4 Drive-Thru Christmas Lights Displays in North Carolina the Whole Family Can Enjoy

Deck the halls this holiday season with a carload of new memories to cherish at one (or all) of these dazzling and best drive-through Christmas lights in North Carolina. Pile everyone into one car and make an evening out of seeing brilliant holiday-themed displays and millions of twinkling lights - and be sure to dress warmly, because once you've driven through the lights, you can park and enjoy even more family fun. Each Christmas light drive-through on this list is sure to bring you endless holiday joy!

1. Tanglewood Park Festival of Lights, Clemmons

Our list of incredible drive-thru Christmas lights in North Carolina begins at Tanglewood Park. A family tradition for years, the annual lights show at Tanglewood is a treat for the entire family. The drive-through display features more than a million lights and is only minutes outside of Winston-Salem. It can get very busy on the weekends and on the few discounted ticket nights, so if you want to avoid long wait times that can climb into several hours, plan your visit for very early in the season and avoid weekends and discount nights. This Christmas light show in North Carolina has been going strong for over 30 years!

2. Christmas Town U.S.A., McAdenville

While many Christmas light drive-thru displays in North Carolina take place in a park, or other closed arenas, the lights found in Christmas Town U.S.A. are found right along the town's streets, in the front yards of the town's residents, and around the town lake. A variety of Norman Rockwell-esque activities take place throughout the holiday season in Christmas Town U.S.A., but the lights are the real starring attraction. Drive through as many times as you'd like and even get out and stroll along the sidewalks as you admire the millions of twinkling lights. The best part? It's FREE. Lights typically run all December through Christmas. Learn more at the McAdenville Christmas Town website.

3. Speedway Christmas (at Charlotte Motor Speedway), Concord

If you've never attended the Speedway Christmas event, then start your engines and get ready to experience Charlotte Motor Speedway in a whole new way this holiday. Not only will you get to drive on the track through 3.75 miles of twinkling lights (over four million of them!), but you'll also make it onto the infield to the magical Christmas Village where Santa, hot cocoa, shopping, and more await. Speedway Christmas is typically open nightly from late November through mid-January. But note: the Christmas Village is only open on select nights so be sure to verify dates and info on the Speedway Christmas website before purchasing tickets.

4. Zootastic Park, Troutman

For those who love combining a trip to the zoo with a family holiday adventure to cherish, a drive through Zootastic's deer forest and Wonderland of Lights during the holidays is a can't-miss. After, park and walk through some more enchanted displays as you visit with some friendly animal residents. Take a carousel ride, a train ride, visit with Santa, and even have a chance to feed a tiger! This North Carolina Christmas light drive-thru is typically open nightly from late November through New Year's Day. Check the official Zootastic Park website for hours of operation and admission prices.

What are some of your favorite holiday displays in North Carolina? How about the best drive-through Christmas lights? Use our nomination form to nominate your favorites!

Next, don your most festive apparel and pay a visit to these charming Christmas towns around North Carolina. Or, book a stay at this sweet mountain view cabin in Fairview, NC, which is so charming that Santa himself would find himself right at home!