Bonnet Springs Park announced Friday that its popular “Light Up BSP” holiday event won’t take place this year because of previous challenges with parking and traffic.
However, the park plans to revive the event in 2026 thanks, in part, to a major project that is already underway.
“Taking a break this year — while we build parking and figure out better strategies to get people in and out — we just think it’s the right thing to do,” Park CEO Josh Henderson said.
Phase one of the project, expected to open in February, is a 191-space paved lot with landscaping and lighting on 3.2 acres across Bonnet Springs Boulevard near the Welcome Center.
A second phase, still in design, will add about 185 more spaces, Henderson said.
The park currently has 475 paved and about 500 unpaved spots, he said.
‘It really made this side of town a mess’
Canceling the light show was “a little sad,” but necessary, Henderson said. The event’s overwhelming popularity created traffic and parking challenges.
In its first year in 2023, the dazzling display of more than a million lights ran for two weeks and drew 63,000 visitors. Last year, it ran for 18 days and attracted 80,000 guests.
“We were busier every single evening, and it really made this side of town a mess,” Henderson said.
Even with Citrus Connection providing free shuttle service from the RP Funding Center, Rose Street, and downtown, traffic backups and long waits were common.
Private park, public grant
Bonnet Springs Park is privately owned and philanthropically funded. However, its parking project qualified for a cost-reimbursement grant from the Florida Division of State Lands.
The Legislature approved the local funding request, sponsored by Sen. Colleen Burton (R, District 12) and Rep. Jennifer Kincart Jonsson (R, District 49), in its 2025 budget.
The park has to cover the initial construction costs, but the state will reimburse up to $1.5 million.
Spreading the word
Bonnet Springs Park posted news of the cancellation on all of its social media channels Friday, hoping to reach potential visitors early.
“My biggest fear is that a family travels from hours away to see the lights this year, and finds out we’re not having it,” Henderson said.
“We’re trying to be as proactive as we can and let the general public know: We’re taking a year off — but we’ll be back next year.”
Cindy Glover is a reporter for LkldNow, a nonprofit newsroom providing independent local news for Lakeland. Read at LkldNow.com.
