FAQ: WRAL Nights of Lights

Jump to a specific sectionWhat's different in 2021?Do I need a ticket?How do VIP Fast Lane tickets work?Where is the entrance to Nights of Lights?How long should I expect to wait in line?What if I miss my scheduled time?How long is the light show?Can I exit my vehicle?Can I park my vehicle?Can I walk or bike through the light show?Will there be restrooms available?What if there is bad weather?What if I have other questions?

VIP Fast Lane ticketholders will now have a dedicated entrance into the event, using Umstead Drive off Lake Wheeler Road.

VIP Fast Lane ticket holders will use the new VIP event entrance at the intersection of Lake Wheeler Road and Umstead Drive. (Note - some navigation programs refer to Umstead Drive as Black Drive.) If you cannot locate the intersection of Lake Wheeler Road and Umstead Drive, use Lake Wheeler Road and Black Drive in Raleigh.

All general admission attendees should enter the park at the intersection of Western Blvd and Hunt Drive in Raleigh. Attendees should follow specific directional information provided by the event and event signage to find the entrance. Attendees WILL NOT be able to drive through the park to reach the event entrance. There will be signage directing you to the entrance.

Traffic on I-40 W should take Exit 298B and proceed north on South Saunders Street. Exit right to Martin Luther King Jr Blvd and Western Blvd. Turn left onto Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard and stay in the left lane. Through traffic will be passing in the right lane. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard turns into Western Boulevard. Look for signs for Nights of Lights and be prepared to make a left on Hunt Drive.

Traffic on I-40 E should take Exit 295 and proceed north on Gorman Street to Western Boulevard. Turn right onto Western Boulevard and remain in the right lane. Through traffic will be passing in the left lane. Hunt Drive will be on your right.

From Interstate 440/Beltline: Take exit 2A for Western Blvd/NC State University. Stay in the right lane on Western Boulevard. Follow signs for Nights of Lights. Hunt Drive will be on the right.

From Downtown Raleigh: Use Dawson Street and exit at Western Boulevard. Remain on Western Boulevard and stay in the left lane. Through traffic will be passing in the right lane. Look for signs for Nights of Lights and be prepared to make a left on Hunt Drive.

Traffic on I-40 W should take Exit 298B and proceed north on South Saunders Street. Bear left to stay on South Saunders Street. Turn left onto Lake Wheeler Road. Turn right onto Umstead(or Black) Drive

Traffic on I-40 E should take Exit 298B and proceed north on South Saunders Street. Bear left to stay on South Saunders Street. Turn left onto Lake Wheeler Road. Turn right onto Umstead (or Black) Drive

From Interstate 440/Beltline: Take exit 2A for Western Blvd/NC State University. Stay in the right lane on Western Boulevard. Exit right onto Dawson Street. Turn right onto South Saunders Street. Turn left onto Lake Wheeler Road. Turn right onto Umstead (or Black) Drive

From Downtown Raleigh: Take Dawson Street south toward Garner. Turn right onto South Saunders Street. Turn left onto Lake Wheeler Road. Turn right onto Umstead (or Black) Drive

Follow the VIP driving instructions, parking in the lot in front of All Faiths Chapel.

General admission ticketholders should expect to wait up to 60 minutes, but the average should be 30 minutes or less. VIP Fast Lane ticketholders should expect a wait of 5 to 10 minutes.

Attendees should have tickets downloaded or printed to ensure fast ticket scanning.

If you missed your scheduled time due to unavoidable circumstances, please contact us at nightsoflights@wral.com to discuss options.

The show path is 1.3 miles in length. It takes 15 to 30 minutes to drive through, depending on the speed of cars along the route.

You are required to remain in your vehicle throughout the lighted, drive-thru event.

No. You must continue driving through the event to look at the lights. You can drive as slowly as you wish.

Visitors without vehicles are only allowed along the light route on specific bike nights or during the Nights of Lights 5K Run/Walk on Nov. 20.

There are no restrooms within the route of the lights display. There will be restrooms in the ticket lane prior to the start of the lighted route.

The event is on rain or shine unless there is major inclement weather.

Announcements will be made in event of cancellation. If cancellation occurs all purchased tickets would be rescheduled.

Make-up nights would take place Dec. 26 through Dec. 30, 2021.

Email nightsoflights@wral.com.