The countdown to Christmas is starting to get close – and it’s time to make the most of the season. While you might have visited these best Christmas lights in North Carolina already, there are plenty more in the state. From an amazing, award-winning house display, to a downtown quaintly decorated – these eight more North Carolina Christmas lights displays are a must-visit.
- Outer Banks ‘Christmas House’
Facebook / The Outer Banks Christmas House For 36 years Ann and Jim Poulos have been decorating their house to the nines for Christmas. In 2005 they were even the winner of the Today show’s “Best Decorated House in America.” Today, locals and travelers venture to their house to see the intricate light display, decorations, and Christmas music blasting on the loudspeakers. You’ll find it on Ocean Acres Dr. in Kill Devil Hills. Check out The Christmas Shop in Manteo while you’re in the Outer Banks! Ocean Acres Drive, Ocean Acres Dr, Kill Devil Hills, NC 27948, USA
- Happyland Christmas Lights
Facebook / Happyland Christmas Lights At the Moores’, the amazing light show is in memory of Rick Moore, who lost his life too young, and always wanted “more Christmas lights.” Everyone in Raleigh enjoys making the drive to check out the amazing display featuring blow ups, blow molds, wire sculptures, a real fire truck, and several handmade wooden displays. You’ll find it at the corner of Penny Road and Huntingwood Drive. 5504 Huntingwood Dr, Raleigh, NC 27606, USA
- Michael Shoaf’s Christmas Lightshow to music
Facebook / Michael Shoaf’s Christmas Lightshow to music What’s better than Christmas - the music that truly ‘rings’ in the holiday! You’ll find the spectacular display at 3518 Donnigale Avenue. 3518 Donnigale Ave, Durham, NC 27705, USA
- Piper Lights
Facebook / Piper Lights On seven acres, a true winter wonderland unfolds, and you can even catch Santa on Wednesdays and Sundays. Visit the display at 5725 Fixit Shop Road in Wake Forest, NC. 5725 Fixit Shop Rd, Wake Forest, NC 27587, USA
- High Country Lights, Ennice
Facebook / High Country Lights *UPDATE: The High Country Lights Display has relocated to Galax, Virginia.
Over a thousand lights set to music played right from the radio station - High Country lights has been named “Best Animated Tour” for three years by TackyLightTour.com, truly one of the best Christmas light displays in North Carolina!
- Lights on the Neuse
Facebook / Lights on the Neuse This ‘Christmas lights theme park’ is minutes from Raleigh and located on the beautiful setting of the Neuse River. Lights on the Neuse, 1620 Loop Rd, Clayton, NC 27527, USA
- Pilot Mountain Christmas
Facebook / Pilot Mountain Christmas
Facebook / Pilot Mountain Christmas *UPDATE: Unfortunately, the 2021 was, in fact, the final year for this light display.
In what’s said to be the final year - Pilot Mountain Christmas is a classic light display in its 50th year. There’s a nativity scene, decorated pathways, a snow-making machine, and hot stand.
- Beary Merry Christmas
Facebook / Beary Merry Christmas In honor of New Bern’s bear legacy - Beary Merry is the ’town mascot.’ While the festive celebration has passed, you can still enjoy the lights that glitter up New Bern until Christmas Eve. New Bern, NC, USA
I can’t think of a better way to count down the days to the season – what are some of you favorite light displays in North Carolina?
Facebook / The Outer Banks Christmas House
For 36 years Ann and Jim Poulos have been decorating their house to the nines for Christmas. In 2005 they were even the winner of the Today show’s “Best Decorated House in America.” Today, locals and travelers venture to their house to see the intricate light display, decorations, and Christmas music blasting on the loudspeakers. You’ll find it on Ocean Acres Dr. in Kill Devil Hills. Check out The Christmas Shop in Manteo while you’re in the Outer Banks!
Ocean Acres Drive, Ocean Acres Dr, Kill Devil Hills, NC 27948, USA
Facebook / Happyland Christmas Lights
At the Moores’, the amazing light show is in memory of Rick Moore, who lost his life too young, and always wanted “more Christmas lights.” Everyone in Raleigh enjoys making the drive to check out the amazing display featuring blow ups, blow molds, wire sculptures, a real fire truck, and several handmade wooden displays. You’ll find it at the corner of Penny Road and Huntingwood Drive.
5504 Huntingwood Dr, Raleigh, NC 27606, USA
Facebook / Michael Shoaf’s Christmas Lightshow to music
What’s better than Christmas - the music that truly ‘rings’ in the holiday! You’ll find the spectacular display at 3518 Donnigale Avenue.
3518 Donnigale Ave, Durham, NC 27705, USA
Facebook / Piper Lights
On seven acres, a true winter wonderland unfolds, and you can even catch Santa on Wednesdays and Sundays. Visit the display at 5725 Fixit Shop Road in Wake Forest, NC.
5725 Fixit Shop Rd, Wake Forest, NC 27587, USA
Facebook / High Country Lights
*UPDATE: The High Country Lights Display has relocated to Galax, Virginia.
Over a thousand lights set to music played right from the radio station - High Country lights has been named “Best Animated Tour” for three years by TackyLightTour.com, truly one of the best Christmas light displays in North Carolina!
