NC Arboretum's Winter Lights Must-Visit Asheville Event

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 a “must” winter tradition for us to get into the holiday spirit. Learn all that you need to know from locals and Arboretum members; we attend every year.

Night light displays with unicorn, bubbles, colorful balls, and rainbow wall at Winter Lights at the NC Arboretum in Asheville, NC in December

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Top Things To Know About The NC Arboretum’s Winter Lights In 2023

If you are in a rush, find dates, ticket prices, and more here. Then, keep reading to discover our favorite Winter Lights displays.

Dates: November 17, 2023 – December 31, 2023
Tickets: Starting at $35+ online for members
Address: 100 Frederick Law Olmsted Way, Asheville, NC 28806
Website: https://www.ncarboretum.org/winter-lights/
New In 2023: Cocoa Cabin, new displays (dandelions, butterfly wings), 10-year celebration

Bush decorated like a gnome with red hat with lights and beard next to Christine, a white brunette woman in a purple jacket with jeans and boots at Winter Lights in Asheville, NC

5 Best Things To Do

Winter Lights in Asheville is one of our favorite places to see holiday lights in all of Western North Carolina along with Biltmore at Christmas and The Omni Grove Park Inn. These are just a few activities to get your money’s worth.

Colorful rainbow lights wrapped up in white paper cones at Winter Lights In Asheville, NC

Unicorn and rainbow light display at The NC Arboretum's Winter Lights in Asheville

1. Find the most creative light displays

Three large white deer light display at Winter Lights at The North Carolina Arboretum in Asheville

Caterpillar-shaped Light Tunnel at Winter Lights in Asheville, NC

Start the holiday season off right with vibrant lights throughout the gardens, featuring forest critter shadow boxes, a unicorn, giant deer, a narwhal, and nature-themed displays such as flowers and a heron. Walk through lighted tunnels and rainbows, including the famous caterpillar. I adore the garden gnomes and might just have to make one at home.

Then, watch lighted trees “dancing” to music, and don’t miss the iconic 50-foot tree of lights behind the lighted Quilt Garden, surrounded by chairs and firepits. Spy the Rocky Cove Railroad outdoor model train, which is lit up for the holidays too. The river of lights is pretty creative.

2. Enjoy delicious treats

Christine's gloved hand holding up a gluten-free, vegan gingerbread cookie in front of the Cocoa Cabin at The NC Arboretum's Winter Lights in Asheville

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 a newer Cocoa Cabin selling beverages and snacks. We bought a delicious vegan and gluten-free gingerbread cookie with local craft beer and wine. I also always order a sweet hot apple cider but you might prefer hot cocoa.

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

A white hand holding up a fox ornament in front of decorated Christmas tree at Winter Lights at The NC Arboretum in Asheville, NC

Shop at the NC Arboretum’s Winter Lights pop-up Christmas shop filled with nature-themed ornaments and warm winter apparel. This shop inspired our Blue Ridge Mountain Christmas tree in our home office. The tree is now covered in foxes, bears, birds, and owls purchased at the event.

5. Make a wish

Christine, a white brunette female in a winter hat and coat holding a hand-written ornament that says, "my hubby to stop being a grinch" to hang on the wishing tree at Winter Lights at the NC Arboretum in Asheville

Every year, the wishing trees change just a bit. Grab a blank little note/ornament and write your wish.

Audience, Accessibility, and Policies

50-Foot Tree of Lights behind the lighted Quilt Garden with Christine and Tom, a white brunette male and female in winter hats and coats, taking a selfie at Winter Lights at The NC Arboretum in Asheville, North Carolina

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.

Just know that while The NC Arboretum is pet-friendly most times of the year, you cannot have a dog/pet at Winter Lights unless it is a service animal. The event is accessible for guests with limited mobility and wheelchairs. Find paved pathways throughout the gardens.

