It’s that time of year to visit as many festivals as possible! In North Carolina, not only do these months mean the holidays are right around the corner, but it also brings on lots of fun festivals to fill the weekends from now until the end of the year. We’re pretty excited to check out all sorts of different festivals – after all, there’s nothing like being a tourist in your own state!
The holiday season would not be complete without a trip to McAdenville, also known as Christmas Town USA! Each year – for the last 62 years – this town has come together and put on a spectacular show for spectators from all areas.
The lights in Christmas Town glow nightly from December 1 – December 26, from 5:30pm until 9:30 pm during the week, and from 5:30pm until 11pm.
If you’ve never been to Christmas Town, the best days to see the lights are Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday, as there is a little less traffic. You can also walk through the neighborhood to see the lights, just make sure you stay on the sidewalk and remain respectful of the homes.
The route through Christmas Town is a little more than a mile long and depending on how much traffic is present, it takes about 35-45 minutes to see all of the lights. It is always free to see the lights, and you can park behind the McAdenville Baptist Church, or on Poplar Street, beside the lake, or beside McAdenville Elementary School.
Aside from all of the homes decked out in holiday lights, there are other events throughout Christmas Town, including the Official Lighting, which turns on 500,000 red, white, and green lights.
The official lighting of Christmas Town USA:
Friday, December 1, 2017
5pm (lights turn on at 6pm)
On the Plaza, in front of the PHARR Family YMCA
There is also an Annual Yule Log Parade and Ceremony in the heart of McAdenville. This event began in McAdenville in 1950. Each year, children pull a sled carrying a yule log through town and into Legacy Park on Elm Street. The log is then positioned in the fireplace and ignited.
If all of these festive events aren’t enough for you, check out the Christmas Town Festival in Legacy Park. Santa always makes an appearance at this festival, and the first 1,000 attendees get free hot chocolate and kettle corn each night!
There is also the Christmas Town 5K on November 25 at 6pm. During the race, all of the lights in Christmas Town will be on for runners to enjoy. You can register for the 5K on the Christmas Town website: www.mcadenville-christmastown.com.
From that same website, you can even check out a live webcam of Christmas Town, just in case you live too far to visit! You can even purchase a Christmas Town ornament to commemorate one of the most festive, fun holiday events around!