Must-See Holiday Light Shows Across North Carolina

’Tis the season for dazzling light displays. These annual sparkling and twinkling displays are a great way to celebrate festive fun with the family. Here are our top picks of holiday light shows across the state to help bring out your family’s holiday spirit.

- Myra Wright

Biltmore Candlelight Christmas Evenings biltmore.com One Lodge St., Asheville Admission: $85 for adults; $42.50 for ages 10-16; free for ages 9 and younger. Purchase tickets online. Dates: Nov. 3-Jan. 6 See the Biltmore Estate adorned in its holiday splendor. The 2017 theme is “A Vanderbilt Christmas,” with a strong gilded age and grand look. A lit 55-foot-tall Norway spruce encircled by 20 other illuminated evergreens decorates the front lawn for candlelight evenings. Enjoy 55 decorated Christmas trees inside Biltmore House, as well as 30,000 lights and 150 candles. 

In addition, there are 135,000 LED and mini lights sparkling around the estate. New this year, Antler Hill Village features a constellation of lights as dusk descends. This must-see experience features “waterfall” lights cascading from treetops; stars and orbs draping tree branches; miniature lights outlining archways and buildings; and glowing ornaments in the Village Green illuminating holiday evenings.

Chinese Lantern Festival boothamphitheatre.com/ nc-chinese-lantern-festival-cary Booth Amphitheatre, 8003 Regency Pkwy., Cary Admission: $15 for ages 18 and older; $10 for ages 3-17; free for ages 2 and younger Dates: Nov. 24-Jan. 14, 2018. Tuesdays-Sundays 6-10 p.m. Closed Mondays except for Dec. 25 and Jan. 1.Booth Amphitheatre is transformed into a dazzling walk-through display with larger-than-life lanterns. Enjoy holiday treats and beverages from venue stands.