Visit 9 Christmas Light Displays In North Carolina For A Magical Experience
What’s a better way to ring in the holidays than by visiting the best Christmas light displays in North Carolina? From the Christmas music (or carolers, if you’re lucky) to twinkling holiday dioramas, there’s no way to not get in the Christmas spirit. North Carolina is home to Christmas Town USA as well as several drive-through displays that are some of the best in the southeast! Get ready to make the most of this holiday season.
We’re aware that these uncertain times are limiting many aspects of life as we all practice social and physical distancing. While we’re continuing to feature destinations that make our state wonderful, we don’t expect or encourage you to go check them out immediately. We believe that supporting local attractions is important now more than ever and we hope our articles inspire your future adventures! And on that note, please nominate your favorite local business that could use some love right now: https://www.onlyinyourstate.com/nominate/
Every year around the holidays the quaint town of McAdenville transforms into something straight out of a movie. Each house, street light, building, and tree are adorned in Christmas lights and decorations. Over 500,000 lights decorate the 1.3-mile strip you can walk or drive through. It's a must visit if you're in North Carolina. The best part? These drive-thru Christmas lights in North Carolina are absolutely free! Learn more about Christmas Town USA here.
The gorgeous gardens outside of Charlotte are quaint year-round but transform into something truly magical around Christmas. Stroll amongst a million twinkling lights throughout the gardens, or participate in one of the many Christmas events. Learn more about Holidays at the Garden at Daniel Stowe here.
The rolling hillside of Tanglewood becomes an illuminated light show. Drive through the park and witness amazing animated lights the children will remember forever. In its third decade, this one will get extra special. Learn more, including dates and admission costs, from this link.
While many light displays celebrate the new, Dillsboro is a celebration of the old. The luminaries light up the main street and shops serve hot cocoa and have live music. You can even ride through the town on horse and carriage. It's a Christmas from yesteryear. For sure, Dillsboro has the best Christmas Main Street in the state. Learn more about Lights and Luminaries and the charming Dillsboro Christmas here.
If you've ever wanted to cruise the racetrack at Charlotte Motor Speedway, now is your chance — but in a different setting. Over 3.5 million lights are included in the amazing display that proves to be the largest Christmas lights display in North Carolina. This year, the animated lights-to-music are sure to ramp up your holiday cheer. After the drive-through light show, visit the Christmas Village with Santa, have hot chocolate, play in a petting zoo, and plenty more. Learn all about Speedway Lights here.
The enchanting grounds of Elizabethan Gardens turn magical this season. Decorated with lights and seasonal displays, strolling the gardens is a whimsical experience. WinterLights also offers special events like wreath and centerpiece making on certain days. Find out more about this extraordinary holiday event from the official website for the gardens.
Address: 1411 National Park Dr, Manteo, NC 27954
7. Chetola Resort Festival of Lights, Blowing Rock
Nestled in the gorgeous scenery of Blowing Rock, Chetola Resort Festival of Lights brings in thousands of visitors. Drive around Chetola Lake, marvel in the lights adorning buildings, see Rudolph catching a fish, and even ice skaters. It's extra magical here!
Address: 185 Chetola Lake Dr, Blowing Rock, NC 28605
Lake Myra has one of the most impressive light displays in North Carolina. Visitors delight in the stunning, choreographed light show animated to match your favorite Holiday tunes. Park and watch the magic. Learn more from the official Facebook page.
10 S Cypress St, Wendell, NC 27591
9. Christmas at Biltmore, Biltmore Estate, Asheville
Is it really Christmas without a trip to America's Castle? When it comes to things to do at Christmas in North Carolina, a visit to see the more than 70 ornately decorated trees dazzle in the decorated interior is a must, as is a look at the twinkling exterior. Read all about it in this Biltmore Christmas article!
Address: 1 Lodge St, Asheville, NC 28803
A visit to one (or all) of the best Christmas light displays in North Carolina will surely put you in the Holiday spirit! I can’t wait to sip some hot cocoa and marvel in a light display, good news is there’s so many to choose from! Which ones do you visit each year or plan to this Christmas?
If you’re looking for another way to ring in the season, one the children will love, what about hopping on board the Polar Express?
Address: McAdenville, NC, USA
Address: 6500 S New Hope Rd, Belmont, NC 28012, USA
Address: Manor House Cir, Clemmons, NC 27012, USA
Address: Dillsboro, NC 28779, USA
Address: 5555 Concord Pkwy S, Concord, NC 28027, USA
Address: 1411 National Park Dr, Manteo, NC 27954, USA
Address: 185 Chetola Lake Dr, Blowing Rock, NC 28605, USA
Address: 10 S Cypress St, Wendell, NC 27591, USA
Address: 1 Lodge St, Asheville, NC 28803, USA
The OIYS Visitor Center
Best Christmas Light Displays In North Carolina
December 03, 2019
Robin Jarvis
What is the largest Christmas lights display in North Carolina?
The most impressive and largest Christmas lights display in North Carolina is found in Concord at the Charlotte Motor Speedway. Speedway lights features 3.5 million lights on a drive-through route that takes spectators on the official racetrack. After viewing the dazzling lights displays from the comforts of your own vehicle, park and enjoy the festivities inside the oval. To learn more about the biggest and best lights display in the Tar Heel State and all the other fun at this event, keep reading about Speedway Lights here!
What is there to do at Christmas in North Carolina?
Finding things to do at Christmas in North Carolina never leaves natives or visitors disappointed. If fact, if any disappointment exists, it more so about not being about to get to it all in such a short number of weeks! From two different railroads that offer enchanting rides on the Polar Express, to seven other trains offering Christmas-themed train rides, you’re never too far from a merry adventure aboard a holiday train in the Tar Heel State. Prefer doing the steering? Take a ride through any number of drive-through lights displays. Visit a tree farm and make choosing this year’s tree a family affair, then sip hot cocoa and enjoy the other wintertime fun on the farm before heading home to hoist the tree in your living room. Attend a holiday festival or head to a special holiday market to find that special gift for the one you love. And of course, you can always put on your merriest holiday outerwear and go skiing or snow tubing. It may not be Christmas-themed, but it’s sure to be a jolly good time when you’re filled with Christmas spirit.
What are the best Christmas towns in North Carolina?
There are many locales throughout North Carolina that create festive and fun occasions for residents and visitors to enjoy. But if you’re seeking a particularly magical Christmastime experience, then be sure to visits the Lights and Luminaries event in Dillsboro, or head to Blowing Rock for a stroll down its enchanting Main Street decorated to the nines for the holidays. For the town that does Christmas lights like no other, head to Christmas Town U.S.A. found in McAdenville.
Whatever you do and however you celebrate the season, it’s sure to be memorable if you’re doing it here in North Carolina!
Address: McAdenville, NC, USA
Address: 6500 S New Hope Rd, Belmont, NC 28012, USA
Address: Manor House Cir, Clemmons, NC 27012, USA
Address: Dillsboro, NC 28779, USA
Address: 5555 Concord Pkwy S, Concord, NC 28027, USA
Address: 1411 National Park Dr, Manteo, NC 27954, USA
Address: 185 Chetola Lake Dr, Blowing Rock, NC 28605, USA
Address: 10 S Cypress St, Wendell, NC 27591, USA
Address: 1 Lodge St, Asheville, NC 28803, USA
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Emory was born and raised in North Carolina. She enjoys writing, photography, filmmaking, travel, wine and cheese. You can find more of her work on emoryrakestraw.com
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