Castle Combe Drive, Rolesville

Looking for the biggest, best Christmas lights in the Raleigh/Durham/Chapel Hill area for the 2021 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!

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.

Have you subscribed to Triangle on the Cheap yet? You’ll receive one email a day and be in the know. 

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

Nights of Lights
Dix Park, 75 Hunt Drive, Raleigh
Dates and times: November 26th to December 24th, 2021, except for November 29th, December 6th, and December 13th.
6 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
$20 per car, through December 16th. $30 per car from December 17th to 24th.
This is the second year for this 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. There will be bike nights on November 21st and December 13th, and the Nights of Lights 5K Walk/Run on November 20th.
2021 update: Confirmed

Magic of Lights
Coastal Credit Union Music Park at Walnut Creek
3801 Rock Quarry Road, Raleigh
November 19th, 2021, through January 2nd, 2022
Sunday to Thursday: 5 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Friday and Saturday: 5 p.m. to 11 p.m.
$20 to $32 in advance (varies according to day of week and time in the season) and $30 to $40 at gate, if available.
Magic of Lights is presented in 20 venues across the country, and entertains 5 million people annually. This is the first time it’s been in Raleigh. Weave through a spectacular one-mile holiday light display, which uses LED technology and digital animations. Features include the Blizzard Tunnel, the 12 Days of Christmas, Winter Wonderland and The Night Before Christmas.
2021 update: Confirmed

Lights on the Neuse
1620 Loop Road, Clayton, NC
November 26th to December 24th, 2021 (Friday to Sunday until December 17th, at which point the attraction is open every day of the week)
6 p.m. to 9 p.m., except for Christmas Eve, when the hours are 5 to 7 p.m.
$10. Children age 2 and under don’t require a ticket.
You can buy a timed ticket, or purchase a ticket at the gate, if available. The ticket will include the hayride around the farm and a picture with Santa. Please bring your own camera. 
2021 Update: Confirmed

Festival of Lights at Hill Ridge Farms
703 Tarboro Road, Youngsville, NC 27596
November 25th, 2021, to January 2nd, 2022
5 p.m. to 10 p.m.
$20 per car
This drive-thru attraction is a mile long and features over a million lights. Tickets are not sold in advance, so you might want to go on non-peak nights (weekday, non-holiday nights)
2021 update: Confirmed

Winter Lights at Cathis Farm
5444 Falcon Road, Lillington, NC
Fridays and Saturdays from November 26th to December 18th, 2021, as well as Sunday, December 19th, Wednesday, December 22nd, to Friday, December 24th, and Sunday, December 26th.
6 to 10 p.m.
$13 in advance. $15 at the gate.
This event features a walk-through light display, as well as fun activities, bonfires, and more. You can have a picture taken with Santa. Products from the farm are available for purchase as well. (Info from 2020.)
2021 update: Confirmed

Drive-Through Christmas Village at Tobacco Farm Life Museum
709 N Church Street, Kenly, NC 27542
December 3, 4, 10, 11, 17, 18, 2021
6 to 8 p.m.
$10 per car
Please note that December 3rd is a walk-through event, not a drive-through event, and is free.
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.
2021 update: Confirmed

Naylor Family Farms
6016 US 401 N, Fuquay-Varina, NC 27526
November 26th, 27th, 28th. December 3rd, 4th, 5th, 10th, 11th, 12th, 17th, 18th, 19th, 20th, 21st, 22nd, 23rd, 2021
$15 per person (children 2 and under free with paying adult)
Tickets include a hayride through the lighted winter wonderland, free pictures with Santa under the giant 30-foot Christmas tree, the petting zoo, giant tube slides, corn crib, giant swings and much more.

Denton Farm Park Country Christmas Train
4259 Handy Road, Denton, NC 27239
November 26, 27, 28. December 3, 4, 5, 9, 10, 11, 12, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 26, 27, 2021.
Adults: $18
Children ages 5-11: $6
Children 4 and under: Free
Groups of 15 or more take $1 off each ticket.
Ride the Christmas Train through the farm. See Christmas lights and watch a movie about Christmas. There will be a live nativity scene, elves, and more. Visit the church, the service station, the Gingerbread House, the doll museum and more. Meet Santa.
2021 update: Confirmed

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 Nelson’s Christmas Light Show

Goldman Family Lights

Goldman Family Lights
6331 Deerview Drive, Raleigh
Opens November 25th, 2021. 
Check Facebook page (above) for the schedule, and for updates, especially due to weather.
Listen to WGFL 90.9 to hear music synchronized to the lights.
2021 update: Confirmed

