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CLEMMONS — With temperatures still reaching the 70s in early November, it’s hardly beginning to look a lot like Christmas, but nonetheless, the Tanglewood Park Festival of Lights is gearing up for its 33rd year.

In fact, the final preparations are now ongoing for the annual lights show, which officially opens Friday, Nov. 15, and runs through Jan. 1, 2025. Hours are from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m.

Things will be pretty much the same as usual, but there will be a slight detour in the route through the massive park because of the ongoing construction involving the new golf clubhouse.

Drew Wiles, marketing and events manager for Forsyth County Parks and Recreation, provided an update.

“The show will be primarily the same as it has been in years past, but there have been a few minor changes,” Wiles said. “The route will change slightly due to the clubhouse construction, however, all light displays are being rearranged accordingly. Clubhouse construction is going well, and we currently still plan for it to be completed in the back half of 2025.

“Due to the route change, we have rearranged all displays that were previously on the hill of the golf clubhouse, which adds a new look and feel to certain areas of the show. Although the route distance is slightly shorter, we will have more lights than ever.”

Wiles said that three new “photo-op” displays have been located in the Gift Village area.

“These new displays will add an interactive element to the show that our team felt has been lacking over the years,” Wiles said. “These photo-op displays range from 6-feet to 10-feet tall and provide the ability to take a singular, couple or group photo to keep as a memory of their visit, and share with friends, family and/or social media.”

The largest new display is called “Old Man Winter,” which will be located on the left-hand slide of the route just before the Gift Village stop.

And on the subject of golf, the popular driving golfer display, which has been a favorite since the first festival in 1992, will remain on display despite this year’s festival route skipping going up the hill leading to the golf clubhouse area. This year, it be located on the right-hand side of the route just past the Gift Shop. 

The 2023 festival brought in $1,259,216 in revenue with $639,240 in expenses for a net total of $619,976. That was slightly better than 2022 with $1,221,983 in revenue and $639,240 in expenses for a net total of $582,743.

However, the 2021 festival topped them both with $1,313,705 in revenue and $642,564 in expenses for a net total of $671,141.

Wiles did note that total revenue can fluctuate from year to year with last year’s festival only having 46 nights while 2022 had 52 nights and 2021 had 49 nights.

“Last year was our highest-ever revenue on a ‘per-night basis,’ coming out to $27,374 per night,” he said.

Rates remain unchanged again this year with $20 for cash and $23 for credit card per family vehicle. Rates for commercial vehicles are still $45 cash and $48 credit card, and $115 cash and $118 credit card for motorcoaches and buses.

Those wanting to save money can plan to come on one of the discounts nights — Monday, Nov. 18, and Tuesday, Nov. 19 along with Monday, Nov. 25, and Tuesday, Nov. 26. Rates are $10 cash and $13 credit for family, $25 cash and $28 credit card for commercial, and $80 cash and $83 credit card for motorcoaches and buses.

In addition to driving through the brilliant lights and a wide variety of displays, the Gift Village, which is anchored by the Gift Shop at the Red Barn, features holiday crafts, specialty foods and handmade gifts by local artisans. S’Moresville will continue marshmallow roasting at the site as well.

Other holiday experiences offered by Tanglewood stables include horse-drawn carriage rides and tractor-pulled hayrides through the route. Advance reservations are required by calling 336-766-9540 to check prices and availability.

Due to safety concerns, riding through the Festival of Lights in the back of a pick-up truck or in/on a trailer that is connected to a vehicle is prohibited.

Other events held along with the Festival of Lights include:

• Miles for Meals 5K on Saturday (Nov. 9) supports the Hillsdale Church Food Ministry to help those in need.
• Toast (The Totally Outstanding Awesome Stroll through Tanglewood) on Sunday (Nov. 10) is a popular event for families, walkers, strollers and wagon rollers to view the lights.
• Paws in the Park on Monday, Nov. 11, and Tuesday, Nov. 12, offers animal lovers the opportunity to bring their four-legged friends with them to the park for a walk through the dazzling display.
• Running of the Lights on Dec. 31 is a race to start off the New Year through the Festival of Lights at midnight.

For further information about any of these activities or other questions related to the Festival of Lights, visit www.forsyth.cc/Parks/Tanglewood/fol or call Tanglewood Park at 336-703-6400.