The Lights FAQ
What is The Lights?
The Lights: An Exhibition of Holiday Magic is a holiday lights experience curated for the people of southern Illinois.
Cedarhurst began The Lights in 2022 to ramp up the holiday spirit in southern Illinois. It is the only walkable holiday lights program of such scale and caliber in southern Illinois. This year, 17 large-scale light features have been installed along a 1-mile route designed to highlight the best parts of the Cedarhurst campus. Visitors will experience The Lights, as well as many other fun and festive activities. Keep reading for more details.
How do we experience The Lights?
On most nights, guests will walk the one-mile gravel/blacktop trail to experience the 17 light features curated to highlight the best of the museum’s campus. Musical selections will accompany the light features to create an immersive holiday experience.
This year, Cedarhurst is also offering two nights during which visitors can “Ride the Lights.” Keep reading for more details.
What else is there to do when we visit Cedarhurst for The Lights?
The wonder awaits you at Cedarhurst! In addition to the holiday lights on display – more than 1 million altogether – your ticket to The Lights includes:
– fun, festive photo opportunities placed along the lighted route
– Community fire pits and warming stations (s’more kits available for a nominal fee)
– Admission to the museum’s five art galleries
– Family fun opportunities in the Beck Family Center
– DIY craft activities in the Shrode Art Center
– Holiday movie showings and coloring activities in the museum Performance Hall (most weekends)
– Option to purchase seasonal food and drinks, as well as holiday merchandise and souvenirs
Those wanting a VIP experience can rent a semi-private fire pit on any Friday or Saturday during The Lights and enjoy a bundle of extra benefits. Click for more details.
Extra programming opportunities exist on special weekends at The Lights. Admission to the Christmas Market presented December 6-8 is included with admission to The Lights. Visitors can shop for free during the day. Click for more information.
Santa makes his only appearance at the lights during Supper with Santa, scheduled December 13 and 14. Click for more information.
How much does it cost to attend?
Tickets to The Lights are $15 for adults ($10 for Cedarhurst members), $5 for children ages 2 to 10, and free for children younger than 2.
In addition, Cedarhurst offers two Family Nights at The Lights on December 15 and December 28, which offers free admission for children. Tickets to these nights must be reserved by phone, call 618-242-1236. One adult ticket is required for every four children’s tickets redeemed.
How do I purchase tickets to The Lights?
Tickets to The Lights can be purchase through the Cedarhurst website or by calling 618-242-1236.
Once purchased, tickets (in the form of a QR code) will be emailed to the email address associated with your ticket purchase. For quick and easy admission, please have your QR code ready when you arrive to The Lights.
Is group pricing available?
Yes. Cedarhurst offers group pricing for parties with 15 or more adults. Individual cost is reduced to $12 for adults. Call 618-242-1236 to make a group reservation.
Groups may also want to check out the various rental opportunities at The Lights.
How do I check in?
Once purchased, tickets (in the form of a QR code) will be emailed to the email address associated with your ticket purchase.
For quick and easy admission, please have your QR code ready when you arrive to The Lights.
Can I bring my dog or pet?
No. Pets are not allowed at The Lights.
Is The Lights accessible for people with disabilities?
All Cedarhurst buildings are ADA compliant and accessible by those with disabilities.
The one-mile walking route is a combination of gravel pathway and blacktop surface. Most strollers, wheelchairs, and motorized scooters can traverse the entire walking route.
If the gravel path is too difficult to navigate, 11 of this year’s light features are positioned along the blacktop surface, and many are within close proximity to campus buildings.
This year, Cedarhurst is also offering two nights, December 1 and 29, during which visitors can “Ride the Lights” and experience the route via golf-cart ride.
How do I Ride the Lights?
This year, Cedarhurst is offering two nights, December 1 and 29, during which visitors can “Ride the Lights” and experience the route via golf-cart ride.
Purchase a ticket on either December 1 or December 29. Visitors will walk through the museum and out the back doors to board a chauffeured golf cart and begin their ride through the 1-mile lighted route.
Visitors with walkers, scooters, etc. will have the option to park their assistive devices at the back of the museum. This is where visitors will begin and end their ride. (Cedarhurst is not responsible for unattended personal items.) Please note, Cedarhurst staff and volunteers are unable to physically assist visitors in any way.
Refunds and Exchanges
We know that plans change.
All tickets to The Lights are non-refundable. However, if you need to exchange your tickets for any reason, Cedarhurst staff can assist as long as the request is made 48 hours in advance. (i.e., a Friday event date can last be exchanged on the preceding Wednesday). No tickets will be exchanged within 48 hours of the ticket date.
Such exchanges are based on availability.
Inclement Weather Policy
The Lights go on, even in inclement weather.
In very few cases of extreme and/or dangerous weather, Cedarhurst may cancel a night of The Lights. If this occurs, Cedarhurst will notify guests via email (a message will be sent to the email associated with your ticket purchase).
We will also notify audiences through the Cedarhurst website and social media channels. If Cedarhurst cancels the event, your tickets will be refunded and you can reschedule them at your convenience.
Will there be food and drinks available for purchase?
Of course!
Light snacks and favorite seasonal beverages for young and old are available for purchase.
Those wanting a more substantial meal should check out Supper with Santa and our semiprivate fire pit rentals, which include either a deluxe charcuterie board or s’mores board.
Where should I park?
Cedarhurst Center for the Arts is located at 2600 Richview Road Mt, Vernon, IL 62864.
Onsite parking is limited to 100 spaces, including 2 allocated for individuals with disabilities. We use timed tickets to help ensure parking availability. However, we do encourage visitors to carpool and, when necessary, to use the overflow parking available nearby at Spero Family Services.
Can I drop my party and supplies off at the Museum before I park overflow?
Yes.
Attendees may drive through the museum parking lot loop to drop off their party and supplies at the door.
Note that supplies such as strollers, motorized scooters, backpacks, etc. cannot be left unattended at the entrance. Cedarhurst is not responsible for unattended personal items.
How do I pay for things at Cedarhurst?
Cedarhurst encourages cashless payment, and we gladly accept all major credit cards.
We will accept cash at our concession and merchandise stations, however staff and volunteers will not have cash on hand to make change.
Is there an ATM on site?
No, there is no ATM onsite.
Guests can visit local banks or convenience stores nearby to withdraw cash.
Can I bring a camera and take photos?
Yes! We want you to document the holiday memories made here at Cedarhurst and have created several photo stations along the route!
We ask that visitors be respectful of other guests – be conscious of others waiting to use the various photo ops and try not to block the walking route.
If sharing your photos on social media, please tag @CedarhurstCenterfortheArts on Facebook and Instagram.
The use of drones is prohibited.
Want to know more about Cedarhurst Center for the Arts?
This is a very special year for Cedarhurst as we culminate our 50th anniversary. Learn more about our history, membership, art, and programing.
