NEW HANOVER COUNTY — Though Halloween hasn’t arrived, some holiday revelers already are thinking ahead to Christmas. Particularly, many are planning their trip to Enchanted Airlie, as tickets go on sale this month.
Airlie Gardens will offer Enchanted Airlie self-guided tours on Nov. 28-29 and Dec. 1-21. Reservations are open for four time slots: 5:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m., 6:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m., 7:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m., and 8:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m. Tickets to the event must be purchased in advance and sell out annually.
They open to the general public on Oct. 22, 9 a.m., for $35 a carload or $65 for a van ticket, allowing up to 11 people per load. Group tickets for nonprofits are $85 and $125 for-profit, with 12 or more passengers per load.
Sales are open for members of Friends of Airlie earlier; upper levels in the Azalea, Magnolia and Camellia range can access tickets on Wednesday, Oct. 8, 9 a.m. Friends and family members will be able to buy tickets on Oct. 15, 9 a.m.
Each holiday season, more than a million lights sparkle and shine across the park — such as on the landmark 400-year-old Airlie Oak and the Minnie Evans Bottle House. Crews begin stringing them on the 67 acres, starting each summer.
Enchanted Airlie also includes displays, such as the singing Christmas trees, as well as photo opportunities galore, including with Santa, and seasonal music. A concessions area also is open, selling hot chocolate, wine and beer, candy and popcorn and more for people to enjoy on their half-mile walk through the grounds.
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