For a lot of Wilmington families, the holiday season doesn’t really start until the first walk through Airlie Gardens under thousands of lights. Enchanted Airlie returns for 2026, and because tickets are sold in advance by vehicle and specific nights fill up, a little planning goes a long way. Here is what Airlie Gardens has posted for this year’s event, plus a few local tips for homeowners hosting holiday guests and for anyone house-hunting on Wilmington’s east side this winter.
Enchanted Airlie 2026 Dates and Times
According to Airlie Gardens’ official Enchanted Airlie page, the 2026 event runs Nov. 27 and 28, then Dec. 1 through 21. Each evening has four reservation windows:
- 5:30 to 6:30 p.m.
- 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.
- 7:30 to 8:30 p.m.
- 8:30 to 9:30 p.m.
Arrival times are firm. Airlie says guests may arrive no earlier than 15 minutes before their window and no later than 30 minutes into it, and must exit by the end of the hour. For example, 5:30 p.m. ticket holders can arrive between 5:15 and 6 p.m. and need to leave by 6:30 p.m. Showing up early does not guarantee parking or entry.
The walk itself is a self-guided, roughly half-mile route through holiday lights and music. Airlie notes the tour is wheelchair, walker and stroller accessible, and that it does not run visitor trams during Enchanted Airlie.
How Tickets Work
Tickets are sold per vehicle, not per person, and every option includes onsite parking and admission for everyone in the car. WWAY reported on Oct. 28, 2026 that general public sales opened that morning at 9 a.m. Airlie’s posted prices are:
- Carload ticket: $35 for a car, standard truck, SUV or minivan that fits in a standard parking space.
- XL van ticket: $65 for vans carrying up to 11 passengers.
- Group tickets: $85 for nonprofit groups and $125 for for-profit groups with 12 or more passengers in one vehicle, by special reservation.
Prices are plus tax and service fees. Airlie says buying in person at the Airlie Gardens Gift Shop avoids the online service fees (tax still applies), and it recommends buying only through its official ticket provider, Etix, because tickets bought elsewhere may not be valid. Purchases are limited to two tickets per transaction.
Rules worth knowing before you go
- No walk-ins or bicycles. Everyone in your group must arrive in the same ticketed vehicle.
- Rain or shine. Airlie says heavy rain and cold are not reasons to cancel, and it does not keep a waitlist for sold-out times. Returned tickets reappear on the ticket page.
- Pets: only service animals are allowed.
- Refunds and exchanges go through Etix, are not guaranteed, and must be requested at least 24 hours before your time.
- No Santa this year. Airlie’s FAQ says Santa Claus is no longer part of Enchanted Airlie.
Why the Lights Matter Beyond the Holidays
Here’s a detail many visitors miss: Enchanted Airlie is Airlie Gardens’ largest fundraiser of the year, and the garden says ticket revenue has helped fund its stormwater master plan. Airlie describes itself as the last point of filtration for the Bradley Creek watershed, and notes that development over the past decade has greatly affected the gardens, with millions of gallons of stormwater flowing through them.
For homeowners and buyers in the neighborhoods that drain toward Bradley Creek and the Intracoastal Waterway, that is a useful reminder. Stormwater and drainage are part of everyday life on the east side of Wilmington. If you are shopping for a home in this part of town, it is worth reviewing flood zone maps, asking sellers about past water intrusion, and getting an insurance quote early. Our flood zones guide for Wilmington-area buyers walks through the basics.
Tips for Hosting Holiday Guests
If family is coming to town over Thanksgiving weekend or in December, Enchanted Airlie is an easy evening plan, but book around your guest list. A few ideas from our team:
- Pick your night first. Availability varies by date and time, so if your dates are flexible, check several nights before you settle on one.
- Count your vehicles. Because tickets are per car, a minivan or a 9- to 11-passenger van can make a big family outing simpler and cheaper than two separate cars.
- Stack your plans. Thanksgiving weekend also brings downtown’s tree lighting and parade. See our Thanksgiving weekend downtown guide, and for a beach-town option, our Island of Lights guide for Carolina Beach and Kure Beach.
- Dress for the walk. It is outdoors, about a half-mile, and it happens rain or shine.
House-Hunting Near Airlie Gardens This Winter
Airlie Gardens sits off Airlie Road on Wilmington’s east side, a short drive from Wrightsville Beach and close to established neighborhoods and communities such as Landfall. Winter can be a practical time to look in this area: traffic is lighter than in summer, and you get a realistic feel for year-round living. Our guides to living in Landfall and living in Wrightsville Beach are good starting points.
Enchanted Airlie FAQ
When is Enchanted Airlie 2026?
Nov. 27 and 28 and Dec. 1 through 21, 2026, with reservation windows starting at 5:30, 6:30, 7:30 and 8:30 p.m., per Airlie Gardens.
How much are tickets?
$35 per carload or $65 per XL van, plus tax and fees. Group tickets for 12 or more passengers are $85 for nonprofits and $125 for for-profit groups.
Can I buy tickets at the gate?
No. Tickets must be bought in advance online or onsite at the gift shop. There are no gate sales, walk-ins or bicycles.
What if it rains?
The event is rain or shine. Airlie says it would cancel only for severe or dangerous weather, typically deciding by 4 p.m. that day.
Thinking About a Move Before the New Year?
Whether you are hosting family this season or planning your next move, our team knows Wilmington’s neighborhoods street by street. Reach out to Aspyre Collective and we’ll help you find the right home, or get yours ready to sell, in the new year.
