The 2024 guide to finding the best free Christmas light displays in the Triangle
While Rudolph is polishing his nose at the North Pole getting ready for his big night in the sky, neighbors across the Triangle are stringing up miles of lights to help illuminate his path — and maybe also one-up neighbors to display holiday cheer.
We’ve tried to find the best of those neighborhood light shows and stick them in this list.
We present The News & Observer’s annual 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 (some may also ask for donations to offset the cost of the show, but it’s optional).
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 holiday, as we confirm details or find 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 prior to heading out to verify hours of operation (which can change, usually because of weather) 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 more than 30 years. This display is hugely popular, so expect heavy traffic, especially if you go on busy weekend 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. Display will close in the event of rain or snow.
- Dates: Friday, Nov. 29 to Wednesday, Jan. 1. 5:30-9 p.m. Sunday-Thursday, 5:30-10 p.m. Friday-Saturday.
- Location: 5725 Fixit Shop Road, Wake Forest
- Info: facebook.com/piperlights
▪ 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. You can also pick a song to play once you’re in front of the house. 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: Thursday, Nov. 28 to Tuesday, Dec. 31. 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. Tune your car to 90.3. to listen.
- Dates: Starts Friday, Nov. 29. Hours: 5:30-10 p.m. Sun-Thurs and 5:30-11 p.m. Fri-Sat. Check their Facebook page for additional updates.
- Location: 1033 Hortons Creek, Cary
- Info: facebook.com/gebhardtfamilylights
▪ 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,” the family wrote on Facebook.
- Dates: Starts Thanksgiving weekend, weather dependent, nightly from sunset to 10 p.m.
- Location: 5504 Huntingwood Drive, Raleigh
- Info: facebook.com/Happyland-Christmas-LIghts-144521345598306
▪ Campbell Lights Display — Yet another “Great Christmas Light Fight” winner, this one from December 2024. The Campbell family won the current season premiere’s $50,000 prize with their 1.5-acre display that includes a race car theme. This one is just outside the Triangle — about an hour and 15 minutes north of Raleigh — but worth the drive. The family is collecting canned goods to donate to the Area Congregations in Ministry food pantry.
- Dates: Through Dec. 29 6-9 p.m. on Sundays through Thursdays and 6-10 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays
- Location: 6242 Bob Daniel Road in Oxford
▪ Sleepy Creek Lights — The Heindel family in the Stonehenge neighborhood of north 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: Wednesday, Nov. 27 to Tuesday, 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: Wednesday, Nov. 27 to Tuesday, Dec. 31, 5-11 p.m. nightly.
- Location: 2216 Abbey Lane, Raleigh
▪ 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. If you want to get out and walk around, there’s a walkway around the lights and through the tallest tree. You can see Santa each Saturday evening, 7-9 p.m. Nov. 30 to Dec. 21. Admission is free but donations are accepted.
- Dates: Wednesday, Nov. 27 to Tuesday, Dec. 31, 5:30-10 p.m. nightly
- Location: 10 S. Cypress St., Wendell
- Info: facebook.com/LakeMyraChristmasLights
▪ The Nelson’s Christmas Lights Show — The Nelson family decks their yard with lots of lights, blow-mold figures, inflatables and Christmas scenes — and there’s even music. There’s 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: Up and running! Lights are on 6-10 p.m. Wednesday-Sunday
- Location: 3909 Falmouth Drive, Raleigh
- Info: facebook.com/TheNelsonsCLS
▪ Goldman Family Lights — Tune in to WGFL 90.9 to hear music synchronized to the lights.
- Dates: Lights start Friday, Nov. 29. 5-10 p.m. Sunday-Thursday and 5-11 p.m. Friday-Saturday. Check Facebook for schedule updates.
- Location: 6331 Deerview Dr., Raleigh
- Info: facebook.com/GoldmanFamilyLights
▪ 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 a charge for admission, but the money goes to charity. IMPORTANT: Be sure to check their Facebook page before heading out for the daily schedule — and familiarize yourself with their drive-through rules.
- Dates: Starts Nov. 28. Times vary per day.
- Location: 1012 Holt Road, Apex (line up at 6112 Old Jenks Road)
- Info: christmaslightsonholt.com
- Cost: Most nights tickets are required. $20 donation per car (more for buses or Fast Pass), with proceeds going charity.
▪ Houston Family Lights — Houston Family Lights is about celebrating the holidays with lights synchronized to music.
- Dates: The light show starts the Monday after Thanksgiving and runs through the weekend after New Year’s. 6-10 p.m. nightly.
- 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: Friday, Nov. 29 to Sunday, Jan. 5, 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. (Dec. 6 through Dec. 21).
- Dates: Friday, Nov. 29 to Tuesday, Dec. 31. Nightly 5-10 p.m.
- Location: West Cedar Avenue, Wake Forest
- Info: facebook.com/lightsoncedar
▪ 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.
- Dates: Dates and times to be announced soon. Check their Facebook page.
- Location: 1712 Horton Road, Knightdale
- Info: facebook.com/bradshawsholidaylightdisplay
▪ Raleigh Christmas Lights — A family friendly Christmas light show timed to music. This is the sixth year of this display with more than 78,000 lights. Tune the car radio to 90.3FM for the music sync.
