Winter Lights Ticket Basics

  • Winter Lights is a rain or shine event, and tickets are non-refundable. See “Refund and Exchange Policy” and “Weather Policy” sections below for additional information. 
  • Winter Lights tickets are sold per-vehicle based on vehicle size. There is no per-person admission fee, regardless of the number of people inside the vehicle. See “Per-Vehicle Pricing” section below for additional information. 
  • Ticket prices vary depending on the date. See the color-coded price calendar below for additional information.
  • Winter Lights tickets are timed. There are 3 entry times available for each date- 6:00 p.m., 7:00 p.m., and 8:00 p.m. Attendees may enter the show anytime between the time shown on their ticket and 9pm. See “Timed Ticketing” section below for additional information. 
  • Winter Lights tickets are date specific. Attendees must also select a date when purchasing, and the ticket will only be valid for the date and time shown. Winter Lights tickets may not be exchanged. The exception to this is the Flex ticket.
  • Flex tickets allow attendees to reschedule their visit, based on availability and with notice. See “Flex Tickets” section below for additional information. 
  • Tickets may be purchased at the gate upon arrival for an additional $10 per vehicle, space allowing. See “Advance vs At-The-Gate Tickets” section below for additional information. 
  • Arboretum Members receive $5.00 off standard Advance tickets. The member discount does not apply to Flex tickets or tickets purchased at the gate. 

 

    • Refund and Exchange Policy
      • Winter Lights tickets are date and time specific and are non-refundable. Only Flex Tickets may be exchanged for different dates or times by submitting a Flex ticket change form<LINK>. All other ticket-types are not exchangeable.
    • Weather Policy
      • Winter Lights will be held rain or shine unless the Arboretum closes for a weather-related emergency. Closures will be announced by 3:00 p.m. on the Arboretum’s website and Facebook page unless circumstances develop that warrant a closure after the event opens.
      • If the Arboretum closes due to a weather-related emergency, all tickets will be refunded for that night.
    • Per-Vehicle Pricing
      • Per-vehicle ticketing allows us to handle the full check-in process at the gatehouse, eliminating the need for a crowded indoor admissions area. 
      • Personal Vehicle: Up to 20’ in length. If you can park in a standard parking space, this is probably the ticket for you. For reference, a Suburban SUV is just under 19’ in length.
      • Large Vehicle: 21’-29’ in length. Commercial passenger vans, RVs, some short buses, etc.
      • XL Vehicle: 30’+ in length. Primarily buses.
  • If possible, show vehicle graphic
  • Timed Ticketing
    • Attendees must select an entry time (6:00, 7:00 or 8:00 p.m.) when purchasing tickets. Ticket holders may enter any time between their selected entry time and 9:00 p.m. 
    • Attendees who arrive before the entry time on their ticket may be turned away, and must return after their selected entry time. 
    • Once on property, ticket holders are welcome to stay until the event closes. Incoming gates will close promptly at 9:00 p.m. and the event will end at 10:00 p.m. All guests must be off the property by 10:30 p.m.
  • Flex Tickets
    • Flex tickets may only be purchased in advance and allow attendees to change their ticket to another non-sold-out date for any reason. Flex tickets are the only ticket type that allows for date changes.
    • Attendees must select a date when purchasing. Flex tickets do not function as undated or open-ended tickets, and will not be honored for the incorrect date. Flex tickets are only valid for the date listed on the ticket, unless the ticket-holder submits their request using the Flex Ticket Change Request Form or by emailing winterlights@ncarboretum.org before 5:00 p.m. on the date shown on their ticket. 
    • All Flex tickets are listed as 6:00 p.m. entry, meaning that ticket-holders may enter anytime between 6:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m. on their selected date.
    • Flex prices do not vary by date and member discounts do not apply. Flex tickets are limited and may sell out.
  • Advance vs At-The-Gate Tickets
    • Advance tickets are available for each date of the event until the show opens at 6:00 p.m. that night, unless they sell out first. 
    • Advance tickets may also be purchased on-site at the gatehouse from 9:00 a.m. to noon and 12:30 p.m. to 5:30 beginning November 1. There are no discounts for purchasing in-person or for purchases made with cash.
    • Once the show opens each night, tickets for that evening’s event may be purchased “At-The-Gate” between 7:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m. if space allows. In some cases, visitors without pre-purchased tickets may be turned away. Ticket prices increase by $10 at the gate and Member discounts do not apply.

Click the "Purchase Tickets" button and choose your desired date on the ticketing calendar. Each date is color-coded to correspond with the pricing tire for that day. Once you click your desired date, you will be directed to a purchase window. Enter you information and you are on your way to Winter Lights!

Purchase Tickets

Have questions? Check out our FAQ or email: winterlights@ncarboretum.org