Home » **Annual Event**, *Top Pick*, Art & Museums, Christmas, In Person, Tree + Holiday Lightings

SF’s Epic “Photosynthesis” Light Show | Conservatory of Flowers

Thursday, January 1, 2026 - 5:00 pm to 11:59 pm | Cost: FREE*
*Free to watch from outside the building.

San Francisco Conservatory of Flowers | 100 John F. Kennedy Dr., San Francisco, CA

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SF’s Epic “Photosynthesis” Light Show | Conservatory of Flowers

Light up the season with Photosynthesis,

This beautiful light art installation was developed in partnership with the San Francisco Recreation and Park Department and was designed by Lumigeek with music by Tim Digulla. The installation uses special projectors to transform the all-white glasshouse into a series of exquisite scenes inspired by the rare tropical flowers growing within this national landmark.

The light art installation changes twice a year, adapting it’s visuals and music to the spring-summer season and fall-winter season. Please note, we don’t know the date the winter version starts in 2025, but in 2024, it went live on live on November 8, 2024 and we expect it to be similar for 2025.

This public art installation takes place outside the Conservatory of Flowers and is free for visitors of all ages.

The Conservatory’s light show begins approximately 30 minutes after sunset every night, transforming the building into a canvas of colorful light art.

Bundle up and spread out a blanket on the lawn in front of the iconic Conservatory of Flowers for an amazing evening of free music and psychedelic visuals in San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park every night at sunset. The outside of the Conservatory of Flowers will be illuminated starting 30 minutes after sunset every night and will continue to run on a loop until midnight.

Our beloved flower-powered light show is FREE every night and open to all ages!

Where to Watch

Venture up close to the Conservatory to enjoy the details of the projections or sit back and enjoy a view of the entire building awash with color. The best viewing areas are along JFK Promenade and on the lawns in front of the Conservatory of Flowers, also known as “Conservatory Valley”. Street parking is available along Nancy Pelosi Drive and Bowling Green Drive. For more transportation and parking information for the Conservatory of Flowers, see Getting Here.

Learn more about the Conservatory of Flowershow to get here, and admissions & hours.

Disclaimer: Please double check event information with the event organizer as events can be canceled, details can change after they are added to our calendar, and errors do occur.


Cost: FREE*
*Free to watch from outside the building.
Categories: **Annual Event**, *Top Pick*, Art & Museums, Christmas, In Person, Tree + Holiday Lightings
Address: 100 John F. Kennedy Dr., San Francisco, CA

Thursday, January 1, 2026

7:30 am   Free Admission Day at SF Botanical Garden for New Year’s Day 2026  FREE*
*Free on the 2nd Tuesday of the month, on Thanksgiving, Christmas Day, New Year's Day, and daily from 7:30-9 am
All Day   SF’s 12 ft. Tall “Sugar Castle” at the Westin St. Francis (Nov. 26-Jan. 2)  FREE
All Day   SF’s Holiday Ice Skating Session at Union Square (New Year’s Day)  $22
10:00 am   Free First Thursdays at SF’s Museum of Craft and Design  FREE*
*Free Admission every First Thursday
10:00 am   13th Annual “First Day” Hike at Jack London Stat Park (North Bay)  $15*
*$15 plus $10 per vehicle park entry fee
11:00 am   Cancelled: Free First Thursdays at Berkeley Art Museum  FREE*
*Free admission to galleries. Film programs are excluded. No advanced tickets required, but subject to capacity limits
11:00 am   San Jose’s New Year’s Day “Skate Under the Palms” Ice Skating  $21*
*$21 includes skate rentals
12:00 pm   SFMOMA’s “Free First Thursdays” Free Museum Day for Locals  FREE*
*Residents of the nine Bay Area counties are invited to spend a day at the museum on us
12:00 pm   New Year’s (& Final) Day at San Jose’s “Christmas in the Park”  FREE*
*Free, but donations are accepted
1:00 pm   Free New Year’s Day 2026 Huge Sand Art-Making at Ocean Beach (SF)  FREE*
*Open to all
3:00 pm   Free SF Chamber Orchestra Concert on New Year’s Day (Palo Alto)  FREE*
*Tickets/RSVPs NOT required but it helps us to know you're planning to come. Supporting Members may enter up to an hour before downbeat for first choice seating. General Admission begins at 2:45pm.
4:30 pm   New Year’s Day at Oakland Zoo’s “Glowfari” 2025 Lights Festival  $30.75*
*Adult admission tickets start at $30.75; The Zoo is using dynamic pricing, so ticket prices will vary based on date and time and purchase date. Buy early. Tickets do sell out in advance.
5:00 pm   PIER 39’s Dazzling 60′ Tree Lighting Show (New Year’s Day)  FREE
5:00 pm   New Year’s Day at “Lightscape”: Immersive Holiday Light Trail  $32*
*Adult tix start at $32
5:00 pm   SF’s Free DFT Monthly Block Party: “Downtown First Thursdays” (2026)  FREE*
*Free with RSVP
5:00 pm   SF’s DFT New Year’s Day: “Downtown First Thursdays” (2026)  FREE*
*FREE with RSVP
6:00 pm   SF’s 2025 Macy’s Union Square Great Christmas Tree (Final Night)  FREE
6:00 pm   Lower Polk / TL Art Walk | Trendyloin  FREE
7:00 pm   Hecklers Welcome: SF’s First Stand-Up Comedy Show That Invites Heckling  FREE*
*Free with RSVP
9:00 pm   16th & Mission Open Mic (w/out a mic)  FREE*
*Absolutely free for all!
9:00 pm   Every Thursday: “Inner Circle” Dance Party at White Rabbit (SF)  FREE*
*Inner Circle is always Free with RSVP
9:30 pm   Sadderday: An Emo/Pop-Punk/Screamo Dance Party | SF  FREE
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