There are 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

Dates, Tickets, and Pricing Details

Light display of Blue Heron at night in gardens at Winter Lights at The NC Arboretum in Asheville, NC

To have the best experience at Winter Lights in Asheville, we suggest:

Purchasing advanced tickets online, especially if you have a specific date set in mind; they might sell out closer to the holidays/weekends
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
Dressing in or packing extra layers; the NC Mountain weather is unpredictable and angsty this time of year
Grabbing dinner at one of our favorite nearby Asheville restaurants before going

Ticket Prices

Garden Gnome made from bush with lights with beard and red hat the NC Arboretum's Winter Lights Festival in Asheville, NC

Winter Lights at The NC Arboretum goes from November 17 to December 31, 2023. Tickets are sold per vehicle based on vehicle size and not by person, costing around $35-$80 per personal vehicle. The cost of Winter Lights varies by date. Purchase advanced tickets online for a discount or pay a higher price at the gatehouse. 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. You must leave the property by 10:30 PM.

The North Carolina Arboretum’s Winter Lights tickets are date and time-specific. The event happens rain or shine. Tickets are non-refundable unless you purchase a Flex Ticket.

Best Time To Visit

50-Foot Tree of Lights with lighted Quilt Garden in front of it at The NC Arboretum's Winter Lights event

Prices rise in December and at peak times through Christmas and New Year’s. Weekends are more expensive than earlier weeknights. We try to attend on a Monday or Tuesday evening in November to beat the crowds. By 7:30 PM, entering traffic may thin out versus the opening time slot. However, we suggest reserving the 6 PM time slot to get the most for your money.

Time To Budget For The Event

Although everyone is different and the weather might be with or against you, we budget about 1 to 2 hours for Winter Lights in Asheville.

Celebrate The holidays in Asheville with these guides

More Details About Visiting The NC Arboretum

The NC Arboretum's Quilt Garden with rows of curated flowers in a quilt pattern with trees and fountain in background with blue cloudy sky

A bench by water under a tree at The NC Arboretum in Asheville

We have been North Carolina Arboretum members since moving to Asheville. The property boasts gorgeous picnic spots along with terrific hiking and mountain biking trails. A membership grants you unlimited access to the property during working hours.

If you are visiting the Arboretum during the day and not for their Winter Lights Festival, which requires a separate ticket, pay for a one-day parking pass or show your annual membership card.

A non-event parking pass starts at $20.00+ for a personal/standard vehicle and $60 for larger vehicles. Members park for free, and they have numerous tiered memberships. The two basic plans start at $50 for an individual and $75 for a household.

Aside from the parking fee and special events, there are no other admission charges on the property. You may wish to purchase food and drinks at the Bent Creek Bistro, though, or buy gifts in their shop. Read our complete guide to visiting The NC Arboretum.

If you love these gardens, try… Asheville is full of both public and private parks and gardens. You might also enjoy the Botanical Gardens at Asheville, Beaver Lake, and Biltmore Estate’s Walled Garden. For public parks, we frequent Carrier Park and French Broad River Park.

Contact Info & Directions

Pink and orange lighted trees with rainbow cones in front of them at Winter Lights in Asheville, NC

Address: The North Carolina Arboretum
100 Frederick Law Olmsted Way
Asheville, NC 28806
Phone: 828-665-2492
Website: https://www.ncarboretum.org/

Directions: Located in southwest Asheville off of the Blue Ridge Parkway and NC-191/Brevard Road, The NC Arboretum is a part of the Pisgah National Forest. Use “The North Carolina Arboretum” for GPS or “20 Frederick Law Olmsted Way Asheville, NC 28806.” If you are coming from Downtown Asheville or North Asheville, expect a 25+-minute drive.

Before you go…

Where is your favorite place to see lights in Asheville? Have you attended The NC Arboretum’s Winter Lights? What did you think? Let us know in the comments. You might also enjoy these guides:

Christine Frascarelli

NC Arboretum’s Winter Lights Must-Visit Asheville Event