7 Christmas Light Displays in North Carolina That Are Pure Holiday Magic

Find some warmth this holiday season in these generous displays of the best Christmas lights in North Carolina in 2024. From small-town farms to major attractions, consider taking a much-deserved break from the hustle and bustle to simply admire the glow of the best Christmas light displays in North Carolina. The next time you're looking for the best Christmas lights in North Carolina, including some of the best drive-through Christmas lights, we hope this list comes in handy!

1. Winter Lights, Asheville

For over 10 years now, folks have celebrated the season with gorgeous twinkling Christmas lights in Asheville, North Carolina at the North Carolina Arboretum. Enjoy the nightly event on three acres from Nov. 15 through Dec. 31, 2024. For more information, visit the Winter Lights web page.

2. The Meadow Lights, Benson

From a single, yard to more than 30 decorated acres, immerse yourself in this 40-year holiday tradition of Christmas lights near Raleigh, North Carolina. Shop for some old-fashioned stocking stuffers in the candy bins of the Old Country Store and take a train ride through the pretty lights from Nov. 22 - Dec. 31, 2024. Discover more about the best Raleigh Christmas lights on The Meadow Lights website.

3. Fesitval of Lights, Clemmons

From Nov. 15, 2024, through Jan. 1, 2025, enjoy a family tradition for 33 years at this Christmas festival near Winston-Salem, North Carolina. Do some gift shopping, take a carriage or hayride, and heat up a treat at S'moresville. For more information on these North Carolina Christmas lights, visit the Tanglewood Festival of Lights web page.

4. Speedway Christmas, Concord

The car races aren't all we sign up for during the holidays. From Nov. 22, 2024, to Jan. 5, 2025, enjoy the 15th season of this fantastic drive-thru holiday light show of Christmas lights in Charlotte, North Carolina. The spirit of Christmas comes alive with five million lights on a four-mile course synchronized to music on your radio. Read more about this fun event on the Charlotte Motor Speedway website.

5. Forest City Christmas, Forest City

Continue this town's charming tradition of enjoying more than one million Christmas lights near Rutherfordtown, North Carolina along historic Main Street, Nov. 28, 2024, through Jan. 1, 2025. Begin with a tree-lighting ceremony Nov. 28 at 6:30 p.m. Other events include the annual Forest City Christmas Parade, carriage and hayrides, and ice skating. Discover more on the Forest City Christmas web page.

6. Christmas Lights on the Farm, Middlesex

Take a hayride through an old country town and a Field of Lights all decked out for the holidays on select dates between Nov. 29 and Dec. 23, 2024. Shop at Big Daddy’s General Store, meet Santa and Bucky his reindeer, and roast marshmallows on an open fire. Read more details about these Christmas lights near Raleigh, North Carolina on the Christmas Lights on the Farm website.

7. WinterLights, Manteo

Take a holiday stroll through the magical lighted 10-acre garden of Christmas lights in the Outer Banks for some of the most magical Christmas light displays in North Carolina from Nov. 22 through Dec. 28, 2024. Shop for seasonal gifts and enjoy the smell and glow of an open fire. Check out the schedule for live entertainment on the WinterLights at The Elizabethan Gardens web page.

For these extraordinary Christmas lights near me in North Carolina and a few more, consider taking this festive, illuminated road trip. And while you're out traveling around this holiday season viewing the best Christmas lights in North Carolina, find a cozy Vrbo to rest in between the exciting events.