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, visit Santa & Mrs. Claus, embark on the Elf Quest Experience, explore our Holiday Maze, challenge your family in the Snowball Arena, enjoy delicious food and festive drinks, and create magical moments with the people you love.

Santa & Mrs. Claus will be here every night The Southern Lights is open! 🎅🤶✨

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, a group outing, or a holiday gathering with friends, The Southern Lights offers a Christmas experience unlike anywhere else in Eastern North Carolina.

2026 Event Dates

November

• November 20–21

• November 27–28

December

• December 3–5

• December 6 – Non-Profit Night Supporting DCOM (Duplin Christian Outreach Ministries)!

• 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.

Please note: The Southern Lights is open on select nights in November and December, not every night. Please confirm your event date when purchasing tickets.

Ticket Pricing – General Admission

Advance Tickets: $14
Day-of Tickets (online & at the gate, if not sold out): $18
Children 4 & Under: FREE

Advance tickets are recommended, as popular evenings may sell out.

🎟️ Bulk Group Pricing – 25+ Tickets

Planning a holiday outing for a large group? Groups purchasing 25 or more tickets in a single order can take advantage of special bulk pricing.

Bulk Group Tickets: $12 per person

To receive the discounted rate, select the Bulk Ticket Group Pricing option when purchasing your tickets. A minimum quantity of 25 tickets must be added to your cart to use this ticket option.

Bulk pricing is perfect for corporate groups, churches, schools, clubs, organizations, extended families, and other large holiday gatherings.

Military Discount

We proudly offer 10% off General Admission for active-duty military, retired military members, and their dependents.

Military discounts are available 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:

🎅✨ Santa & Mrs. Claus – Every Event Night!

Christmas magic is waiting! Santa and Mrs. Claus will be joining us every night The Southern Lights is open, ready to welcome families and help make your evening even more memorable.

Stop by to share your Christmas wishes, say hello to Mrs. Claus, snap a festive photo, and enjoy a little North Pole magic surrounded by thousands of twinkling lights.

Whether it's your little one's first visit with Santa or a treasured family tradition, it's a holiday moment you'll want to remember.

✨ 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 Experience

Set off on the Elf Quest Experience, a festive walking adventure through the gardens leading you toward the Snowball Arena.

Keep your eyes open along the way—you never know what holiday surprises you might discover!

❄️ Snowball Arena

The Elf Quest Experience leads you to one of our favorite family attractions—the Snowball Arena!

Challenge family and friends to an epic holiday snowball fight using our famous never-melting South Pole snowballs.

🌲 Holiday Maze

Find your way through our festive maze while enjoying a little holiday adventure along the way.

❤️ 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, beautifully decorated garden scenes, and visits with Santa & Mrs. Claus.

🎶 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, church groups, 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 Reservation: $285

Only 10 VIP Firepits are available each evening, and they often sell out well in advance.

Your dedicated server can take orders for food and beverages sold by The Gardens throughout the evening. Outside food and beverages are not permitted.

Your food and beverage tab will be calculated and settled at the end of the evening. A 20% gratuity will automatically be added to all VIP Firepit food and beverage purchases made during the event.

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! Delicious food, festive drinks, and seasonal treats are available for purchase throughout the evening.

🍕 Cugino Forno Wood-Fired Pizza

Enjoy authentic wood-fired pizza from Cugino Forno, freshly prepared for guests at The Southern Lights.

Grab a pizza, find a cozy spot by the fire, and enjoy dinner surrounded by thousands of Christmas lights.

🔥 Holiday Treats

Enjoy classic seasonal favorites, including fresh s'mores and other sweet treats.

☕ Seasonal Drinks

Warm up with hot cocoa, coffee, spiced apple cider, eggnog, and other seasonal favorites.

🍷 Beer, Wine & Festive Cocktails

Adults can enjoy beer, wine, festive cocktails, and spiked versions of select seasonal drinks.

Please Note: The Southern Lights is a cashless event. We accept major credit and debit cards, Apple Pay, Google Pay, Samsung Pay, and other contactless payment methods.

Perfect For

✔ Family Christmas Traditions
✔ Visits with Santa & Mrs. Claus
✔ Date Nights
✔ Friends & Family Gatherings
✔ Corporate Holiday Parties
✔ Church Groups
✔ School & Organization Outings

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

For the safety and comfort of all guests, pets are not permitted at The Southern Lights.

Service animals are welcome in accordance with ADA guidelines.

💳 Payment

The Southern Lights is a cashless event. Major credit and debit cards, Apple Pay, Google Pay, Samsung Pay, and other contactless payment methods are accepted.

🚭 Smoking

Smoking is permitted only in designated parking areas.

🍴 Outside Food & Beverages

Outside food and beverages are not permitted.

📱 Mobile Tickets

Tickets are delivered by email and include a mobile QR code for easy entry. Tickets can also be added to your digital 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 thousands of sparkling lights and visits with Santa & Mrs. Claus to the Elf Quest Experience, Snowball Arena, cozy firepits, Cugino Forno pizza, and festive drinks, The Southern Lights is the perfect place to celebrate the magic of Christmas.

Bring the kids, plan a date night, gather your friends, or make it your family's newest holiday tradition.

Bringing a group? Save with Bulk Group Pricing when you purchase 25 or more tickets in a single order.

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

The Gardens of Southeastern NC