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.
