A information to the perfect Christmas mild exhibits and occasions within the Carolinas

By Beth Mack

November 30, 2022

Wherever your vacation travels might take you, the Carolinas provide a plethora of vacation lights shows throughout the state to get you and yours within the vacation spirit. Occasions might be discovered at an assortment of venues throughout the state from farms to zoos to parks, and sometimes provide extra than simply the illuminating lights. Visits from Santa, youngsters’s rides, hearth pits, hayrides, and roasting s’mores, are simply among the actions that may be discovered at these winter vacation locations. 

Gentle the Knights Pageant 

Truist Subject
324 S Mint St.
Charlotte, NC 28202

Nov. 23, 2022 – Jan. 6, 2023 (Choose Dates)
Hours differ

Within the coronary heart of uptown, Truist Subject has remodeled right into a winter wonderland for its second yr. Stroll via the concourse contained in the stadium to soak up the varied mild shows, benefit from the synthetic snow, go to with previous Saint Nick and Mrs. Claus, peruse the Christmas village distributors, or seize a cup of cheer from both the concession stands or one of many Christmas village meals distributors. The outfield now boasts a regulation dimension ice skating rink and a snow tubing observe full with concessions and seating to soak up the sights and sounds of the vacation season. Tickets might be bought on-line or on the field workplace with admission starting at $10 for all above the age of 4 with ice skating and snow tubing being additional costs. For an entire record of obtainable dates and occasions, take a look at the Charlotte Knights official website.

Tweetsie Railroad Christmas

Tweetsie Railroad
300 Tweetsie Railroad Lane
Blowing Rock, NC 28605

Choose Dates Nov. 25 – Dec. 20, 2022
5 p.m. – 10 p.m.

Nestled within the Blue Ridge Mountains between Boone and Blowing rock is a North Carolina favourite, Tweetsie Railroad, a small Wild West amusement park and heritage railroad web site. Annually for the vacations, the park is decked out with lights for a vacation expertise for all ages. Friends can take an open-air prepare trip on one among their historic steam locomotives that’s adorned with over a million lights. You can even partake in different rides, catch a reside vacation present, roast s’mores over a crackling hearth, and even go to with the large man in his gingerbread home. Admission consists of one prepare trip and entry to the park and is $52 for adults, $32 for kids (3-12), and free for kids two and beneath. For extra data, go to the Tweetsie Railroad website.

Christmas Wonderland of Lights at Zootastic Park

Zootastic Park
448 Pilch Rd
Troutman, NC 28166

Nov. 18, 2022 – Jan. 1, 2022

Sunday – Thursday: 6 p.m. – 9 p.m.
Friday and Saturday: 6 p.m. – 10 p.m.

For a extra unique vacation mild present, take a 40-minute journey (from Charlotte) north on I-77 to Troutman’s Zootastic Park. The drive-through safari expertise has decked out its route with 4 million lights to assist ring within the holidays. For animal lovers, you possibly can choose to take a pony trip or feed giraffes, tigers, and barnyard animals. You can even cease in for a go to with Santa and get a photograph with him and a child kangaroo,  simply don’t let Rudolph know. As well as, you possibly can roast s’mores or take a trip on a carousel or prepare. Admission is $10 per person and youngsters beneath two are free.

Try Zootastic Park’s website for more details.

Christmas at Biltmore

Asheville, NC

Nov. 4, 2022 – Jan. 8, 2023
10 a.m. – 7:30 p.m.

Tour America’s largest dwelling, the Biltmore home, as every of the 250 rooms of the historic French Renaissance chateau is elegantly adorned with Christmas timber, lights, garland, and ribbon. To drag out all the stops, the Biltmore Property’s Antler Hill Village, which options outlets, eating places, a farm, a vineyard, and a lodge, can be aglow with Christmas decor and lights. Daytime admission starts at $99 and features a self-guided strolling tour of the Biltmore home, entry to its 8,000 acres of gardens and grounds, Antler Hill Village, complimentary wine tasting, and parking for the day. Night admission, Candlelight Christmas Evenings, start at $124.

For extra data, take a look at the Biltmore’s website.

