The Gardens of Southeastern North Carolina
Description
The Gardens of Southeastern North Carolina is a nonprofit botanical garden on more than 300 acres in Willard, in western Pender County. It shares its grounds with its sister company, Johnson Nursery, and its garden center. The Gardens showcases the region's plant life with garden displays, nature trails, and scenic landscapes, and it is free and open to the public during regular hours except on event days.
Families can wander the garden paths on an ordinary weekday or Saturday morning, or plan around the seasonal events calendar. Past and upcoming programs include a homeschool learning series with art projects for kids, holiday wreath workshops, the fall Gardenpalooza with lawn games and garden tours, and The Southern Lights, a ticketed holiday light walk on select nights in November and December. Event days have their own hours and admission prices.
Leashed, well-behaved pets are welcome during regular visits, and there is plenty of free parking. Outside food and drinks are not allowed, and smoking is limited to the designated parking area. The paths are not yet fully wheelchair accessible, so families who need accessibility help can email the staff ahead of a visit.
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Upcoming Events
The Southern Lights
Nov 20Stroll through The Gardens of Southeastern North Carolina as thousands of holiday lights glow along a self-guided walk, with visits from Santa and Mrs. Claus every night. Kids can set off on the Elf Quest Experience, find their way through the Holiday Maze, toss never-melting snowballs in the Snowball Fight Arena, and roast s'mores by the fire. The lights are open 5:30-9:00 PM on Friday, November 20 and Saturday, November 21. Tickets are $14 in advance or $18 day-of, children 4 and under are free, and military families get 10% off; the event is cashless and pets are not allowed.
The Southern Lights
Nov 27Stroll through The Gardens of Southeastern North Carolina as thousands of holiday lights glow along a self-guided walk, with visits from Santa and Mrs. Claus every night. Kids can set off on the Elf Quest Experience, find their way through the Holiday Maze, toss never-melting snowballs in the Snowball Fight Arena, and roast s'mores by the fire. The lights are open 5:30-9:00 PM on Friday, November 27 and Saturday, November 28. Tickets are $14 in advance or $18 day-of, children 4 and under are free, and military families get 10% off; the event is cashless and pets are not allowed.
The Southern Lights
Dec 3Stroll through The Gardens of Southeastern North Carolina as thousands of holiday lights glow along a self-guided walk, with visits from Santa and Mrs. Claus every night. Kids can set off on the Elf Quest Experience, find their way through the Holiday Maze, toss never-melting snowballs in the Snowball Fight Arena, and roast s'mores by the fire. The lights are open 5:30-9:00 PM each night from Thursday, December 3 through Sunday, December 6. Sunday, December 6 is a non-profit night supporting Duplin Christian Outreach Ministries. Tickets are $14 in advance or $18 day-of, children 4 and under are free, and military families get 10% off; the event is cashless and pets are not allowed.
Location
Information
Location
985 Johnson Nursery Rd, Willard, NC 28478
Hours
Monday - Friday: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday: 9:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Sunday: Closed
Special hours and admission apply on event days
Phone
Website
Last Updated
October 26, 2026