Dubbed as Christmas Town USA, this small community near Charlotte, NC, puts on quite a show during the holidays. It’s a pure Christmas gold. Every single facade and yard is steeped in lights and elaborate holiday decor. Drive or stroll through downtown to see half a million twinkling lights, floating Christmas trees and so many decorated houses you will lost the count of them.
They call it Christmas Town USA for good reason! For the past 68 years, McAdenville has been transforming its historic downtown into what looks like a Hallmark Christmas movie.
During the Christmas month of December, the town is lit up with half a million lights. Not a single home is left behind. Each one is decorated down to the roof and greenery in the yard. This magical place would fit the bill for a Hallmark movie and is a destination to visit over the holidays.
The Walk
We chose to walk and it was such a great decision as we got to enjoy all the lights and intricate displays up close at our own pace. Plus, you can take some real good pictures when on foot. There are more than 100 homes on the route, so it's really hard to pick favorites. But here are a few we did enjoy a lot.
The McAdenville decorations are so famous that USA Today has entered the town in their 10 Best Public Holiday Lights Displays in the USA.
Most displays appeared to be rather classy, putting emphasis on the design and a certain holiday scene than on flashy high-tech features. Garlands, bows, ornaments, wreaths, and traditional cutouts were used to create the magical backgrounds for the season.
A quick chat with one of the owners
revealed that it takes about a month of hard work to set up the display
and then some more through the month of December to maintain it. Most displays are get updated and added to each year, so for those visiting again it's never the same experience.
The secret to a fun adventure - surprise! It's always those small discoveries in life that make the biggest impact. On our way, we unexpectedly came across a winter fairy house in the tree and a Christmas train display. How much more fun it could get!
To beat the crowds, we visited early in the month. There were very few instances where we had to wait our turn to take a photo in front of a particular display. Overall, it was a nice and slow walk without the sense of shoulder-to-shoulder experience. A lot of people tend to visit later in the month. The closer it gets to Christmas, the busier and busier it gets. Streets are flooded with people, and the traffic is bumper to bumper for hours. The town expects approximately half a million visitors in December. So if possible, try to visit during the week to thoroughly explore this magical destination.
And when you're done with everything there was to explore around the lake and on the main Christmas home route, stop by the McAdenville Fire Station 40 to have a cup of hot chocolate. It's free but donations are appreciated.
The route
The route through Christmas Town is 1.3 miles with lights along Main Street, through the historic district and around the lake on Wesleyan Drive.
Schedule
December 1 through 26 from 5:30 pm – 10 pm. The lights along the main route are on a timer and will turn on and off simultaneously. Lights are on rain or shine. They are designed to stay on during bad weather too.
Parking
If you choose to walk through, plan to arrive early, before the lights are turned on, to have the best shot at finding a parking spot. There are a few options around downtown to park at no cost:
1. Limited public parking is available behind businesses on Poplar and Elm Street
2. The McAdenville Baptist Church parking lot
3. By the lake with the floating Christmas trees
NOTE: Parking is PROHIBITED on Hickory Grove Road and Riverside Drive
When walking, please be respectful and remain on the sidewalks. Don't venture into yards as the decorated homes are private residences. If possible, try to visit on weekdays to beat the crowds and enjoy a more peaceful experience.
Pets
This is a pet-friendly experience. However, all animals must be on a leash and in close proximity to their owners.
Cost
Free for all. Enjoy to your heart's content!
What's next?
If you are in the area, the options for enjoying holidays displays and free events are truly endless. Don't miss the FESTIVAL of TREES in Belmont, a Christmas celebration at the BILLY GRAHAM LIBRARY, and plenty of photo ops in downtown Charlotte. They are free, family-friendly and a short driving distance from the Upstate.
Load the car up with the family or friends, put on a joyful Christmas playlist and go tour this beautiful small town. It won't disappoint!
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