Local Holiday Light Exhibits (updated for 2024 season)

Ahh the Lights of Christmas - This season's TOP 5 Picks of drive-able Holiday Light Shows between NC's Triangle and Goldsboro #christmaslights #holidaymagic #nighttimeroadtrip

Choose a night. Map your route. Grab a hot chocolate or cup of coffee. Load up the car and tune into your favorite holiday music, as you drive a few (or all) of these local, outdoor holiday light exhibits. Read on for recommendations of 5 stunning light displays located within an hour's driving distance of Wake, Johnston, and Wayne Counties. Experience the sights, music, and magic of the holiday season from the privacy and comfort of your car.

Here are 5 local holiday light shows you can visit by car nightly through the holidays for FREE. (Free except for your time, food, beverage, fuel expense, other misc. trip-related expenses. Your actual mileage may vary. Read on for details.)

#1 - Rogers Family Christmas Lights, Apex

The Rogers family produces a synchronized light show annually in memory of their son Caden, who succumbed to spinal muscular atrophy. Upon arrival, tune your car radio to 93.5FM to hear the music. The drive-by is free, yet the Rogers family appreciates online donations to SMA research at curesma.org

• Location: 700 Bay Bouquet Lane, Apex, NC

• Hours: Sun-Thurs 5:30-9:30pm, Fri & Sat 5:30-10:30pm, Thanksgiving thru Dec 31st

#2 - Houston Family Lights, Wake Forest

Lights synchronized to music nightly celebrating the holidays. Just a short drive north of Raleigh.

• Location: 9021 New Century Road, Wake Forest, NC

• Hours: Nightly 6-10pm from Thanksgiving thru Dec 31st

"I love Christmas, not just because of the presents but because of all the decorations and lights & the warmth of the season." ~ Ashley Tisdale

#3 - Holland Lights Road, Fuquay-Varina

Looking to see lights in southern Wake County? Check out these 35,000 lights synchronized to music on 90.9FM.

• Location: 409 Holland Road, Fuquay-Varina, NC

• Hours: Nightly dusk-10:30pm from Nov 29th thru Jan 2nd

#4 - Meadow Lights, JOCO

The small Meadow community off I-40 boasts the largest and oldest Christmas lights attraction in eastern NC. Turn off your headlights as you drive along the 30+ acre display. Prefer to walk around? The venue offers free parking. Train rides or carousel rides are $3. Those with a sweet tooth can purchase candies, local jellies, butter & more from the "Old Fashion Candy Store."

• Location: 4546 Godwin Lake Road, Benson, NC

• Hours: Nightly 5-10pm from Nov 22nd thru New Year's Eve

The Meadow Lights originated in the early 1980's. Over the years the attraction has grown to 30+ acres and includes a candy store that was added in the mid-90's. The annual holiday event is located in rural Meadow Village east of Benson, NC.

#5 - Downtown Goldsboro

Looking for bright lights a little further east? Travel to downtown Goldsboro in Wayne County. From a few miles away you'll see the crown of lights atop the city's water tower. (They've been lighting the tower every year since 1938.) The area up and down Center Street was renovated in recent years and resembles the small town setting of a Christmas movie.

• Location: 200 N. Center Street, Goldsboro

• Hours: dusk-11pm nightly, Thanksgiving thru New Year

Take time to enjoy the sights of the season.

There's something magical about the lights of the holidays. The illumination adds warmth to both our hearts and spirits on the cooler nights. They make the oldest of us feel young again. You owe it to yourself to take a pause from the hustle and bustle of the holidays. Gather your family, or invite a friend, and take a short nighttime road trip to see the lights of the season. Feel free to leave a comment below my post. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you and yours.

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About the author: Troy Grimes is a Goldsboro native and actively licensed NC real estate broker. He's the principal Member-Manager, and Broker-in-Charge, of Troy Grimes Realty LLC. His firm specializes in general brokerage home sales in the greater Raleigh, NC region and surrounding areas, including Goldsboro. An alumnus of East Carolina University, with a background in luxury retail sales, Troy's blogs offer expert editorials on the housing market, consumer behaviors, and related anecdotes. You may follow or connect with Troy on social media including LinkedIn and Meta Platforms @TroyGrimesREALTOR, or email him directly at HOMES@TROYGRIMES.COM

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