It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas, and North Carolina is the perfect place to get in the holiday spirit. No matter your location, there are lights, bells, Christmas trees, roaring fires, and plenty of carols nearby. Wondering where exactly to ring in the season? Here are ten of the best places to spend Christmas in North Carolina you can explore this holiday season.
- McAdenville
Kreg Steppe/Flickr They don’t call it Christmas Town USA for no reason. Each year, McAdenville rings in the beloved holiday with tradition. The streets fill with cheerful tunes, millions of twinkling lights greet your eyes, and your senses are filled with Christmas magic. Cars drive through the small town to get a glimpse at the lavish decorations. In Christmas Town USA, you’ll find more Christmas Trees per capita than people. It’s one of the best places to spend Christmas in North Carolina! For information on hours, traffic routes, etc. visit the website. McAdenville, NC, USA
- Asheville
Brett Kiger/Flickr The Biltmore House hosts one of the most exquisite Christmas light displays in North Carolina as well as the nation. The decorations are lavish and the Christmas trees are larger-than-life. This is a favorite for North Carolina natives and visitors. Visit the Biltmore in Asheville website to learn more. Asheville, NC, USA
The Omni Grove Park Inn/Facebook And you also can’t forget the National Gingerbread Competition at the Omni Grove Park Inn and Grove Arcade in Asheville. Visit the hotel to see the gingerbread houses on display…they are true works of art! Visit the Omni Parker Grove Inn website to learn more.
- Beaufort
Historic Beaufort, NC/facebook This beachy town was named by Travel & Leisure as “One of the Best Towns For the Holidays.” Between the quaintly decorated downtown, Christmas parade, Christmas Candlelight Tour, and the Crystal Coast Flotilla - Beaufort is a great place to get in the spirit of the season. Visit the Town of Beaufort website to learn more about its holiday events. Beaufort, NC 28516, USA
- Winston-Salem
VisitWinstonSalem.com If you’re looking for things to do at Christmas in North Carolina, head to Winston-Salem where you can get in the Moravian-style spirit. A walk through the Old Salem covered bridge will leave you enchanted. The dangling stars have two centuries of history, starting with the original German settlers of the area. Don’t forget to catch UNCSA’S annual, professional performance of the Nutcracker at The Stevens Center. Winston-Salem, NC, USA
Flickr / Alex Massengale And not too far from Winston-Salem, you’ll find the Festival of Lights at Tanglewood Park. The annual festival runs through December and draws in thousands of visitors from the Piedmont area. This year, over a million lights are used! Head to the Winston-Salem website to view the lengthy list of holiday events.
- Concord
Flickr / Per Verdonk For more lights, the Charlotte Motor Speedway is home to one of the nation’s largest light shows. This year’s display will feature over four million lights and 800 different displays throughout the four-mile course. It’s one of the best Christmas light displays in North Carolina! Visit the Charlotte Motor Speedway website for more information. Concord, NC, USA
- Chimney Rock State Park
Explore Asheville Hey, this is North Carolina and here, Santa gets adventurous. You can watch him rappel down the 315-ft. Chimney Rock on two select dates in December. The kids will absolutely love this one! Head to the Chimney Rock Park website for more information. Chimney Rock State Park, 431 Main St, Chimney Rock, NC 28720, USA
- New Bern
Flickr / Zach Frailey : The Uprooted Photographer Visit the historic Tryon Palace for its annual Candlelight Celebration on select dates in December. Before the fun, browse the beautifully decorated downtown and pick up some unique gifts at one of the many shops. You can visit the Tryon Palace website to learn more. New Bern, NC, USA
- Edenton
Visit Edenton/Facebook The annual Christmas Candlelight Tour takes you on a self-guided walking tour through the homes of the 300-year-old historic district. Step (literally) into the past and marvel at the beautifully eloquent decorations in Edenton’s most historically-rich homes. Head to the Edenton website to view all Christmas events in town. Edenton, NC 27932, USA
- Belmont
Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden/Facebook The already gorgeous Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden transforms into something simply magical come Christmas. It’s one of the best places to spend Christmas in North Carolina! Visit the Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden website to learn more about its Holidays at the Garden event. Belmont, NC 28012, USA
- Wilmington / Wrightsville Beach
abram/Flickr The last on our list of the best Christmas towns in North Carolina is none other than Wilmington. Along with Wrightsville Beach, there are plenty of things to do in Wilmington at Christmas. While the annual Holiday Flotilla has passed, throughout December you’ll still catch a glimpse of lights adorning boats. Head to the North Carolina Holiday Flotilla website for more information. Wilmington, NC, USAWrightsville Beach, NC, USA
What do you think of this list of the best places to spend Christmas in North Carolina? If you’re feeling extra adventurous, why not hitch up your sleighbells and take a Christmas road trip through North Carolina? Where is your favorite place to celebrate the holidays and what events are your favorite? Tell us in the comments. Happy holidays!
