Things to Do

The 2023 guide to the best Christmas light displays in the Triangle

Lights and decorations fill the yard at Heindel Christmas Magic at 8501 Sleepy Creek Drive in North Raleigh.
Lights and decorations fill the yard at Heindel Christmas Magic at 8501 Sleepy Creek Drive in North Raleigh. Chris Seward cseward@newsobserver.com

It’s the time of year when neighbors across the Triangle try to one-up each other’s light displays — and we’re not complaining. In fact, we tried to find the best ones and stick them in this list.

Here’s The News & Observer’s list of festive — and free — neighborhood light displays to take in across the area. Most of the displays listed here can be enjoyed from your car, but a few have the option to sit, stand outside your car or walk around. Some especially over-the-top shows do so for charities, giving you the option to financially support a cause while getting in the holiday spirit.

Scroll to the bottom of the list to see info on the large ticketed light shows in the area.

We’ll update this list throughout the month, as we confirm other shows, so bookmark it and check back in.

If we missed something you think we should include, let us know by emailing ask@newsobserver.com (please send as many details about the event as you can).

Important: In all cases, please check the website for each event prior to heading out to verify hours of operation (which can change) and to learn more about rain dates and safety guidelines.

Free Christmas neighborhood light displays

▪ Piper Lights — The Piper family, previous winners of ABC’s “Great Christmas Light Fight,” has been lighting up Wake Forest for 30 years. This one is hugely popular, so expect heavy traffic, especially if you go on busy nights. This is a strictly drive-thru experience, and attendees cannot walk through the display. The show is free, but the family appreciates donations to help with electric bills. The candy store and train will be closed again this year for safety. Contact the family through their Facebook page with any questions.

Christmas decorations shimmer off the pond at Piper’s Lights display at 5685 Fixit Shop Rd. in Wake Forest.
Christmas decorations shimmer off the pond at Piper’s Lights display at 5685 Fixit Shop Rd. in Wake Forest. Chris Seward cseward@newsobserver.com

▪ Rogers Family Christmas Lights — This synchronized light show is put on by the Rogers Family of Apex in memory of their son Caden, who died of spinal muscular atrophy. When you arrive, tune your car radio to 93.5 FM to hear the music. The show is free but the family appreciates donations to help find a cure for SMA, at curesma.com. There will be new additions to the home this year.

  • Dates: The lights come on Nov. 23. Hours: 5:30-9:30 Sunday-Thursday and 5:30-10:30 on Friday and Saturday

  • Location: 700 Bay Bouquet Lane, Apex

  • Info: facebook.com/rogersfamilylights

▪ Gebhardt Family Lights — This Cary light show features new songs for their lights-set-to-music-display each night.

The Moore family of Raleigh shows off their eclectic array of decorations at Happyland Christmas Lights in “The Great Christmas Light Fight" TV show on ABC.
The Moore family of Raleigh shows off their eclectic array of decorations at Happyland Christmas Lights in “The Great Christmas Light Fight" TV show on ABC. ABC

▪ Happyland Christmas Lights — Another “Great Christmas Light Fight” winner, the Moore family sets up an annual light show in memory of Rick Moore 1986-2004 who, in his short life, always wanted us to put up “more lights.” New additions will be added to the display until Christmas.

▪ Sleepy Creek Lights — The Heindel family in the Stonehenge neighborhood of Raleigh was also featured on ABC’s “Great Christmas Light Fight” in 2017 and they still go all out for the holidays. This year, Jerry Heindel says the display will be “bigger than ever.”

  • Dates: Nov. 22 through Dec. 31, 5-11 p.m. nightly (weather permitting)
  • Location: 8501 Sleepy Creek Dr., Raleigh

▪ Abbey Lane Lights - While you’re in the Stonehenge neighborhood checking out the Heindel family lights, scoot around the corner and see the magnificent lights at Abbey Lane. The Sleepy Creek + Abbey Lane combo is hard to beat.

