Everyone has fond memories of the holidays. Perhaps on Christmas Eve, you remember being filled with excitement for Santa coming down the chimney. Maybe your parents would put you in the car to drive through neighborhoods with the best Christmas lights. Perhaps there was a visit to Santa at a mall or local festival. These are the traditions that always make it truly feel like Christmas, and bring the magic of the season full circle. These are things we carry into adulthood; memories we recreate with our own families. You don’t have to worry about losing that part of the Christmas spirit when you visit some of the best Christmas towns in North Carolina. They’re festive and fun, and sure to put you in the proper holiday spirit!

1. McAdenville
McAdenville, NC, USA
Flickr / Corey Pudhorodsky
It doesn't get much more festive than McAdenville, North Carolina, AKA Christmas Town USA. For a town with only 700 people, a short drive through the two miles is filled with millions of twinkling lights, decorated houses and buildings, and even Christmas tunes playing through speakers. McAdenville is easily the best destination in North Carolina to get both a festival of lights and a festival of decorated houses.
2. Chetola Resort's Festival of Lights, Blowing Rock
Chetola Resort, 185 Chetola Lake Dr, Blowing Rock, NC 28605, USA
Blowing Rock, NC
One of the best North Carolina Christmas lights, Chetola Resort's Festival of Lights features 50,000 lights, a stunning display that attracts thousands of visitors a year. As you circle the frozen lake you'll be treated to ice skaters, a nativity scene, and Rudolph trying to reel in a big fish! How fun. Learn more about this unique holiday event at the official Blowing Rock, NC website.
3. Nikitas Christmas Wonderland
1417 Deer Spring Ct, Indian Trail, NC 28079, USA
Nikitas Christmas Wonderland/Facebook
If you're looking for an impressive house display, check out Nikita's Christmas Wonderland. With inflatables, animated lights, and a whole lotta Christmas cheer, you'll be in awe! This family goes big for the holidays -- and we are here for it! Find this epic Christmas house at 1417 Deer Spring Court Indian Trail, NC, 28079. Follow them on Facebook to stay up-to-date on the latest news regarding this year's display!
4. Huntersville Christmas Lights
13515 Melrose Meadow Ln, Huntersville, NC 28078, USA
Huntersville Christmas Lights
Not too far from Indian Trail, you'll find Huntersville Christmas Lights located at 13515 Melrose Meadow Lane. The show lasts 11 minutes and you can enjoy the music by tuning in your car radio to 89.3FM. The best part is that this impressive light show also raises money for charity. In recent years, they've raised thousands of dollars to donate to A Child's Place. What an amazing way to spread the holiday cheer all around the Tar Heel State. Are you in awe yet? Be sure to bookmark their website to stay up-to-date on this year's display!
5. Lake Myra Christmas Lights
Lake Myra Christmas Light Show, 10 S Cypress St, Wendell, NC 27591, USA
Lake Myra Christmas Lights
This is what the holidays are all about. According to the website, "Christmas is a magical time of the year that brings family and friends together, smiles from all the children, or even helping one person remember the real reason for Christmas. We cannot think of a better way to share the magic of Christmas than showing our fellowship with one another and being together to witness the Christmas lights. It is our gift to our community every season." Indeed, this is one of the most incredible holiday light displays in North Carolina, and absolutely worth adding to your seasonal bucket list! Learn more at their website.
6. Carpenter Lights
121 Morris Branch Ct, Cary, NC 27519, USA
Carpenter Lights/Facebook
While you're in the area, stop by Carpenter Lights. This decorated house is simply magnificent and others in the area have caught on to the all-out theme. This house is located at 121 Morris Branch Court, Cary, NC, 27519, and you can learn more at their Facebook page.
7. Tanglewood Festival of Lights
Tanglewood Festival Of Lights, Manor House Cir, Clemmons, NC 27012, USA
Tanglewood Festival of Lights/Facebook
This magnificent light show in North Carolina features over 100 displays and one million lights. It's definitely the most popular option for those in the Piedmont and surrounding areas. This is an incredibly popular event, so be aware that the lines to see these Christmas decorations can be quite long.

A few pointers from the folks at Tanglewood Festival of Lights: Thursdays-Sundays are very popular nights at Festival of Lights. During these nights, long lines and wait times should be expected. Weekends are especially busy and 4-hour wait times should be expected. Also, if visitors are not inside the park gate by 11 p.m., they may not get into the show before it closes. Visit the official event website for more information and dates about this year's festival!

