The holiday magic kicks off November 29.

Prepare to be mesmerized by the twinkle of a thousand lights, the shimmer of dancing fountains, and the festive holiday spirit that blankets every corner. Gather your loved ones and bask in the cozy glow of an outdoor fire, where the joy of making s’mores becomes a timeless tradition. Indulge your taste buds with delectable delights, savor a warm beverage that will chase away the chill, and explore The Garden Store for unique gifts that will make this season truly unforgettable. And don’t forget to capture the magic – strike a pose in front of the Orchid Tree, a radiant centerpiece that embodies the spirit of the season just outside the majestic Great Hall. Your winter wonderland adventure awaits at the Garden!

New for 2024! Check out even more opportunities for holiday cheer, such as:

  • Rides on our holiday trackless train every Friday in December through December 20
  • Visits with Santa on Saturdays and Sundays after December 1 through December 22
  • An adults-only speakeasy (shhh!) with exclusive holiday cocktails ($5 cover charge)
  • Tickets may be purchased online via the link above or at the door, but we highly recommend purchasing them online to secure your spot. At the door, tickets will be limited and based on online ticket sales

  • The Garden will be open for Holidays at the Garden 5-10 p.m. Tuesday-Sunday.

    Please note DSBG will be closed December 23-25 and December 30-January 1 for the holidays. 

  • Value Pricing as follows (Tuesday, Wednesday, & Thursday Nights):

    • Adult – $24 +tax
    • Senior (Age 60+) – $22 +tax
    • Children (Age 2-12) – $18 +tax,
    • Under 2 Years – FREE
  • Weekend Pricing as follows (Friday, Saturday, & Sunday nights):

    • Adult – $28 +tax
    • Senior (Age 60+) – $25 +tax
    • Child (Age 2-12) – $20 +tax
    • Under 2 Years – FREE
  • A $5 change fee per ticket will apply to voluntary requests of changes to an original reservation.

  • Members receive a 20% discount.

Friday, November 22

Member Preview Night 

Saturday, November 23

Jazz at the Garden: Holidays! Featuring Alex Bugnon

Saturday, December 7

Sip and Paint: Holidays

Santa Paws (Located at the Trailhead Store, not the Garden)

Thursday, December 12-Saturday, December 14

Wreath Making

Holidays at the Garden FAQ

Holidays at the Garden is a holiday lights exhibit in Belmont NC that takes place every year during the holiday season at Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden. Welcoming guests from near and far to explore the bright lights and enjoy the Garden bringing the magic of the holidays to life.

Holidays at the Garden is the ultimate Christmas event in the Charlotte area; Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden is located in Belmont, NC. Our address is 6500 S New Hope Road. 

Holidays at the Garden is a walking tour of the light display throughout Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden.

Holidays at the Garden official start is Friday, November 29 at 5 p.m. It runs Tuesday-Sunday, closed until Mondays until Sunday, December 29. Please note that the Garden will be closed December 23-25 and December 30-January 1 for the holidays.

We are so glad you asked! Holidays at the Garden would not exist without the support of the community. Email volunteer@dsbg.org to learn about volunteer opportunities during the Garden’s holiday season and all year long. You can also donate to support our incredible annual display here. 

Tickets for Holidays at the Garden are available to pre-purchase online (recommended) or at the Garden’s front desk, either in person or by phone, during regular business hours.

All tickets to Holidays at the Garden are non-refundable. Tickets may be rescheduled to a different date for a transaction fee of $5 per ticket. All unused tickets are considered a donation to the Garden in support of our mission. To reschedule your ticket(s), please email reservations@dsbg.org. We ask that you kindly allow two business days for a response to ticket inquiries, including rescheduling requests.

We do not offer group discounts for Holidays at the Garden or most ticketed events. Group discounts may be applied to visits to the Garden during our standard hours (Noon-4 p.m. Wednesday-Sunday). Please email graham@dsbg.org to inquire about group discounts.

With limited availability at the door, the only way to guarantee your admission to Holidays at the Garden is to pre-purchase your ticket in advance. Without a pre-purchased ticket, you may need to wait for availability. If tickets are entirely sold out when you arrive, you may be asked to return on a different night. We don’t want anyone to be disappointed, so we strongly encourage you to pre-purchase your tickets before arriving!

Each date and entry time has a limited capacity. When pre-purchasing your tickets, you will not be able to select a date/time that is sold out. If you do not pre-purchase your tickets and tickets are entirely sold out when you arrive, you may be asked to return on a different night. We don’t want anyone to be disappointed, so we strongly encourage you to pre-purchase your tickets before arriving!

Guests can enter at any time after 5 p.m. and prior to 9:30 p.m.

Holidays at the Garden are held in the rain or shine. In the case of severe weather, Holidays at the Garden will be canceled, and we will announce the cancellation by 3 p.m. on our website and social media channels. In this situation, all pre-purchased tickets can be rescheduled to another date or refunded upon request. You may also donate your ticket fee to the Garden. To request a refund, please email speaks@dsbg.org within five business days of the canceled date. We ask that you kindly allow two business days for a response to ticket inquiries, including refund requests.

Holidays at the Garden admissions begin at 5 p.m. The last admission is at 9:30 p.m. We ask all our Holidays at the Garden guests to enjoy the experience at your own pace until 10:00 p.m.

Yes, our paths are a mix of paved roads, pressed gravel, and brick hardscape. They are wide enough to accommodate strollers, wagons, and wheelchairs. Please note, that during Holidays at the Garden, paths can be dark in some areas, so we recommend bringing a flashlight to help you navigate wheels along the path.

Wheelchairs will not be available for Holidays at the Garden. To help everyone in your party have an enjoyable and comfortable experience, we encourage you to bring your own strollers, wagons, and/or wheelchairs as needed.

Yes, we will have food trucks located at the Levine Pavilion. Stop by the bars at the Levine Pavilion, the Trailhead Store, the Prairie Shed and the Beer Garden to grab a hot drink, beer or wine and grab a s’mores kit to roast over the fire. As a reminder, outside alcohol is prohibited at the Garden.

Santa will be at the Garden every Saturday and Sunday through December 22. 

Yes, it will! The Garden Store will be open until 10 p.m. during Holidays at the Garden. Stop by to see our curated selection of seasonal decorations and unique holiday gifts.

For your safety, please remain on the lit paths. But feel free to take photos to your heart’s content with your phone camera, tablet, or point-an-shoot camera! Also look for photo opportunities throughout the Garden. We love seeing your photos and videos, so please share with us on Facebook and Instagram by tagging us with #DSBGHolidaysattheGarden. Those looking to take professional photos of our lights must follow our Photography Policy.

We defer to our standard pet policy for Holidays at the Garden:

“Leashed dogs are welcome on the property in areas outside of the Garden and the Trailhead Store. Only trained service animals that perform life functions for individuals with disabilities are permitted inside the Garden or Trailhead Store. Dogs are only admitted in the Garden for posted days on our Events Calendar.”

Dogs are welcome on our designated Santa Paws Event (Saturday, December 7 at the Trailhead Store). Tickets for dogs are $5 per pooch. Some of our four-legged guests even come dressed for the occasion! And there is a rumor Santa might make a surprise visit and be available for pictures with the four-legged fur babies. Make sure to have your cellphone ready to snap that special moment.

Thank you to our amazing Holidays at the Garden sponsor: 

Photos from Holidays Past: