Castle Combe Drive, Rolesville

Looking for the biggest, best Christmas lights in the Raleigh/Durham/Chapel Hill area for the 2020 Christmas season? Here are a few of the most spectacular displays.

Some of these displays are professional operations, but many of them, often synchronized to Christmas music, are put on by regular people, at their own expense, and it takes an incredible amount of time and creativity. So visit and let them know you appreciate it. If the attraction is free, donations are generally appreciated.

We’ve separated out the free and ticketed attractions, so if you’re just interested in the free ones, just keep scrolling!

New for this year, we’re putting together a Google map with all the light on this page, and more! To see the map, just scroll down past the pictures of the lights. Or jump to the map now.

If you want to submit a display for the map please fill out this form. The map can include any great display that anyone finds, but in order to have the display listed on this post, we need permission from the homeowner. If you are a homeowner who would like to be included on this page, just email jody@triangleonthecheap.com. If you maintain a website or Facebook page for the display, please let us know.

If a radio station is listed, tune your car radio to that station to listen to the coordinated music. Please be considerate of these folks’ neighbors.

Important: If a website or Facebook page is listed, make sure to visit and check out any changes in the hours, start dates, and any additional information that you need to know. When the plans are changed, for weather or other reasons, we are usually not notified here.

Some families show videos and pictures of their works in progress as well.

Please note that starting Friday, December 11th, there’s a modified stay-at-home order in North Carolina between 10 p.m. and 5 a.m., so attractions will be closing by 10 p.m. at the latest. We haven’t confirmed with every attraction exactly when they’re closing (we will be updating over the next few days), so please double check before heading out.

Have you subscribed to Triangle on the Cheap yet? You’ll receive one email a day and be in the know. Start 2021 out the cheap way!

Do you know of a light display that should be included in the list? Please send information to jody@triangleonthecheap.com. I’ll need to see a website or Facebook page so that I know the homeowner wants the information shared.

One more thing: before you fuel up, check out this list and map of the cheapest gas in the Triangle!

You might also be interested in:

• Day by Day Guide to the Holidays in the Triangle
• Subscribing to Triangle on the Cheap’s emails
• Holiday markets in the Triangle 
• Free and cheap things to do this week

Ticketed Christmas Light Displays in the Triangle

Fieldstream Christmas Lights

Fieldstream Farm Christmas Lights
8008 Old Stage Road, Raleigh
Every day from November 21st to December 31st, 2020.Monday to Thursday: 6:30 p.m. to 9:45 p.m.
Friday: 6:30 p.m. to 10:45 p.m.
Saturday: 5:30 p.m. to 10:45 p.m.
Sunday: 5:30 p.m. to 9:45 p.m.
$20 per car. More for vehicles that carry more than 8 people.
Enjoy displays with over a million LED lights, including a massive drive-through light tunnel and a 40-foot Santa
2020 update: confirmed

Nights of Lights
Dix Park, 75 Hunt Drive, Raleigh
Dates and times: Select nights from December 16th to 31st, 2020 
5:30 p.m. to 9 p.m.
$15/car. $30/vehicle that holds 9 or more. Discount nights December 28th and 29th.
This is a new drive-through light show at Dix Park. The 1.3 mile route will wind through the park, with illuminated trees, festive light displays and local art installations, all with the towering oaks, rolling hills and open fields of Dix Park as the backdrop. Updated information: due to severe traffic problems, they are limited hours and are refunding everyone with time slots 8 p.m. or later. And you can request a refund if you choose not to go (and you have a ticket for earlier than that.) More info. 
2020 update: New for this year!

Lights on the Neuse
1620 Loop Road, Clayton, NC
November 27, 28. December 4, 5, 6, 10, 11, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
$10 per person. Age 2 and under are free.
You’ll need to buy a timed ticket, which may sell out. The ticket will include the hayride around the farm and a picture with Santa. Santa will be keeping his distance, but will be close enough to hear all Christmas wishes. Please bring your own camera. Some of the attractions from previous years won’t be available in 2020.
2020 Update: Confirmed

Festival of Lights at Hill Ridge Farms
703 Tarboro Road, Youngsville, NC 27596
November 26th, 2020, to January 2nd, 2021
$20 per vehicle.
The Festival of Lights returns in 2020, but as a drive-through attraction. The path is a mile long with over a million lights.
2020 update: Confirmed. Follow the above link for more details.