Torockio Christmas Light Extravaganza

Torockio Christmas Light Extravaganza
8908 New Windsor Place, Raleigh
Light show synchronized to Christmas songs. Leave letters to Santa in a special mailbox.
2021 update: Confirmed

Lights on the Meadow

Lights on the Meadow
9301 Hay Meadow Court, Raleigh
December 4th to 31st, 2021
Monday to Thursday: 6 to 9 p.m.
Friday and Saturday: 6 to 10 p.m.
Sunday: 6 to 9 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. This display has over 40 inflatables.
2021 update: Confirmed

Holidays on Hemby

Holidays on Hemby
1001 Hemby Ridge Lane, Morrisville
Check Facebook page for schedule
The display contains thousands of lights, 82 inflatables (81 at night and 1 during the day), 4 wire frame displays, a walking path open from 5-10 nightly and an outdoor G Scale train layout. Trains don’t run every night, but schedule will be posted in advance.
2021 update: Confirmed

1236 Magnolia Hill Road, Garner

Garner Lights
1236 Magnolia Hill Road, Garner, NC
5 p.m. to 11 p.m.
12,000 lights, synched to 10 songs. Tune to 90.3FM. Link above goes to their YouTube channel.
2021 Update: Confirmed

AnChaNew Lights, 1004 Quail Oaks Circle, Raleigh

AnChaNew Lights
1004 Quail Oaks Circle, Raleigh
Through January 6th, 2022
Sunday to Thursday: 6 to 9 p.m.
Friday and Sunday: 6 to 10 p.m.
10,000 lights synchronized to 9 songs. Tune to 90.3 FM to join the Christmas light show. Any donations go toward improving the light show.
2021 update: Confirmed

Rockholly Court, Garner

Turner Farms Subdivision
November 28th, 2021, to January 6th, 2022 (or even after.)
5401 Rockholly Court, Garner, NC 27529
2021 update: Confirmed

3817 Tryon Ridge Drive, Raleigh

Tryon Ridge
3817 Tryon Ridge Drive, Raleigh, NC 27610
2021 update: Check back soon.

2216 Abbey Lane, Raleigh (Stonehenge neighborhood)

Stonehenge Neighborhood
The Stonehenge neighborhood in North Raleigh is known or its over-the-top Christmas decorations throughout. Stonehenge is just south of the Northern Wake Expressway. Creedmoor Road goes through the neighborhood.  at 2116 Abbey Lane, see a large static display, combined with a synchronized lights and music show with more than 38 songs.
2021 update: Confirmed.

1205 Nikole Ct, Raleigh

North Raleigh Lynn/Lead Mine area
1205 Nikole Court, Raleigh
2021 update: Confirmed

4705 Pamlico Drive, Raleigh

4705 Pamlico Drive, Raleigh
2021 Update: Confirmed

Durham and Orange Counties

P&C Holiday Lights, Chapel Hill

P&C Holiday Lights
38 Bennett Ridge Road, Chapel Hill, NC
December 1st to 25th, 2021
5:30 to 9 p.m.
Christmas lights set to music. You can view the show outside or from your car, by tuning to 101.3. On Fridays and Saturdays, Santa will be outside from 6 to 7 p.m., and he’ll be handing out candy canes and waving. There’s even one song that triggers a snow shower. 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.
2021 update: Confirmed

Mangum Family Christmas Lights

Mangum Family Christmas Lights
7510 Guess Road, Hillsborough, NC 27278
Tune in to 90.3 FM to hear synchronized music. Check Facebook page (above) to see if there are any changes due to weather.
2021 update: Confirmed

Southampton, Durham
218 Rockywalk Court
Durham, NC
2021 update: Confirmed

Wake Forest

Piper Lights

Piper Lights
5725 Fixit Shop Road, Wake Forest, NC
Will open Friday, November 26th, 2021, and run through January 1st, 2022.
Friday and Saturday: 5:30 to 10 p.m.
Sunday to Thursday: 5:30 to 9 p.m.
Admission is free but donations are accepted, to help with light repairs and the electricity bill.
Drive through 7 acres of Christmas lights! 
2021 update: Confirmed.

