By When the days grow short and the air turns crisp, the Carolinas glow. From a tiny mill town outside Charlotte that the world knows as Christmas Town to a moss-draped sculpture garden on the South Carolina coast, both states put on holiday light displays that draw visitors by the hundreds of thousands. Whether you want to stroll under canopies of twinkling evergreens or cruise a multi-mile drive-through course from the warmth of your car, here are the most spectacular places to chase the lights this season.
North Carolina Holiday Light Displays
McAdenville: Christmas Town U.S.A.
Just west of Charlotte, the small mill village of McAdenville transforms every December into the place affectionately known as Christmas Town U.S.A. The tradition dates to 1956, and today more than 250 evergreens are wrapped in over half a million red, white, and green lights along a 1.3-mile loop, with scores of decorated homes joining in. You can drive the route slowly with the family or park nearby and walk it, pausing at the reflecting lake where lights shimmer on the water.
Best of all, McAdenville keeps the magic free. There is no admission charge and no ticket required, which makes it one of the most beloved (and most crowded) traditions in the region. Plan for traffic on weekend evenings and consider arriving early in the week or right at opening to beat the crush.
- Where: Downtown McAdenville, NC (off Interstate 85, exit 23, west of Charlotte)
- When: Nightly December 1 through December 26, 5:30 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.
- Admission: Free
- Info: Town of McAdenville, (704) 823-2333, townofmcadenville.org
Speedway Christmas at Charlotte Motor Speedway
For sheer scale, nothing in the Carolinas tops Speedway Christmas in Concord. The Southeast’s largest drive-through light show sends you on a four-mile course around the famous oval, down pit road, and through the infield, all lit by more than five million lights. Tune your radio to the synchronized light-to-music station, then stay for a holiday movie projected on the giant Speedway TV. The infield Christmas Village adds food, photos with Santa, and family activities on select nights.
Because you stay in your vehicle the entire time, this is a wonderful, weatherproof option for families with small children or anyone who prefers to admire the lights from a heated seat. Buy tickets online in advance, and if you want to skip the longest waits, look into the Express Lane upgrade.
- Where: Charlotte Motor Speedway, 5555 Concord Parkway South, Concord, NC 28027
- When: Nightly November 21 through January 4 (closed Christmas Eve; open Christmas Day), 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m., rain or shine
- Admission: Per-vehicle pricing starting around $46, with Express Lane and season-pass options available
- Info: charlottemotorspeedway.com
Tanglewood Festival of Lights near Winston-Salem
One of the oldest and largest drive-through shows in the region, the Tanglewood Festival of Lights in Clemmons has been a Triad tradition for decades. Wind your way through Tanglewood Park past more than a million LED lights arranged in storybook scenes, animated tableaus, and towering holiday displays. The route runs for miles, so allow plenty of time, especially on December weekends when waits can stretch.
Cash and major credit cards are accepted at the gate, and the park often runs discounted admission on a handful of early-season nights, so check the schedule before you go if you are watching the budget.
- Where: Tanglewood Park, 4061 Clemmons Road, Clemmons, NC 27012
- When: Nightly from mid-November through January 1, 6:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.
- Admission: Around $20 to $23 per family vehicle, with higher rates for larger groups and buses
- Info: Forsyth County Parks, forsyth.cc/Parks/Tanglewood/fol
Christmas at Biltmore in Asheville
For something grander and more historic, the Candlelight Christmas Evenings at Biltmore turn America’s largest home into a Gilded Age holiday fantasy. After dark, the 250-room Vanderbilt mansion glows with flickering candlelight, crackling fireplaces, dozens of decorated trees, and live music, while the grounds and the giant tree on the front lawn are illuminated outside. It is a ticketed, timed-entry experience and a true splurge, but few holiday outings in the Carolinas feel quite so opulent.
Evening tickets are by reservation only and separate from daytime admission, and they sell out, so book well ahead. Your ticket also covers a same-day or next-day visit to the gardens, Antler Hill Village, and the estate winery.
- Where: Biltmore Estate, 1 Lodge Street, Asheville, NC 28803
- When: Candlelight evenings run from early November through early January on select nights, with timed entry generally between 5:30 p.m. and 10:45 p.m.
- Admission: Reservation required; evening pricing typically ranges from roughly $85 for grounds access to $150 and up for house and candlelight tickets
- Info: biltmore.com
Winter Lights at the North Carolina Arboretum
Also in Asheville, the North Carolina Arboretum lights up its gardens with more than a million lights for its annual Winter Lights walk-through. Stroll paved paths past nature-themed displays, a 50-foot lighted tree, and creative installations set among the plant collections. Because you explore on foot at your own pace, it is an intimate, photogenic alternative to the big drive-through shows, and a perfect pairing with a mountain getaway.
- Where: The North Carolina Arboretum, 100 Frederick Law Olmsted Way, Asheville, NC 28806
- When: Nightly from mid-November through early January, with timed entries beginning at 6:00 p.m.
- Admission: Sold per vehicle, with prices varying by date (value, standard, and premium nights); members receive a discount
- Info: ncarboretum.org/winter-lights
South Carolina Holiday Light Displays
Holiday Festival of Lights at James Island County Park
Charleston’s signature holiday event, the Holiday Festival of Lights, has been delighting Lowcountry families for more than three decades. The three-mile driving route at James Island County Park winds past hundreds of illuminated displays and millions of lights. Once you reach the village area, you can park and explore: ride the holiday train, see the giant sand sculpture, roast marshmallows, shop for gifts, and visit with Santa.
Admission is charged per vehicle, and prices vary by how busy a given night is expected to be, so buying in advance saves money and time. The park color-codes each night (lighter or heavier crowds) on its online calendar to help you plan.
- Where: James Island County Park, 861 Riverland Drive, Charleston, SC 29412
- When: Nightly November 14 through December 31, 5:30 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.
- Admission: Per vehicle, roughly $15 to $30 in advance depending on the night (higher at the gate)
- Info: Charleston County Parks, (843) 795-4386, ccprc.com
Nights of a Thousand Candles at Brookgreen Gardens
Near Myrtle Beach, Brookgreen Gardens in Murrells Inlet hosts what may be the most enchanting evening on the South Carolina coast. During Nights of a Thousand Candles, thousands of hand-lit candles flicker among the live oaks and sculptures, joined by countless strands of lights that trace nearly every branch and shrub across this National Historic Landmark. Live music, warm beverages, and the soft glow of candlelight make it feel worlds away from the typical drive-through display.
The event runs only on selected nights, so check the calendar carefully, and buy tickets ahead because popular evenings sell out.
- Where: Brookgreen Gardens, 1931 Brookgreen Drive, Murrells Inlet, SC 29576
- When: Select evenings from late November into early January, generally 4:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
- Admission: Around $40 for non-member adults and $20 for children ages 4 to 12, with member discounts
- Info: brookgreen.org
Tips for Planning Your Light-Chasing Trip
A few simple strategies will make any of these outings smoother:
- Go early in the week and early in the evening. Weekend nights in mid-to-late December draw the heaviest crowds and the longest waits at drive-through shows.
- Buy tickets in advance wherever the option exists. Many displays now use timed entry or advance-purchase pricing that is cheaper than paying at the gate.
- Dress warmly for the walking displays like Winter Lights, Biltmore, and Brookgreen, and bring cash as a backup for parking or concessions.
- Check the official site before you leave. Hours, closed dates, and pricing can shift from year to year, so confirm the current season’s details directly with each attraction.
For a broader look at seasonal events across the state, North Carolina’s official tourism site keeps a running list of holiday light shows around the state, a handy starting point if you want to add another stop to your itinerary.