Moonlight in the Garden

A Magical Lighting Exhibition with Our Friends from Southern Lights of Raleigh and the North Carolina Agricultural Foundation, Inc.


Thursday–Saturday, November 7–9, 2019 – 5:30 pm–9:30 pm
Thursday–Saturday, November 14–16, 2019 – 5:30 pm–9:30 pm

See the latest information about Moonlight in the Garden




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Sold Out

Moonlight in the Garden returns with more lights this November. Food trucks, live music, marshmallows and fire pits—they're all back. Don't miss the only opportunity to experience the JC Raulston Arboretum after dark. We'll open our gates each evening for you, your family and friends to explore this nighttime wonder custom designed and installed by John Garner and his team at Southern Lights of Raleigh.

Limited Tickets Available

Tickets will sell out in advance so get yours early!

Sold Out Nights/Time Slots

Preview Night, November 5
Thursday, November 7 – All Evening
Friday, November 8 – All Evening
Saturday, November 9 – All Evening
Thursday, November 14 – All Evening
Friday, November 15 – All Evening
Saturday, November 16 – All Evening

Two Timed Entries Available Each Evening

5:30 pm–7:30 pm and 7:30 pm–9:30 pm

outdoor landscape lighting-lighted balls
outdoor landscape lighting-colorful bananas and luminaria
outdoor landscape lighting-color changing LED lights
outdoor landscape lighting-uplight Japanese maple

This isn't your typical lighting event. Moonlight in the Garden is meticulously designed to showcase our internationally acclaimed garden and all its splendor. You think our collection is spectacular by day? Wait until you see it under the cover of darkness artfully lit on a crisp November evening. It's an magical experience you don't want to miss.

Bring your family and friends to stroll through the garden, listen to a live band, grab a bite to eat from a food truck, roast a marshmallow or two at the fire pits, and sip a cup of hot apple cider. All the while showing your support for the JC Raulston Arboretum. Moonlight in the Garden helps us raise the funds necessary to keep our gates open and our admission free 365 days a year. Come join us.

Be inspired. Be delighted. Be in awe of the beauty of a nighttime garden.

Preview Night

Get a sneak peek on Tuesday, November 5, during our Preview Night and enjoy live music and delectable eats from Rocky Top Catering, wine, and beer from Carolina Brewing Company. Our Preview Night will be the only evening when you can stroll the garden with a glass of wine or beer in hand. Come and enjoy this magical night with live music on the Great Lawn and fire pits with marshmallows to roast. The evening's entertainment is The Antique Hearts. Bring your family and friends to enjoy a cup of hot apple cider during this unique fund-raising event. Advance tickets are required. For more details visit the Preview Night announcement.

Entertainment and Food Truck Lineup

November 7 – Devereux Meadow Band with Barone Meatball Company, Chirba Chirba, Holy Mole, Mr. Mongolian, and Buzzy Bakes

November 8 – Ed Stephenson Flamenco Trio with Bam Pow Chow, Cousins Maine Lobster, The Corner Venezuelan Food, Will and Pops, and Buzzy Bakes

November 9 – The Antique Hearts with Las Gringas, Mr. Cheesesteak, Napoli, The Shrimp Truck, and Chez Moi Bakery

November 14 – The Dogwood Blossom Band with Cousins Maine Lobster, Queso Monster, Rare Earth Farms, and The Corner Venezuelan Food

November 15 – Andrew Chastain with Baozi, Napoli, Virgil's Jamaica, Will and Pops, and Cocoa Forte

November 16 – The Pinkerton Raid with Baguettaboutit, Bam Pow Chow, Rare Earth Farms, The Shrimp Truck, and Sweet Treats of NC

Proceeds from the Moonlight in the Garden will benefit daily operations of the JC Raulston Arboretum. Moonlight in the Garden is cosponsored by and fund-raising efforts operate under the auspices of the North Carolina Agricultural Foundation, Inc., a 501(c)3 nonprofit (tax ID 56-6049304).

Sponsors

The participation and engagement of our community partners is essential for the JCRA to fulfill its horticultural and educational mission.

We invite you to become a sponsor.

$10,000 and Up

  • Karen and David Duch

$5,000 and Up

  • Margie and Keith Collins
  • The Deal Foundation
  • Jim Schlitt
  • Connie and Robert Shertz
  • Janice Swab
  • Taylor's Nursery
  • Georgina and Denny Werner

$2,500 and Up

  • Joe Bridger
  • Alice Brooks and Mark Smith
  • Gardens Direct
  • Han-Dee Hugo's
  • Leaf & Limb
  • NC Farm Bureau
  • Pender Nursery
  • Piedmont Chapter of North American Rock Garden Society
  • Charlotte and John Presley
  • Kathleen and Walt Thompson
  • Bobby G. Wilder

$1,000 and Up

  • Gail and Dean Bunce
  • Capitol City Lumber Co.
  • Carolina Tree Care
  • Sue Copley-Lusk and Dylan Lusk
  • Maryann Debski
  • NC Agricultural Foundation
  • Parker's Landscaping Services
  • Piedmont Carolina Nursery
  • Anne M. Porter and Neal Sasser
  • Raleigh Garden Club
  • Amira and Tom Ranney
  • Wayne Stephens and Alan Zuba
  • Mary and Mark Weathington
  • Florence Whatley
  • Worthington Farms, Inc.

$500 and Up

  • Sylvia Blankenship
  • Brenda Brickhouse
  • Cary Garden Club
  • Suzanne Edney
  • Annette and Rick Guirlinger
  • Connie and Don Hiller
  • Arthur Kelley
  • Sharon Lavallee and Mike Young
  • MacGregor Downs Garden Club
  • Outfall Farms
  • Raleigh Hemerocallis Club
  • Sampson Nursery, Inc.
  • Juanita Shearer-Swink and Rodney Swink
  • Judiann and David Wilkinson
  • Rosemary and Smedes York

In-kind Donors

Cost
Advance tickets: $10.00 for members and college students (with ID), $20.00 for nonmembers, and $5.00 for children 12 and under. Gate tickets (if available): $20.00 for members and college students (with ID), $30.00 for nonmembers, and $5.00 for children 12 and under. All nights sold out in advance in 2018.
Registration
Tickets are no longer available.
Cancellation
Moonlight in the Garden is a rain or shine event. All ticket sales are final. No refunds or exchanges will be given for tickets not used on designated date and time.
Location
JC Raulston Arboretum at NC State University, 4415 Beryl Road, Raleigh, North Carolina.
Directions
Need directions? Click here.
Parking
Free parking is available along Beryl Road, and overflow parking is available at 512 Brickhaven Road.
Questions
Please call (919) 515-3132 for more information about this event.