Houston Family Lights

Houston Family Lights
9021 New Century Road, Wake Forest, NC 27587
Light display is synchronized with music.
2021 update: Confirmed

Lights on Cedar

Lights on Cedar
206 W Cedar Avenue, Wake Forest
December 3rd to 31st, 2021
Sunday to Thursday: 5 to 10 p.m.
Friday and Saturday: 5 to 11 p.m.
Santa will be there Fridays, Saturday, and Sundays through December 19th, from 6 to 8 p.m.
2021 Update: Confirmed

Eastern Wake County

Lake Myra Christmas

Lake Myra Christmas
AKA Downtown Wendell Light Show
10 S. Cypress St, Wendell, NC 27591
November 24th to December 31st, 2021
5:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. 
Admission is free, but donations are accepted
One of the biggest and most popular light shows in the Triangle! Bring a lawn chair and watch the show, or walk on the new walkway through the lights!
2021 update: Confirmed

Castle Combe Drive, Rolesville

Castle Combe Drive Lights
605 Castle Combe Drive, Rolesville, NC 27571
Light show synchronized to music
2021 update: Check back soon.

306 Banner Blue Court, Knightdale

Knightdale Station
306 Banner Blue Court, Knightdale
2021 update: Confirmed

Glen Iris Christmas

Glen Iris Christmas
24 Gennessee Drive, Zebulon
Opening night is Friday, November 26th, 2021
Santa will be at the display Friday, November 26th, 6:30 to 8 p.m., and then every Saturday from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. Visits and pictures with Santa are free of charge.
2021 updated: Confirmed.

Bradshaw’s Holiday Light Display

Bradshaw’s Holiday Light Display
1712 Horton Road, Knightdale, NC
November 25th, 2021, through January 1st, 2022
Sunday to Thursday: 5:30 to 9 p.m.
Friday and Saturday: 5:30 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.
2021 update: Confirmed

Cary and Apex

MG’s Vision & Lights on Holt Road
1012 Holt Road, Apex
Opens November 25th, 2021
Please check the above link for the schedule, as there are many days when the display is closed to the public.
2021 Update: Confirmed.

Edward’s Battle Haunted House
9401 S Mere Ct, Raleigh, NC 27615
December 1st to 31st, 2021. 
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 Make a Wish Eastern NC branch.
2021 update: Confirmed.

110 Council Gap Court, Cary

Lights for St. Jude’s
110 Council Gap Court, Cary
This is a spectacular display that is dedicated to St. Jude Children’s Hospital. The trees have lights reaching from about 100 feet. All donations go directly to St. Jude.
2021 update: Confirmed

Rogers Family Lights
700 Bay Bouquet Lane, Apex
This light show is synchronized to music. The show is in memory of their son, Caden who passed away from SMA. Donate to help find a cure for SMA at curesma.com.
2021 update: Confirmed

4008 Jockey Club Circle, Cary 

4008 Jockey Club Cir, Cary NC
Incredible light show synced to music
2021 update: Confirmed

Gebhardt Lights

Gebhardt Family Lights
1033 Horton’s Creek Road, Cary
Planning to start November 26th, 2021, but check on Facebook page
Light show synchronized to music.
2021 update: Confirmed

Lights on Waverly

Lights on Waverly
416 Waverly Hills Drive, Cary, NC 27519
Check schedule on Facebook page.
Light show synchronized to music. Tune to 91.7FM
2021 update: Confirmed.

4908 Sugargrove Court, Apex

Sawyer’s Mill
4908 Sugargrove Court, Apex, NC 27539
2021 update: Check back soon

Fuquay-Varina

Holland Road Lights

Holland Road Lights
409 Holland Road, Fuquay Varina, NC 27526
Starts Friday, November 26th, 2021.
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.
2021 update: Confirmed.

Johnston County

Meadow Lights
November 19th to December 31st, 2021
4546 Godwin Lake Rd, Benson, NC 27504
Free admission.
30 acres of lights, including a 37-foot tall display. Train rides ($3 per person), old-fashioned candy store, Santa every night (through December 24th — free to visit, $7 for a picture), carousel ($2 per person), concessions. There is no charge to see the lights. All of the lights are visible from the road or parking lot. However the train takes you through the main field of lights and gets you much closer. Any age can ride.

Fleming Lights

Pittman Christmas Village, Smithfield

Pittman Christmas Village
216 Longview Drive, Smithfield, NC
Walk-thru Christmas Village!

Google Map of Christmas Lights

Please note that the pictures and addresses on this map might be from 2020. If we learn that a homeowner does not want to be on the map for 2021, we will remove the pin.

Add to the Triangle Christmas Light Map

More upcoming holiday events