Winter Lights at NC Arboretum

North Carolina Arboretum
100 Frederick Legislation Olmsted Manner
Asheville, NC 28806

Nov. 18, 2022 – Dec. 31, 2022
6 p.m. – 10 p.m.

The North Carolina Arboretum’s walk-through mild show Winter Lights show returns this yr to the Blue Ridge Mountains. Touted as Asheville’s brightest vacation custom, the outside occasion options over a million lights and serves because the Arboretum’s largest fundraiser. Anticipate vibrant mild shows, together with the enduring 50-foot tree of sunshine, reside music (on choose evenings), hearth pits, and a sizzling cocoa shack providing s’extra kits, snacks, drinks, and naturally, sizzling chocolate. Tickets are bought per car with tiered pricing starting at $30. The Arboretum does restrict the variety of friends per night, so it’s suggested to purchase tickets in advance.

To buy tickets or want any extra information, take a look at the NC Arboretum’s website.

Christmas City USA

McAdenville, NC 28101

Dec. 1 – 26, 2022
5:30 p.m. – 10 p.m.

Voted because the fourth-best public vacation mild show within the nation by USA Right now in 2020 and 2021, is the neighborhood of McAdenville. Because the Fifties, McAdenville residents alongside Most important Avenue deck their homes and entrance yards with lights and shows for lots of of hundreds of tourists every year. The 1.3-mile stretch of lights might be considered both by strolling alongside the sidewalks or from the comfort of your automobile via the guts of downtown McAdenville, situated simply quarter-hour west of Charlotte.

For extra data on this free mild show and vacation occasions, go to the Christmas Town USA community website.

Carowinds’ WinterFest

Carowinds
300 Carowinds Blvd
Charlotte, NC 28273

Nov. 21, 2022 – Jan. 1, 2023
5 p.m. – 10 p.m.

Carolina’s largest amusement park has curated an immersive vacation mild present for its WinterFest. With over 5 million lights, the park boasts an intensive quantity of extra festive experiences reminiscent of ice skating, reside vacation exhibits, choose amusement rides, a 70-foot Christmas tree, holiday-themed video games, reside Christmas carolers, vacation present outlets, cookie adorning, seasonal meals and drinks, and naturally Santa. Your go to will probably be capped off with the WinterFest Wonderland Parade, the park’s nightly 9 p.m. parade full with music, performers, and ornate floats. New to WinterFest this yr, you possibly can reserve your very personal personal igloo the place you possibly can sip on sizzling chocolate, have meals delivered proper to your igloo, and bask within the vacation spirit. Admission is $32.99 for ages 3-62 or above 48 inches tall and $19.99 for adults 62+ years old, youngsters beneath two, and youngsters beneath 48 inches tall. 

Try Carowinds website for an entire record of actions, tickets, and extra data to begin planning your go to.

WRAL’s Nights of Lights

Dorothea Dix Park
1030 Richardson Dr.
Raleigh, NC 27603

Nov. 25 – Dec. 24, 2022 (Closed Nov. 28-30, Dec. 5-7, and Dec. 12-14)
6:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.

In its third yr, WRAL’s Nights of Lights is lighting up Raleigh with much more mild items. The 1.3-mile drive-through occasion will once more be hosted at Dorothea Dix Park and have festive mild shows, the park’s iconic oak timber wearing lights, and native artwork installations. To maintain traces shifting, tickets are bought solely on-line in 30-minute time slots, and begin at $30 for a personal vehicle (up to eight people) or $50 for VIP Fast Lane tickets. New this yr are two particular packages to make for an much more magical go to. The Vacation Outpost Bundle features a cease on the North Pole for a go to with Santa and Mrs. Claus, picture ops on the festive Vacation Outpost photobooth with souvenir prints, and fast-lane entry to the Nights of Lights. The Igloo Experience Package features a 45-minute reservation in a personal igloo, a snack field, a carafe of sizzling chocolate or apple cider, and Quick Lane entry to the lights.

To buy your tickets and discover out extra data, take a look at WRAL’s website.

Winter Wonderlights

Greensboro Science Middle
4301 Lawndale Drive
Greensboro, NC 27455

Nov. 17, 2022 – Jan. 1, 2023 (Closed Nov. 24, Dec. 24, Dec. 25)
5:30 p.m. – 10 p.m.

