Excited for the holiday season in Sanford? Our guide has all the festive activities you need! Whether you're rediscovering Sanford or visiting for the first time, our guide ensures you experience all the festive fun.
Popular events this season include the Speedway Christmas in Concord, where glittering lights and festive displays create a magical atmosphere for families to enjoy. For a touch of tradition, the Broadway Christmas Parade offers a spirited procession of floats and performers to celebrate the season. And definitely don't forget A Christmas Carol at The Temple Theatre, where the classic tale comes to life on stage. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
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Top Holiday Events In and Around Sanford
- Speedway Christmas in Concord (Concord)
- The Polar Express Train Ride (Bryson City)
- Tweetsie Christmas (Blowing Rock)
- Festival of Lights at Chetola Resort (Blowing Rock)
- A Christmas Carol – The Temple Theatre
- Broadway Christmas Parade (Broadway)
- Winterlights at the NC Arboretum (Asheville)
- Broadway Town Lights & Tree Lighting (Broadway)
- Christmas Town USA (McAdenville)
- Enchanted Airlie at Airlie Gardens (Wilmington)
See these and even more events listed below!
Sanford Holiday Light Displays
Broadway Town Lights & Tree Lighting
What to Expect:
Beautifully decorated Heritage Park with a tree lighting ceremony.
Description:
Join us at Heritage Park in Broadway, Virginia, for the Hometown Holiday Event and Tree Lighting. This festive event features beautifully decorated Heritage Park, perfect for celebrating the holiday season with family and friends.
Where: Broadway | More Info: Broadway Town Lights & Tree Lighting
Speedway Christmas in Concord
What to Expect:
Synchronized light and sound show on a historic speedway.
Description:
Speedway Christmas at Charlotte Motor Speedway features over five million lights along a four-mile course, including the legendary oval, pit road, and infield road course. The show is open from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m., rain or shine, with synchronized lights and music on 101.3 FM. It also includes drive-in movies on the gigantic Speedway TV every Thursday through Sunday night.
Where: Concord | More Info: Speedway Christmas in Concord
Festival of Lights at Chetola Resort
What to Expect:
Sparkling light display with holiday scenes.
Description:
The Festival of Lights at Chetola Resort features a dazzling display of thousands of lights around Chetola Lake, including glittering ice skaters, Rudolph reeling in a big fish, and strolling carolers. The event is free and open to the public, illuminating each evening at dusk.
Where: Blowing Rock | More Info: Festival of Lights at Chetola Resort
Tweetsie Christmas
What to Expect:
Holiday train ride with over 1 million lights.
Description:
Celebrate the holiday season at Tweetsie Railroad with a 20-minute nighttime train ride through over 1 million Christmas lights, a live Christmas variety show, kid-friendly amusement rides, and meetings with Santa in his Gingerbread House filled with candied furnishings.
Where: Blowing Rock | More Info: Tweetsie Christmas
Winterlights at the NC Arboretum
What to Expect:
Over one million LED lights transform the arboretum into a vibrant holiday display.
Description:
The North Carolina Arboretum's Winter Lights is a spectacular open-air walk-through light show featuring over one million energy-efficient LED lights. The event includes iconic displays like the 50-foot lighted tree and the Quilt Garden, along with new and enchanting details designed to delight visitors. Pets are not permitted, but service animals are welcome.
Where: Asheville | More Info: Winterlights at the NC Arboretum
Enchanted Airlie at Airlie Gardens
What to Expect:
Holiday light display supporting garden projects.
Description:
Enchanted Airlie at Airlie Gardens features a self-guided walk through over one million holiday lights and festive music, supporting important projects in the gardens.
Where: Wilmington | More Info: Enchanted Airlie at Airlie Gardens
Christmas Town USA
What to Expect:
Community-driven holiday light display with historical significance.
Description:
McAdenville transforms into a vibrant holiday destination each December, featuring over half a million twinkling lights, beautifully decorated homes, and festive events like the Tree Lighting Ceremony and Yule Log Parade.
