Puerto Rico’s most photogenic holiday stroll glows again at Parque de las Ciencias in Bayamón, as the Festival of Lights opens on Sunday, November 2, 2025 and continues through January 2026 with illuminated sculptures, live music, parades, food kiosks, and family‑friendly surprises each night. The event transforms the science park into themed light zones and massive handcrafted lantern scenes, with evening hours optimized for cool breezes and golden‑hour photos before the lights fully bloom. Opening day brings a daytime fair, a 4:00 p.m. parade of floats and bands, and a festive kickoff that sets the tone for the season on the island’s north coast.
Dates, hours, and entry windows
- Season window: November 2, 2025 through January 2026, with nightly operations on a published calendar. The final date historically lands in early to mid‑January.
- Nightly hours: 6:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.; last entry at 10:00 p.m. Timed entry helps spread crowds and preserves a relaxed walk through light zones.
- Opening day highlights: Park opens at noon with entertainment, a 4:00 p.m. parade, and evening lighting; Santa’s helicopter arrival has been teased as part of kickoff festivities.
Tip: Choose the earliest evening slot to enjoy blue‑hour shots and thinner early crowds before peak times later at night.
Where it’s held and how the site is set up
The Festival of Lights is hosted at Parque de las Ciencias by Toroverde, just off PR‑5 in Bayamón, turning the park’s plazas and pathways into a curated route of illuminated art, stage moments, and food areas. The layout balances wide promenades for photos with themed scenes that nod to Puerto Rican culture, science motifs, and holiday icons, offering both spectacle and cozy nooks for families to pause and savor.
What to expect on a typical night
- Light sculptures and themed zones: Handcrafted lanterns and giant illuminated figures arranged in story‑like sections for easy navigation and varied backdrops.
- Live entertainment: Rotating stages and pop‑up music set a festive soundtrack to the walk.
- Food and drink: Local kiosks serving alcapurrias, pinchos, empanadillas, hot chocolate, and coquito‑style treats, plus kid favorites.
- Family touches: Photo ops, gentle interactive pieces, and stroller‑friendly paths make it simple to bring little ones or grandparents.
Tickets and pricing notes
- Timed‑entry tickets: Choose your date and time at checkout; capacity is limited per slot. This protects crowd flow and lets photographers plan golden‑hour or late‑night looks.
- Combo and savings: The park offers a “General Admission + Festival of Lights” combo for day‑to‑night fun with a small discount; families can stack savings if planning a full day.
- Price guidance: Official outlets publish current rates at purchase; presales and special offers appear on the park’s ticketing portal and social updates.
Always secure the time window first, then layer add‑ons; popular Friday and Saturday slots sell out faster in December.
Opening day program
- Noon park opening and family activities across the grounds.
- 4:00 p.m. parade with floats, bands, and surprises to welcome the season.
- Evening lighting ceremony as the sky deepens; entry runs until 10:00 p.m.
Arrive early if you want a curb spot for the parade, then pivot to night photos when the lamps are fully lit.
Accessibility and family planning
- Strollers and wheelchairs: Paths are broad and mostly level; the park team manages high‑traffic pinch points on peak nights.
- Quiet corners: Earlier entries and weeknights create the calmest walkthrough for sensory‑sensitive visitors.
- Essentials: Bring a light sweater for breezy nights, a compact stroller, and a small power bank for phones.
Getting there and parking
- Location: Parque de las Ciencias by Toroverde, Bayamón, minutes from PR‑5 and central Bayamón shopping.
- Parking: On‑site parking and overflow are directed by attendants; arrive before your timed slot to account for queues.
- Rideshare: Good for peak nights; set your pickup near designated exits to avoid traffic bottlenecks.
Photography tips
- Blue hour: Enter at 6:00 p.m. for the deep‑blue sky over warm lamps—ideal for portraits and wide shots.
- Angles: Frame lanterns with palm silhouettes and string lights for depth; step aside quickly after photos to keep paths flowing.
- Night settings: Lock exposure on mid‑tones, avoid flash, and use railings or a friend’s shoulder for stability.
Make a Bayamón night of it
- Pre‑ or post‑festival bites: Bayamón’s plazas and shopping corridors offer quick Puerto Rican eats—alcapurrias, mofongo bowls, and hot churros nearby.
- Pair with Old San Juan: If you’re visiting, plan a day in Old San Juan, then drive 30–40 minutes to Bayamón for lights at night.
- Local markets: Watch for pop‑up artisans in the park’s concourses to take home a piece of island craft.
Safety and comfort
- Timed entries reduce crowd surges; follow staff guidance at popular photo scenes.
- Keep little ones close; choose a meeting point in case your group separates.
- Respect exhibits—no climbing on lanterns—and pack out cups to help keep paths clean.
Why the Festival of Lights belongs on your 2026 holiday list
With a November 2 kickoff and a season that extends into January, Bayamón’s Festival of Lights blends Puerto Rican warmth with international‑scale lantern art, creating a holiday walk that’s as photogenic as it is welcoming. The evening hours are family‑friendly, the food is comfortingly local, and the setting—an educational park turned winter wonderland—makes it easy to celebrate together.
Call to action
Pick your date, lock an early evening entry for brilliant photos, and invite friends and family for a night of lights, music, and island flavor at Parque de las Ciencias. If you want a full‑day outing, grab the combo ticket, enjoy the park by day, and watch the festival glow after dark. Then let the season start right—with color, laughter, and the best of Bayamón’s holiday spirit.
Verified Information at a Glance
- Event: Festival of Lights (Festival Mágico de Luces), Bayamón, Puerto Rico
- Season Dates: Opens Sunday, November 2, 2025; continues nightly through January 2026 (final date published on calendar)
- Venue: Parque de las Ciencias by Toroverde, Bayamón
- Hours: 6:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.; last entry 10:00 p.m.
- Tickets: Timed‑entry tickets via park portal; limited capacity per slot
- Combo Option: Day park + Festival of Lights combo saves about $5
- Opening Day: Noon park opening, 4:00 p.m. parade, evening lighting
- Notes: Family‑friendly route with live music, food kiosks.
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