Winter Wonderlights glow on a nightly foundation on the Greensboro Science Middle. In its second yr, it has doubled in dimension from its inaugural occasion final yr to incorporate Revolution Ridge, the Middle’s 11-acre zoo. This outside walk-through occasion boasts 12 distinctive zones of sunshine shows with themes starting from dinosaurs to gingerbread homes. Heat up with some sizzling chocolate or apple cider accessible for buy and watch one of many many synchronized mild exhibits. Admission for non-members is $25 for adults, and children under the age of two are free. Reductions can be found for members of the Greensboro Science Middle, teams of 15-plus, and on choose “low cost days.” 

For extra data or to buy tickets prematurely, go to the Greensboro Science Center’s website.

Tanglewood Park Pageant of Lights

Tanglewood Park
Manor Home Cir.
Clemmons, NC 27012

Nov. 11, 2022 – Jan. 1, 2023
6 p.m. – 11 p.m.

Every vacation season for the previous 31 years, Tanglewood Park– situated simply ten minutes west of Winston-Salem– is remodeled right into a winter wonderland of lights. The drive-through mild show boasts over a million lights with 80 shows. S’moresville, the place you should buy s’mores kits and roast marshmallows, has returned this yr as a mid-route pit cease. To actually wow that particular somebody, choose to tour the lights by horse-drawn carriage trip or by tractor-pulled hayride. Tickets can solely be bought on-site and are $20 per car if by cash and $23 per car if by credit card.

For extra data, take a look at the festival’s website.

Denton FarmPark Nation Christmas Practice

Denton Farmpark
1072 Cranford Street,
Denton, NC 27239

Nov. 25 – Dec. 27, 2022 (Choose Dates)
4:30 p.m. – 9 p.m.

Denton FarmPark, situated simply 45 minutes southwest of Greensboro, hosts its thirteenth annual Nation Christmas Practice. Stroll down the sweet cane path to the prepare station the place Santa will greet you earlier than you board the prepare. As soon as aboard the Helpful Dandy Railroad, sit again and benefit from the lights, reside nativity scene, and even elves on the 1.5-mile observe. After you disembark, take a look at the quite a few actions provided on the Christmas Village reminiscent of a petting zoo, carriage rides, meals and craft distributors, and youngsters’s rides. Tickets embrace one prepare trip and entry to all of Christmas Village. Adult tickets are $20, $6 for children 5-11, and free for those under the age of four. In addition they provide discounted admission to pick out teams together with first responders, academics, youngsters beneath 12, and navy on sure dates. 

For a schedule of occasions and to buy tickets on-line go to the Denton Farmpark website.

Winterlights at Elizabethan Backyard

Elizabethan Backyard
1411 Nationwide Park Dr.
Manteo, NC 27954

Nov. 25 – Dec. 30, 2022 (choose dates)
6 p.m. – 9 p.m.

Ought to your vacation travels take you to the Outer Banks, cease by the Winterlights at Elizabethan Gardens. Stroll via their 10 acres of gardens remodeled into an illuminated winter wonderland. Heat up by their crackling open-air hearth pits or take a look at one of many many occasions reminiscent of a go to from Santa, youngsters’s face portray, musical friends, and vacation story time across the hearth pit. Tickets run $16 for adults, $12 for youths (6-17), $8 for children (2-5), free (children under two), and dogs are $5.

Tickets are solely accessible on the market on-line on Elizabethan Garden’s website.

Enchanted Airlie

Airlie Gardens
300 Airlie Rd
Wilmington, NC 28403

Nov. 25 – 26, Dec. 2 – 22, 2022
5:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.

Since 2005, Airlie Gardens have offered the Wilmington space with the sights and sounds of the season with their Enchanted Airlie lights show. Meander alongside the outside half-mile, self-guided strolling tour to soak up the glow from the lights while vacation music performs within the background. This yr choose snacks and drinks from David’s Deli, Noni Bacca, and Wilmington Brewery will probably be accessible for buy on-site. Tickets ($30 per carload) for the popular light show are only sold in advance in one-hour increments, and often sell out.

To buy your tickets or to search out out extra particulars, go to Airlie Gardens’ website.

