Holiday Lights Set Nights Aglow
From glistening gardens and festive neighborhoods to floating parades and a brightly streaked sky, these dazzling light shows are a sure-fire delight.
Meadow Lights
Nov. 18-Dec. 31, Meadow
This farming community near Benson celebrates the season with the area’s largest fantasy of Christmas lights. Enjoy an authentic live manger scene, a carousel ride and lights all along a country trail. Visit the old-fashioned candy store, ride the Santa train and even visit with Santa himself. www.meadowlights.com
Tanglewood Festival of Lights
Nov. 19-Jan. 1, Clemmons
Tanglewood Park spreads 180 displays — 70 of them animated — along a four-mile stretch. This year’s display uses more LED lights (which are brighter and eco-friendlier) to create giant snowflakes, holiday scenes, storybook tableaux and the signature Driving Golfer. The Holiday Gift Village features a gift shop and concessions; hayrides and carriage rides are available by reservation. www.tanglewoodpark.org
Trail of Lights
Nov. 22-Dec. 24, Valdese
The foothills town illuminates its heritage with 100,000 lights. The display showcases the traditional Christmas theme and also features displays that are intertwined with the culture of the pilgrims who left Italy in the 1890s in search of religious freedom. waldensiantrailoffaith.org
Carolina Christmas
Nov. 23-Dec. 31, Concord
One of the largest holiday light shows in the United States expands to 4.5 miles of LED displays. Beyond a drive on the 1.5-mile superspeedway, the experience includes a Bethlehem-themed village, carriage rides, ice skating, marshmallow roasting, and areas for children with food, music, rides and photos with Santa. www.visitcarolinachristmas.com
Festival of Lights
Nov. 24-Dec. 23, Beulahville
Yes, Mike’s Farm is a farm, but it’s also a restaurant, a country store and more, and during the holiday season, it becomes a light park with hayrides through the festive scenery. Visit on a Friday or Saturday to catch the Christmas Dinner Show or come on a Thursday in December to dine with Santa. www.mikesfarm.com
Holiday Lights at the Garden
Nov. 25-Dec. 31, Belmont
Remember to look at the plants and trees at Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden as you enjoy the dazzle of 600,000 lights, the old-fashioned trains, visits from Santa Claus, carriage rides and carols. More awe-inducing than all the lights, perhaps, is the 16-foot-tall orchid tree, featuring more than 300 orchids. www.dsbg.org
Holiday Lighting of the Battleship
Nov. 25-Jan. 1, Wilmington
As part of Wilmington’s holiday celebration and naval tradition, the Battleship North Carolina is strung in lights from the bow up to the masts and down to the stern. Enjoy free viewing nightly from downtown. www.battleshipnc.com
Enchanted Airlie
Nov. 25-Dec. 21, Wilmington
Visitors are invited to tour the 67 acres of walking trails, formal gardens and sculptures at Airlie Gardens. Stroll the historic gardens at your own pace, enjoying the holiday flowers, festive lights and live music — plus the largest display of model trains running in the Southeast. Open Friday-Saturday; advance tickets are required. www.airliegardens.org
Island of Lights
Nov. 25-Jan. 1, Carolina Beach
Park the car and stroll around Carolina Beach Lake, where the scenery will come alive with lights: Santa and his reindeer, a huge Christmas tree, a lighthouse, a giant arch with a dangling fish and more. www.islandoflights.org
Chetola Festival of Lights
Nov. 25-Jan. 29, Blowing Rock
A holiday tradition in Blowing Rock, Chetola Resort’s Festival of Lights features more than 50,000 illuminations attracting thousands of visitors each year. Drive around Chetola Lake and view glittering ice skaters, a Nativity scene, Rudolph catching a “big fish” and more. chetola.com
Lights on the Neuse
Nov. 25-Dec. 24, Clayton
Boyette Farms creates old-fashioned family fun with its holiday light park, which visitors experience by tractor-pulled hayride. The merriment continues at the Christmas Barn, where Rudolph, Santa and a winter wonderland await. Candy, cocoa and s’mores from Santa’s Sweet Shoppe round out a festive evening. www.lightsontheneuse.com
North Carolina Holiday Flotilla
Nov. 26, Wrightsville Beach
Everybody loves a parade, and a floating parade is all but impossible to resist. In its 28th year, the North Carolina Holiday Flotilla will feature sailboats, motorboats and yachts decorated and lighted for the holidays. A fireworks display will cap the evening. www.ncholidayflotilla.org If you want more flotillas, you’ve got them. Boat parades are planned for Nov. 25 in Swansboro (www.onslowcountytourism.com); Nov. 26 at Ocean Isle (ncbrunswick.com); Dec. 3 at New Bern (www.downtownnewbern.blogspot.com), Beaufort and Morehead City (www.crystalcoastnc.org), Elizabeth City (www.discoverelizabethcity.com), Jacksonville (www.onslowcountytourism.com), Carolina Beach and Kure Beach (www.islandoflights.org); and Dec. 10 at Southport (ncbrunswick.com).
Kites With Lights
Nov. 26, Nags Head
As soon as the sun starts to set on the Outer Banks, the crowd at Kitty Hawk Kites heads to Jockeys Ridge to watch as 19-foot delta kites soar above the dunes. The magic happens when the lights turn bright against the darkening sky. Those on the dunes can borrow flashlights, glow sticks and other light-up toys from the store, which will also serve hot cider and cookies inside. www.kittyhawk.com
Christmas Town USA
Dec. 1-Dec. 26, McAdenville
The small Gaston County town transforms into Christmas Town U.S.A. on Dec 1 in a true community celebration. Light displays lead to the community lake, which reflects the festive glow. This year organizers add performances and visits from Santa to the Dec. 3, 10 and 17 illumination. www.mcadenville-christmastown.com
Dillsboro Lights & Luminaries
Dec. 2-3 and 9-10, Dillsboro
Beginning at dusk, the Smoky Mountains town will be aglow with thousands of luminaries and twinkling lights adorning every business. The stores serve goodies, Santa sets up shop, and the streets are filled with music, entertainment and Christmas cheer. www.visitdillsboro.org
WinterLights
Dec. 6-30, Manteo
Peacocks, butterflies, deer and other enchanting creatures take up temporary residence at the Elizabethan Gardens. Created with flowers, seeds and other natural elements, the lighted displays join the permanent art elements — which include the world’s largest bronze statue of Elizabeth I. elizabethangardens.org
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CONTACT:
Margo Metzger
919-733-7420
margo@visitnc.com
Maureen Haley
212-444-7145
maureen.haley@aboutdci.com
