The Cedarhurst Center for the Arts campus staff and volunteers prepare for the opening of The Lights: An Exhibition of Holiday Magic this weekend. Now in its fourth year, the seasonal spectacle draws thousands of visitors from across the region every holiday season. The 2025 event opens November 22nd and features 19 professional light installations placed along a winding one-mile walking path through the heart of the museum’s 70-acre campus. Displays range from traditional to contemporary to whimsical.
“This year’s Exhibition of Holiday Magic is the biggest yet,” said Cedarhurst Executive Director Hillary Esser. “Each light feature has been selected and installed to complement the natural beauty and art of the museum campus.”
In addition to new light displays, Cedarhurst has expanded its holiday programming. The museum’s popular summertime outdoor series, Thursday Night Live, will move indoors for December, offering live music each Thursday night for anyone with a ticket to The Lights. Local musicians Cody Galloway, Sydney King, and Jive will perform on December 4th, 11th, and 18th.
Shoppers and art enthusiasts can also enjoy the annual Christmas Market from December 5th–7th in the Performance Hall. The weekend begins with a Friday night “Sip ’n Shop” event featuring live music from Brett Gibbs and Rolland Mays. New and returning regional artists will showcase handmade goods throughout the weekend. Families can take part in this year’s themed dinner, Winter Wonderland, complete with costumed characters, games, and crafts inspired by the Disney film Frozen.
Cedarhurst has also upgraded its group experiences. The former fire pit rental option has been replaced with the new Igloo Village, located in the center of the lighted campus. Each six- or ten-person igloo rental includes tickets to The Lights, complimentary drinks, and a food option.
Another guest favorite — Ride the Lights — will return this year, offering chauffeured golf cart tours of the display. Timed tickets are available for December 14th and 18th. Nearly 10,000 people visited The Lights last year. Cedarhurst Director of Visitor Engagement Courtney Kabat hopes even more guests will experience the expanded event in 2025.
“A trip to The Lights isn’t complete until you’ve roasted a s’more at the Holiday Hub, made a DIY craft in the Shrode Art Center, and toured the art galleries and Beck Family Center in the Mitchell Museum,” Kabat said.
Tickets are available online and at the door. Admission is $15 for adults, $10 for Cedarhurst members, and $5 for children ages 2–10; children 2 and under are free. Four dates — December 4th, 11th, 14th, and 18th — offer free admission for kids 10 and under with a paid adult.