Speedway Christmas

Charlotte Motor Speedway
5555 Harmony Pkwy S
Harmony, NC 28027

Nov. 18, 2022 – Jan. 8, 2023 (Closed Dec. 24)
6 p.m. – 10 p.m.

In its thirteenth yr, the Charlotte Motor Speedway presents one of many largest Christmas mild shows within the Southeast, Speedway Christmas. Situated simply north of Charlotte, this drive-through occasion options over 4 million lights with lots of of shows throughout its four-mile observe that features the racetrack. You’ll want to tune in to 101.3 FM to benefit from the synchronization of lights to basic Christmas hits. The Christmas village returns this yr on the infield full with hearth pits to roast s’mores, an indoor movie show enjoying Christmas classics, and the large man himself, Santa. If that wasn’t sufficient, new this yr to Christmas Village is a 360-degree digital camera situated in Victory lane to get some high-tech photographs. Tickets might be bought on-line or in-person and vary from $30-$40 per car (15 people max) relying on the date of your go to or you possibly can skip the road on Thursdays through Sundays with the express lane at $70 per car (15 people max).

Extra data and tickets might be discovered on Charlotte Motor Speedway’s website.

Film Schedule:

Nov. 18-20: The Vacation and Die Arduous
Nov. 24-27: Christmas Trip
Dec. 1-4: The Grinch
Dec. 8-11: Elf
Dec. 15-18: A Christmas Story
Dec. 19-25: The Polar Categorical
Dec. 30-Jan. 2: Residence Alone

Riverbanks Zoo & Backyard Lights Earlier than Christmas

Riverbanks Zoo & Backyard
500 Wildlife Pkwy
Columbia, SC 29210

Nov. 19 – Dec. 30, 2022 (choose dates)
5 p.m. – 9 p.m.

Columbia’s Riverbanks Zoo & Backyard will host the thirty fifth version of its Lights Earlier than Christmas mild show. Whereas many of the animals will probably be off exhibit to get some sleep, there’s nonetheless tons to see with over a million lights, 350 handcrafted pictures together with an animated LED story tree, and big illuminated animal lanterns. Cease by Santa’s Village to go to the large man, take a trip on the Sweet Cane Carousel or the Gingerbread Categorical, or roast some s’mores whereas spinning on sizzling cocoa on the Jingle Bell Bonfire. In your strolling tour of the lights, there will probably be loads of stops to buy drinks, snacks, or perhaps a full meal. Admission is free for zoo members, $15 for adults, $12 for children (2-12), and free (2 and under). 

Try the Zoo’s website for more information.

Holidays on the Backyard

Daniel Stowe Botanical Backyard
6500 S New Hope Rd
Belmont, NC 28012

Nov. 25, 2022 – Dec. 31, 2022 (Closed Mondays, Tuesdays, Dec. 24, and Dec. 25)
5 p.m. – 9 p.m.

Situated simply half-hour from uptown Charlotte, Daniel Stowe Botanical Backyard hosts its annual Christmas mild show, Holidays on the Backyard. Stroll via the magnificently manicured gardens to soak up the lights on the 90-minute strolling tour. Sit by their hearth pit to roast s’mores, get pleasure from a beverage (beer, wine, espresso, or sizzling chocolate), or get pleasure from a chunk to eat from one of many meals vans whereas listening to Christmas music. Grownup tickets will run you $20, Seniors (65+) $18, children (2-12) $10, and free for kids beneath two. Tickets are bought in two-hour time slots and are restricted, so it’s suggested to buy your tickets on-line. New this yr, they’re providing a VIP Winterland Pop-up Tent for events of 4-10 individuals that features hour-long personal entry to a festively adorned clear tent situated within the backyard, gourmand sizzling cocoa board (Baileys elective), a diffusion of dessert charcuterie, and admission to the vacation lights.

For tickets and extra data, take a look at the Daniel Stowe Botanical Gardens website.

Vacation Lights on the River

Saluda Shoals Park
5605 Bush River Rd
Columbia, SC 29212

Nov. 24 – Dec. 31, 2022
6 p.m. – 10 p.m.

