Ah, the holidays. Music. Performances. Shopping. And lights. The cheerful, glowing, twinkling lights. If you haven’t been yet, bring your favorite people and head to Cape Fear Botanical Garden’s  9th annual “Holiday Lights in the Garden” Dec. 19 – 23 from 5:30-9 p.m. It celebrates this special time of year and showcases the splendor and magic of the winter season in one of the area’s most sublime settings.

“Holiday Lights is a walking tour of Cape Fear Botanical Garden at nighttime,” said Lia Hasapis, marketing coordinator of Cape Fear Botanical Garden. “We light up the garden with lights, other gigantic lights, twinkling lights and it showcases beauty in the winter.”

Hasapis added that this year, they decided to bring the focus of the experience back to what they are —  which is a Botanical Garden. There are natured themed displays throughout the garden to enhance the light displays.

While lights are a big part of the event, there is so much more that makes it a special place to visit this time of year. “The event will feature caroling hayrides, live performances each night, pictures with Santa, s’mores and much more,” said Hasapis. “The live performances will take place each night, and it will feature community members from churches, schools and up-and-coming artists from Fayetteville,” said Hasapis. “There will be a holiday market that will have vendors that will sell holiday crafted items. … We have consignment items in our garden gift shop from holiday crafts and necessities that everybody will need this holiday season.”

Hasapis added there will be several food trucks, s’mores, apple cider and hot chocolate available for purchase. “The hay riders will ride through a special path that is only for the hay riders that is through the garden and it is roped off,” said Hasapis. “They will see different kinds of lights, other parts of the garden. And at the end of the hayride, there is an animated story that has gigantic lights that form characters from the story as well.

“The event is going to be a lot of fun, and you just need to come and glow with us this holiday season,” said Hasapis.

Admission cost is $12 for nonmembers and members will get preferred pricing every other night at $8. A family picture with Santa is $10. For more information call 910-486-0221.