The Gardens of Southeastern North Carolina
985 Johnson Nursery RoadYou and your immediate family are invited to be among the first to experience The Southern Lights: Where Christmas Magic Grows!
Thursday, November 12, 2026
5:30–9:00 PM
This special First Glow evening is our way of saying thank you to the friends, supporters, and community partners who have encouraged The Gardens of Southeastern North Carolina and helped us grow.
Bring your family and enjoy a magical evening as thousands of Christmas lights transform The Gardens into an unforgettable holiday experience.
Explore everything The Southern Lights has to offer, including:
Thousands of Christmas lights illuminating The Gardens
Snowball Arena, Light Maze and other fun activities
12 Days of Christmas Walking Experience
Firepits and s’mores
Hot cocoa and seasonal drinks (available for purchase)
Pizza from our exclusive pizza partner, Cugino Forno (available for purchase)
Festive photo opportunities for the whole family
Admission is complimentary for invited Friends of The Gardens and their immediate families. Advance registration is required, and each adult and child attending must have a ticket.
Food, alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, s’mores, and other seasonal treats will be available for purchase throughout the evening.
Professional photography and video will be captured during First Glow for future promotional use.
By registering for and attending this event, you acknowledge that you and the members of your party, including children, may be photographed or recorded. You grant The Gardens of Southeastern North Carolina permission to use these images and recordings for marketing, advertising, social media, website content, and other promotional purposes.
The Gardens of Southeastern North Carolina
Adjacent to Johnson Nursery
985 Johnson Nursery Road
Willard, NC
We can’t wait to share this first look at The Southern Lights with you and your family!
Thu, Nov 12, 2026 5:30 PM - 9:00 PM
The Gardens of Southeastern North Carolina
985 Johnson Nursery Road
The Gardens of Southeastern North Carolina, a non-profit botanical garden, is committed to improving lives and nurturing creativity through the wonders of nature. Spanning over 300 acres of land, our aspiration is to establish ourselves as a premier destination for plant and nature enthusiasts, event goers, families and people of all ages!
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