This post is from 2015.  For the most recent post with over 50 amazing holiday lights displays, click here.

It’s Christmas time!  There are many fun things to do this time of year in and around the Lake Norman and Charlotte area.  Our family so enjoys riding around and seeing all of the great decorations and Christmas lights this time of year. I wanted to share with you some of our favorites in the area so that you can take your family and enjoy them too.  If you find other great light displays, please share them with us too!

We have OVER 50 light displays to share with you this year.  

Some are bigger commerical displays and some

are home displays.

The list is constantly growing too!

#1  Coleman Lights (Big animated show)  Located at 7661 Natalie Commons Dr., Denver, NC 28037

2013 Christmas Vacation Theme from Adam Coleman on Vimeo.

#2 – 191 Scanlon Dr., Mooresville, NC 28115

This is located in Curtis Pond neighborhood and is our FEATURED IMAGE.  We have never seen so many decorations in one yard – EVER!  For displays without the musical show – this one is the clear winner!

#3 –  James Family Christmas, 413 North Main St., Mooresville, NC (beside Town Hall)

Located in downtown Mooresville, NC the James Family Christmas show is a computer controlled show with music and lights.  This is an annual show with over 75,000 lights.  The sound is transmitted over a radio station which you can tune into at the show.  This is a great show loved by the locals and is definitely worth seeing.  Note to locals – the show has been updated this year!

#4 –  306 Almora Loop, Mooresville, NC 28115

Very Griswold looking house located in Curtis Pond neighborhood.

#5 – Zootastic Park of Lake Norman always has a great display, is easy to get to and a great show!  448 Pilch Rd., Troutman, NC 28166

2.5 million lights, dancing light show, picture opportunity with Santa (and a tiger cub if you choose), petting zoo, pony rides, tiger feedings, s’mores and great memories!  It takes about an hour to drive through the lights on busy nights.  $6.00 per person

#6 – Five Alarm Lights     (big animated show)

1001 Rosewater Ln., Indian Trail, NC

#7 – Zimnowski Light Show     (big animated show)

15419 Hugh McAuley Rd., Huntersville, NC 28078

#8 – McAdenville “Christmas Town USA”

The whole town of McAdenville puts on a a huge display of Christmas lights every year and has for many, many years. The town of McAdenville and it’s Christmas lights display have been featured in many national publications and television shows dating back to 1980.  McAdenville is known as “Christmas Town U.S.A.” and is located between Charlotte and Gastonia off of I-85.  Drive your car through or get out and walk the route.  In addition to the show, the annual Yule Log Ceremony and Parade takes place on Dec. 14th.  McAdenville’s lights are on Monday – Friday from 5:30 – 9:30 and on Saturday & Sunday from 5:30 – 11:00.  This is a free event to the public.

#9 – Tanglewood Festival of Lights – 4201 Manor House Cir, Clemmons, NC 28012

Next to McAdenville, this one is probably my favorite Christmas light display in our general area.  It’s a little bit of a drive (just outside of Winston-Salem) but WOW, it’s well worth it!  Located at Tanglewood Park, this is one of the largest and most spectacular shows in the Southeast!  It is a 4 mile route with about a hundred displays.  On average 250,000 visitors attend this event each year. Tanglewood’s Fesitval of Lights is a Top 20 event in the Southeast and a top 100 event in North America.  In addition to all the great light displays, you can have a photo with Mr. and Mrs. Claus, stop by the Holiday Gift Village and enjoy concessions.  6:00 – 11:00 nightly through January 1, 2015.  Cars, minivans are $15  Special Throwback nights are only $5 if you wear Santa hats.

Lisa Alford