We track 1 display in Manteo. Every one of them is free to visit.
Displays here switch on around sunset. In Manteo that means about 4:49 PM in early December and 4:50 PM by mid-month — the earliest sunsets of the year fall right in the middle of lights season. It is properly dark by about 5:19 PM, which is when the displays look their best. December nights in Manteo typically drop to around 40°F.
| Date | Sunset | Fully dark |
|---|---|---|
| Dec 1 | 4:49 PM | 5:17 PM |
| Dec 15 | 4:50 PM | 5:19 PM |
| Dec 25 | 4:55 PM | 5:23 PM |
Freeattractionlighted peacocks, butterflies and deer made from natural elementsworld's largest bronze Queen Elizabeth I statue
On Roanoke Island, the Elizabethan Gardens fills with glowing peacocks, butterflies, and deer crafted from flowers and natural materials. The gardens are also home to the world's largest bronze statue of Queen Elizabeth I.
✓ Last confirmed for the 2025 season
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