Mark your calendars for a magical summer experience at Grandfather Mountain! Their popular Grandfather Glows firefly viewing events will return in 2025, offering visitors a rare opportunity to witness the mountain’s spectacular natural light show.
Grandfather Mountain is home to 10 species of luminous insects, including synchronous fireflies, blue ghost fireflies, and glowworms. These bioluminescent wonders transform the mountain landscape for just a few weeks each year during their mating season.
Important Dates:
May 16: Announcement of three event dates (mid-June to mid-July)
May 19-25: Lottery open for ticket entries ($5 per entry)
May 27: First round of lottery winners notified
June 3: Second round of lottery winners notified
Lottery winners can purchase up to six tickets for one night or split across different nights. Adult tickets are $50, children’s tickets are $40, with discounts available for Bridge Club members.
Each four-hour event (7-11 p.m.) begins with educational programs led by park naturalists in MacRae Meadows before transitioning to the viewing area as darkness falls. Guests should bring lawn chairs or blankets and dress for cool mountain weather. Red-light flashlights will be provided to minimize disruption to the fireflies.
The event is wheelchair accessible, with a designated area for those with limited mobility. Shuttle service is available from MacRae Meadows to the viewing area.
Remember each event date has a corresponding rain date scheduled for the following day. No refunds will be issued if an event moves to its rain date, so be sure to keep both dates open in your schedule.
Don’t miss this enchanting natural phenomenon! Enter the lottery at grandfatherglows.com starting May 19 through May 25. First round winners announced May 27th! Good luck!Rare NC Firefly Lottery Opens: Win Access to 2025 Grandfather Glows
Liza Graves
As CEO of StyleBlueprint, Liza also regularly writes for SB. Most of her writing is now found in the recipe archives as cooking is her stress relief!