Holiday events and activities can mean big crowds, lengthy lines and long waits. But at Garvan Gardens, "waiting" won't have to be on your schedule anymore.

The facility is offering a brand new option to purchase reserved time tickets for the holiday lights this year, meaning long waits on busy nights and overcrowded trails in the Gardens can be a thing of the past.

To use the new ticket system, visit Garvan Gardens' website, create a UTix account, order your tickets for your specific desired date and time and bring the tickets (either on your mobile device or printed) to the gardens. There will then be an express entrance lane for parking for online ticketholders; arrive no earlier than 15 minutes before your scheduled entrance time. 

The holiday lights will be on display Nov. 23-Dec. 31 from 4-9 p.m.each day except Thanksgiving and Christmas. There is free hot chocolate for all visitors and the Chipmunk Café has soups, sandwiches and snacks available for purchase each evening. 

New this year, there will be a tree lighting ceremony on Saturday, Nov. 23 at 5 p.m. There will also be live reindeer and santa's sleigh on Nov. 25, 26 & 27 from 4-9 p.m. Nick Ledbetter, owner of the Reindeer Club in Bristow, Oklahoma will be at the Gardens with two of his reindeer at the Reindeer Stable with Santa’s Sleigh. Visitors can feed the reindeer and have photos taken with them.

Admissions to Garvan Gardens is $15 for adults, $5 for ages 4-12 and free ages 0-3. For more details on Garvan Gardens Holiday Lights, visit their website