Christmas Lights 2024-2025 in North Carolina

The Christmas season in North Carolina allows you to see some of the country's most beautiful light displays. So, make yourself a thermos of hot cocoa and drive through dazzling light tunnels in Charlotte, Asheville, Belmont, Wilmington, Raleigh, Fayetteville, and Carolina Beach. Remember that North Carolina is home to Christmas Town USA, a must-see for all travelers during the winter holidays.

Christmas Town USA, McAdenville (December 2–26, 2024)

McAdenville transforms into Christmas Town USA every holiday season. A suburb of Charlotte, North Carolina, this town has a fantastic Christmas tradition—being decorated with Christmas lights for the holidays. Christmas Town USA features about 400 lit trees and over 200 wreaths. The highlights also include a large Nativity scene in front of the McAdenville Baptist Church. A large lake circled with over 250 evergreens, covered with half-million red, white, and green lights, historical McAden Mills Bell Tower constructed in 1883, and other sites across McAdenville. Tourists from all over the United States flock to see this amazing light show, one of the country's largest. Lights will shine from 5:30 pm to 10 pm each night.

Each year, Christmas Town USA is kicked off with a Tree Lighting Ceremony. This season, it will take place at Dynamo 31, 102 Main Street in McAdenville on December 2. Start at 5:30 pm. Christmas Town USA was initiated in 1956, and the tradition has only grown since. The town receives over 600,000 vehicles annually that come to see this free-light display.

Holidays at the Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden, Belmont (November 29–December 29, 2024)

Holidays at the Garden is an annual light display from late November through early January at the beautiful Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden in Belmont, North Carolina. The huge botanical garden, which occupies 380 acres of meadows, woodlands, and lakeshores, dresses up in thousands of lights for the holidays. The shimmering Mile of a Million Lights features the topiaries dancing to merry tunes, beautiful fairy villages, LED cherry trees glowing along the Canal Garden, and model trains in Orchid Conservatory glittering lights in the Piedmont Prairie. Visitors can roast a marshmallow, drink hot cocoa by an open fire, listen to live Christmas music, shop in The Garden Store, and enjoy the festive atmosphere. There are various activities for kids, including a photo opportunity with Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus.

Tickets for Holidays at the Garden can be purchased online, with entry available from 5 pm to 10 pm. Limited tickets may also be available at the door, depending on online sales. Value pricing applies on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday nights, with adult tickets at $24, seniors at $22, and children at $18. On weekends, Friday through Sunday, prices are slightly higher at $28 for adults, $25 for seniors, and $20 for children. Children under 2 enjoy free admission.

Tanglewood Park Festival of Lights, Clemmons (November 15, 2024–January 1, 2025)

Picturesque Tanglewood Park, located in Clemmons, North Carolina, not far from Winston-Salem, transforms every year with the arrival of the Festival of Lights. From mid-November, the park becomes a dazzling Winter Wonderland decorated with over a million shimmering lights. Interactive musical and light displays play holiday tunes. The music is original compositions from the UNC School of the Arts Music Technology students. Altogether the park features over eighty displays, the majority of which comprise environment-friendly and low-energy LED lights. Visitors can shop at the Holiday Gift Village, located halfway through the display, and visit Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus. The barn shops offer holiday crafts and other handmade items made by local vendors. Tractor-pulled hayrides and horse-drawn carriage rides are also available with a reservation.

Admission to the Festival of Lights can be paid with cash or credit. Family vehicles are $20 with cash or $23 by credit, while commercial vehicles, such as vans and limos, are $45 cash or $48 by credit. Larger vehicles like motorcoaches and buses cost $115 cash or $118 by credit. To save, consider visiting on a Discount Night: Monday, November 18 or 25, and Tuesday, November 19 or 26.

Dillsboro Lights and Luminaries (December 6–7 & 13–14, 2024)

Dillsboro is a small mountain town in Jackson County, North Carolina, located on the way to the Great Smoky Mountains. The town, which boasts many art shops, transforms into a winter wonderland every holiday season with the start of the Dillsboro Festival of Lights & Luminaries. The atmospheric town looks extra cozy, with plenty of lights, candles, and music. The festival features over 2,500 luminaries on the way to shops and studios. The town's businesses also trim their buildings dating back to the 1800s in sparkly white lights. Besides, there are horse and buggy rides, live music, holiday treats, hot cider, and cocoa. Listen to Christmas carolers, visit Santa at the Town Hall, and enjoy various entertainment around town. Don't forget to stop by the church to see a live nativity scene.

The Lights & Luminaries festivities begin each evening at 5 pm and run until 9 pm. There is no admission charge.

Charlotte Motor Speedway Christmas, Concord (November 22, 2024–January 5, 2025)

Speedway Christmas at Charlotte Motor Speedway is a favorite holiday tradition for many local families. Since 2009, it has been one of Charlotte's best drive-through light shows. With over four million lights along a 3.75-mile course synchronized to Christmas music, this is an impressive experience. The speedway also features a family-friendly Christmas Village that includes a 100-ft slide, a carousel, and a large Ferris Wheel. Kids enjoy the Bethlehem village, photos with Santa, fire pits, games, and rides.

The show runs from 6 to 10 pm, rain or shine, and offers synchronized lights-to-music on 101.3 FM. Every Thursday through Sunday until Christmas, visitors can also enjoy drive-in movies on the giant Speedway TV.

NC Chinese Lantern Festival at Booth Amphitheater, Cary (November 16, 2024–January 12, 2025)

Every holiday season, Koka Booth Amphitheatre in Cary, North Carolina, transforms into a magical space full of amazing characters thanks to the NC Chinese Lantern Festival. Dozens of light displays and lanterns illuminate dark winter nights. Each show is comprised of thousands of LED lights. The major highlight of the festival is the giant lantern on Symphony Lake. Also, there are many surprises for visitors, including cultural performances, artisan craft fairs, and special events like Chinese drumming, juggling, face-changing, acrobats, martial arts, and much more.

Gates open nightly at 6 pm, with arrivals requested by 9 pm as the event closes at 10 pm. On Thanksgiving and Christmas Eve, the festival wraps up earlier at 9 pm, and it will be closed on Christmas Day. Any Night tickets cost $31 for ages 3 and up, with children under 2 admitted free. Ticket prices will rise to $36 starting November 16.

Biltmore Candlelight Christmas Evenings, Asheville (November 2, 2024–January 4, 2025)

One of the most magical holiday experiences in North Carolina, Biltmore Candlelight Christmas evenings, occurs in the Biltmore House in Asheville, North Carolina. Enjoy the soft glow of beautiful luminaries and colorful holiday lights on the main Christmas tree, a towering Norway spruce. Visitors can enjoy live performances of Christmas music as well as admission to Antler Hill Village & Winery. The Village looks impressive in winter when its buildings and pathways to restaurants and shops are illuminated with hundreds of ornamental displays.

Ticket options for daytime visiting Biltmore House range from $125 to $425. Evening Candlelight Christmas visits are priced from $145 to $440, providing a magical holiday experience at Biltmore House. Prices vary depending on the package, allowing guests to enjoy either a standard or more immersive tour.