  • Dates: Through Dec. 25, 5-10 p.m. nightly
  • Location: 2216 Abbey Lane, Raleigh
Lights and decorations fill the yard at Heindel Christmas Magic at 8501 Sleepy Creek Drive in North Raleigh.
Lights and decorations fill the yard at Heindel Christmas Magic at 8501 Sleepy Creek Drive in North Raleigh. Chris Seward cseward@newsobserver.com

▪ Lake Myra Christmas Lights — This popular light show, courtesy of the Don Williams family, runs about 25 minutes with a five-minute intermission between shows. You can enjoy it close-up (outside) or stay in your car and hear the music through 103.3 FM. You can see Santa each Saturday evening, 7-9 p.m. Nov. 25 to Dec. 23. Admission is free but donations are accepted.

▪ The Nelson’s Christmas Lights Show — The Nelson family decks their yard with lots of lights, Christmas scenes and inflatables — and there’s even music. This year, the family added a walkway around the lights and sleigh for photo ops. Check their Facebook page for updates on the schedule before you head out. Admission is free.

  • Dates: Nov. 24-Dec. 31, 6-10 p.m. Thursday-Sunday
  • Location: 3909 Falmouth Drive, Raleigh
  • Info: facebook.com

▪ Goldman Family Lights — Tune in to WGFL 90.9 to hear music synchronized to the lights (their Facebook page did not specify blackout dates)

▪ MG’s Vision & Lights on Holt Road — These lights have been sparkling in Apex since 2010, with the light show growing so much that the owners expanded their driveway so cars get closer to the display. There is no charge for admission, but the family does partner with charities and would love for you to support them. IMPORTANT: Be sure to check their Facebook page before heading out for the daily schedule.

Happyland Christmas Lights is at the corner of Huntingwood Drive and Penny Road. Moore bought the fire truck from a used car lot after Hurricane Floyd.
Happyland Christmas Lights is at the corner of Huntingwood Drive and Penny Road. Moore bought the fire truck from a used car lot after Hurricane Floyd. Chuck Liddy cliddy@newsobserver.com

▪ Houston Family Lights — Houston Family Lights is about celebrating the holidays with lights synchronized to music.

  • Dates: Lights will go up the weekend after Thanksgiving, through the weekend after New Year’s.
  • Location: 9021 New Century Rd, Wake Forest
  • Info: facebook.com/HoustonFamilyLights

▪ Christmas Plugged at Rose of Sharon Baptist Church — This free light show is 30 minutes long and synchronized to nine songs. Anyone can take part by driving up and tuning their radio to 90.1 FM. The church has been decorated with about 40,000 LED lights.

  • Dates: Nov. 25 to early January, dusk until midnight each night.
  • Location: Rose of Sharon Baptist Church, 4109 Guess Rd, Durham
  • Info: rosbc.org

▪ Lights on Cedar —At this neighborhood lights show, there are lights set to music with inflatables for two blocks. Santa will be available for photos Fridays and Saturdays from 6 to 8 p.m. between Dec. 1 and 23.

▪ Bradshaw Holiday Light Display — A popular drive-thru light display in Knightdale. Admission is free, but donations are welcomed to help with the electric bill and light repairs. Check their Facebook page for schedule updates.

▪ Olde Time Christmas on Valley Drive — Come enjoy the excitement of the holidays with an old time display. This is the family’s third year bringing joy and warming hearts to those in the Garner/Raleigh/Fuquay-Varina area. The full show is 45 minutes long.

  • Dates: Starts Thanksgiving Day and runs until Christmas, daily from 4-9 p.m., but open later on weekends.

  • Location: 1401 Valley Dr, Raleigh

  • Info: facebook.com/N.C.FREESTYLEKID

The Lutz family fills their Apex yard with lights, inflatables and even tomato cage Christmas trees. 
The Lutz family fills their Apex yard with lights, inflatables and even tomato cage Christmas trees.  Danielle Lutz

▪ Raleigh Christmas Lights — A family friendly Christmas light show timed to music. This is the fifth year of this display with more than 78,000 lights. Tune the car radio to 90.3FM for the music sync.

