WRAL/Capitol Broadcasting, in partnership with the City of Raleigh, is bringing a new holiday attraction to the Triangle.
WRAL Nights of Lights is a drive-thru light show at Dorothea Dix Park.
The 1.3 mile route will wind through the park, with illuminated trees, festive light displays and local art installations, all with the towering oaks, rolling hills and open fields of Dix Park as the backdrop.
As of the time of this update (December 29th) there are still tickets available for December 30th and 31st, during which there will be additional “First Night” features, courtesy of Artsplosure. And, YES, that’s where Raleigh’s giant acorn will be for New Year’s Eve!
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- Signing up for Triangle on the Cheap’s daily email
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- Order a fully cooked New Year’s meal in advance
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Please note that due to the modified executive order, the attraction ends earlier each night than originally planned.
Some more details: For the rest of its run, Nights of Lights will honor all tickets purchased for time slots from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Anyone who purchased tickets a later time slot will automatically be issued a full refund beginning Thursday afternoon. Others who have decided not to come can request a refund.
If you go:
- Expect a wait.
- Use Western Boulevard and go to the Hunt Drive entrance
- Have your ticket ready for scanning
Other Light Displays
Please also note that we have put together a HUGE list of Christmas light displays in the Triangle, including some that should not pose a big delay. The list includes 8 ticketed attractions and 26 free ones.
See the best Christmas light displays in the TriangleMore information about Nights of Lights
Some of the displays:
- Magical Christmas trees
- Holiday light tunnel
- Santa and elves
- Wintry fun scenes
- Snowflake Land
- Penguins
- Christmas Toy Factory
- Patriotic display
- Snow Family
- Railroad lights
Learn about other spectacular light displays throughout the Triangle this holiday season.
Dates and Times
Nights of Lights will operate nightly from Wednesday, December 16th, through Thursday, December 31st, 2020, with the exception of Christmas Day.
- December 15th: 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. (Bike Night)
- December 16th to 27th (except December 25th): 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
- December 28th and 29th: 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
- December 30th: 5:30 pm. to 9:30 p.m.
- December 31st: 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
Due to the modified stay-at-home order, the show ends at 9:30 p.m. every night.
Logistics and Road Closures
The dog park, Grove and Harvey Hill will remain open to the public during this time. Hunt Drive will be closed December 9th and 10th from 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
On event nights road closures around the event route start at 5 p.m. A vehicle height limit of 10 feet will start on December 10th.
Here’s more information, and a map, of road closures.
Purchasing Tickets
Tickets must be purchased in advance. Tickets will be available for 30-minute time slots, with limited tickets available for each block. You can arrive up to 10 minutes before your time slot.
Tickets are $15 per car or pickup truck, and $30 for vehicles with 9 or more passengers.
Some time slots have sold out, so don’t delay in purchasing your tickets!
There’s a 10 foot vehicle height limit.
You can purchase tickets for WRAL Nights of Lights online or by calling 800-514-3849.
Discount Nights
There will be discounts on Monday, December 28th, and Tuesday, December 29th.
On Discount Nights the price is just $10 per vehicle for cars and pick-up trucks and $25 per vehicle with 9 or more passengers.
Bike Night
Ride your bike through the Nights of Lights event during the special designated time for visitors on bicycles only. Tickets are $4 per person. Event route will be modified so bikes enter and exit at Hunt Drive park entrance.
Full bike route will be 2.6 miles. For safety, bike lights, masks and socially distant riding is required.
Bike Night is Tuesday, December 15th, 2020, from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. All bikes must exit by 6:30 p.m.
First Night Celebration
On Wednesday, December 30th, and Thursday, December 31st, there will be an extra dose of New Year’s Eve sparkle, from Artsplosure.
On December 30th and 31st, during the First Night festivities, tickets will be $20 for cars and pickup trucks, and $40 for vehicles with 9 or more passengers.
Express Lane Tickets
A limited number of express lane tickets will be available within every 30-minute time block for $30, except on the4 discount nights and the First Night Celebration.
More Info
Enter from 75 Hunt Drive, Raleigh. Have your tickets downloaded or printed out. You must remain in your vehicle the whole time. Restrooms will not be available. There will be no food or beverage sold. You can bring your own food and beverage, but no alcohol.
Double-Check Before You Head Out!
We make every effort to make sure that everything on Triangle on the Cheap is 100% accurate.
However, sometimes things change without notice, and it's also possible that we can make a mistake. In addition, we can not guarantee that all events adhere to the safety measures that are necessary at this time, so we encourage you to ask any questions of the organizer, to make your best decision, and to stay safe.
Please verify all deals and events with the venue or organizer before you go.
You might also be interested in:
- Signing up for Triangle on the Cheap's daily email
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- Free events this week
- Day by Day list of holiday events
- Best Christmas Lights in the Triangle
- Christmas tree farms and lots near the Triangle
- Free pictures with Santa in the Triangle
- Holiday Markets in the Triangle
- Christmas Trains in North Carolina
Cindy Morningstar says
I purchased two tickets for the Night of Lights at Dix Park for December 30th…the two tickets together were $48.00. I now hae found out they were free to Health Care Workers. I am an RN at UNC in Chapel Hill…any chance of getting reimbursed for the two tickets I purchased…Thanks…Cindy morningstar
Jody Mace says
Cindy, honestly, I didn’t even hear that health care workers are free. You’d need to get in touch with WRAL or Raleigh Parks, I think.