will also offer the 2026 Ethel M Holiday Collection, including limited-edition seasonal chocolates and the Holiday Advent Calendar. Product availability may vary.
Ethel M Chocolates Flagship Store and Cactus Garden
The celebration takes place at the Ethel M Chocolates Flagship Store & Cactus Garden in Henderson.
The destination includes an operating chocolate factory, retail store, café, tasting room and three-acre Botanical Cactus Garden containing more than 300 species of desert plants.
Address:
Ethel M Chocolates Flagship Store
2 Cactus Garden Drive
Henderson, NV 89014
Parking and Arrival Information
Complimentary customer parking is available at the Ethel M Chocolates Flagship Store. Because this is the official opening night and admission is free, the parking lot may reach capacity.
Guests should arrive well before the 5:00 p.m. lighting ceremony, follow onsite traffic directions and allow extra time to walk from their parking space to the garden entrance.
Know Before You Go
- Opening-night admission is free.
- The celebration begins at 5:00 p.m. on November 5.
- No standard garden reservation is required.
- The event is open to guests of all ages.
- Food, drinks, chocolates and merchandise cost extra.
- The garden is outdoors, so dress for the evening weather.
- Expect larger crowds and limited parking on opening night.
- Special appearances, activities and operating hours may change.
- Check the official event page before leaving home.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: When is the Ethel M Holiday Cactus Garden opening night?
A: Opening night is Thursday, November 5, 2026. The celebration begins at 5:00 p.m.
Q: Is opening-night admission free?
A: Yes. Admission to the Holiday Cactus Garden is complimentary on November 5.
Q: What happens during the opening-night ceremony?
A: Santa and Mrs. Claus will flip the switch to illuminate more than one million holiday lights. A special snowfall experience is also planned.
Q: Is the event appropriate for children?
A: Yes. The opening-night celebration is designed for guests of all ages.
Q: Are reservations required?
A: Standard reservations are not required to visit the Holiday Cactus Garden on opening night.
Q: Will food and drinks be available?
A: Yes. Hot chocolate, chocolate-covered treats, cocktails and mocktails will be available for purchase.
Q: Is parking free?
A: Complimentary customer parking is available at the Ethel M Chocolates Flagship Store. Arriving early is recommended.
Q: What happens after opening night?
A: The Holiday Cactus Garden remains open nightly through January 3, 2027. General admission beginning November 6 is $3 per person, with complimentary entry for children younger than 2 and guests ages 65 and older.
Attend the Free Opening-Night Celebration
Welcome the holiday season as Santa and Mrs. Claus illuminate more than one million lights throughout the Ethel M Cactus Garden.
View Official Opening Night Information
Opening-night activities, appearances and hours are subject to change. Confirm current information with Ethel M Chocolates before attending.
Explore More Christmas Events in Las Vegas
Find more free light displays, visits with Santa, holiday shows and seasonal family activities in the Vegas4Locals Christmas Events Guide.
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