  • Dates: 5:30-10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, 5:30-11 p.m. Friday and Saturday, through New Year’s Day.
  • Location: 2612 Beehnon Way, Raleigh
  • Info: facebook.com/RaleighNCLights

▪ Edward’s Battle Haunted House/Candyland — Edward has decorated his home as a haunted house each year since his cancer diagnosis. Attendees are asked to make a donation to the Make-A-Wish Eastern North Carolina to help grant wishes: wish.org/eastnc.

▪ Torockio Christmas Light Extravaganza — Check out this Raleigh light show synchronized to holiday songs.

  • Dates: Opens early December
  • Location: 8908 New Windsor Place, Raleigh
  • Info: facebook.com

▪ Anchanew Lights — Enjoy this very merry synchronized light show! When you arrive, please park out front, cut out your headlights, and turn your radios to 90.3 FM. For your safety, please keep parking lights on. They do ask that you be kind to their neighbors by not blocking driveways, not littering and minding your volume.

  • Dates: Nov. 24 to Jan. 1. Open 6-9:30 p.m. Sunday to Thursday, and 6-10 p.m. Friday and Saturday.
  • Location: 1004 Quail Oaks Circle , Raleigh
  • Info: facebook.com

▪ Holidays on Hemby — The display contains thousands of lights, 75+ inflatables and an outdoor train (which doesn’t run nightly, but you can find a train schedule on their Facebook page).

  • Dates: Starts Thanksgiving evening and runs nightly. Check Facebook page for train schedule.
  • Location: 1001 Hemby Ridge Ln, Morrisville
  • Info: facebook.com

▪ Mangum Family Christmas Lights — This neighborhood light show features 64 holiday songs! Check the Facebook page for possible schedule changes due to weather.

  • Dates: Up and running now, nightly through Dec. 31: 5:30-10 p.m. Sunday-Thursday, 5:30-11 p.m. Friday-Saturday.

  • Location: 7510 Guess Rd, Hillsborough (Durham County)
  • Info: facebook.com/MangumLights
A projection of Santa in the window appears to wave at passerby at the home at 2216 Abbey Lane in North Raleigh.
A projection of Santa in the window appears to wave at passerby at the home at 2216 Abbey Lane in North Raleigh. Chris Seward cseward@newsobserver.com

▪ P&C Holiday Lights — Tune to 101.3 to enjoy the synchronized light show. Santa will be outside some nights. Fridays and Saturdays to give out candy canes. One song even triggers a snow shower! This family collects donations for the Carolina Animal Rescue & Adoption Center.

  • Dates: Dec. 3-25, nightly 5:30-9 p.m.
  • Location: 38 Bennett Ridge Rd, Chapel Hill
  • Info: facebook.com

▪ InflataBoyds — This neighborhood light display claims to have the largest Santa in Knightdale! The family is collecting donations for the family of Mary Marshall, who was tragically killed in Raleigh in October. You can donate through their Facebook page.

  • Dates: Starts Dec. 13, noon to 10 p.m., (closed Dec. 17-22)
  • Location: 306 Banner Blue Ct, Knightdale
  • Info: facebook.com

▪ Lights on Waverly — Tune to 91.7 FM for a light show synchronized to music. Check Facebook page for schedule details.

▪ Holland Road Lights — Tune in to 90.9 to listen to the synchronized show. This holiday show begins at dusk nightly. On New Year’s Eve, they do a dance party to ring in the new year.

  • Dates: Nightly 5:30-10:30 p.m. through Jan. 2 (lights on until midnight on New Year’s Eve).
  • Location:409 Holland Rd, Fuquay Varina
  • Info: facebook.com/hollandroadlights

▪ Turner Farms Subdivision — If you’re looking for holiday lights in the Garner area, check out this one.

  • Dates: Starts Nov. 26 and runs nightly, 5-11 p.m.
  • Location: 5401 Rockholly Ct, Garner

▪ Borkowski Christmas Light show — At this colorful light show, the lights are synced to music. You can listen through speakers in the yard or on 89.5 FM in your car.