Kreg Steppe/Flickr
They don’t call it Christmas Town USA for no reason. Each year, McAdenville rings in the beloved holiday with tradition. The streets fill with cheerful tunes, millions of twinkling lights greet your eyes, and your senses are filled with Christmas magic. Cars drive through the small town to get a glimpse at the lavish decorations. In Christmas Town USA, you’ll find more Christmas Trees per capita than people. It’s one of the best places to spend Christmas in North Carolina! For information on hours, traffic routes, etc. visit the website.
McAdenville, NC, USA
Brett Kiger/Flickr
The Biltmore House hosts one of the most exquisite Christmas light displays in North Carolina as well as the nation. The decorations are lavish and the Christmas trees are larger-than-life. This is a favorite for North Carolina natives and visitors. Visit the Biltmore in Asheville website to learn more.
Asheville, NC, USA
The Omni Grove Park Inn/Facebook
And you also can’t forget the National Gingerbread Competition at the Omni Grove Park Inn and Grove Arcade in Asheville. Visit the hotel to see the gingerbread houses on display…they are true works of art! Visit the Omni Parker Grove Inn website to learn more.
Historic Beaufort, NC/facebook
This beachy town was named by Travel & Leisure as “One of the Best Towns For the Holidays.” Between the quaintly decorated downtown, Christmas parade, Christmas Candlelight Tour, and the Crystal Coast Flotilla - Beaufort is a great place to get in the spirit of the season. Visit the Town of Beaufort website to learn more about its holiday events.
Beaufort, NC 28516, USA
VisitWinstonSalem.com
If you’re looking for things to do at Christmas in North Carolina, head to Winston-Salem where you can get in the Moravian-style spirit. A walk through the Old Salem covered bridge will leave you enchanted. The dangling stars have two centuries of history, starting with the original German settlers of the area. Don’t forget to catch UNCSA’S annual, professional performance of the Nutcracker at The Stevens Center.
Winston-Salem, NC, USA
Flickr / Alex Massengale
And not too far from Winston-Salem, you’ll find the Festival of Lights at Tanglewood Park. The annual festival runs through December and draws in thousands of visitors from the Piedmont area. This year, over a million lights are used! Head to the Winston-Salem website to view the lengthy list of holiday events.
Flickr / Per Verdonk
For more lights, the Charlotte Motor Speedway is home to one of the nation’s largest light shows. This year’s display will feature over four million lights and 800 different displays throughout the four-mile course. It’s one of the best Christmas light displays in North Carolina! Visit the Charlotte Motor Speedway website for more information.
Concord, NC, USA
Explore Asheville
Hey, this is North Carolina and here, Santa gets adventurous. You can watch him rappel down the 315-ft. Chimney Rock on two select dates in December. The kids will absolutely love this one! Head to the Chimney Rock Park website for more information.
