What to Expect

The Winter Wander Trail presented by UVA Encompass Health

The beauty of light and the whimsy of nature intertwine harmoniously during your stroll through the Winter Wander Trail of Lights at Boar's Head Resort. Behold the magic of nature during this illuminated lakeside stroll as an extraordinary palette of colorful illuminations blanket the natural surroundings for a magical show of lights like no other. Look no further for the most spectacular of Charlottesville Christmas activities.

Thanks to our Sponsors

This years trail is presented by UVA Encompass Health and travels more than one-half mile around Heritage Lake and Firefly Pond offering wonderful reflections of the light displays. The soundtrack and familiar voices you hear throughout the trails is created in partnership with Z95.1 and Charlottesville Radio Group.

This experiential walking tour is an adventure that's easily enjoyed and shared by all walks of life. Keep scrolling to discover what lies ahead in this magical journey.

View the Trail Map

New for 2025 - Glistening Grove

Glistening Grove is our newest display at this year's Winter Wander Trail of Lights, featuring a full walkway around Firefly Pond with more than 700 dynamically illuminated light posts that move in harmony with a 20-minute musical composition. Each glowing guidepost casts a radiant reflection across a circular pond and leads “wanderers” back to The Enchantment District where guests can pause to enjoy nightly live music and entertainment shows. This newly luminous footpath features nearly 75,000 pixels - that's 25 times the number of pixels of Finale Field and the perfect place to pause, play and be enchanted by the natural surroundings!

The Welcome Tree

The Winter Wander begins with a glowing, 35-foot holiday tree serving as the starting point for this magical lakeside stroll. Unlike most trees found in the forest, this unique structure has a wooden archway that beckons you and your family to walk through, while being transported to a world of wonder.

Heron's Nest

If you've ever walked the Heritage Lake loop during the early morning hours, you may have seen a very prominent bird gliding from one lake to another. To honor our wonderfully winged tenant, this year, Winter Wander will feature a larger-than-life, and highly lit heron alongside his frog friend, a lily pad and lotus flower. And if your thought Big Boar Ridge was big, wait until you meet up with our heron that will have a 14-foot wingspan and stand nine-feet tall!

Dogwood Alley

Many refer to the American Dogwood as a flower, but Virginia's state flower is actually a tree. Virginia is the only state to have their flower and tree defined by one plant, and Dogwood Alley will pay homage to this stunning flowering tree that comes to life every spring.

Firefly Crossing

A sea of twinkling fireflies shepherd guests home as their journey approaches the end. Pins of light seemingly float over the grass while a few large-scale fireflies offer fun photo opportunities. Although a neat venture, we ask that you keep your mason jars at home.

Serenity Way

Serenity Way transports wanderers into a forest of color. Warm, glowing illuminations lead guests down the pathway into a land filled with lively trees washed in vibrant colors.

Big Boar Ridge presented by Avendra

Trekking deeper into the wilderness, guests come across a massive mamma and papa boar standing proud as their piglets mingle the illumintated grounds around them.

Lattice Lane

Atop the hillside, a mammoth oak tree is fully adorned with a vibrant display of dynamic lights. The tree's roots are spread in an ornate filigree pattern across the hillside.

Guests will be entranced by her size, beauty, and gentle light movement.

Sun Kissed Meadow

After passing Lattice Lane, guests discover a field of glowing plants native to Virginia. A designated photo-op station offers an immersive opportunity to snap and share with your friends and family.

Starry Night Sky

Ahead, the night sky glitters as guests traverse beneath an endless star-field canopy that twinkles and glows across the rolling landscape.

Flower Garden

Jumbo-sized flowers create a unique, luminescent pathway for guests to explore while they gaze upon a one-of-a-kind vantage point overlooking the entire lakeside wander. The entrance to this illuminated flower garden marks the midway point to your wander.

Fountain of Dreams

Standing 12-foot-tall as a centerpiece, the Fountain of Dreams uses lights to mimic water shooting into the air while being surrounded by eight smaller fountains causing a spectacular show of light.

The whimsical waters of your dreams will bring this area to life.

Tunnel of Lights presented by Pepsi

Step into a world of enchantment and wonder as you enter our magnificent Tunnel of Lights. Proven to be the most Instagram-worthy attraction at Winter Wander, this fully illuminated passageway is a totally tubular experience that will have you stopping in your tracks to grab your phone to capture the ultimate postable portrait.

Finale Field

Spanning across the entire back lawn, hotel guests with balconies can watch this ever-changing light attraction dazzle and delight. Another wonderful vantage point of Finale Field is from across the lake (near Lattice Lane) as Heritage Lake provides a mirrored reflection of the action offered by this dramatic light display.

The Enchantment District

Beaming with nightly live shows and entertainment, the main event tent's star attraction is our dazzling illuminated dancers with two new performances this year: Candy Cane Lane and Nutcracker in Lights.