Preview Night—Moonlight in the Garden

A Magical Lighting Exhibition with Our Friends from Southern Lights of Raleigh and the North Carolina Agricultural Foundation, Inc.

Be the first to experience Moonlight in the Garden at this year's exclusive Preview Night!

Only 600 tickets are available for this special evening, designed as an all-inclusive experience.

This year, your ticket includes dinner and desserts from Raleigh's top food trucks and staff favorites, plus an open bar serving beer and wine (the only night alcohol is served–all other Moonlight in the Garden nights are alcohol-free).

We limit the number of tickets for this evening to slow the pace and give you plenty of room to fully enjoy the display and your after-dark experience. Cozy touches like hot apple cider and marshmallows by the fire make the evening even more special—and don't miss our popular s'mores bar, featuring candy and toppings to create your ultimate treat.

Come savor the tastes, enjoy a glass of beer or wine, stroll the garden, and listen to powerhouse vocalist, guitarist, singer and songwriter Mysti Mayhem.

North Carolinian Mysti Mayhem was professionally trained by Bo Diddley and has over 20 years of performing experience. With a dynamic stage presence and raw, heartfelt lyrics, Mysti captivates audiences everywhere she performs. She'll deliver a variety of covers and originals in a bluesy, soulful rendition as a perfect soundtrack to Moonlight in the Garden.

Preview Night features six fantastic food trucks — four savory and two sweet. Whether you're vegan, gluten-free or have other dietary needs, there will be delicious options for you. You'll receive one dinner ticket and one dessert ticket to use at the trucks of your choice, so you can enjoy exactly what you’re craving!

Savory Trucks: Hollywood Taco and MoMoMandu with two more savory trucks to be announced soon!

Sweet Trucks: Sweet Treats of NC and Two Roosters

What to Know for Preview Night:

This will be the only evening that offers an all-inclusive experience where beer and wine will be served.
JCRA Members get early access! JCRA Members can arrive at 6:30 pm to enjoy the event and all it has to offer before the gates officially open at 7:00 pm. Join today.
Advance tickets are required. No tickets will be sold at the gate for this evening.
Free parking is available along Beryl Road, and overflow parking is available at 4101 Beryl Road. Parking is limited, we recommend carpooling or using a ride share service.

Be sure to check out the complete Moonlight in the Garden details. Each evening is a unique experience with a new lineup of live music and food trucks, all with Moonlight favorites–fire pits, marshmallows and apple cider!

Moonlight in the Garden isn't just magical—it's meaningful. As our largest annual fundraising event, it helps raise the funds necessary to keep our gates open and admission free 365 days a year. Bring a friend (or two!) and be part of a night that lights up both the garden and our mission.

Advance Tickets Only

Tickets on sale for JCRA Members September 17 at noon; available to everyone October 1 at noon.

Limited number of tickets are available to enhance your experience. No tickets will be sold at the gate for this evening. Tickets are expected to sell out—reserve yours early!

Ticket links will appear here when tickets go on sale to the public.

Advance Tickets Options

JCRA Members: $75.00 per ticket

JCRA Members and their guests enjoy early access and can arrive at 6:30 pm to enjoy the event and all it has to offer before the gates officially open at 7:00 pm.

General Admission: $95.00 per ticket

All ticket sales are final. Tickets cannot be changed to another date or time, but you are able to transfer your tickets to another person if you're not able to attend.

A ticket is required for every attendee; children attending will need to purchase the same all-inclusive ticket as an adult. Anytime Tickets cannot be used for Preview Night.

Funds supporting Moonlight in the Garden are collected by Eventbrite. Proceeds will be managed by The North Carolina Agricultural Foundation, Inc., a 501(c)3 nonprofit, tax id 56-6049304. Proceeds will benefit the JC Raulston Arboretum.