When: May 23, 2026 @ 6:30 pm
A glowing night to remember
Back by popular demand, experience the rare Blue Ghost fireflies beneath a canopy of towering tulip poplars!
Guests are invited to a lush rich cove forest for this exclusive evening, where we will roast local bison weinies over a bonfire and top with all the fixin’s, provided by the beloved Guadalupe Cafe. When darkness settles in and we finish off our beer (or wine, or tea), we’ll wander into the forest to view the ethereal Blue Ghost fireflies as they drift along the forest floor.
Event Schedule
6:30pm-7:00pm: Arrive
We will meet at Sugar Creek Baptist Church in Cullowhee (40 Sugar Creek Rd, Cullowhee, NC 28723) at 6:30pm sharp on Saturday, May 23rd and carpool to Dark Cove, our destination for the evening.
Dark Cove is a private conservation easement that is typically not open to the public, so this is a unique opportunity to view this amazing area. This rich cove is home to a wide diversity of beautiful wildflowers, birds, and wildlife, and we are grateful to the landowners for welcoming us for this event!
–
7:00pm-8:30pm: Bonfire Dinner
Enjoy a locally-sourced, homemade dinner catered by the beloved Guadalupe Cafe!
Exact menu details to come, but you can count on roasting our bison dogs over a bonfire, delighting in the taste of local, homemade sides and desserts, admiring this beautiful property that the landowners have been stewarding for decades, and loving on the friendly Great Pyrenees’s that frolic through the cove. As we eat, a naturalist will deliver an introductory talk on lightning bugs, with a special focus on the Blue Ghosts.
A big thank you to Lazy Hiker and Orsini Wines for generously sponsoring our drink menu!
9:00pm-10:30pm: Blue Ghost Viewing
After the sun sets, we will venture out to view the spectacular Blue Ghosts.
These fireflies are a rare species that give the nighttime forest a magical aura. They fly slowly close to the ground and, instead of flashing like other lightning bugs, stay illuminated for up to a minute! Blue Ghosts have a dim blueish glow, so to allow our eyes to adjust to the darkness and view them in all their glory, guests will be equipped with a red light flashlight, which they can take home after the event.
Total distance walked will be much less than a mile- just far enough to find a good spot to settle in and enjoy the show, though guests are welcome to wander farther. A couple naturalists will be milling around to answer any questions. These fireflies peak from around 9:30pm-10:30pm.
10:30pm-11:00pm: Event Concludes
As the Blue Ghosts fade away, guests will be shuttled back to their cars for departure. 
Tickets for this event are $300 and include dinner, drinks, dessert, and a red light flashlight to take home for future fireflying. Purchase your ticket at the bottom of the page, after reading the below information.
New this year: stay on the property overnight!
For an additional $450, one party of 2 or less is invited to stay on-property in a private mountain cabin after the event concludes. Head to bed when the fireflies do instead of making your way back to your hotel! Overnight stay guests are welcome to spend part of the next day exploring the property before they leave.
Accommodations include:
- One double bed, and linens including towels.
- Electricity, wifi, running (but non-potable) water, and bottled water for drinking.
- Full kitchen, and a simple country-style breakfast in the morning. We’ll prepare it for you, or leave the supplies in the fridge.
- A bag lunch that makes next-day exploration or the trip home easier.
- The option to explore the property and its beautiful wildflowers in the daylight.
- A staff member on-site if you need assistance or have questions.
Please note:
- We are unable to offer refunds due to personal conflicts. Guests who cancel on or before Friday, May 8th might be eligible to receive a refund. If we are able to fill your empty seat, we will issue you a refund. No-shows or guests who cancel on or after Saturday, May 9th forfeit their ticket. Tickets are transferable, and can be given to sold or others even after the deadline. Please contact us if you transfer or sell your ticket so we can update our guest list.
- This event is rain or shine. Blue Ghost fireflies enjoy dampness, and will still be flying in light showers or intermittent rain. Bring a rain jacket and waterproof shoes if there’s rain in the forecast! If the weather prevents a crackling campfire, we will move our sweet treat portion of the evening inside, and provide baked goods rather than smores.
- The severe weather date is Saturday, May 30th. Severe weather includes downpours, lightning, dangerously high winds, nearby fire, or other environmental conditions that affect lightning bug displays. Due to the nature of this fundraiser event, a refund is not guaranteed if you cannot attend the severe weather date. Contact Skye at [email protected] for more information about our severe weather refund policy.
- There are (very friendly) dogs present on this property. Please leave your own pets at home.
- Blue Ghost fireflies are wild animals. Though they have been active on this date in previous years, we cannot guarantee that they will be viewable during this event. In the absence of Blue Ghosts, guests are still likely to enjoy an beautiful display of other firefly species, including the world-renowned Synchronous Fireflies.
Tickets are extremely limited, click here to head to our ticket purchase page and secure your spot. This link will lead you to a different page. Contact Skye at [email protected] with any questions.
