10 Ways to Enjoy Winter Lights at the NC Arboretum in Asheville, NC

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Now in its 12th year, the Winter Lights festival at the NC Arboretum in Asheville, North Carolina is a must see and a great way to get into the holiday spirit. We spent Christmas 2024 in Asheville, and even though the city was still recovering from Hurricane Helene in September 2024, there were plenty of festive activities to enjoy, including Winter Lights.

  • our family at Winter Lights at the NC Arboretum in Asheville, NC

Winter Lights is the arboretum’s most popular annual event, featuring over one million lights that illuminate almost a dozen themed displays, showcased throughout some of the arboretum’s 434 acres. We were very impressed by the creativity and beauty of each display, as well as some of the interactive activities. We wished we lived closer to Asheville- Winter Lights would surely be an annual tradition!

Travel Tips:

  • Winter Lights runs from 6pm to 10pm every night from mid November through early January (for 2025: from November 15th through January 4th, 2026). Note: Ticket prices are per vehicle- find up to date information on admission fees and hours here. 
  • The line to get into the complex starts around 5pm for a 6pm start time. The gates at the entrance to the arboretum open up around 5:30pm; guests drive up the road a bit to check with an attendant and then drive about a mile and wait for attendants to let you park. There are four or five upper level parking lots, including a handicap lot closest to the entrance. Once those fill (by 7pm), lower level lots are used for parking. More information on parking here. 
  • New option for 2025: Take the Trolley from Biltmore Park Town Square directly to the Arboretum, available on select Fridays and Saturdays during Winter Lights- see more information here. 
  • Bring the stroller for the toddler crew. The exhibit spaces are handicap accessible, but some spaces do involve stairs, especially for the train exhibit. There are accessible viewing areas for all exhibits. The indoor buildings are handicap accessible. See more information about accessibility here and a wheelchair accessibility map here. 
  • Restrooms are available in the Baker Visitor Center and the Education Center.
  • Concessions are available throughout the property: warm drinks and beer and wine at S’mores Land, Cocoa Cabin, and Cocoa Shack; and the Bent Creek Bistro for quick service food.
  • There are two gift shops: One Winter Lights and holiday themed room at the Woodland Cove Education Center and then an NC Arboretum gift shop in the main Baker Visitor Center.
  • See the schedule of nightly entertainment options here.
  • Plan on 60-75 minutes to fully explore all the exhibit spaces and check out the gift shops. See full Arboretum maps here.
entrance to Winter Lights at the NcArboretum in Asheville, NC

10 Ways to Have Fun at Winter Lights:

  1. Walk through a giant caterpillar and spread your butterfly wings in Magnificent Monarchs.
  2. Listen to the interactive story at Woodland Cove.
  3. Touch the handrails to see the space glow bright at the Enchanted Oasis.
  4. Write a wish and leave it on one of the Wishing Trees.
  5. Watch the trains zip along the track in the village at the Rocky Cove Railroad.

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inside the sleigh at Winter Lights at the NC Arboretum in Asheville, NC
  1. Check out the synchronized music and light panels of the Quilt Garden and the 50 foot Tree of Light.
  2. Warm up in a seat by one of the fire pits.
  3. Walk through the brightly lit Spring Sprouts.
  4. See the phases of the moon on display high behind the Quilt Garden.
  5. New for 2025: Find twelve massive Trolls (they’re seven to nine feet tall!), created by artist Thomas Dambo, made from wooden pallets and twigs and branches from fallen trees. The trolls are on display throughout the arboretum’s trails (not usually open during Winter Lights) and some of the gardens.
quilt lights at Winter Lights at the NC Arboretum in Asheville, NC

stages of the moon display at Winter Lights at the NC Arboretum in Asheville, NC

Looking for other adventures in Asheville? Check out our feature of the Biltmore Estate and our feature of seven ways to explore Biltmore.  And follow along on our adventures on Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest. 

posing with Santa at Winter Lights at the NcArboretum in Asheville, NC

New England based, part high school English teacher, part non profit founder, part road tripper who LOVES hopping in the family SUV to explore America. Our bucket list includes National Parks, MLB stadiums, presidential libraries, and eating wherever the locals eat!

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