Winter Lights at the NC Arboretum returns for the 2025 Holiday season. The Winter Lights event invites guests to walk through the arboretum gardens, decorated with thousands of beautiful lights, and holiday displays. Winter Lights features a 50ft tall lighted and choreographed tree, a lighted quilt garden that is synchronized with Holiday music, many other traditional displays, and many new ones for 2025.
We've attended Winter Lights in Asheville, NC for several years now, and always enjoy going. Winter Lights is one of the very best Christmas light events in the Asheville, NC area.
This is a wonderful event for the whole family and a great way to celebrate the holiday season here in the Blue Ridge Mountains. This guide will give you all the details, like how to get there, where to park, and tips we've learned to better enjoy your visit!
Updated: 11/13/2025 - New 2025 Information
Our Winter Lights Videos
Dates, Hours and Tickets
Winter Lights for 2024 runs from 11/15/2024 - 1/4/2026.
Tickets should be purchased in advance. In order to minimize the number of guests in the gardens at one time, this year's Winter Lights event will offer designated entry times (6:00 PM, 7:00 PM, or 8:00 PM). The entry gates close at 9:00 PM and Winter Lights closes for the day at 10:00 PM.
Visitors can arrive after their entry time and stay until 10:00pm.
Tickets are sold per vehicle (not per person) and in a tier system based on the size of your vehicle.
How to get there
The North Carolina Arboretum is located next to the Blue Ridge Parkway at Milepost 393. From I-26, take Exit 33 and follow NC 191 South for two miles to the entrance on the right.
Upon arrival at the gate, please have your printed ticket ready to scan. Your ticket will be emailed to you after your online purchase.
Best Address for GPS:
20 Frederick Law Olmsted Way
Asheville, NC 28806
To aid the flow of traffic, please plan to approach the event from NC 191 South (Brevard Rd.), passing the Asheville Outlets and turning right into the event. The Arboretum is asking that attendees do not turn left into the event from the Parkway.
The 2025 Dambo Trolls at Winter Lights
A brand new addition to Winter Lights this year is the Dambo Trolls, and they were a real highlight of our visit. We had heard about them, but seeing them in person at night is something special. The warm lights bring out the details in the wood and give the trolls a fun and slightly mysterious look that fits perfectly with the nighttime setting.
You’ll spot them in different areas as you walk the paths, and they add a sense of discovery to the experience. Families were gathered around them when we visited, with lots of kids running up for photos. The trolls feel like a natural part of the event and bring an extra layer of creativity and whimsy to the gardens.
Make sure to slow down and enjoy them. If you want photos without too many people around, try to stop by earlier in the evening before the crowds build. The trolls are one of the standout features this year and definitely something you’ll want to see in person.
Things to see and do
The Winter Lights event has a number of different displays, and the staff will be there to answer questions and provide maps of displays.
At Winter Lights you can experience:
- Magnificent Monarchs - Lighted Butterflies around water
- Magical Maples - Beautiful lighted maple trees that change color
- Wishing Trees
- Rocky Cove Railroad - Decorated to the theme of the Polar Express
- Spring Sprouts
- Tree of Light - Animated Christmas tree with full of colors and animations
- Quilt Garden - The quilt flashes in sequence with the holiday music
- Fall Fungi - Explore the lighted mushrooms and flowers
- The Wishing Tree - Write your wish down, and place it on one of the wishing trees.
- and more!
You'll also find refreshment stands with snacks, holiday treats, and hot chocolate. Of course, no Christmas event is complete without Santa, who is there as well.
Here are all of the photos from our 2025 visit:
Tips and things to know before you go
We've been to Winter Lights a number of times over the years. In doing so, we've picked up a few important things you need to know, and some tips to help you enjoy your visit!
Things to know:
- Pets are not allowed
- The event is rain or shine
- Restrooms will be available in the Baker Visitor Center and Education Center, and there will be portable restrooms available for use.
- The event is wheelchair accessible
- Food and beverages are available: The Cocoa Shack, in the Gardener’s Shed, will sell hot cocoa, alcoholic beverages, and treats. The Bent Creek Bistro, at the Education Center, will sell small snacks, hot cocoa, alcoholic beverages and s’more kits. For 2025 there was also a vendor near the parking area.
Tips from us:
- Dress warm and in layers, it can be very cold and windy during the event.
- There is a lovely Christmas store in the Education Center full of unique and beautiful items
- Food, drinks, and snacks are also available, including hot chocolate (and beer)!
- Facing the Arboretum (you'll see the lights), we've found the easiest way to see all the lights is from the right side near the Education Center. You can then walk down to the Baker Visitor Center from there.
- Plan to arrive on time or shortly after your time, as they cannot allow people in early.
- The staff makes arrival and parking very easy - Just follow the directions from the entry gate, drive down the entry road, and watch for the parking attendants who will point you to the right place.
- The area is very dark, which makes the lights beautiful, BUT, it makes it difficult to get photos with a camera. Using your iPhone or a higher end digital camera is your best option.
