A hand-held programmer is provided for adjusting various functions of a multi-scene, multi-zone programmable lighting control. The programmer generally includes push-buttons for selecting particular scenes and zones to be programmed and for activating any one of the functions to be adjusted; namely, intensity, fade time, and fade delay. An alphanumeric LCD display includes a number of controllable display areas, adjacent to and aligned with the push-buttons, for identifying the names of the selected scene and zone and the function settings associated with them. A cylindrically elongated rotary encoder, having a knurled, rubbery surface, is easily manipulated to adjust the setting of the activated function and provides kinesthetic feedback, so that its adjustment can be coordinated with a visual perception of the lighting scene. A locking type socket receives a corresponding plug for electrically connecting the programmer to a wall station in any one of a number of lighting areas to provide communication between the programmer and the lighting control. Once connected to a wall station in a particular area, the programmer is prevented from selecting scenes or zones in other areas to prevent inadvertent misadjustments.