Your 2025 guide to finding the best holiday light displays in the Triangle
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Local neighborhoods across the Triangle host free holiday light displays nightly.
- Many displays run evenings through December with radio-synced music on FM.
- Organizers post updates and Santa visit schedules online. Check web pages in advance.
The holiday season has officially arrived, and several North Carolina neighborhoods are being transformed into the North Pole.
From festive floats and dazzling decor to twinkling lights with synchronized jingles, many homes in the area are taking “deck the halls” to the next level.
Whether you want to take a stroll to see Santa or enjoy from the comfort of your car, here is a list of local free holiday lights displays around the Triangle to check out through the end of the year.
Did we miss any? Let us know at ask@newsobserver.com.
Lake Myra Christmas Lights
Location: 10 S Cypress St, Wendell, NC 27591
The dog-friendly holiday lights display will be up and open to the public daily, weather permitting, from 5:30-10 p.m. with special visits from Santa every Saturday through Dec. 20 from 7-9 p.m. Admission is free, but donations are accepted. You can find updates online at facebook.com/LakeMyraChristmasLights.
Lights On Cedar
Location: 206 W Cedar Ave, Wake Forest, NC 27587
The holiday lights display will be up from 5-10 p.m. every night, weather permitting with visits from Santa on select Saturdays and Sundays. You can find updates online at facebook.com/lightsoncedar.
Mangum Family Christmas Lights
Location: 7510 Guess Rd, Hillsborough, NC 27278
The Christmas lights show is on display daily at 5:30 p.m. through Wednesday, Dec. 31. You can tune into 90.3 FM on the radio for synchronized music in tune with the lights. You can find updates online at facebook.com/MangumLights.
The Nelson’s Christmas Lights Show
Location: 3909 Falmouth Dr, Raleigh, NC 27604
The holiday lights display will be up every day from 6-10 p.m. for guests to walk around and take photos. You can find more updates online at facebook.com/TheNelsonsCLS.
Piper Lights
Location: 5725 Fixit Shop Rd, Wake Forest, NC 27587
The holiday lights at the drive-thru display will be up from 5:30-9 p.m. Sundays through Thursdays from 5:30-9 p.m. and 5:30-10 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. Admission is free, but donations are accepted. You can find updates online at facebook.com/piperlights.
The Rogers Family Christmas Lights
Location: 700 Bay Bouquet Ln, Apex, NC 27523
The synchronized holiday lights display is officially open for the season for free. Donations are accepted in support of Cure SMA. You can find updates online at facebook.com/rogersfamilylights.
Goldman Family Lights
Location: 6331 Deerview Dr, Raleigh, NC 27606
This free light show is open through the end of the year. Last year, donations were raised to support victims of Hurricane Helene. The family asks onlookers to turn off their headlights and tune radios to 90.9 WGFL for music to accompany the lights. You can find updates online at facebook.com/GoldmanFamilyLights.
Houston Family Lights
Location: 9021 New Century Rd, Wake Forest, NC,
You can find updates online at facebook.com/HoustonFamilyLights.
Rose of Sharon Baptist Church
Location: 4109 Guess Rd, Durham, NC
The church’s annual light show runs nightly from Thanksgiving through New Year’s Day. You can find more information online at rosbc.org.
Raleigh Christmas Lights
Location: 2612 Beehnon Lane, Raleigh
The annual family-friendly Christmas lights show, which opens Friday, Dec. 5, is timed to music (90.3 FM). This year’s display will include a song touch screen. You can find updates online at facebook.com/RaleighNCLights.
Gibson Family Light Show
Location: 178 Kilborne Road, Mooresville, NC
The show runs 5:30-10 p.m. nightly in all weather. Tune to 89.1 FM for music. You can find updates online at facebook.com/gibsonfamilylightshow.
Edward’s Battle Haunted House/Candyland
Location: 9401 S Mere Ct, Raleigh, NC 27615
The annual display includes a playable Candyland game during the day and lights at night. The family also does an annual Halloween display, and donations this year raised more than $1,600 for Cancer for College, according to its Facebook page. Find updates online at facebook.com/edwardsbattlehauntedhouse.
Anchanew Lights
Location: 1004 Quail Oaks Circle, Raleigh, NC
The annual light show will run through New Year’s Day, 6-9:30 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 6-10 p.m. Friday and Saturday. The family requests onlookers park out front, turn off headlights and tune radios to 90.3 FM. When exiting, use the cul-de-sac to turn around, and avoid neighbor’s driveways. Donations are welcome to cover the cost of the display. Find updates online at facebook.com.
Holidays on Hemby
Location: 1001 Hemby Ridge Lane, Morrisville, NC 27560
The annual light show is partnering with Diaper Bank of North Carolina and will accept all sizes of diapers, including adult sizes. This annual show includes a train schedule, which runs 5:30-8:30 p.m. (weather permitting) on select nights. Saturday, Dec. 13 is the annual Candy Canes & Cocoa night. Find updates online at facebook.com.
Holland Road Lights
Location: 409 Holland Road, Fuquay-Varina, NC
The show starts at dusk (around 5 p.m.) and goes until 10:30 p.m. nightly. An annual New Year’s Eve dance party show runs through just after midnight. Monetary donations are accepted online for toy drives, food and/or for the light show itself. Find updates online at hollandroadlights.com.
Ashley Heights Lights Clayton
Location: 340 Ashpole Trl, Clayton, NC
Hours are 6-10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 6-10:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday through Wednesday, Jan. 7. Tune your radio to 89.5 FM for a show with lights synchronized to music. You can scan a QR code or visit fx72.com to pick the next song or choose audio options. Find updates online at facebook.com/AshleyHeightsLightsClayton.
Sutphen Christmas Trail
Location: 3200 Beane Dr. Raleigh, NC
The holiday show will open Dec. 7 at 5:30 p.m. Donations to St. Jude are appreciated. Find updates online at instagram.com/sutphen.about.her.
Lights on Birch Hollow
Location: 393 Birch Hollow Road, Chapel Hill NC
This home in the Briar Chapel community runs shows nightly 5-9 p.m. Find updates online at facebook.com/bayfieldlights.
Gebhardt Family Lights
Location: 1033 Hortons Creek Road, Cary NC
Runs through Jan. 1. Hours 5:30-10:30 p.m. Sunday-Thursday and 5:30-11 p.m. Friday-Saturday. Tune to 90.3 FM for accompanying music. Find updates online at facebook.com/gebhardtfamilylights.
South Mills Christmas Lighting Spectacular
Location: 178 Nosay Road, South Mills, NC
The Walker family’s annual display runs 5:30-10 p.m. nightly through Jan. 1. Santa will be visiting Dec. 7 and 20. The show is free, but donations are encouraged to support a local charity, the family’s Instagram page says. Find updates online at instagram.com/walkerspalms.
The News & Observer’s Kimberly Tutuska contributed to this story.
This story was originally published December 1, 2025 at 1:49 PM.