Free Holiday Lights Walk Through Comes to County Arboretum
Orange County Parks & Recreation announced that the annual Holiday Lights in Bloom walk through display at the Orange County Arboretum will begin on Nov. 28, 2025. The free outdoor event at Thomas Bull Memorial Park offers family friendly themed light displays and supports county seasonal programming, with a county post linking to an event flyer that lists dates, times and visitor expectations.
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Orange County Parks & Recreation posted a NewsFlash on Nov. 3, 2025 announcing that the annual Holiday Lights in Bloom walk through will return to the Orange County Arboretum at Thomas Bull Memorial Park beginning Nov. 28, 2025. The short county post links to an event flyer and provides details on dates, times and visitor expectations for the family friendly light displays that make up the county seasonal program.
The display is promoted as a free, outdoor experience designed to be accessible to families and community members across the county. Organizers say the lights are arranged around the arboretum grounds, allowing visitors to move through themed installations without entering enclosed spaces. For many residents, especially families on tight budgets, free seasonal offerings like this can provide a way to celebrate the holidays without the financial strain that ticketed events can bring.
Public health and safety are central concerns for large public gatherings. The outdoor nature of the arboretum reduces some risks commonly associated with indoor events, but crowd density, parking and restroom access can affect visitor safety and comfort. The county post indicates that visitor expectations are included in the flyer, and health minded residents should review those details before attending. Local public health officials generally advise planning visits for off peak times, keeping appropriate personal protections in mind and supervising children closely around display areas.
Beyond individual health considerations, the event has broader community implications. Seasonal programs at county parks help sustain social connections and mental well being, particularly for older adults and families who may feel isolated during winter months. Free programming also promotes social equity by lowering barriers to participation for low income households and newly arrived residents. However, equity depends on more than free admission. Transportation access, ADA compliant pathways, adequate parking and clear information in multiple languages are necessary to make the event truly inclusive for all Orange County neighborhoods.
Thomas Bull Memorial Park and the arboretum are longstanding public assets for the county. The annual light display can bring modest economic activity to nearby businesses as visitors stop for meals and shopping. At the same time the county will need to balance event operations with routine park maintenance and year round access for residents who use the park for daily recreation.
Residents interested in attending should consult the Orange County Parks & Recreation NewsFlash posted on Nov. 3, 2025 for the event flyer, a full list of dates and times and the detailed visitor expectations. As the event approaches, community members and advocates will be watching how well the county addresses transportation, accessibility and public health needs so that the lights bring joy to as many people as possible.
