Is Winter Lights at The NC Arboretum in Asheville, NC worth it? Absolutely! From the nature-themed holiday light displays to s’mores and hot chocolate in the gardens, this is our “must” winter tradition to get into the holiday spirit.
See what’s new in 2025, and discover all that you need to know to have a great time, from locals and arboretum members.
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As Asheville residents, all photos are our own across years of living here. 💙 Christine
Get Started Here: Winter Lights Basic Information
If you are in a rush, find dates, ticket prices, and more. Afterward, plan your full Asheville visit with our local things to do guide. See more holiday lights across Asheville here.
✨ New In 2025 ✨
🚋 Recently announced for 2025, Winter Lights has partnered with Biltmore Park Town Square and Gray Line Trolley Tours for a new Winter Lights Trolley experience. Eat and shop in Biltmore Park Town Square (Posana just opened a second location here!).
Then, ride the Winter Lights Trolley on Friday, November 28, or select Fridays and Saturdays in December. Trolleys leave from Biltmore Park Town Square every half hour, starting at 5:30 PM until 8:00 PM. Tickets are $50 per person and available on select dates only. Read more about the Winter Lights Trolley here.
🧌 In addition, six of their special exhibit trolls will be “guests” this year. 🧌
5 Things We Love To Do At Winter Lights
Winter Lights at The NC Arboretum is one of our favorite places to see holiday lights in all of Western North Carolina, along with Candlelight Christmas Events at Biltmore and The Omni Grove Park Inn’s Gingerbread Competition. These are just a few activities we love that put us in the holiday spirit.
1. Find the most creative light displays
Start the holiday season off right with vibrant lights throughout the gardens. Find forest critter shadow boxes, giant deer, mushrooms, and nature-themed displays such as flowers and dandelions. Walk through lighted tunnels and rainbows, including the famous caterpillar.
Then, watch lighted trees “dance” to music. You cannot miss the iconic 50-foot tree of lights behind the illuminated Quilt Garden, which is surrounded by chairs and fire pits. Always a favorite among the little ones, the Rocky Cove Railroad outdoor model train is lit up for the holidays.
My favorite light displays across the years
🐛 My favorite displays at Winter Lights include the caterpillar tunnel, jellyfish, blue heron, butterflies, unicorn, narwhal, and garden gnomes. I love the river of lights, usually around the railroad. I look forward to seeing what they add each year.
2. Enjoy delicious treats
Purchase s’mores kits sold at the Bent Creek Bistro and pull up to a firepit with Santa, weather permitting (rain or wind/burn bans). Located within the gardens, find a Cocoa Shack and Cocoa Cabin that sell beverages and snacks.
Delicious treats Tom and I enjoy at Winter Lights
🍪 When available, I love their VG/GF brownie and VG chocolate chip cookie. Try a delicious gingerbread cookie.
Instead of ordering my usual sweet hot apple cider, Tom and I once shared mulled wine and a cranberry sake spritzer – with sake from Ben’s Tune Up. Of course, they sell hot chocolate.
3. Listen to live music
Catch live music – jazz, country, folk, and holiday – at the Education Center and Baker Visitor Center. We enjoy listening to the harp next to the blazing fireplace at the visitor center.
4. Shop for Christmas ornaments
Shop at The NC Arboretum’s Winter Lights pop-up Christmas shop filled with nature-themed ornaments and warm winter apparel.
I even created a special home office “Asheville” Christmas Tree
This shop inspired my Blue Ridge Mountain Christmas tree in my home office, which is covered in foxes, bears, birds, and owls. I love, love, love my cute squirrel ornament. I also like their snow globes and wish I had bought a hummingbird ornament. Next time…
5. Make a wish
Every year, the wishing trees change a bit. Grab a blank little note/ornament and write your wish. I cannot be trusted with a pen…
How Tickets Work & Why This Matters
Tickets are sold per vehicle based on vehicle size and not by person, costing around $45 – 75 per personal vehicle (8 seats; check their website for larger vehicles and times).
Most notably, the cost of Winter Lights varies by date. Purchase advanced tickets online for a discount or pay a higher price at the gatehouse (there is a chance you will be turned away, though, if they are too full). Members receive a $5 discount.
Tickets are timed for the event; select a 6:00, 7:00, or 8:00 PM entry slot. Ticket holders may enter any time between their chosen entry time and 9:00 PM. Gates close at 9 PM, and the event commences at 10 PM.
The North Carolina Arboretum’s Winter Lights tickets are date and time-specific. The event happens rain or shine (unless it’s a weather emergency). Tickets are non-refundable.
Audience, Accessibility, and Policies
Winter Lights at The NC Arboretum is truly a magical experience, sure to get you in the holiday spirit, young or old. This is one of the most family-friendly things to do in Asheville in the winter. It is also a great event to attend with friends and is quite romantic for couples. Solo travelers will be surrounded by smiling people and friendly volunteers.
Just know that while The NC Arboretum is pet-friendly most times of the year, you cannot have dogs or any pets at Winter Lights unless they are service animals. The event is accessible for guests with limited mobility and wheelchairs. Find paved pathways throughout the gardens and there are elevators in the Visitor Center.
Find multiple on-site restrooms at the Visitor Center and Bistro/Education Center. You cannot enter with or use bicycles, roller skates, rollerblades, or skateboards while at Winter Lights
Local Insider Tips For Visiting Without The Hassle
To have the best experience at Winter Lights in Asheville, I suggest:
- Getting tickets early. Prices rise in December and at peak times through Christmas and New Year’s. Weekends are more expensive than earlier weeknights.
- Visiting on a Monday through Wednesday evening to beat the crowds and prices; grab that 6 PM time slot so you can arrive any time before 9 PM; by 7:30/8 PM, entering traffic may thin out versus the opening time slot.
- Dressing in or packing extra layers; the NC mountain weather is unpredictable and angsty this time of year. Some years, I need a hat and coat. This year, I managed in a light sweater.
- Grabbing dinner at one of our favorite nearby Asheville restaurants before going. You might also like our local guide to Asheville breweries.
Before you go, celebrate the holidays in Asheville with these guides
⛄️ Asheville’s top winter activities and events
🎅🏼 Our local Christmastime in Asheville guide
🎄 Pick the perfect WNC Christmas tree
🥾 Hike like a local this winter
❄️ Indoor Things To Do With Bad Weather