20 free light displays to explore this holiday season
By Kyle Marie McMahon
The holiday season is upon us, and that means it’s time to deck the halls and take in the twinkling magic of Christmas lights! The Triangle is aglow with free displays that dazzle and delight. Whether you’re a fan of synchronized music shows, whimsical inflatables or classic neighborhood charm, this list has something for everyone. So grab your loved ones, load up the car, and prepare for a journey through a winter wonderland—all without spending a dime. These are just a handful of the amazing displays out there this season, so let the lights guide you to new neighborhoods, and enjoy some of the most enchanting displays in town! (Most of these displays are driving tours, but we have included a few walking tours as well.)
RALEIGH
Winter Song Road
Winter Song Road neighborhood in Raleigh
Open nightly throughout December.
This residential neighborhood gets together for a magical light display with stunning decorations. Donations can be made to the Triangle Spokes Group to provide new bicycles to children in need.
Nelson Family Christmas
3909 Falmouth Dr, Raleigh
Open Wednesday through Sunday 6–10 p.m.
Enjoy this display from your car or get out and walk around a yard filled with lighted displays, a sleigh and holiday cheer. Follow the path and take lots of selfies.
Downtown Raleigh Illuminate Art Walk
Downtown Raleigh
December 6–January 6
Enjoy the blend of art and festive lighting on a walking tour that transforms Raleigh with light-based sculptures, interactive installations, and projection art. This year’s big display is The TUNNEL, a 100 foot “beacon of light.”
Raleigh Lights
2612 Beehnon Way, Raleigh
Opens December 1
Tune in to 90.3FM to watch this single, massive residential display timed to music.
Torockio Christmas Light Extravaganza
8908 New Windsor Place, Raleigh
This display boasts thousands of lights synced to music. Tune into 88.7FM to enjoy the spectacle from your car.
Edward’s Battle Haunted House/Candyland
9401 S Mere Ct, Raleigh
Bringing attention to childhood cancer, this yearly display features a playable yard game, walkable during the day and transforms into a drive-thru light display at night.
Ambrose Lights
3401 Cartway Lane, Raleigh
A residential light display with many yard decorations. Visitors can make donations to the Harris Creek Elementary PTA.
Anchanew Lights
1004 Quail Oaks Circle, Raleigh
November 30,–January 1; Sunday to Thursday, 6–9:30 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 6–10 p.m.
Park in front (with only your parking lights on) and tune in to 90.3FM for a vibrant neighborhood display featuring music-synced lights. Donations are welcome to help cover costs.
Goldman Family Lights
6331 Deerview Dr., Raleigh
Sunday through Thursday 5–10 p.m.; Friday and Saturday 5–11 p.m.
Tune in to 90.9 WGFL when you arrive at this residential display to listen while you watch the synchronized light show.
WESTERN WAKE
Rogers Family Christmas Lights
700 Bay Bouquet Lane, Apex
A personalized, synchronized light show! Tune in to 93.5 FM, choose your favorite song, and watch the thousands of LED lights play it for you.
Apex Holiday Tour of Lights
Various homes and businesses around Apex
December 7–26; 6–9:00 p.m.
A self-guided driving tour of Apex neighborhoods with enchanting light displays across town. A route and map are available on the website the day before the tour begins.
Christmas Lights on Holt Road (Charity Donation Required)
1012 Holt Road, Apex
A large, drive-thru display at a private residence. Tickets are required, $20 in advance, $27 at the gate, but the entire cost is a tax deductible donation going to help displaced war refugees with MG Global Support Foundation. Other dates available without paid entry. Check the schedule for details.
Gebhardt Family Lights
1033 Hortons Creek Rd, Cary
Tune in to 90.3 for this large-scale display of lights synchronized to music featuring a Christmas playlist to enjoy.
Holland Lights Road
409 Holland Road, Fuquay-Varina
November 29–January 2; nightly starting at dusk
Tune in to 90.9 FM for a synchronized light show of over 35,000 lights.
Holidays on Hemby
1001 Hemby Ridge Lane, Morrisville
This residential display boasts over 100 inflatables and toy trains run on a schedule.
WAKE FOREST
Lights on Cedar
206 W. Cedar Ave, Wake Forest
November 29–December 31; 5–10 p.m. nightly
Drive by this residential light display or park and walk to see Santa on select Fridays and Saturdays.
Houston Family Lights
9021 New Century Rd, Wake Forest
A festive residential display featuring synchronized lights and holiday music, viewable from the street.
Piper Lights
5725 Fixit Shop Road, Wake Forest
November 29, 2024–January 1, 2025; Sunday–Thursday 5:30 PM–9:00 PM; Friday & Saturday 5:30 PM–10:00 PM; closed if raining.
This family-operated drive-thru display spans seven acres, showcasing a magical assortment of lights. Admission is free, but donations are appreciated to help cover repair and electricity costs.
SOUTH AND EAST OF RALEIGH
Lake Myra Christmas Lights
10 S. Cypress Street, Wendell
November 27–December 31, 2024; 5:30 PM–10:00 PM nightly
A spectacular synchronized light and music show with over 400,000 lights. This walk-through experience takes you up close and even through the tallest tree. You can also bring a chair and sit down to watch. Dogs on leashes welcome.
Meadow Lights
4550 Godwin Lake Rd., Benson
November 22–December 31, 2024
Recognized as the largest and oldest Christmas light show in eastern North Carolina, Meadow Lights spans over 30 acres, viewed for free from the road or parking lot. For a closer view, take a train ride for $3. Onsite, there is also a carousel and the Old Country Store featuring over 300 varieties of candy. Visitors can also say hello to Santa.
