Best Places To Go To See Holiday Lights in the Carolinas

Christmastown, USA

I love looking at Christmas lights, don’t you? If the answer is yes, I’ll share my favorite places with you…

5. Island of Lights (Pleasure Island, NC; Carolina and Kure Beaches) features Light Up the Lake (11/23) and Holiday Flotilla (12/1). Up the road a bit, there is another awesome Holiday Flotilla at Wrightsville Beach, complete with fireworks and a festival (11/23-24). www.islandoflights.org

4. Holidays at the Garden (11/23 – 12/31) visitors will be rewarded with a spectacular 500,000 lights display and a 16′ orchid tree complete comprised of 300 orchids. Traditionalists will enjoy the 30′ Norway Spruce and all will delight in s’mores around the campfire. Belmont, NC. http://events.charlotteobserver.com/belmont_nc/events/show/290687025-holidays-at-the-garden

3. Christmas at Biltmore Estate in Asheville, NC is ablaze with lights from 11/9 – 12/31. Candles, fireplaces, and trees will be lit up throughout the 25o-room mansion. The entire property is decked out from floor to ceiling.www.christmas.biltmore.com

2. James Island County Park Holiday Lights on James Island, SC offers millions of lights during its three-mile drive that includes train rides, carousel rides, sand sculptures, an Enchanted Forest Walking Trail, marshmallow roasts, and more. http://www.ccprc.com/index.aspx?NID=1546

1. Christmastown USA can be found in McAdenville, NC from 11/30 – 12/26. This tradition has been a staple since 1956 when residents of this small mill town first began decorating their community. More than 300,000 cars tour the town every holiday season, but folks can opt to park an walk. Don’t miss the Yule Log Ceremony and Christmas Festival.www.mcadenville-christmastown.com