Facebook / Lights on the Neuse
This ‘Christmas lights theme park’ is minutes from Raleigh and located on the beautiful setting of the Neuse River.
Lights on the Neuse, 1620 Loop Rd, Clayton, NC 27527, USA
Facebook / Pilot Mountain Christmas
*UPDATE: Unfortunately, the 2021 was, in fact, the final year for this light display.
In what’s said to be the final year - Pilot Mountain Christmas is a classic light display in its 50th year. There’s a nativity scene, decorated pathways, a snow-making machine, and hot stand.
Facebook / Beary Merry Christmas
In honor of New Bern’s bear legacy - Beary Merry is the ’town mascot.’ While the festive celebration has passed, you can still enjoy the lights that glitter up New Bern until Christmas Eve.
New Bern, NC, USA
For more ways to make the most – how about these charming Main Streets?
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The OIYS Visitor Center
Best Christmas Lights In North Carolina October 14, 2022 AnneMarie What are the best Christmas towns in North Carolina? McAdenville transforms during the holiday season into “Christmas Town USA,” with lights everywhere. And it even has more Christmas trees per capita than people, which says it all. Beaufort has been named “America’s Favorite Town” as well as “One of the Best Towns for the Holidays.” Along with beautiful decorations, there are several events to enjoy, including a Christmas parade, Christmas Candlelight Tour, and the Crystal Coast Flotilla. What are the most unique Christmas experiences in North Carolina? Perhaps one of the most unique Christmas experiences anywhere is witnessing Santa rappel down the 315-ft. Chimney Rock at Chimney Rock State Park. He does this, of course, as part of his training for the upcoming big night of gift deliveries! At this event, you can also bring your wish list to give Santa, enjoy live holiday music, hot cocoa, and cookies, and meet Park animal ambassadors. Another unique holiday experience is visiting Santa’s Elf Village, where you can see tiny little elf cottages decorated with elfish decor, participate in story time, shop at the village Uniform Shop, pose for a unique Christmas card photograph, and more! Finally, visit Santa on the Santa Train covered in 1,000 lights at the Museum of Life and Science in Durham and enjoy music, face painting, and holiday crafts, too. Can I ride the Polar Express in North Carolina? Why yes, you can! The Polar Express departs from the Bryson City Depot and will be a magical, unforgettable experience.
The OIYS Visitor Center
Best Christmas Lights In North Carolina
October 14, 2022
AnneMarie
What are the best Christmas towns in North Carolina? McAdenville transforms during the holiday season into “Christmas Town USA,” with lights everywhere. And it even has more Christmas trees per capita than people, which says it all. Beaufort has been named “America’s Favorite Town” as well as “One of the Best Towns for the Holidays.” Along with beautiful decorations, there are several events to enjoy, including a Christmas parade, Christmas Candlelight Tour, and the Crystal Coast Flotilla. What are the most unique Christmas experiences in North Carolina? Perhaps one of the most unique Christmas experiences anywhere is witnessing Santa rappel down the 315-ft. Chimney Rock at Chimney Rock State Park. He does this, of course, as part of his training for the upcoming big night of gift deliveries! At this event, you can also bring your wish list to give Santa, enjoy live holiday music, hot cocoa, and cookies, and meet Park animal ambassadors. Another unique holiday experience is visiting Santa’s Elf Village, where you can see tiny little elf cottages decorated with elfish decor, participate in story time, shop at the village Uniform Shop, pose for a unique Christmas card photograph, and more! Finally, visit Santa on the Santa Train covered in 1,000 lights at the Museum of Life and Science in Durham and enjoy music, face painting, and holiday crafts, too. Can I ride the Polar Express in North Carolina? Why yes, you can! The Polar Express departs from the Bryson City Depot and will be a magical, unforgettable experience.
The OIYS Visitor Center
The OIYS Visitor Center
McAdenville transforms during the holiday season into “Christmas Town USA,” with lights everywhere. And it even has more Christmas trees per capita than people, which says it all. Beaufort has been named “America’s Favorite Town” as well as “One of the Best Towns for the Holidays.” Along with beautiful decorations, there are several events to enjoy, including a Christmas parade, Christmas Candlelight Tour, and the Crystal Coast Flotilla.
What are the most unique Christmas experiences in North Carolina?
Perhaps one of the most unique Christmas experiences anywhere is witnessing Santa rappel down the 315-ft. Chimney Rock at Chimney Rock State Park. He does this, of course, as part of his training for the upcoming big night of gift deliveries! At this event, you can also bring your wish list to give Santa, enjoy live holiday music, hot cocoa, and cookies, and meet Park animal ambassadors.
Another unique holiday experience is visiting Santa’s Elf Village, where you can see tiny little elf cottages decorated with elfish decor, participate in story time, shop at the village Uniform Shop, pose for a unique Christmas card photograph, and more!
Finally, visit Santa on the Santa Train covered in 1,000 lights at the Museum of Life and Science in Durham and enjoy music, face painting, and holiday crafts, too.
Can I ride the Polar Express in North Carolina?
Why yes, you can! The Polar Express departs from the Bryson City Depot and will be a magical, unforgettable experience.
