The North Carolina Arboretum’s second annual Winter Lights holiday exhibit officially kicks off Nov. 20.
Through Sat., Jan. 2, 2016, from 6- 10 p.m., visitors can walk through a 3-acre tour of the arboretum’s nationally-known gardens, which are dressed in uniquely-lit displays and landscapes. Produced in collaboration with Jerry Stripling — who is a former designer and manager of holiday decorations, special projects and events for Walt Disney World — Winter Lights is designed with special installations, which include more than 200,000 energy-efficient LED lights.
This year’s show features include a special animated 50-ft. tree placed over the arboretum’s Johnston Pool, which displays a programmed light show every 30 minutes starting at 6:30 p.m. and ending at 9:30 p.m. The “Lights of the Season” Twinkling Tree is a structure dressed with 8,000 LED bulbs.
Other event elements include a free children’s craft station inside the arboretum’s education center, nightly holiday entertainment primarily performed by local area school and choir groups, and the arboretum’s Rocky Cove Railroad, a garden-scale model train.
Winter Lights tickets are available for purchase through Etix.com or by visiting www.ncwinterlights.com. All tickets must be purchased in advance and are date-specific. Pricing is $18 for adults and $16 for children (ages 5 to 11). Children aged 4 and under get in free. Group tickets are also available at $15 per person for a minimum of 20 people. Members of The North Carolina Arboretum Society receive a $2 discount on all ticket purchases.
For more information on Winter Lights, visit www.ncwinterlights.com.
- Christmas carolers. Photo by Pat Barcas.
- Christmas carolers belt out some holiday tunes. Photo by Pat Barcas.
- Christmas carolers. Photo by Pat Barcas.
- Christmas carolers. Photo by Pat Barcas.
- Photo by Pat Barcas.
- The “Dream Quilt” light display is full of vivid colors. Photo by Pat Barcas.
- There were several fire pits located throughout the display for visitors to keep warm. Photo by Pat Barcas.
- The holiday train was running all night. Photo by Pat Barcas.
- The holiday train. Photo by Pat Barcas.
- Visitors traverse through a tunnel of lights. Photo by Pat Barcas.
- Photo by Pat Barcas.
- Photo by Pat Barcas.
- Photo by Pat Barcas.
- Photo by Pat Barcas.
- Photo by Pat Barcas.
- Photo by Pat Barcas.
- A pointsettia tree in the greenhouse. Photo by Pat Barcas.
- Parking lot lights. Photo by Pat Barcas.
Before you comment
The comments section is here to provide a platform for civil dialogue on the issues we face together as a local community. Xpress is committed to offering this platform for all voices, but when the tone of the discussion gets nasty or strays off topic, we believe many people choose not to participate. Xpress editors are determined to moderate comments to ensure a constructive interchange is maintained. All comments judged not to be in keeping with the spirit of civil discourse will be removed and repeat violators will be banned. See here for our terms of service. Thank you for being part of this effort to promote respectful discussion.