Winter Lights at Cathis Farm
5444 Falcon Road, Lillington, NC
Fridays and Saturday through December 19th, plus December 23rd, 24th, and 26th
5:30 p.m. to 9 p.m.
$5 per person. Children under 3 are admitted for free
This event features a walk-through light display, as well as fun activities, bonfires, and more. You can have a picture taken with Santa at no additional charge. The pictures, with watermark, will be emailed to you. For an additional $5 you’ll receive several pictures, without the watermark. Products from the farm are available for purchase as well.
2020 update: Confirmed

Drive-Through Christmas Village at Tobacco Farm Life Museum
709 N Church Street, Kenly, NC 27542
December 4, 5, 11, 12
$10 per car
The Tobacco Farm Life Museum will co-host a special drive-through Kenly Christmas event the first two weekends of December. The Museum will be decorated as a life-size Christmas Village, the miniature porcelain decorations many families traditionally use to decorate their homes with during the holiday season.

Visitors will be able to drive through the grounds of the Tobacco Farm Life Museum and enjoy the Christmas Village come to life from the comfort of their own vehicles.

The Kenly Area Chamber of Commerce and the Town of Kenly are partnering with the museum to bring our community a safe holiday event this year. Downtown Kenly businesses will also be decorated for the season.
2020 update: Confirmed

Denton Farm Park
4259 Handy Road, Denton, NC 27239
November 27, 28, 29. December 4, 5, 6, 10, 11, 12, 13, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 26, 27
Cars/minivans: $20
Commercial vans/mini-buses: $25
Motorcoaches/buses: $100
Enjoy a Country Christmas celebration from the comfort of your vehicle! Drive through a Christmas light extravaganza, see live nativity scenes, stop by the Craft Barn to browse hand-crafted treasures, or pick up a snack, and enjoy food and refreshments from our on-site food truck.
2020 update: Confirmed

Broken Plow Farm’s Lights of Christmas
Broken Plow Farm, 1851 Avents Ferry Road, Sanford
2020 update: Not taking place this year.

Scroll down for the Christmas Light Map!

Add to the Triangle Christmas Light Map

Free Christmas Light Displays in the Triangle

These attractions are totally free to visit, but in some cases donations are accepted, usually for a charity. Please pay special care to be considerate of neighbors. And before you head out, follow the links, which usually go to a Facebook page, to make sure that the display is taking place, since weather and technical difficulties, or life in general might interfere with the plans.

Some of these light displays are synchronized to music, and some are static.

Raleigh Area

The Nelsons’ Christmas Lights

The Nelsons’ Christmas Lights
3909 Falmouth Drive, Raleigh, NC 27604
Dates and times: Starting Saturday, November 28th, and then Thursday through Saturday, 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. and Sunday, 6 p.m to 9 p.m.
Free
This display has music, inflatables, moving parts, and lights, with a Candyland theme.
2020 update: confirmed

Goldman Family Lights

Goldman Family Lights
6331 Deerview Drive, Raleigh
Starts the Friday before Thanksgiving, November 20th, 2020.
Check Facebook page (above) for updates, especially due to weather.
Listen to WGFL 90.9 to hear music synchronized to the lights.
2020 update: Confirmed

Lights on the Meadow

Lights on the Meadow
9301 Hay Meadow Court, Raleigh
December 5th to 31st, 2020
Sunday to Thursday: 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Friday and Saturday: 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Look at the sign at the beginning of the display to see what radio station to tune to. Please stay in your car and turn around at the end of the cul-de-sac.
2020 update: confirmed

1236 Magnolia Hill Road, Garner

Garner Lights
1236 Magnolia Hill Road, Garner, NC
5:30 p.m. to 10 p.m.
10,000 lights, synched to 11 songs. Tune to 90.3FM. Link above goes to their YouTube channel.
2020 update: Confirmed

Ambrose Lights

Ambrose Lights
3401 Cartway Lanes, Raleigh, NC
Expects to start November 30
2020 update: Confirmed

Rockholly Court, Garner

Turner Farms Subdivision
5401 Rockholly Court, Garner, NC 27529
2020 update: Confirmed

3817 Tryon Ridge Drive, Raleigh

Tryon Ridge
3817 Tryon Ridge Drive, Raleigh, NC 27610
2020 update: Confirmed

Durham and Orange Counties

P&C Holiday Lights, Chapel Hill

P&C Holiday Lights
38 Bennett Ridge Road, Chapel Hill, NC
Every night through Christmas, 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Christmas lights set to music. Check Facebook page for any changes. Collecting donations for the animals at the Carolina Animal Rescue & Adoption Center. Accepting cat and dog food, including puppy and kitten food, cat litter, bleach, laundry detergent, garbage bags, old blankets, collars, leashes and cash.
2020 update: confirmed

