I Walked Through the Winter Wander Trail of Lights Last Year, and Here’s Why I Can’t Wait to Go Again

On a frigid December evening last year, my family and I ventured to Boar's Head Resort in Charlottesville for its annual Winter Wander Trail. From the photos I'd seen online, I knew the event would be magical; however, I was truly impressed with just how immersive this winter walk could be. My little one, not even two years old at the time, was cozied up in his stroller as we checked in and received our lanyard ticket.

We ventured through the gift shop before embarking on our walk and had a fun time perusing all of the holiday toys and gifts available for purchase. We bought an apple cider and hot chocolate for the walk, the perfect way to keep our hands warm. I was glad we had selected an earlier time slot because I noticed that the entrance line only got longer and longer as the night progressed, so if you can, I'd recommend doing the same. Plus, there was something so enchanting about seeing the lights become all the more vibrant with the contrast of the darkening sky.

The Winter Wander Trail begins as you pass through a giant 35-foot illuminated tree. It's hard to describe just how stunning this Christmas tree is, completely decked out in colorful lights and topped with a star. It's an excellent place to snag a selfie with your crew, although we were too excited to see what was on the other side to stop for a photo op.

Emerging from the other side was a bit like arriving in a new world altogether. The Boar's Head Resort property had been completely transformed into a winter wonderland, so much so that it was hard to decide where to look next. As we drew closer to each display, their magnificence really began to take form. One of my favorite areas was Firefly Grove, a sea of dazzling firefly lights that seemed to hover over the grass. Equally enchanting is Dogwood Alley, which pays homage to the Virginia state tree.

And while the lights are truly mesmerizing, I was really impressed by all of the holiday-inspired treats available. Just a few minutes into the walk, we passed by a donut stand. If we weren't in a time crunch to get back for dinner, we would have definitely stopped for a few -- the smell was irresistible!

This year, I've heard that the Winter Wander Trail will be even more extraordinary, with fireworks on select nights as well as a new Heron's Nest Display, artificial snow machines, live music, and even illuminated dancers! I, for one, can't wait to bundle up in my coziest Christmas sweater and enjoy the festivities this season.

Know before you go: All visitors are required to enter within 30 minutes of their reserved time slot. This ensures that the trail never gets too crowded. Given that this is a walk-thru light show, biking is not permitted and pets are also not allowed at the event. The trail is approximately half a mile, all on a hard, paved surface. Comfortable walking shoes or boots are recommended. While it is possible to purchase tickets at the venue, it's highly recommended to get them ahead of time. Lastly, parking for the event is free, and there is staff on-site to direct you to the best parking space.

For more details, be sure to check out the official Winter Wander website. You can find more details and reserve your tickets. You can also check out the Live Cam to see how things are looking. Need a place to stay while you're in Charlottesville? Check out these unique vacation rentals.