Descanso Gardens adds flexible tickets for holiday attractions

Tickets will go on sale Wednesday for Descanso Gardens’ annual holiday attractions, with the botanical garden introducing a new flexible ticket option allowing visitors to purchase admission without selecting a specific date.

The new “Anytime Tickets” can be redeemed for any available evening during the season for either Carved or Enchanted Forest of Light, according to Descanso Gardens.

Officials said visitors who purchase the tickets in July will receive the lowest prices of the season, with discounts of up to $20 compared with August pricing.

The expanded ticket options are part of the 10th anniversary celebration of Enchanted Forest of Light.

“Ten years of Enchanted Forest of Light is something we could not be more proud of, and this season we’re celebrating with changes and surprises that will delight both longtime fans and first-time visitors,” Descanso Gardens CEO Juliann Rooke said in a statement.

Descanso Gardens said this year’s holiday attractions will include relocated installations by artist Tom Fruin, Giant Koi displays celebrating the 60th anniversary of the Japanese Gardens and sculptures by Finnish artist Alexander Reichstein. A holiday market featuring local artisans is also planned Dec. 2-6.

The attractions also will feature several changes from previous years. Rhizome will move to the Oak Grove as part of Carved, while Enchanted Forest of Light will add a laser show on the Main Lawn, ending with a snowfall finale.

Descanso Gardens also announced a series of summer attractions, including sunflower plantings in July, goats grazing in the gardens July 7-11 to clear brush, twilight admission tickets for evening visits and a seasonal menu at Farmhouse at Descanso.

Founded in 1953, Descanso Gardens is a 150-acre botanical garden in La Cañada Flintridge.

Tickets can be purchased at https://www.descansogardens.org.