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!
Description
The Southern Lights at The Gardens of Southeastern North Carolina
Experience One of Eastern North Carolina's Most Magical Holiday Traditions
Step into a world of twinkling lights, festive displays, crackling firepits, and unforgettable holiday memories at The Southern Lights.
Stroll through beautifully illuminated botanical gardens, discover whimsical holiday displays, enjoy delicious food and festive drinks, search for hidden elves, explore our holiday maze, toss snowballs that never melt, and create magical moments with family and friends.
Every ticket purchased helps support The Gardens of Southeastern North Carolina, a nonprofit botanical garden dedicated to improving lives by cultivating inspiration.
Whether you're planning a family tradition, a festive date night, or a holiday gathering with friends, The Southern Lights offers an experience unlike anywhere else in Eastern North Carolina.
2026 Event Dates
November
November 20–21
November 27–28
December
December 3–5
December 10–12
December 17–22
December 26
Hours
5:30 PM – 9:00 PM
Enjoy the gardens at your own pace with a self-guided experience.
Ticket Pricing - General Admission
Advance Tickets: $14
Day of Ticket (online & at the gate, if not sold out): $18
Children 4 & Under: FREE
Advance tickets are recommended, as popular evenings frequently sell out before the event.
Military Discount
We proudly offer 10% off General Admission for active-duty military, retired military members, and their dependents.
Military discounts are available both online using the coupon code SERVE and at the gate.
A valid military ID must be presented upon arrival.
Military discounts do not apply to VIP Firepit reservations.
What's Included with Your General Admission Ticket
Your admission includes access to all of The Southern Lights' signature holiday experiences, including:
✨ Thousands of Twinkling Holiday Lights
Stroll through beautifully illuminated botanical gardens featuring breathtaking light displays, festive music, and magical photo opportunities around every corner.
🎄 12 Days of Christmas Experience
Discover larger-than-life displays inspired by the beloved holiday classic as you explore the gardens.
🧝 Elf Quest Wagon Ride
Hop aboard our festive wagon ride and journey through the glowing gardens while searching for mischievous elves hidden throughout the forest.
❄️ Snowball Arena
Challenge family and friends to an epic snowball fight using our famous never-melting South Pole snowballs.
🌲 Holiday Maze
Find your way through our festive maze while uncovering holiday surprises along the journey.
❤️ Cozy Firepits & Date Night Areas
Relax beneath the lights with cozy gathering spaces perfect for couples, families, and friends. (Public firepits are available throughout the gardens on a first-come, first-served basis.)
📸 Picture-Perfect Photo Opportunities
Capture unforgettable holiday memories among sparkling pathways, festive displays, and beautifully decorated garden scenes.
🎶 A Festive Holiday Atmosphere
Enjoy cheerful holiday music, warm hospitality, delicious food, seasonal beverages, and the magic of Christmas throughout your visit.
VIP Firepit Experience 🔥
Make your evening even more memorable with a private VIP Firepit.
Perfect for holiday parties, family gatherings, birthdays, corporate outings, or simply enjoying the season with friends.
Your reservation includes:
Private reserved firepit
Admission for up to 16 guests
Dedicated server for food and beverage service
Premium gathering space throughout your visit
VIP Firepit Reservations: $285
Only 10 VIP Firepits are available each evening, and they often sell out well in advance.
Food and beverages are available for purchase separately.
Gardens Members Save More
VIP Firepit reservations are not eligible for promotional discounts.
However, The Gardens Members receive exclusive savings on VIP Firepit reservations as one of the many benefits of membership.
Become a member to enjoy year-round benefits while supporting our nonprofit botanical garden.
Food & Drinks
Come hungry!
Enjoy a variety of delicious food and beverages throughout the evening, including:
🍕 Wood-fired brick oven pizza
🌭 Gardens' Grille favorites
🔥 Fresh s'mores
☕ Hot cocoa, coffee, and seasonal beverages
🍷 Beer, wine, and festive cocktails
Food and beverages are available for purchase throughout the event.
Please Note: The Southern Lights is a cashless event. Credit, debit cards, Apple Pay, Google Pay, and Samsung Pay only.
Perfect For
✔ Families
✔ Date Nights
✔ Holiday Traditions
✔ Friends & Family Gatherings
✔ Corporate Holiday Parties
✔ Church Groups
✔ School Groups
Know Before You Go
Parking
Free onsite parking is available.
Accessibility
Most walking paths are covered with ADA-compliant mulch. Some attractions may have limited accessibility.
Pets
Friendly, leashed pets are welcome.
Payment
The Southern Lights is a cashless event. Credit, debit cards, Apple Pay, Google Pay, and Samsung Pay are accepted throughout the event.
Smoking
Smoking is permitted only in designated parking areas.
Outside Food & Beverage
Outside food and beverages are not permitted.
Mobile Tickets
Tickets are delivered immediately by email and include a mobile QR code for easy entry. Tickets can also be added to your Apple or Google Wallet.
Need to Change Your Date?
Plans changed? Use the "Change Your Event Time" link included in your confirmation email to move your tickets to another available event date.
Transfers must be completed at least 24 hours before your scheduled event. The transfer option is automatically disabled within 24 hours of your event.
Make This Holiday Season One to Remember!
From sparkling lights and cozy firepits to festive food and unforgettable family traditions, The Southern Lights is the perfect place to celebrate the magic of the season.
Reserve your tickets today and experience one of Eastern North Carolina's favorite holiday traditions.
Date & Time
Nov 15, 2025 - Dec 26, 2026
Venue Details
The Gardens of Southeastern North Carolina
985 Johnson Nursery RoadWillard, North Carolina 28478
