WILMINGTON — The area’s most popular holiday tradition is back Nov. 25 and continues through the holiday season, concluding Dec. 22.
Next Wednesday, tickets for the self-guided walk-through of Enchanted Airlie will go live. Advance purchases are required online or onsite. Annually, tickets sell out to the event, which brings in over 50,000 spectators.
Seventeen years ago Airlie Gardens lit up its historic gardens during the holiday season, bedazzled with millions of LED lights, blinking and cascading. Crews begin working each summer to string the 67 acres of Airlie’s historic grounds.
Seasonal music is played in various sections and displays, including the highly popular singing trees. Airlie main attractions — the centuries-year-old Airlie Oak and Minnie Evans Bottle House — illuminate in magnificence.
There are numerous selfie nooks along the half-mile walk (also wheelchair accessible) and concessions, including cookies, hot chocolate, popcorn, beer and wine for sale.
It’s $30 a carload (car, standard truck, SUV, mini-van) and $55 for 10-to-15 passenger or conversion vehicles; the ticket covers all passengers. Walk-ins and bicycles are not permitted.
Reservation times are Nov. 25-26 and Dec. 2-22, and take place in four slots: 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.; 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.; 7:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.; and 8:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
Camellia, Magnolia and Azalea members of Airlie can purchase tickets now. Camellia and Magnolia levels get a complimentary carload, and Azalea receives two complimentary carloads.
Families and individuals will be able to reserve them beginning Oct. 26, limited to one half-price ticket per carload.
The public can make purchases here on Nov. 2, 9 a.m.
Proceeds from ticket sales go toward the preservation of New Hanover County’s Airlie Gardens. The gardens are located along Bradley Creek, across the waterway from Wrightsville Beach.
Have comments or tips? Email info@portcitydaily.com
Want to read more from PCD? Subscribe now and then sign up for our newsletter, Wilmington Wire, and get the headlines delivered to your inbox every morning.
