Expect to wait: Nights of Lights causes hours-long lines on Raleigh's Western Blvd.

When WRAL's Nights of Lights officially opened to the public on Wednesday night, traffic backed up along Raleigh's Western Boulevard. Police cautioned that wait times could be up to three hours to access Dix Park.

Posted 11:00 a.m. Dec 16, 2020 — Updated 4:11 a.m. Dec 17, 2020

WRAL staff

When WRAL's Nights of Lights officially opened to the public on Wednesday night, traffic backed up along Raleigh's Western Boulevard.

Police cautioned that wait times could be up to three hours to access Dix Park.

Because of the number of tickets sold and the desire of each family to slowly enjoy the 1.3 miles of festive light displays, police said they expect long lines each night throughout the event.

More than 100 families turned away at Nights of Lights due to traffic, long wait times

Similar lights shows across the state like Tanglewood Festival of Lights in Winston-Salem and Speedway Christmas at Charlotte Motor Speedway are seeing record crowds – and waits up two to four hours – this year, as families seek a festive but safe way to celebrate the season.

"Most people understand that there is going to be a bit of a wait, if you compare it to something like attending a college football game or attending a concert, you anticipate and you plan, knowing that it is going take time to come into the venue or get parked," said Joseph Voska, program supervisor for Dorothea Dix Park. "This event is no different, when you are thinking about the amount of people being served."

As families from near and far lined up, some had creative ways to endure the wait. “We packed a picnic dinner and got out here early," said Linda Henderson.

People who can't get to the Dix Park entrance before their time slot due to traffic should know their tickets will be honored.

If you’re planning to go, here are a few things to keep in mind:

Expect to wait. Most nights are sold out, which means plenty of traffic trying to get into the park. Wait times could be up to three hours.
Ticketholders should use Western Boulevard and go to the Hunt Drive entrance to Dix Park. You can enter 75 Hunt Drive in your phone to get to the entrance, then follow the signs. This is the only entrance to the park that is open during the Nights of Lights event.
Have your ticket ready for scanning. You can print your barcode or have it on your phone’s screen.

FAQ: WRAL Nights of Lights

If you are not attending WRAL Nights of Lights, take an alternate route. To avoid heavy traffic in the evenings along Western Boulevard, Raleigh police recommend using Avent Ferry Road, Centennial Parkway and Lake Wheeler Road as a good alternate route around Dix Park.

Use Hillsborough Street, Wade Avenue or Interstate 40 as eastbound and/or westbound thoroughfares through the City of Raleigh.

Most other parts of Dix Park are operating as normal during the day. Access to all other parts of the parks will be blocked daily at dusk.

As a WRAL Nights of Lights guest, you’ll enjoy more than 400 holiday-themed displays, including more than 5,000 strands of lights and special installations from Artsplosure. We hope you’ll be able join us for WRAL Nights of Lights — a safe, spectacular way to celebrate the season!

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