Summer evenings are best for the full experience.

Summer, June through August. The illumination runs later (until midnight or 1am), the weather is warm enough to linger, and you often get bonus fireworks. But any clear night works — the lights are on every evening year-round.

The lighting schedule follows sunset, so it starts earlier in winter (around 5pm) and later in summer (around 9pm). Winter nights are cold and icy on the walkways, and the viewing windows are shorter. Summer gives you more flexibility: you can grab dinner, walk the park, and still have hours of lit falls.

If you go in shoulder seasons (May or September), you get decent weather and fewer crowds. Just check the local illumination schedule online before you go — sometimes they adjust for special events or maintenance.

Future You will thank you for choosing a night above freezing.