MT. VERNON – The Cedarhurst Center for the Arts campus is literally glowing as the staff and volunteers prepare for the opening of The Lights: an Exhibition of Holiday Magic.

2025 is the fourth year for the seasonal extravaganza that welcomes visitors from throughout the region every weekend during the holidays, beginning November 22. This year’s experience features 19 professional light features installed along a winding one-mile walking path through the heart of the 70 acre campus, ranging from traditional to contemporary to whimsical in style.

“This year’s Exhibition of Holiday Magic is the biggest yet,” states Cedarhurst Executive Director Hillary Esser. “ Each light feature has been selected and installed to complement the natural beauty and art of the museum campus.”

In addition to new light features, expanded and new programming has been added to this year’s six weekend event. The museum’s popular summertime outdoor program Thursday Night Live is taking on a holiday twist and moving inside. Thursday nights in December will feature live music in the Performance Hall that everyone with ticketed admission to the Lights is welcome to enjoy. Local musicians Cody Galloway, Sydney King, and Jive are scheduled to perform on December 4, 11, and 18 respectively.

New and returning regional artists will be featured in the December 5th through 7th Christmas Market in the museum’s Performance Hall. The Market weekend will kickoff Friday evening with a “Sip ’n Shop” experience and include live music by Brett Gibbs and Rolland Mays.

The theme for the family-friendly ticketed dinner this year is Winter Wonderland and features costumed characters, games, and crafts in the spirit of the popular Disney movie Frozen.

The previous years’ fire pit party rental offering has been upgraded to small group rentals in the new Igloo Village situated in the middle of the campus and surrounded by The Lights. Six and ten person igloo rentals are available by reservation and include tickets to The Lights, complimentary drinks, and a food option.

“Ride the Lights” night is another popular program that will return and allow visitors the opportunity to see the attraction via a chauffeured golf cart ride. Timed-tickets are available on December 14 and 18.

Nearly 10,000 guests from the tri-state – and beyond – enjoyed the magic of The Lights last holiday season. “While here, we hope that visitors will enjoy the many holiday add-ons and explore all that Cedarhurst has to offer,” commented Courtney Kabat, Cedarhurst Director of Visitor Engagement. “A trip to The Lights isn’t complete until you’ve roasted a s’more at the Holiday Hub, made a DIY craft in the Shrode Art Center and toured the art galleries and Beck Family Center in the Mitchell Museum.”

Tickets to experience The Lights are available online and at the door. Adult admission is $15, Cedarhurst members are $10, Kids age 2 to 10 are $5, children 2 and under are free.

Four nights this year (December 4, 11, 14, and 18) offer free admission for kids 10 and under with adult paid admission.