Sandhills Garden of Lights

 

A father and child look up in wonder beneath a canopy of colorful holiday lights at the Sandhills Garden of Lights.

Sandhills
Garden of Lights

Join the Holiday Magic!

A New Holiday Tradition Begins

Experience the Sandhills Garden of Lights

This holiday season, the Sandhills Horticultural Gardens will shine in an entirely new way with the inaugural Sandhills Garden of Lights. More than one million lights, illuminated displays and interactive experiences will transform the Gardens into a festive destination where families and friends can celebrate the season together. From colorful pathways and larger-than-life displays to special holiday visitors, the Garden of Lights brings a new holiday tradition to one of the Sandhills' most beloved community spaces.

More Than One Million Lights

Wander through the Gardens as pathways, landscapes and gathering spaces come alive with light, color and holiday displays designed to surprise and delight visitors of all ages.

What You'll Experience

  • More than one million lights throughout the Sandhills Horticultural Gardens
  • Interactive illuminated orbs in the heart of the Gardens
  • A grand finale display featuring a giant walk-through mushroom, oversized flowers and a rainbow caterpillar
  • Holiday character appearances, including Santa Claus on select nights and surprise visits from other holiday favorites
  • Photo and selfie opportunities throughout the experience
  • Seasonal concessions, including hot chocolate, other beverages and hot and cold adult drink options

 

Plan Your Visit

Public Event Dates
Wednesdays through Sundays
Nov. 27, 2026 - Jan. 9, 2027

Hours
5-10 p.m

Get Your Tickets Now

Colorful lights illuminate a large tree, hanging ornaments, reindeer and Christmas trees at the Sandhills Garden of Lights.
 
Winding garden path bordered by golden lights, with surrounding trees illuminated in vibrant pink, red, green and blue.
 
Colorful illuminated caterpillar, flowers and giant red-and-white mushroom create a whimsical garden scene at the Sandhills Garden of Lights.
 
Illustration of the Ball Visitor Center at SCC Horticultural Gardens, with a sculpture of children playing Ring Around the Rosie amid holiday lights.
 
Garden trees glow with multicolored lights and hanging ornaments, with illuminated Christmas trees and reindeer in the background.
 
Tall Christmas tree illuminated with green and red lights and a glowing star, surrounded by trees wrapped in white lights.
 
Garden pathway lined with golden lights and colorful illuminated spheres leading toward a gazebo at the Sandhills Garden of Lights.
 

Sandhills Garden of Lights FAQs

Santa makes his list and checks it twice, and so should you! Check back regularly for updates to dates, times, and availability. Appearances are subject to Santa’s busy schedule and are not guaranteed.

Santa will visit the Garden of Lights on select nights throughout the season. Visit during one of the following dates and times:

Date Time
Nov. 27–29 5:30–8:30 p.m.
Dec. 2 6:30–9:30 p.m.
Dec. 4 6:30–9:30 p.m.
Dec. 5–6 5:30–8:30 p.m.
Dec. 9–10 6:30–9:30 p.m.
Dec. 12–13 5:30–8:30 p.m.
Dec. 18 6:30–9:30 p.m.
Dec. 19 5:30–8:30 p.m.
Dec. 26–27 5:30–8:30 p.m.
Dec. 30 6:30–9:30 p.m.
Jan. 2–3 5:30–8:30 p.m.
Jan. 6–8 6:30–9:30 p.m.
Jan. 9 5:30–8:30 p.m.

Event Location:
Sandhills Horticultural Gardens
3245 Airport Rd.
Pinehurst, NC 28374

Parking:
Parking is free and available on the Sandhills Community College campus. The Garden of Lights is a one-way, walk-through experience beginning at the Ball Visitor Center and ending near Steed Hall. Shuttles will be available to assist guests with transportation between the parking areas and the event.

* The parking lot adjacent to the Ball Visitor Center is reserved for guests with disabilities and mobility needs.

The Garden of Lights is open rain or shine. If Sandhills Community College determines that the Gardens must close due to dangerous weather conditions, such as freezing rain, high winds or lightning, tickets will be honored on an alternate date.

In the event of a weather-related closure, the primary ticket holder will be notified by email as far in advance as possible.

Tickets are available at Sandhills Garden of Lights Official Tickets | Pinehurst, NC.

We recommend getting your tickets early as time slots may fill up.

Garden of Lights is a cashless event. Please plan accordingly.

Group sales are available for parties of 20 or more. Please call 910-695-3884 for more information.

Yes. The Garden of Lights walk-through is approximately 0.4 miles and can accommodate personal mobility scooters and wheelchairs (no golf carts). Mobility devices are not available for rent or loan, so guests who need one should bring their own.
Yes. We will offer an "Autism Hour" on Sunday, December 12, from 5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. During this time, the show will operate without music or sound effects and with minimal flashing lights. While there will still be some activity and distractions, we will do our best to create a more sensory-friendly experience.

