Winter Wonderland: A Holiday LIghts Spectacular, a unique event unlike any other holiday lights show attraction you can imagine, is back for its 2nd year with an expanded drive-through and walk-through nighttime holiday lights experience across the spacious 90-acre Gilmore Car Museum campus.

Enjoy a driving tour through the lighted grounds, surrounded by festive music and decorations, then visit the inside of the museum to meet Santa Claus and explore the Gilmore’s Festival of Trees as you walk through galleries filled with hundreds of classic cars.

In addition to the twinkling lights and delightful decorations, Winter Wonderland boasts a variety of memorable experiences for Gilmore guests to enjoy this winter:

• Gourmet hot chocolate, adult drinks, holiday-themed food & sweets, and holiday gift shopping
• A giant, one-of-a-kind maze of holiday inflatables 
• A nostalgic 1960s fresh Christmas tree and wreath lot, complete with vintage Shasta camper trailer
• Dashing Through the Snow family rides through the lights in Ford Model T’s, a Checker Taxi Cab, a ‘63 Cadillac convertible, and several other vintage cars from our collection
• A stop inside Santa’s Garage, the big man’s hot rod workshop, located inside our 1930s Shell Station
• Classic cars from the museum’s collection dramatically displayed inside Gilmore Snow Globes
• Featured outdoor artwork exhibits from legendary automotive illustrators, including Art Fitzpatrick, Van Kaufman, and Jeff Norwell
• Visit with Santa Claus along with photo opportunities
• Live musical performances on Friday and Saturday nights
• Holiday inspired photo opportunities through the museum
• Children's ornament making station
• Leave your letter for Santa with the North Pole Post

Ticket Pricing:

• At Door:
  • Adult (18+) - $20
  • Youth (age 5 - 17) - $12
  • Child (age 4 and under) - FREE

• Online:
  • Adult (18+) - $17.50
  • Youth (age 5 17) - $9.50
  • Child (age 4 and under) - FREE

Dates & Hours

Open Thursday through Sunday, 5p to 9p.

Additional open dates:

• Tuesday, December 13th
• Monday, December 19th
• Tuesday, December 20th
• Wednesday, December 21st
• Wednesday, December 28th

** CLOSED on Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.

FAQs

• Will Winter Wonderland be closed on holidays?
  • Yes. Winter Wonderland will be closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, and Christmas Day.
    

• Is my ticket good for a specific date?
  • Tickets are NOT date specific. You may use your ticket on any day between Friday, November 25th and Friday, December 30th. The Winter Wonderland event is closed on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays except for select dates.

• What are the hours of operation?
  • Winter Wonderland hours are 5p to 9p each night of operation.
    
• Do we have to pay for parking?
  • No. Parking at the Gilmore Car Museum is always FREE.

• Will all the outer buildings be open?
  • During Winter Wonderland not all outer buildings will be open.
    • Open: Heritage Center, Franklin, Lincoln, Ford Model A, Cadillac, Steam Barn, Carriage House, Shell Station, Diner, Cafe
    • Closed: CCCA Museum, Pierce-Arrow, Train Depot, Campania Barn, Pedal Car Bar, Motorcycle Gallery

• Is there a time limit for my visit?
  • No, we encourage guests to take advantage of all Winter Wonderland has to offer until the event ends. 

• Will restrooms be open?
  • Handicap accessible restrooms are available in the Main Gallery.

• Will onsite restaurants be open?
  • Yes. The Heritage Cafe, George and Sally's Blue Moon Diner and Gilmore Bar will all be open.

• Will alcohol be available?
  • Yes. Regular alcoholic drinks - beer, wine and spirits - will be available as well as holiday themed drinks.

• Will onsite shopping be open?
  • The museum gift shop, three Bavarian Christkindlmarket stalls and a glow cart will be open during the event.

• Are wheelchairs and/or scooters available to rent?
  • Yes, a limited number of wheelchairs (free) and mobility scooters (a $25 daily rental fee) are available for those who may need assistance. Both are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Please ask one of our Museum Store attendants upon your arrival for assistance.
    
    Guests are welcome to bring their own wheelchairs and scooters. 

• Does Gilmore Car Museum offer refunds or exchanges in the event of extreme weather conditions?
  • The Gilmore Car Museum does not provide refunds or exchanges on tickets once purchased. All Winter Wonderland programming will occur in all-weather conditions. The Gilmore Car Museum would cancel programming only in the case of extreme weather. Please check for updates on our social media pages or website.

• Are there walking areas outside for visitors to stroll?
  • Warm clothing and appropriate footwear are recommended, as part of the Winter Wonderland experience consists of outdoor walking areas.
  • Please be aware that Winter Wonderland includes the following:
    • Dark environments with areas of uneven terrain. Please bring a flashlight if you feel it will assist you
      in navigating the event.
    • Crowds
    • Wood smoke and open flame
    • A possibility of ice and/or snow on walkways. We do regularly salt and shovel, but slippery conditions may still exist.

• Do you allow strollers and wagons?
  
  • Strollers and wagons will not be available to rent for this event. However, you are welcome to bring your own wagons and strollers. Keep in mind that strollers/wagons which are particularly wide may not fit through some of the site’s more narrow passageways.

• Are pets allowed?
  • Sorry, but no. Winter Wonderland is for humans only.

• Can I take pictures?
  • Photography and video recording for personal use are permitted. No tripods, monopods, or drones are allowed on the site and NO storage is available for these items. You will not be allowed to enter with these items so you must leave them in your car or at home.

• How long is the driving portion?
  • The drive-through light show is 1.0 mile long.

• Can I get a refund?
  • The Gilmore Car Museum does not provide refunds or exchanges on tickets once purchased. Tickets are not refundable, but are transferable between persons, not events. You can gift your tickets to someone you know if you can't make it.

• Can I use my membership card for admission?
  • Your membership card does not grant you access to special events. 
    

• There is a tunnel of lights on the route. Will my car fit under it?
  • The tunnel of lights is 12 feet tall and 22 feet wide, but slopes on the sides as it's an arch. Standard size vehicles will fit, no problem, but lifted vehicles may have to be measured at home first.