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8. Forest City Christmas Lights
Forest City Christmas Lights, W Main St, Forest City, NC 28043, USA
Town of Forest City
When you're on the hunt for the best Christmas towns in North Carolina, this is it. Forest City's Christmas display has garnered national attention for good reason. The Main St. and surrounding areas become a serious Christmas wonderland with horse-drawn carriages, impressive light displays, and plenty of fun events. This is one Christmas town in North Carolina you simply must visit this holiday season!
9. Charlotte Motor Speedway's Speedway Christmas
Charlotte Motor Speedway/Facebook
One of the Southeast’s largest and most-anticipated holiday traditions, Speedway Christmas features four million lights strewn across a remarkable four-mile course, with hundreds of creative displays and lights synchronized to Christmas-themed music. Learn more and reserve your tickets at the Charlotte Motor Speedway website!
10. Valley Creek Lights
213 Valley Creek Dr, Clayton, NC 27520, USA
Valley Creek Lights/Facebook
Now this is a place that would make Clark Griswold proud. This family-run Christmas show is seriously spectacular! They go all out with beautiful and fun displays that both children and adults will love. You'll find this festive house at 213 Valley Creek Dr, Clayton, NC, 27520, and you can follow them on Facebook to learn more!
11. Christmas at the Biltmore
Biltmore, 1 Lodge St, Asheville, NC 28803, USA
The Biltmore
A place as lovely and grand as The Biltmore becomes downright magical come Christmastime. Treat yourself to the beloved estate tradition known as Christmas at Biltmore, when America’s Largest Home, Antler Hill Village, and the entire estate are at their most enchanting. If you've never visited The Biltmore during the holiday season, put this on your North Carolina bucket list! Learn more at The Biltmore website.
12. Old Salem Museums & Gardens
Old Salem Museums & Gardens, 900 Old Salem Rd, Winston-Salem, NC 27101, USA
Old Salem Museums & Gardens/Facebook
Step back in time in the enchanting Old Salem. The Moravian stars are an ode to the early German settlers who made history here two centuries ago. But the fun doesn't stop there. Wander through the cobblestone streets and pick up some Moravian Cookies, ride a horse-drawn carriage, and marvel at the period-piece attire. Be sure to follow Old Salem Museums & Gardens for details on this year's event!
13. Denton Farmpark
Denton Farmpark, 1072 Cranford Rd, Denton, NC 27239, USA
Denton Farmpark
Next stop: Christmas! Kids will love riding the Handy Dandy Railroad which features lights and a nativity movie along the way. You can also enjoy a horse-drawn wagon ride and stop by Santa's cabin. Learn more by visiting the official Denton Farmpark website.
14. Great Smoky Mountains Railroad
Great Smoky Mountains Railroad, 45 Mitchell St, Bryson City, NC 28713, USA
Great Smoky Mountains Railroad/Facebook
The holiday magic is alive and well at Great Smoky Mountains Railroad. Each year, this beloved local attraction puts on an amazing holiday event that's sure to delight kids young and old! The Polar Express Train Ride recreates the magic for its passengers with read-alongs, hot chocolate, and of course tons of kids in their jammies awaiting their final destination of the North Pole. This is the only licensed Polar Express journey in the Southeast and a memory the kids will never forget. Learn more and book your tickets at the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad website.

Did your favorite Christmas town in North Carolina make the list? Where is your favorite place to go for Christmas decorations in North Carolina? Are there traditions you want to share? Tell us in the comments below!

The holiday season gets the spotlight, but the Tar Heel State really is an amazing place to be all year long! Plan a year of fun in North Carolina with this guide: The Ultimate Guide To Seasonal Activities In North Carolina: Pumpkin Patches, Christmas Lights, Water Parks, And More!

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What's the best holiday light display in North Carolina?

Whether you're taking a holiday drive-thru light show to see some North Carolina Christmas lights or wandering through the Biltmore Estate in Asheville, North Carolina sure puts on a dazzling holiday light show every year. All it takes is knowing where the best Christmas light displays in North Carolina are and venturing out. Just pack your thermos of hot cocoa and gather the family for an epic light experience in the Tar Heel State. Enjoy all of the best twinkling lights in North Carolina in one epic holiday list -- which is your favorite?

Are there any Christmas towns in North Carolina?

Absolutely! Every year, North Carolina residents and visitors can check out the holiday market known as Charlotte Christmas Village. Based on European traditions that are centuries old, this magical Christmas village in North Carolina offers the perfect night out. Picture mugs of hot cocoa, handcrafted gifts, live music, Christmas decorations, and so much more. Just wait until you see all of the fun holiday things you can do in this North Carolina Christmas village -- it's a holly, jolly good time!

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