Mangum Family Christmas Lights

Mangum Family Christmas Lights
7510 Guess Road, Hillsborough, NC 27278
November 22nd, 2020, through New Year’s Eve
Sunday to Thursday: 5:30 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Friday and Saturday: 5:30 p.m. to 11 p.m.
Tune in to 90.3 FM to hear synchronized music. Check Facebook page (above) to see if there are any changes due to weather.
2020 update: Confirmed

Wake Forest

Piper Lights

Piper Lights
5725 Fixit Shop Road, Wake Forest, NC
November 27th through January 1st. (Note: it closed for the season on December 30th because of weather.)
5:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, and 5:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday
Admission is free but donations are accepted
Drive through 7 acres of Christmas lights! This year there will not be a train or candy store.
2020 update: Confirmed

Houston Family Lights

Houston Family Lights
9021 New Century Road, Wake Forest, NC 27587
Running December 4th through New Year (at least)
6 p.m. to 9 p.m. each evening
Light display is synchronized with music.
2020 update: confirmed

Eastern Wake County

Lake Myra Christmas

Lake Myra Christmas
10 S. Cypress St, Wendell, NC 27591
Dates and times: November 25th to December 31st, 2020. 
Sunday to Thursday: 5:30 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Friday and Saturday: 5:30 p.m. to 11 p.m.
Admission is free, but donations are accepted
One of the biggest and most popular light shows in the Triangle!
2020 update: confirmed.

Castle Combe Drive, Rolesville

Castle Combe Drive Lights
605 Castle Combe Drive, Rolesville, NC 27571
6 p.m. to 10 p.m. every night
Light show synchronized to music
2020 update: confirmed

306 Banner Blue Court, Knightdale

Knightdale Station
306 Banner Blue Court, Knightdale

Glen Iris Christmas

Glen Iris Christmas
24 Gennessee Drive, Zebulon
Opening night is December 4th, 2020.
Check Facebook page (above) for the 2020 schedule.
2020 updated: Confirmed

Bradshaw’s Holiday Light Display

Bradshaw’s Holiday Light Display
1712 Horton Road, Knightdale, NC
November 26th, 2020, through January 1st, 2021
Sunday to Thursday: 5:30 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Friday and Saturday: 5:30 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Stay in your vehicle to enjoy all the lights. Follow the Enter and Exit signs around the driveway. The entry point is closest to the tree line and the exit is by the house. Check Facebook page (link above) for any schedule changes due to weather.
2020 update: Confirmed

Cary and Apex

Christmas Lights on Holt Road
1012 Holt Road, Apex
November 26th – 29th, December 4th to 6th, December 11th to 13th, December 18th to 26th
Follow above link for times, rules and schedule changes.
2020 Update: Confirmed

Edward’s Battle Haunted House
9401 S Mere Ct, Cary, NC 27615
At night time drive by and see the lights. During the day, stop by and play Candyland. Every year since Edward was diagnosed with cancer, he’s created a haunted house in the front yard, and now has created a holiday display as well. He’s raising money for Give Kids the World, a home-away-from-home for wish children visiting Orland’s attractions.

115 Homegate Circle, Apex

Star Wars Themed Displays
115 Homegate Circle, Apex 27502
Lots of inflatables here for Star Wars fans!

Gebhardt Lights

Gebhardt Family Lights
1033 Hortons Creek Road, Cary, NC 27519
Planning to open Friday, November 27th. And then 5:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, and 5:30 p.m. to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday.
Light show synchronized to music.
2020 update: Confirmed.

104 Mereworth Place, Cary

104 Mereworth Place, Cary

Lights on Waverly

Lights on Waverly
416 Waverly Hills Drive, Cary, NC 27519
December 5th, 2020, through January 2nd, 2021
5 p.m. to 10 p.m. each night.
Light show synchronized to music. Tune to 91.7FM
2020 update: Confirmed

4908 Sugargrove Court, Apex

Sawyer’s Mill
4908 Sugargrove Court, Apex, NC 27539
2020 update: Confirmed

4833 Holly Brook Drive, Apex, NC 27539

Fuquay-Varina

Holland Road Lights

Holland Road Lights
409 Holland Road, Fuquay Varina, NC 27526
November 26th (Thanksgiving) to a few days after New Year’s
This musical light show includes 20-25 thousand lights. On New Year’s Eve they change things up and do a dance party light show! Tune into FM 90.9 to listen.
2020 update: confirmed

Johnston County

Fleming Family Lights

Fleming Family Lights
228 Rothes Court, Clayton, NC
From November 29th, 2020, to January 1st, 2021
5:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. every night
2020 update: confirmed

4026 Barber Mill Road, Clayton 27520

Google Map of Christmas Lights

Add to the Triangle Christmas Light Map

More upcoming holiday events