Places to see Christmas lights in Wilmington, NC

It's another holiday season in Wilmington, and you might have realized too late about tickets for Enchanted Airlie, one of the Port City's favorite Christmas traditions.

And, yes, tickets are sold out again for the large light display at Airlie Gardens.

However, if you missed out, here are some other holiday traditions that also "light" up the Wilmington area.

Another great backup plan if you didn't get Enchanted Airlie tickets, Poplar Grove Plantation at the New Hanover/Pender county line will be lit up and decorated for the holidays. A 'Merry & Bright" Holiday of Lights, Poplar Grove most popular fundraising event of the year will be held from Nov. 29-Dec. 22. The hours are 5-9 p.m. Thursdays and Sundays and 5-10 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays.

Tickets are $10 for ages 3 and over. Tickets are available online only and includes photo opportunities for the entire family, children can visit with Santa every night but Sunday, a mailbox to post letters to the North Pole, a vintage USO Letter Writing Station, Grinch’s Junk Shop, campfires, holiday movie favorites, balloon-extraordinaire Mr. Twister, vintage carnival games and themed nights. Also, food trucks, concessions, the French Quarter Bar & Lounge, and the Holiday Hootenanny Tent. Leashed well-behave dogs can visit only on Thursdays and Sundays.

Another tradition to embrace the magic of the holiday season is The Southern Lights, a festive light shows at The Gardens of Southeastern North Carolina, 985 Johnson Nursery Road, Willard. The light show will be held Nov. 22-Dec. 23. Tickets are $10 per person when purchased 24 hours in advance or $12 day of. Ages 5 and under get in free. To purchase tickets, visit https://thegardensofsenc.com/the-southern-lights.

Events will include thousands of dazzling beauties of lights as you walk under the canopy of decorated trees throughout the winding pathways, a cash bar, Brown Dog Coffee Truck will be serving hot cocoa and coffee. There also will be a Wood-Fired Pizza and concessions, a s’mores station, a whimsical maze, and an Elf Quest Wagon Ride. Visit with Santa Claus (in December only) for festive photo opportunities.

Holiday magic returns to the Wilmington Railroad Museum with more twinkling lights as the museum transforms into a winter wonderland with over 35,000 lights glistening and sparkling. The event will be held Fridays and Saturdays, Nov. 29-30, Dec. 13-14, Dec. 20-21 and Sunday-Monday, Dec. 22-23 from 6:30-8 p.m. at 505 Nutt St., Wilmington.

There also will be musical animations, twilight model train displays, visit with Santa, and goodies like cider. Tickets available at the door only. $5 per person, ages 2 and under and museum members are free. Details: 910-763-2634.

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This display of lights on and around a lake has been spreading cheer for years and was even featured on "The Great Christmas Light Fight" TV show on ABC in 2020.

Located in Pender County off U.S. 17 at 218 Old House Road, Hampstead, the holiday park will be open on Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, Nov. 28 and run through Jan. 7, 2025. As a nonprofit group, the family accepts donations that support charities, including the local chapter of Toys for Tots and programs in Rocky Point. Details: 910-279-3892.

The Bellamy Mansion Museum presents "Nights of Lights" Dec. 19-21 from 5-8 p.m. The annual open house allows visitors to stroll through the fully decorated site ― main house and the first level of the original slave quarters building. $5 per person suggested donation. Holiday treats and hot chocolate will be available for purchase. Details: https://www.bellamymansion.org/nights-of-lights.html. The museum is located at 503 Market St., downtown Wilmington.