Tropical Park's holiday lights return next week.

Christmas Wonderland opens Thursday, Nov. 12, for its fourth season and runs through Sunday, Jan. 3, the organizer, Miami-based Loud And Live, announced Monday. It fills more than 14 acres of the county park off Bird Road.

Hours

Monday to Thursday: 5 to 11 p.m.

Friday and Saturday: 5 p.m. to midnight.

Sunday: 4 to 10 p.m.

Gates open at 4 p.m. daily Nov. 23 to 28 and Dec. 21 to Jan. 2. It is open on Thanksgiving (4 to 11 p.m.), Christmas Eve (4 to 11 p.m.), Christmas Day (4 p.m. to midnight), New Year's Eve (4 to 11 p.m.) and New Year's Day (4 p.m. to midnight). It is closed Mondays Nov. 16, Nov. 30 and Dec. 7.

Tickets and deals

General admission for ages 13 and up is $39.99 online and $45.99 at the gate. Tickets for ages 4 to 12 are $29.99. Kids 3 and under get in free, according to the event's FAQ.

Weekday bundles are sold online until 5 p.m. on the day you go, plus taxes and fees: one ticket for $25 on Mondays, two for $49 on Tuesdays, four for $99 on Wednesdays and three for $79 on Thursdays.

Buy only from miamiwonderland.com or at the gate. The organizer warns that some resale listings with the same name are for a different show in Branson, Missouri.

What's included

A ticket covers more than 50 carnival rides, the shows and photo spots along the mile-long Tinsel Trail, and Santa encounters. Games, food, drinks, merchandise and professional photos with Santa cost extra.

New this year is the America 250 Wheel, a 230-foot observation wheel with 45 gondolas, included with admission. A light-and-music show called Light Up the Night runs every hour on the hour. There is also a new Christmas market and Memory Lane, a tribute to Santa's Enchanted Forest with some of its original displays.

Duck Discovery, a scavenger hunt for 24 rubber ducks, is free for kids 12 and under.

Parking and entrances

Parking is free, and VIP parking is sold separately. A free trolley runs from the main lots until one hour after closing. The main entrance is on Bird Road. On Saturdays, a second entrance off Miller Road (SW 56th Street) also opens and is usually less crowded, the organizer says.

Nights to know

Wednesday, Nov. 18, Dec. 2 and Dec. 9: Silent Night, with the first two hours sensory-friendly.

Dec. 1, 8 and 15: choir nights.

Monday, Dec. 14: Heroes Night, with free admission for first responders.

Thursday, Dec. 31: New Year's at Nine, a family countdown with fireworks at 9 p.m.

Planning more holiday outings? See our Veterans Day guide for next week's closures, and last month's Zoo Boo guide.

Tropical Park Stadium stands and field
Tropical Park in 2022, outside the holiday season. Source