Chimney Rock State Park, 431 Main St, Chimney Rock, NC 28720, USA
Flickr / Zach Frailey : The Uprooted Photographer
Visit the historic Tryon Palace for its annual Candlelight Celebration on select dates in December. Before the fun, browse the beautifully decorated downtown and pick up some unique gifts at one of the many shops. You can visit the Tryon Palace website to learn more.
New Bern, NC, USA
Visit Edenton/Facebook
The annual Christmas Candlelight Tour takes you on a self-guided walking tour through the homes of the 300-year-old historic district. Step (literally) into the past and marvel at the beautifully eloquent decorations in Edenton’s most historically-rich homes. Head to the Edenton website to view all Christmas events in town.
Edenton, NC 27932, USA
Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden/Facebook
The already gorgeous Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden transforms into something simply magical come Christmas. It’s one of the best places to spend Christmas in North Carolina! Visit the Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden website to learn more about its Holidays at the Garden event.
Belmont, NC 28012, USA
abram/Flickr
The last on our list of the best Christmas towns in North Carolina is none other than Wilmington. Along with Wrightsville Beach, there are plenty of things to do in Wilmington at Christmas. While the annual Holiday Flotilla has passed, throughout December you’ll still catch a glimpse of lights adorning boats. Head to the North Carolina Holiday Flotilla website for more information.
Wilmington, NC, USAWrightsville Beach, NC, USA
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The OIYS Visitor Center
Best Christmas Towns In North Carolina November 24, 2021 Melissa M. What are some of the most festive things to do at Christmas in North Carolina? One of the most exciting things to do during the holiday season is The Polar Express Train Ride in Bryson City. Good for the whole family, you’ll hop aboard a train with the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad for a magical ride that lasts over an hour. While onboard, you’ll listen to music from the Polar Express motion picture, enjoy a cup of hot cocoa and a treat, and visit Santa. This is one of the most family-friendly things to do during the holiday season. What are the best drive-thru Christmas light displays in North Carolina? Drive-thru Christmas lights are aplenty these days, so we are here to help you narrow down the overwhelming choices. Read our post, 4 Drive-Thru Christmas Light Displays In North Carolina, for some of the best ones. What are the largest Christmas lights displays in North Carolina? The Biltmore Estate offers one of the largest light displays in the state as does the Charlotte Speedway.
The OIYS Visitor Center
Best Christmas Towns In North Carolina
November 24, 2021
Melissa M.
What are some of the most festive things to do at Christmas in North Carolina? One of the most exciting things to do during the holiday season is The Polar Express Train Ride in Bryson City. Good for the whole family, you’ll hop aboard a train with the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad for a magical ride that lasts over an hour. While onboard, you’ll listen to music from the Polar Express motion picture, enjoy a cup of hot cocoa and a treat, and visit Santa. This is one of the most family-friendly things to do during the holiday season. What are the best drive-thru Christmas light displays in North Carolina? Drive-thru Christmas lights are aplenty these days, so we are here to help you narrow down the overwhelming choices. Read our post, 4 Drive-Thru Christmas Light Displays In North Carolina, for some of the best ones. What are the largest Christmas lights displays in North Carolina? The Biltmore Estate offers one of the largest light displays in the state as does the Charlotte Speedway.
The OIYS Visitor Center
The OIYS Visitor Center
One of the most exciting things to do during the holiday season is The Polar Express Train Ride in Bryson City. Good for the whole family, you’ll hop aboard a train with the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad for a magical ride that lasts over an hour. While onboard, you’ll listen to music from the Polar Express motion picture, enjoy a cup of hot cocoa and a treat, and visit Santa. This is one of the most family-friendly things to do during the holiday season.
What are the best drive-thru Christmas light displays in North Carolina?
Drive-thru Christmas lights are aplenty these days, so we are here to help you narrow down the overwhelming choices. Read our post, 4 Drive-Thru Christmas Light Displays In North Carolina, for some of the best ones.
What are the largest Christmas lights displays in North Carolina?
The Biltmore Estate offers one of the largest light displays in the state as does the Charlotte Speedway.
