Tis the season of everything merry and bright – including a quaint town just over the river and through the woods. Sometimes the best way to get in the Christmas spirit is visiting a downtown or Main Street decorated to the nines. These towns are not only charming – they also really know how to celebrate the season.
- McAdenville
Facebook / Christmas Town U.S.A Christmas Town U.S.A rolls out the red carpet for Christmas with a 1.3 mile stretch that is intricately decorated. Each house dons unique lights, there’s a life size nativity scene, buildings are beautifully decorated, and the town pond reflects all the glowing lights. Drive or walk - this free event is one of the best in North Carolina.
- Winston-Salem
Only In North Carolina / Bud Royster If you’re looking to get in the holiday spirit, 18th-century style, visit Old Salem. Moravian decorations, cobblestone roads, a candlelit love feast and Moravian cookies - I can’t think of a better way to get in the spirit of the season in the Piedmont.
- Forest City
Wikimedia Commons / Outlaw08torn Come Christmas, 1 million lights turn the already charming Forest City into something out of a Hallmark card. The majority of decorations are centered around the town fountain; enjoy it all from a horse and carriage.
- Carolina Beach
Coastal NC- Wilmington Ring in the spirit of the season right on the boardwalk. You can’t beat the sound of crashing waves while you take in the gorgeous decorations.
- Waynesville
Flickr / Cyndi Calhoun The Main Street of this town tucked away in the Smokies transforms into pure Christmas magic. Lighted balls decorate Main Street and the second weekend of December brings the Night Before Christmas celebration.
- Dillsboro
Facebook / Dillsboro Lights and Luminaries Dillsboro Lights and Luminaries celebrates the season in old-fashioned charm. Over 100 luminaries line Main Street while shops offer hot cocoa and live music.
- Charlotte
Facebook / Holiday on Ice While Charlotte is North Carolina’s largest city, there’s no Main Street that lights up here - it’s more like the entirety of Uptown. From the German-inspired Christmas Village at Romare Bearden to larger than life ornaments and lights and decorations everywhere Uptown - it’s the perfect place to get in the ’large-scale’ Christmas mood. Welcome to Christmas in the city.
- Sylva
Search WNC The Courthouse atop a hill attracts many visitors and photographers. Overlooking Main Street, it’s just the start to exploring all Sylva has to offer.
- Goldsboro
Facebook / Goldsboro Christmas Parade / Molly Dahnee Smith It doesn’t get more ‘small town Christmas’ than the charming main street of Goldsboro. The annual Christmas Parade is a beloved tradition.
- Bryson City
Great Smokies
Facebook / Great Smoky Mountains Railroad Stroll the charming Main Street packed with amazing restaurants and unique shops, then hop on board the Polar Express. It doesn’t get more Christmasy than this.
- Raleigh
Flickr / Bill Dickinson North Carolina’s Capital city decks the halls (more so the Capitol building) to the nines come Christmas.
- New Bern
Flickr / Zach Frailey
Flickr / Zach Frailey This riverside town quaintly decorates all over, from historic buildings to street lights adorned in wreaths. Don’t forget to stray a bit from Main Street to Tryon Palace, though. The Christmas by Candlelight celebration is a beloved tradition.
I can’t think of a better way to celebrate the holidays. Do you visit any of these places, live there now, or have any you want to add to the list? We’re officially getting closer and closer to Christmas – so make sure to check off these ten things on your holiday bucket list.
Facebook / Christmas Town U.S.A
Christmas Town U.S.A rolls out the red carpet for Christmas with a 1.3 mile stretch that is intricately decorated. Each house dons unique lights, there’s a life size nativity scene, buildings are beautifully decorated, and the town pond reflects all the glowing lights. Drive or walk - this free event is one of the best in North Carolina.
Only In North Carolina / Bud Royster
If you’re looking to get in the holiday spirit, 18th-century style, visit Old Salem. Moravian decorations, cobblestone roads, a candlelit love feast and Moravian cookies - I can’t think of a better way to get in the spirit of the season in the Piedmont.
Wikimedia Commons / Outlaw08torn
Come Christmas, 1 million lights turn the already charming Forest City into something out of a Hallmark card. The majority of decorations are centered around the town fountain; enjoy it all from a horse and carriage.
Coastal NC- Wilmington
Ring in the spirit of the season right on the boardwalk. You can’t beat the sound of crashing waves while you take in the gorgeous decorations.
Flickr / Cyndi Calhoun
The Main Street of this town tucked away in the Smokies transforms into pure Christmas magic. Lighted balls decorate Main Street and the second weekend of December brings the Night Before Christmas celebration.
Facebook / Dillsboro Lights and Luminaries
Dillsboro Lights and Luminaries celebrates the season in old-fashioned charm. Over 100 luminaries line Main Street while shops offer hot cocoa and live music.
Facebook / Holiday on Ice
While Charlotte is North Carolina’s largest city, there’s no Main Street that lights up here - it’s more like the entirety of Uptown. From the German-inspired Christmas Village at Romare Bearden to larger than life ornaments and lights and decorations everywhere Uptown - it’s the perfect place to get in the ’large-scale’ Christmas mood. Welcome to Christmas in the city.
Search WNC
The Courthouse atop a hill attracts many visitors and photographers. Overlooking Main Street, it’s just the start to exploring all Sylva has to offer.
Facebook / Goldsboro Christmas Parade / Molly Dahnee Smith
It doesn’t get more ‘small town Christmas’ than the charming main street of Goldsboro. The annual Christmas Parade is a beloved tradition.
Great Smokies
Facebook / Great Smoky Mountains Railroad
Stroll the charming Main Street packed with amazing restaurants and unique shops, then hop on board the Polar Express. It doesn’t get more Christmasy than this.
Flickr / Bill Dickinson
North Carolina’s Capital city decks the halls (more so the Capitol building) to the nines come Christmas.
Flickr / Zach Frailey
This riverside town quaintly decorates all over, from historic buildings to street lights adorned in wreaths. Don’t forget to stray a bit from Main Street to Tryon Palace, though. The Christmas by Candlelight celebration is a beloved tradition.
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