Where: McAdenville | More Info: Christmas Town USA
Holiday Lights at the Cape Fear Botanical Garden
What to Expect:
Interactive outdoor light display with Santa and Grinch animations.
Description:
The Holiday Lights at Cape Fear Botanical Garden features thousands of lights, Santa and Grinch animations, photo opportunities, holiday music, and a vendor market.
Where: Fayetteville | More Info: Holiday Lights at the Cape Fear Botanical Garden
Lights & Luminaries in Dillsboro
What to Expect:
Traditional candlelight display with live music and holiday treats.
Description:
Dillsboro Lights & Luminaries is a holiday event in Dillsboro, North Carolina, featuring 2,500 candles and twinkling white lights illuminating the town's downtown area. Shopkeepers provide live music and serve holiday treats with hot cider and cocoa. The event includes horse and buggy rides, live music, and visits with Santa and Mrs. Claus.
Where: Dillsboro | More Info: Lights & Luminaries in Dillsboro
Winterfest Flotilla in Southport
What to Expect:
Synchronized light display on decorated boats.
Description:
The Winterfest Flotilla in Southport features beautifully decorated boats and lights illuminating the waterfront, showcasing vessels from Old American Fish to Marker 19.
Where: Southport | More Info: Winterfest Flotilla in Southport
Sanford Holiday Shows and Entertainment
Broadway Christmas Parade
What to Expect:
Annual holiday celebration with festive floats and community spirit.
Description:
Join Broadway for its annual Christmas Parade, featuring festive floats, holiday music, and community spirit.
Where: Broadway | More Info: Broadway Christmas Parade
A Christmas Carol – The Temple Theatre
What to Expect:
Classic Dickens characters in a musical holiday production.
Description:
Temple Theatre presents a musical adaptation of Charles Dickens' classic novel, "A Christmas Carol," featuring beloved characters like Scrooge, Bob Cratchit, and Tiny Tim. This holiday production is filled with yuletide melodies and holiday magic, reminding us all to honor Christmas in our hearts year-round.
Where: Sanford | More Info: A Christmas Carol – The Temple Theatre
Taylor Phillips HITS Lee County with Friends
What to Expect:
Star-studded concert for suicide awareness and honoring Brian Kindle's memory.
Description:
Taylor Phillips and his friends are set to perform a star-studded concert at the Dennis A. Wicker Civic Center in Sanford, NC. The event aims to raise funds for suicide awareness and honor Brian Kindle's memory. Featuring notable artists Frank Ray, Andrew Jannakos, Drew Green, Sam Grow, and Chase Matthew, this concert promises an unforgettable evening of music.
Where: Sanford | More Info: Taylor Phillips HITS Lee County with Friends
Sanford Other Holiday Activities
The Polar Express Train Ride
What to Expect:
Special steam train trip with Santa Claus and silver sleigh bells.
Description:
The Polar Express Train Ride is a holiday excursion where guests board historic trains from Bryson City Depot to the North Pole. Set to the motion picture soundtrack, passengers enjoy hot chocolate, treats, and the story of a child's Christmas Eve journey. Santa Claus greets each child and presents them with a silver sleigh bell.
Where: Bryson City | More Info: The Polar Express Train Ride
Festive Fun in Nearby Cities!
Discover Holiday events in hundreds of cities worldwide. Check out these nearby locations for more festive fun!
- Fuquay-Varina (23 miles)
- Holly Springs (23 miles)
- Apex (25 miles)
- Fort Liberty (26 miles)
- Carrboro (30 miles)
- Chapel Hill (31 miles)
- Morrisville (31 miles)
- Cary (31 miles)
- Fayetteville (34 miles)
- Garner (36 miles)
- West Raleigh (36 miles)
- Raleigh (37 miles)
- Durham (39 miles)
- Asheboro (39 miles)
- Burlington (45 miles)