Yes! Sandhills Garden of Lights welcomes community organizations and volunteer groups to help support the event, Nov. 27, 2026, through Jan. 9, 2027, at the Sandhills Horticultural Gardens.

Volunteer groups assist with guest services, parking, ticket admissions, activity areas, hospitality and other event operations.

Participating organizations may earn contributions based on the number of volunteers they provide for an assigned event night:

  • 10–19 volunteers: $1,000 contribution

  • 20–40 volunteers: $2,500 contribution

Nonprofit organizations, civic clubs, faith-based groups, youth organizations, service organizations and other community groups are encouraged to participate.

Registration and Requirements

Organizations are encouraged to register by Nov. 10, 2026, to allow sufficient time to complete required background checks. Groups interested in participating after that date may still be considered if background checks can be completed in time.

All volunteers must complete a background check and sign a waiver. Volunteers ages 16 and 17 must have a parent or guardian volunteer alongside them.

Interested in participating? Email Marcia Woodfield with your organization's name, primary contact, estimated number of volunteers and any affiliation with Sandhills Community College.

Here are a few ways to save:
  • Visit on a weeknight. Wednesday tickets are less expensive than weekend tickets.
  • Choose an early or late entry time. The 5:00 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. entry windows are our lowest-priced options.
  • Buy early. Prices are demand-based, so purchasing sooner helps secure a lower rate.
  • Bring a group. Groups of 20 or more qualify for a group discount. Call 910-695-3884 to arrange group tickets.
The best way to catch every coupon code and special offer is to follow us on Instagram (@sandhillsgardenoflights) and Facebook (Sandhills Garden of Lights). We'll share limited-time promotions and discount codes throughout the season.

To keep the Gardens safe and beautiful for everyone, the following are not permitted at the Garden of Lights:

  • Weapons of any kind, including firearms. Sandhills Community College is a weapon-free campus under North Carolina law.
  • Pets (service animals are welcome)
  • Outside food or drinks
  • Kids’ scooters, bikes, skateboards, wagons or golf carts

Strollers, wheelchairs and personal mobility scooters are welcome. Garden of Lights is a cashless event.

 

Have more questions about the Garden of Lights?

Call 910-695-3884

Event Location

Sandhills Horticultural Gardens
3245 Airport Rd.
Pinehurst, NC 28374

Thank You to Our Sponsors

The Sandhills Garden of Lights is made possible in part through the generous support of our sponsors. We appreciate their commitment to helping bring this special holiday tradition to our community.

Presented by

 
Visit Pinehurst, Southern Pines and Aberdeen logo with green lettering, a red golf flag and the tagline 'Home of American Golf.'
Sandhills Community College Foundation stacked logo featuring the college's red and gray emblem above the Foundation name.

Garden Keeper Sponsor

 
The MIX 101.5 WRAL-FM logo featuring red, green, black and white lettering.
ACE Provision logo featuring blue lettering in a circular badge with “Hardware, Home, Garden,” “Locally Owned” and “North Carolina.”

Bloom Society Sponsor

 
Beasley Media Group logo above six radio station logos: WKML 95.7, 99.1 Foxy, 107.7 The Bounce, Kiss Radio, Sunny 94.3 FM and 96.5 BOB FM.

Sapling Circle Sponsor

 
Penick Village logo featuring a stylized tree with green leaves and a heart, alongside the organization's name.

Seedling Friend Sponsor

 
Agri-Waste Technology (AWT) logo with dark green lettering, the tagline 'Engineers and Soil Scientists,' website and phone number.

Thank You to Our Volunteer Organizations

The Sandhills Garden of Lights wouldn't be possible without the dedication and generosity of our volunteer organizations. We appreciate their time, energy and commitment to helping create a memorable holiday experience for our community.

  • Aberdeen Home and Garden Club
  • ADK Teachers' Group
  • Community of Mindful Living in the Pines
  • Dreams 4 All Foundation
  • Girls on the Run Sandhills
  • Healing Hearts Community Outreach
  • Hoke County Extension
  • Loblolly Garden Club
  • Moore County 4-H
  • Moore County Extension Master Gardeners
  • Moore County Montessori School
  • Partners for Children & Families
  • Pearls of the Pines Foundation
  • Pinehurst Boys Varsity Basketball
  • Redeemer Church PCA
  • Sandhills Highlanders Homeschool Athletics Volleyball Team
  • Sandhills Rotary Club
  • Sandhills Tennis Foundation
  • SCC Basketball Team
  • SCC Landscape Gardening Program
  • SCC Student Life & Student Government
  • Seedlings Garden Club
  • Tambra Place
  • United Way
  • Victory Fellowship Church
  • Women of the Pines
  • Women of Weymouth