Best Christmas Light Displays in the Triangle 2018

Piper Lights

Looking for the biggest, best Christmas lights in the Raleigh/Durham/Chapel Hill area for the 2018 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.

Some of these attractions also feature additional activities like Santa visits, train rides or hayrides.

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. 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. 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. Start 2018 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.

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 (Check back soon for 2018)
• Free things to do this week

Lake Myra Christmas
10 S. Cypress St, Wendell, NC 27591
Wednesday, November 21 – Sunday, December 31, 2018
Sunday – Thursday: 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Friday and Saturday 6 p.m. to 11 p.m.
Admission is free, but donations are accepted

Christmas at the Youakim’s
7319 Litchford Road
Raleigh
Every night through January 15th, 2019
7 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Plus, free hot chocolate and roasted marshmallows on Friday and Saturday nights. The family is collecting food, clothes and toy donations to help those in need.

LaValley Christmas Lights
9301 Hay Meadow Court
Raleigh
Every night through January 1st
Mon-Thu: 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Fri-Sun: 6 p.m. to 11 p.m.

Lights on the Neuse
1620 Loop Road, Clayton, NC
Open every weekend and select weeknights from Friday, November 23 to December 24th, 2018 (follow above link for specific days)
Open from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Tickets for ages 3 and up are $9. Ages 2 and under are free.
Enjoy a tractor drawn hay ride through the lights. Cookie decorating kits are available at the Sugar Barn, and candy, hot chocolate, and more can be bought at Santa’s Sweet Shoppe. Santa will be there to chat and take pictures, but not on Christmas Eve.

Goldman Family Lights
6331 Deerview Drive, Raleigh
Friday, November 23, through New Year’s
5 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Listen to WGFL 90.9 to hear music synchronized to the lights.

Meadow Lights
4546 Godwin Lake Road, Benson, NC 27504
Opens Friday, November 16
Admission is free, but train rides and a carousel are available for $2 each per person. Santa will be there daily until December 24th and pictures can be taken with him for $6. Concessions are available for purchase starting Thanksgiving night.

Festival of Lights at Hill Ridge Farms
703 Tarboro Road, Youngsville, NC 27596
Thursday, November 22 –  December 31
Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday: 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Friday and Saturday: 4 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Admission on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Sunday is $10. Admission on Wednesdays is $8. Admission on Friday and Saturday is $12. Senior, military and group discount rates are available.
Enjoy a covered wagon ride through the lights as well as bonfires, a giant slide, an old fashioned toy and candy store, and concessions for purchase from the Chuckwagon Grill and Granny’s Snack Shack. Details on Facebook page.

Piper Lights
5725 Fixit Shop Road, Wake Forest, NC
Friday, November 23 – Thursday, January 3
Sunday – Thursday: 5:30 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Friday and Saturday: 5:30 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Admission is free but donations are accepted
After driving through the lights, feel free to stop and ride the free Santa train and visit the old-fashioned candy store. Santa will be visiting on Wednesdays and every weekend from 7 p.m.to 9 p.m.

Country Christmas Train
4259 Handy Road, Denton, NC 27239
Open weekends and select weekdays beginning Friday, November 23 and ending Wednesday, December 27 (follow above link for exact dates)
Sunday – Thursday: 4:30 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Friday and Saturday: 4:30 p.m. to 11 p.m.
Admission for adults on Thursdays, Fridays, and Sundays is $13. On Saturdays adult admission is $15. Admission for children ages 5 -11 is $5 on all days. Children 4 and under are free.
Take a lighted walking tour through the park, and stop to hear carols and the Christmas story at the church. Visit the petting zoo and ride the Handy Dandy Movie and enjoy the lights. Santa will be available for pictures on select days. Food, souvenirs, and crafts will be available for purchase.

NC Chinese Lantern Festival
Booth Amphitheatre, 8003 Regency Parkway, Cary, NC
Friday, November 23 – Sunday, January 13
Tuesdays – Sundays: 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Closed Mondays except for Monday, December 24 and Monday, December 31
Friday, Saturday and Holidays (Dec 24, 25, 31 and Jan 1):

Age 3-12: $10 in advance, $12 day of event
Age 13 & older: $15 in advance, $18 day of event

Tuesday – Thursday & Sunday nights:

Age 3-12: $10
Age 13 & older: $15
Seniors 55+, Members of the military, college students with ID: $12

Johnson Family Christmas Light Show
http://www.carychristmas.com/
101 Chestone Ct, Cary, NC
Check back soon for details for 2018!

Magnum Family Christmas Lights
7510 Guess Road, Hillsborough, NC 27278
Friday, November 23 – Sunday, December 31
Sunday – 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

Broken Plow Farm’s Lights of Christmas
Fridays and Saturdays from November 30 to December 22, plus Thursday, December 20
5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Broken Plow Farm, 1851 Avents Ferry Road, Sanford
$9 includes a hayride to see the Christmas displays around the farm, the light show, and a visit with Santa (between 6 p.m. and 8 p.m.) Bring your camera! There’s also a play area and an animal barn.