Preview Night—Moonlight in the Garden

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

Thursday, November 6, 2025 – 7:00 pm–9:30 pm

Be the first to experience Moonlight in the Garden during this year's Preview Night!

Only 500 tickets are available for this special night that offers a catered fall menu and open bar with beer and wine (beer and wine are only served during Preview Night. All other nights are alcohol free). Your senses will be delighted when the gates open on this crisp November evening.

Preview Night is the perfect opportunity for JCRA Members and those who love the JCRA to experience this popular fundraiser a little differently. For this evening only, food trucks are replaced with a seasonal catered menu and beer and wine is served.

Enjoy delectable small plates with a glass of wine on the Great Lawn while listening to the band. Stroll the beautifully lit gardens, sip hot apple cider or roast marshmallows around the fire pits with your family and friends. We limited the number of tickets for this evening to slow the pace and give you plenty of room to fully enjoy the display and your after-dark experience. We look forward to seeing you there.

Be sure to check out the complete Moonlight in the Garden details. Each crisp November evening is perfectly paired with live music, food trucks, fire pits and marshmallows.

What to Know for Preview Night

This will be the only evening where beer and wine will be served and a catered menu is included in the ticket price.

JCRA Members will have early access to purchase tickets. They may purchase tickets for themselves and their guests and enjoy early access to the event. JCRA Members can arrive at 6:30 pm to enjoy the event and all it has to offer before the gates officially open at 7:00 pm. Join today.

Free parking is available along Beryl Road, and overflow parking is available at 4101 Beryl Road. Parking is limited, we recommend carpooling or using a ride share service.

Advance Tickets Only

Tickets will go on sale in September.

Advance tickets are required. This is a catered event. No tickets will be sold at the gate for this evening.

Limited number of tickets available to enhance your experience.

Tickets go on sale first to JCRA Members! Join now.

Anytime Tickets cannot be used for Preview Night.

Proceeds from the Moonlight in the Garden will benefit daily operations of the JC Raulston Arboretum. Funds supporting Moonlight in the Garden and the JC Raulston Arboretum are collected and managed by the North Carolina Agricultural Foundation, Inc., a 501(c)3 nonprofit (tax ID 56-6049304).

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. Tickets are transferable.

Location

JC Raulston Arboretum at NC State University, 4415 Beryl Road, Raleigh, NC 27606

Directions

Need directions? Click here.

Parking

Free parking is available along Beryl Road, and overflow parking is available at 4101 Beryl Road. Parking is limited, we recommend carpooling or using a ride share service.

Questions

Contact the JCRA Events Team at jcra-events@ncsu.edu or 919-515-3132 for more information about this event.