Coos Bay, OR. — The annual Holiday Lights at Shore Acres State Park will once again transform the Oregon coast into a dazzling winter spectacle, running from Nov. 27 through Dec. 31. The beloved event features hundreds of thousands of colored lights and festive decorations illuminating the gardens nightly from Thanksgiving to New Year’s Eve.
The Friends of Shore Acres, who manage the event, announced that timed-entry parking reservations are now open at Bit.ly/2025holidaylights. Each $10 ticket covers parking and admission for everyone in the vehicle. Available time slots are 4:30 p.m., 5:30 p.m., 6:30 p.m., and 7:30 p.m. daily, and tickets must be purchased in advance.
Park Manager Lee Ricci said the timed-entry system, introduced in 2022, was designed to alleviate long traffic lines and safety issues.
“The event had become so popular in previous years that vehicles were waiting hours on the road, and traffic was backing up the highway,” Ricci said. “Vehicles are no longer waiting in long lines on the road to enter the event.”
Parking along the road or in nearby closed day-use areas after dusk is prohibited. However, the $10 parking fee can be waived for visitors who hold a 12- or 24-month parking permit, a special access pass for qualifying veterans or foster families, a valid campground reservation, or an Oregon Pacific Coast Passport—though a timed reservation is still required.
Visitors must present either a printed or digital ticket at entry, along with any applicable pass or permit. Half of all tickets are released on a rolling seven-day window to allow for last-minute visits.
“We realize that many families are just starting to think about their winter plans,” Ricci said. “That is why half the tickets are on the rolling seven-day window—to ensure visitors can reserve closer to the event.”
Reservations may also be made by phone at 800-452-5687, and additional details on parking permits and special passes are available on the Oregon State Parks website.
About the Author