- Dates: Wednesday, Dec. 1 to Sunday, Jan 5.
- 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.
Dates: Will start early December and run until January. Check Facebook page for updates.
Location: 9401 S Mere Ct, Raleigh
▪ Anchanew Lights — Another nice 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, they ask that you keep parking lights on. You can’t walk around the property, for your safety. They also ask that you be kind to their neighbors by not blocking driveways, not littering and by minding your volume. As you exit, use the cul-de-sac to turn around, avoiding driveways. Donations welcome to help cover the cost of the display.
- Dates: Saturday, Nov. 30 to Wednesday, 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).
- Date: Up and running. The train rides begin Thanksgiving night, 6-9 p.m., weather permitting.
- Location: 1001 Hemby Ridge Ln, Morrisville
- Info: facebook.com
▪ Mangum Family Christmas Lights — This neighborhood light show features 64 holiday songs and they’ve added a new 10-foot illuminated tree this year. Check the Facebook page for possible schedule changes due to weather.
- Dates: Sunday, Nov. 17 to Tuesday, 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
▪ 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! The family collects donations for the Carolina Animal Rescue & Adoption Center.
- Dates: Dec. 1-25, 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: Saturday, Nov. 30 to Thursday, Jan. 2, 6 to 10 p.m. weekdays, 6-11 p.m. weekends.
- Location: 306 Banner Blue Ct, Knightdale
- Info: facebook.com
▪ Lights on Birch Hollow — This 20K pixel light show in the Briar Chapel community is accompanied by programmed music.
- Dates: Sunday, Dec. 5 to Wednesday, Jan. 1, 5-9 p.m. nightly.
- Location: 393 Birch Hollow Road, Chapel Hill
- Info: facebook.com/bayfieldlights
▪ 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: Friday, Nov. 29 to Thursday, Jan 2. Nightly dusk to 10 p.m. (lights on until midnight on New Year’s Eve).
- Location:409 Holland Rd, Fuquay Varina
- Info: facebook.com/hollandroadlights
▪ Ambrose Lights — This Raleigh light show will hold a drive-by fundraiser for Harris Creek Elementary PTA on Dec. 12, and the family will personally greet everyone who drives by and take donations (cash, PayPal, Venmo). See Facebook for weather updates.
- Dates: Friday, Nov. 29 to Sunday, Jan. 5, nightly from dark to 10:30 p.m. (check FB page for hours before heading out)
- Location: 3401 Cartway Lane, Raleigh
- Info: facebook.com/ambroselights
▪ Ashley Heights Lights Clayton — This Clayton show synchronized with a new setlist each year. Tune to 89.5 FM to listen. This year they’ve added new custom-made props.
- Dates: Wednesday, Dec. 1 to Saturday, Jan. 4. 6-9:30 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, and 6-10:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday
- Location: 340 Ashpole Trl in Clayton
- Info: facebook.com/AshleyHeightsLightsClayton
▪ 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.
- Dates: Starts Friday, Nov. 29 and runs nightly through Wednesday, Jan. 1, 5:30-10:30 p.m.
- Location: 178 Nosay Rd, South Mills, NC
- Info: facebook.com/SouthMillsSanta
Ticketed holiday light shows in Raleigh, Cary
▪ NC Chinese Lantern Festival — Cary’s Koka Booth Amphitheatre will host this stunning festival for the 9th year. 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. 3. Shows could cancel if weather is bad.
- Dates: Saturday, Nov. 16 to Sunday, Jan. 12. (Closed Christmas)
- Location: 8003 Regency Pkwy in Cary
- Info: boothamphitheatre.com/events-tickets/events/chinese-lantern-festival
▪ Lights on the Neuse — Ticket includes a 20-minute wagon hayride around the farm and a sleigh for photo ops. There’s also a concession stand with hot chocolate, cider, coffee, kettle corn, hot dogs, hamburgers, donuts and s’mores. There’s a cookie decorating station for the kids. No animals allowed.
- Dates: Friday, Nov. 29 to Tuesday, 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. Park is open for you to walk around and enjoy the lights, but there’s also an old-fashioned covered wagon ride, a train ride and carousel. Granny’s Snack Shack will have hot chocolate, cider, apple cider donuts, s’mores, kettle corn and more. Free parking and full service restrooms.
- Dates: Thursday, Nov. 28 to Saturday, Dec. 28, closed Monday & Tuesday nights. See website for specific date and time info.
- Location: 703 Tarboro Road, Youngsville
- Cost: $19.95 for ages 2 to 64, $17.95 for 65+, $17.95 for military.
- 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 bonfire and 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. A concession stand has hot chocolate, apple cider, s’mores and candy.
- Dates: Friday, Nov. 29 through Monday, Dec. 23 (closed Dec. 2-4 and Dec. 9-11). Check the online calendar for times each night.
- Location: 11875 NC Hwy 222 W Middlesex
- Tickets: $15 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, a carousel and three trains that chug through 10 acres of the display. Santa visits nightly.
- Dates: Friday, Nov. 22 through Tuesdyay, Dec. 31, 5-10 p.m. nightly
- Location:4550 Godwin Lake Rd, Benson
- Tickets: No charge to see the lights, which are visible from the road, 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 27, 2024 at 6:00 AM.
