A Guide to the Tanglewood Festival of Lights
Everything you need to know about the Tanglewood Festival of Lights, must-see sights, handy tips, and more.
For over three decades, the Tanglewood Festival of Lights has highlighted the holiday season in Winston-Salem. Named the top display in North Carolina by Travel + Leisure, this dazzling spectacle is a must-see for locals and visitors alike.
The event returns for its 34th year in 2025, running nightly from Nov. 14 to Jan. 1. As you embark on your holiday adventure, let this insider's guide illuminate your way through the festivities.
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Festival of Lights FAQ
A holiday drive-through attraction at Tanglewood Park in Clemmons, about 10 miles west of downtown Winston-Salem. The roughly five-mile route winds through storybook scenes and holiday displays illuminated by more than a million lights.
The festival runs nightly, 6–11 p.m., from Nov. 13 to Jan. 1.
Anytime! But know that waits can stretch to several hours on busy nights, particularly December weekends. For shorter lines, consider visiting Monday through Thursday early in the season. Weekday admission is also less expensive.
Admission varies depending on the day you visit. You can also save $3 by paying with cash. Family vehicle rates are: Mon–Thu: $20 cash, $23 card; Fri–Sun: $25 cash, $28 card.
Discount nights are Nov. 16–17 and 23–24, when admission is $10 cash, $13 card.
Prices are per car, van, or truck (family vehicles). You can pay at the entrance, or purchase advance tickets at the park’s Welcome Center. See the festival website for larger-vehicle rates.
More Ways to Experience
There’s more to the Festival of Lights than the lights themselves, with holiday shopping and fireside treats adding to the evening’s fun.
Along the way, make time for the Gift Village, about halfway through the route. Inside the Red Barn, the Gift Shop features holiday crafts, specialty foods, ornaments, and handmade gifts. Just outside is S’moresville, where you can gather around the fire and roast marshmallows—a cozy excuse to stretch your legs and linger a little longer. Roasting sticks with marshmallows or s’mores kits are sold on-site; outside roasting supplies aren’t permitted.
For an open-air view of the lights, book a horse-drawn carriage ride or tractor-pulled hayride through Tanglewood Stables. Carriages accommodate up to four guests and cost $110; hayrides are $190. Both require reservations, with festival admission charged separately and ride payments accepted by cash or check. Call 336-766-9540 for availability and booking details.
What to Look For in 2026
• Look before you leave. Check the two TrueLook traffic-camera feeds on the festival website before heading out. They offer a live view of conditions inside the park to help you choose when to visit.
• Photo stops at the Gift Village. Introduced in 2025, the photo-op displays give visitors a chance to step out of the car and into the picture. Build in a little extra time for a family photo while you’re browsing the Gift Shop or stopping for s’mores.
• Daytime holiday shopping. The Gift Shop lists a Nov. 7 preview sale, 11 a.m.–4 p.m., and daytime markets on Nov. 28, Dec. 5, and Dec. 12, 11 a.m.–3:30 p.m.
• A keepsake for the tree. Look for the annual Festival of Lights ornament at the Gift Shop—a small souvenir of an evening that might become your next holiday tradition.
Walk or Run the Lights
Want to experience the displays at a different pace? Special events offer a chance to explore on foot before the festival opens to regular vehicle traffic—and to welcome the new year beneath the lights. These events have separate registration and ticket requirements.
• Miles for Meals 5K — Nov. 7. This family-friendly run/walk begins at 5:30 p.m. and supports the Hillsdale Church Food Ministry. Food trucks, hayrides, and other activities add to the evening.
• TOAST to the Holidays — Nov. 8. Hosted by the Rotary Club of Clemmons, this approximately 1.3-mile stroll welcomes walkers, strollers, and wagons. The event runs 5–9:30 p.m., with timed admission at 5:30 or 7:30 p.m. Tickets must be purchased in advance.
• Paws in the Park — Nov. 9–10. Bring your four-legged companion for a special walk through the illuminated displays. Check the festival’s special-events listing for reservation details.
• Running of the Lights — Dec. 31. Ring in 2027 with a run or walk through the lights at midnight. Choose the 5K or a shorter 1.75-mile fun run/walk, with a celebratory toast and hot chocolate adding to the festivities. The race begins at 12 a.m. Jan. 1, 2027.
Six Essential Insider Tips
1. Charge up. Bring a fully charged phone and a car charger for all the photos and videos you’ll want to capture. Let your passengers handle the photography while the driver keeps an eye on the route.
2. ‘Go’ before you go. Have everyone use the restroom before leaving for the park. There are restrooms along the route, but a long entrance line is a bad place to discover that someone needs to go.
3. Get the car ready. Top off your fuel or charge before heading out—you may spend a while waiting and driving slowly. Clean the windows, too, so everyone gets a clear view.
4. Pack a snack. Bring Moravian ginger cookies, treats from Dewey’s Bakery or Krispy Kreme, or a thermos of hot chocolate. A few favorite snacks can turn the drive into its own little holiday outing.
5. Bring your soundtrack. Download a holiday playlist before leaving, or tune in to seasonal holiday music on 99.5 FM. An impromptu car sing-along is always an option—enthusiasm counts more than perfect pitch.
6. Dress cozy. Holiday pajamas or your comfiest sweater fit the occasion. Bring coats, hats, and blankets for carriage and hayrides, or for a S'moresville stop.
WANT MORE HOLIDAY MAGIC?
The Festival of Lights is just one of the many things to love about the holidays in Winston-Salem. Explore our Holiday page for more seasonal traditions, sights, and experiences.
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