Cape Fear Botanical Garden will display "Holiday Lights in the Garden," featuring more than 45,000 bulbs installed to highlight plants, trees and "Ribbit," the exhibit of whimsical copper frog sculptures, while illuminating the landscape to showcase the garden's winter beauty, through Dec. 29.

(The gardens will be closed Dec. 24-25.)

The interior glow of the Entry Pavilion in the Wyatt Visitors Pavilion Complex, decorated in botanical holiday splendor, will welcome visitors to the Garden, which has been transformed into a sparkling wonderland to offer visitors of all ages the occasion to embrace the outdoors during the holiday season.

The Children's Garden hosts a family of colorfully lit penguins, while huge butterflies hover alongside the Butterfly Stroll, and magical laser lights dot the full height of pine trees.

As a new feature this year, the Water Wise Garden and the Heritage Complex are lit.

The Garden Gift Shop will be open with unique gifts for everyone, including candles with delicious holiday scents, ornaments that capture the essence of the Garden, and velvet pumpkins in holiday hues.

"For children of all ages, we have beautiful books, creative gardening kits and lots of special little treats for stocking-stuffing," says a spokesman. "Seasonal refreshments and hot drinks will be available from New Deli Cafe."

The event is sponsored by Century Link, Ensystex Inc., The Fayetteville Observer, Garden Club Council of Fayetteville, Sullivan's Highland Funeral Service, and Mr. and Mrs. David K. Taylor.

Viewing time is 5:45 to 9 p.m., with the last entry at 8:15 p.m.

Admission is $ for adults (members) or $8 for nonmembers. Children 6 to 12 are $2.50, and ages 5 and under are free.

Cape Fear Botanical Garden, a nonprofit, 501 (c) (3) organization, is located on 78 acres nestled between the Cape Fear River and Cross Creek, just two miles from downtown Fayetteville.

For more information, visit the website www. capefearbg.org.