Sledding into the holiday season always brings the spectacle of glowing lights and magnificent attractions. This year there are many nearby festivals and light shows that are perfect for couples, families, friends, or even by yourself.
Tanglewood Festival of Lights (Nov.17- Jan.1) $20 Cash/$23 Card
A classic for anyone living in Clemmons Upon entering this festival, you are welcomed by huge, glowing arches guiding you through the entrance. The musical drive through the park includes many bedazzling light fixtures of candy canes, reindeer, ornaments and snowflakes. In the center of the park is the Gift Village with “S’moresville” and the gift shop, where you can stop to roast marshmallows and fill up on hot cocoa.. The park also offers horse-drawn carriage rides and tractor hayrides for visitors as an alternative viewing experience.
Christmas at Biltmore (Nov. 3- Jan.6 Start at $105 for adults/Children are half adult price
While the Biltmore Estate is always extravagant, it is especially enchanting this time of year. The house is covered in garland, ribbons and thousands of twinkling lights. Over the past few years, there have been around 60 trees featured in the house. The Christmas magic doesn’t stop at the house as guests are able to meet Santa at the Antler Hill Village as well.
Tweetsie Christmas (Nov.24- Dec.30) $60 Adult/ $40 Child
This park features many historic trains, including the narrow-gauge locomotive that pulls you through the thousands of lights and scenes. There are an array of classic amusement rides such as the Little Drummer Boy, the Himalaya, Bikes and Buggies and F-80s. This park also features a Live Christmas Show and Santa’s Gingerbread House. Please note that this park is closed on Christmas Eve and Day and New Years Eve.
Meadow Lights (Nov. 17-Dec. 31) Train tickets are $3 per person
This is the largest and oldest Christmas attraction in Eastern North Carolina. This park has many places you can visit such as the Carousel, the Old Fashioned Candy Store (with over 300 different types of candy, hot apple cider, preserves, signs and drinks) and three train rides. The park also features luminous light displays across 30 acres of land including their tallest at 37 feet.
Lewisville Christmas Tree Lighting (Dec. 1 at 6:30)
This annual lighting is always a spectacle for the Village and includes Christmas crafts, cookies, hot chocolate and a sing-a-long. There is also a special appearance by Santa and a featured reading of “The Night Before Christmas”.
Kersey Valley Christmas (Every weekend from Nov.24-Dec.23 and Christmas week) $25 General/ $15 Senior Citizen.
From spooky woods to winter wonderland, this park is covered in over a million sparkling lights. Kersey Valley has their own custom-made static sets as well as the traditional wire-frame displays everyone loves, including the Snow Blizzard.
Whether you prefer a cozy night in or a night out on the town, it’s always a fun family activity to look at the lights brightening up the night sky.