We track 2 displays in Gardner. Every one of them is free to visit.
Displays here switch on around sunset. In Gardner that means about 4:58 PM in early December and 4:59 PM by mid-month — the earliest sunsets of the year fall right in the middle of lights season. It is properly dark by about 5:29 PM, which is when the displays look their best. December nights in Gardner typically drop to around 23°F.
| Date | Sunset | Fully dark |
|---|---|---|
| Dec 1 | 4:58 PM | 5:28 PM |
| Dec 15 | 4:59 PM | 5:29 PM |
| Dec 25 | 5:03 PM | 5:33 PM |
Residential displays have no facilities of their own — no parking, no toilets, nowhere to warm up — so it is worth knowing what is around. Within about three miles of the Gardner cluster, OpenStreetMap maps 1 public car park and 0 public toilets. Only 5 cafés or takeaways nearby, so bring a flask if you want one. Note the lack of public toilets in particular if you are taking children.
Freeattractionpark light displayMayor's Christmas Tree Lighting CeremonySanta's Workshopschool children's music
Gardner's annual Christmas in the Park, in its 34th year, pairs a light display at Cornerstone Park with a Mayor's tree lighting ceremony featuring seasonal music from area school children and Santa's arrival. Santa's Workshop opens after the lighting and returns for an encore afternoon later in December.
✓ Last confirmed for the 2024 season
Freeneighborhoodmultiple lakefront home displayslights reflecting on the water
Several homes on the north end of Gardner Lake put up notable displays whose lights reflect off the water, making a pleasant add-on drive. The home at this address has the largest display and is worth viewing from the land side.
✓ Last confirmed for the 2024 season
Know a display we're missing in Gardner?Add it to the guide.