Winter Lights at The North Carolina Arboretum in Asheville is always a magical experience. But this year, in response to the pandemic, the Arboretum has redesigned this family-friendly activity to make it drive-through event. The whole family will love this socially-distant way to elevate your holiday cheer, so read on to learn the details and then start planning a visit!

Encompassing 434 acres in the Bent Creek Experimental Forest outside of Asheville, The North Carolina Arboretum is a splendid place to see holiday lights displays.
TripAdvisor/TeamSecretSanta
From the comfort of your own vehicle, you'll circle the perimeter of the Arboretum to discover brilliant displays that are larger than life.
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From gigantic, enchanting toadstools to winter wildlife, butterfly displays, an oversized, lighted daisy garden, and more, you're sure to fall in love with this illuminating affair.
Facebook/The North Carolina Arboretum

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Also different this year is the fact that tickets are sold per car and not per individual.
Facebook/The North Carolina Arboretum
Tickets are $25 per private vehicle and can be purchased in advance here for contact-free entry into the event.
Facebook/The North Carolina Arboretum
In previous years, the Arboretum had other walk-through events you could attend, but those have been rescheduled this year for earlier in the day.
Facebook/The North Carolina Arboretum
The fire pits from previous years will burn and you can make s'mores, you'll just need to do it earlier in the day. You can purchase the s'mores kits from Bent Creek Bistro between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. and then chow down on the perfect creation after you roast it yourself at the fire pit.
TripAdvisor/Bea Stacy

It would be difficult to stomach a holiday season in North Carolina without attending at least one drive-through Christmas lights show. And thankfully, we don’t have to spend this year without this fun event. Thanks to The North Carolina Arboretum for pivoting in such a wonderful way to make this event a reality for western North Carolina in 2020!

Winter Lights runs nightly from 5:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m from November 20, 2020 through January 10, 2021.

Learn more from the official website for The North Carolina Arboretum, or give it a follow on Facebook for the latest happenings!

For more fun drive-through lights displays this season, visit Piper Lights in Wake Forest, Tanglewood Park in Clemmons, and Speedway Christmas at the Charlotte Motor Speedway.

Know of another holiday lights display that we should feature here? Nominate it here for a featured article like this one!

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Featured Addresses
The North Carolina Arboretum, 100 Frederick Law Olmsted Way, Asheville, NC 28806, USA