10/18/2022
2022 is a wrap! Check out our main page, the Gardens at Lake Merritt for updated information each year. Tickets go on sale September 1. We are also on Instagram at Gardens_Lake_Merritt. Hope to see you at the festival next year.

As the curtain falls across the sprawling garden stage that was the Autumn Lights Festival 2022, deep respect to our founder, leader, our mentor and our muse, Tora Rocha. Tora conceived and manifested the idea of Autumn Lights a dozen years back. Our “Queen Bee” shepherded it through the necessary city departments, built deep relationships with hundreds of local artists and musicians who now all donate their time, talent and treasure to support infrastructure projects needed at her beloved Gardens. She somehow keeps the billion buzzing details that make it happen in her remarkable brain. Though she retired as Park Supervisor in 2017, she continues to be passionately involved in garden matters. She co-chairs the board of the Friends of the Gardens at Lake Merritt. She also founded the Pollinator Posse, and is a frequent speaker at garden clubs and venues around the state. Autumn Lights would never happen without her brilliant energy, passion and dedication and we thank her deeply.
Photo: John Kirkmire