  • Dates: 5:30-10:15 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, and until 10:45 p.m. Friday & Saturday through New Year’s
  • Location: 2820 Glastonbury Road, Apex
  • Info: facebook.com/groups/754459443182067

▪ Ambrose Lights — This northeast Raleigh lightshow is up and running.

▪ Ashley Heights Lights Clayton — This Clayton show is set to music.

▪ South Mills Christmas Lighting Spectacular — If you’re up for a little bit of a road trip, this light show presented by the Walker Family of South Mills is worth it. The show is free each year, but the family collects donations for The Camden County Charitable Foundation.

The Moore family of Raleigh shows off their eclectic array of decorations at Happyland Christmas Lights in “The Great Christmas Light Fight" TV show on ABC.
The Moore family of Raleigh shows off their eclectic array of decorations at Happyland Christmas Lights in “The Great Christmas Light Fight" TV show on ABC. ABC

Ticketed holiday light shows in Raleigh, Cary

▪ Wool E’s Winter Wonderland — This is a brand new event, taking the place of WRAL’s Dix Park light show. The Durham Bulls ballpark will be decorated with thousands of lights for a walk-through experience with music, a train ride, igloos, sledding hills, an art market and a chance to meet Santa and Wool E. Claus.

  • Dates: Nov. 22-Dec. 31, 3-10 p.m. most nights (times may vary, check ticket calendar below)
  • Location: Durham Bulls Athletic Park, 409 Blackwell St., Durham
  • Cost: General admission tickets start at $11 but tickets for the train and igloo experiences are more. See woolebull.com/tickets for full details.

▪ NC Chinese Lantern Festival — Cary’s Koka Booth Amphitheatre will host the festival for the 8th year. There will be 40 new displays, each with thousands of LED lights. You can purchase a ticket for any night, a Twilight Ticket experience or a VIP Tour Experience ticket. There are also date-specific tickets and a sensory friendly night, which will be Dec. 6.

▪ Lights on the Neuse — Ticket includes a 20-minute wagon hayride around the farm and a sleigh for photo ops.

  • Dates: Nov. 24-Dec. 24 (see website for dates and times available)
  • Location: 1620 Loop Road, Clayton
  • Cost: $11 per person, ages 3 and up
  • Info: lightsontheneuse.com/tickets

▪ Festival of Lights at Hill Ridge Farms — A holiday-themed drive-through attraction that boasts more than a million lights plus holiday characters.

  • Location: 703 Tarboro Road, Youngsville
  • Dates: Nov. 23 - Dec. 30 (see website for specific date and time info)
  • Cost: $20 for your vehicle if paid in cash; $23 if paid with a debit/credit card
  • Info: hillridgefarms.com/festival.php

▪ Christmas Lights on the Farm — During the Christmas Season, the owners of Big Daddy’s Farms host “Christmas Lights on the Farm.” There’s a hayride, which takes you through an old country town decorated for the Christmas season, and to the “Field of Lights.” After the hayride, visitors are dropped off at Big Daddy’s General Store where kids can meet Santa and Bucky the Reindeer.

  • Dates: Open now through Dec. 23, though sometimes closed. Check the calendar before going for open dates and times.
  • Location: 11875 NC Hwy 222 W Middlesex
  • Tickets: $12 per attendee ages 4 and older; 3 and under admitted free
  • Info: christmaslightsonthefarm.com

▪ Meadow Lights — The display of lights spans over 30 acres, claiming the title of oldest and largest in Eastern North Carolina. There are over 8,000 lights, and the tallest display is 37 feet tall. There’s an old-fashioned candy store, and a train operates through 10 acres of the display.

  • Dates: Now through Dec. 31, 5-10 p.m. nightly
  • Location:4550 Godwin Lake Rd, Benson
  • Tickets: No charge to see the lights, but train rides are $3 per person, carousel rides are $3 and visits/photos with Santa are $8
  • Info: meadowlights.com

This story was originally published November 22, 2023 at 11:10 AM.

Profile Image of Kimberly Cataudella Tutuska
Kimberly Cataudella Tutuska
The News & Observer
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Kimberly Tutuska (she/her) is the editor of North Carolina’s service journalism team. 
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