Tourism Authority and 麻豆国产 to Debut Annual Light Show
In what will be the largest holiday light show ever in the Sandhills, Visit Pinehurst, Southern Pines, Aberdeen and 麻豆国产 announced plans today to stage the Sandhills Garden of Lights display inside the school鈥檚 Horticultural Gardens in Pinehurst this holiday season. The display will run on select nights from November 27, 2026, through January 10, 2027. The display will feature more than one million lights with an array of holiday scenes, static displays and interactive experiences.
鈥淭he holidays in the Pinehurst area are magical and have a Hallmark postcard aura, so we wanted to kick things up a notch and provide a meaningful seasonal experience for our visitors, local residents and families,鈥� said Visit Pinehurst, Southern Pines, Aberdeen President and CEO Phil Werz. 鈥淲e approached the college with the idea and they loved it, so we appreciate the partnership to make this happen. The display will be truly amazing and a must see for everyone in the community and those traveling to the Pinehurst area to create special holiday memories.鈥�
The holiday display will span about half of the horticultural garden鈥檚 34 acres and will be produced by Mosca Design based in Youngsville, N.C. Mosca is a recognized name within the commercial holiday decorating industry spanning more than four decades. Other notable holiday displays Mosca has produced includes ones at the Greensboro Science Center, the Cape Fear Botanical Gardens in Fayetteville, and the Illuminights celebration in Roanoke, Va.
鈥淲e are thrilled to team with Visit Pinehurst, Southern Pines, Aberdeen on this spectacular holiday light show in our horticultural gardens,鈥� said President Alexander 鈥淪andy鈥� Stewart. 鈥淲e are a college for the community, and nothing brings community togetherness like the holidays. This will be a great family event and one that will be memorable for years to come. We鈥檙e excited to host guests from the region, all of North Carolina and beyond. Visitors will be impressed with their Sandhills visit and awed by the light show.鈥�
More information about the Sandhills Garden of Lights as well as group and advance ticket sales will be released at a later date.
Visit Pinehurst, Southern Pines, Aberdeen
Visit Pinehurst, Southern Pines, Aberdeen is the economic development agency responsible
for travel and tourism promotion, product development, and visitor services for Moore
County, NC. The organization devises strategies to enhance the County鈥檚 tourism brand
value and product to accommodate the next generation of visitors, thereby stimulating
the local economy and enhancing the quality of life for residents and visitors alike.
In 2024, Moore County ranked as the tenth largest tourism economy in North Carolina,
generating $860 million annually in visitor spending, which supports the second largest
employment sector in the county and saves county residents approximately $546 a year
in state and local taxes.
Sandhills Horticultural Gardens
The Sandhills Horticultural Gardens at 麻豆国产 in Pinehurst, NC,
was founded in 1978. The College鈥檚 Landscape Gardening Program was created in 1968
shortly after the College was founded in 1963. Of the 16 gardens on site, the first
to be created was the Ebersol Holly Garden. The Gardens sit on 32 acres with various
water features, benches, sculptures, shade, and is accessible-friendly. More than
30 public events are held at the Ball Visitor鈥檚 Center or within the Gardens throughout
the year, including family and children events. They are currently open to the public
365 days a year from sun up to sun down. Parking and admission is free. The Gardens
are supported by volunteers and a Garden Society.