Certainly one of South Carolina’s largest drive-through mild exhibits is hosted in Soda Metropolis’s Saluda Shoals Park. Journey via 1,000,000 colourful lights that includes over 400 animated mild shows that stretch for 3 miles. After driving via, cease by the Environmental Middle for added festivities together with a winter surprise tube slide, a meet and greet with Santa, laser mild exhibits, letter writing to Santa, marshmallow roasting, hay or prepare rides, together with refreshments accessible for buy. Admission is $25 per car and includes all of the above activities.

For extra data, take a look at Saluda Shoals Park’s website.

North Carolina Chinese language Lantern Pageant

Koka Sales space Amphitheatre
8005 Regency Pkwy
Cary, NC 27518

Nov. 18, 2022 – Jan. 8, 2023
6 p.m. – 10 p.m.

Whereas the North Carolina Chinese language Lantern Pageant is probably not precisely vacation themed, the sunshine present that happens each vacation season is to not be missed. In its seventh yr, this yr’s pageant options 40 model new mild shows that have been crafted particularly for this occasion in Zinong, China. Every larger-than-life show options hundreds of lights capped off by a 200-foot dragon lantern that floats on Symphony Lake. To spherical out the expertise, they host nightly cultural artwork performances and have added Asian-inspired dishes to their common meals choices reminiscent of spring rolls, miso ramen, and a Korean fried rooster sandwich. Ticket costs differ relying on the date of your go to however begin at $9 for all of these above the age of two (free for ages two and beneath). If you wish to be taught extra concerning the cultural historical past and significance of the lanterns and the way the shows come collectively, in addition they provide a guided 45-minute VIP tour.

To seek out out extra data and buy tickets, go to Koka Booth Amphitheater’s website.

Candy Valley Ranch Pageant of Lights

Candy Valley Ranch
2990 Sunnyside Faculty Street
Fayetteville, NC 28312

Nov. 25 – Dec. 26, 2022 (Choose Dates) 
6:30 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.

Every vacation season the 300 acre Candy Valley Ranch lights up the night time with its Pageant of Lights. The drive via mild present not solely options over a million lights, however you will get a glimpse of the farms 350 animal residents starting from potbelly pigs, cows, llamas, peacocks, and zebras. As an added bonus, instantly throughout the road from Candy Valley Ranch is Tiny’s Winter Wonderland the place you will get out of your automobile to get pleasure from rides, store from one among their native distributors, seize a snack to eat, and even go to with Santa. Tickets begin at $10 per person with reductions provided for bigger teams and youngsters two and beneath free. To plan your go to, go to the Sweet Valley Ranch website.

Pageant of Lights at Lu Mil Winery

Lu Mil Winery
438 Suggs-Taylor Rd
Elizabethtown, NC 28337

Nov. 25 – Dec. 23, 2022 (choose dates)
6 p.m. – 10 p.m.

Situated roughly an hour west of Wilmington, you will discover Lu Mil Winery’s Annual Pageant of Lights. This drive-through mild exhibit has one thing for each youngsters and adults to make sure there’s sufficient vacation cheer for all. Youngsters will get pleasure from photographs with Santa, a kiddie land with rides, and a sweet store. Adults can get pleasure from wine tastings from the winery, and if that isn’t sufficient, you possibly can get pleasure from a meal at their nation buffet for $14 per individual, or make it an in a single day journey, reserving one among their cabins for the night time. Admission is $10 per person with children under the age of five, free. 

For extra data, take a look at Lu Mil Vineyard’s website.

Pageant of Lights at Hill Ridge Farms

Hill Ridge Farms
703 Tarboro Rd
Youngsville, NC 27596

Nov. 24, 2022 – Jan. 1, 2023 (Closed Nov. 28 – Nov. 30)
5:30 p.m. – 10 p.m.

A brief 30-minute drive north of downtown Raleigh sits Hill Ridge Farms and their drive-through Pageant of Lights. Cruise the mile-long route that includes over a million lights from the consolation of your automobile. They won’t offer concessions, so you’ll want to convey your individual sizzling chocolate and snacks. Entrance is $20 per car should you pay by money, which is most popular to maintain the traces shifting, or $23 if you pay by credit or debit.

Try Hill Ridge Farm’s website for more details.

Learn subsequent: