Celebrate the holidays in style with our comprehensive guide to Wilson. From Wilson old-timers to newcomers, our guide showcases the best of the festive season.
Popular Events: Experience the grandeur of Christmas at Biltmore, where stunning holiday décor and captivating light displays transform the estate into a winter wonderland. WinterFest at Carowinds features thrilling rides adorned with festive lights, making it a unique way to celebrate with family and friends. And the Speedway Christmas is something you definitely don't want to miss, offering a spectacular drive-through light show that enchants visitors of all ages. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
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Top Holiday Events In and Around Wilson
- Christmas at Biltmore (Asheville)
- WinterFest at Carowinds (Charlotte)
- Christmas Town USA (McAdenville)
- Speedway Christmas (Concord)
- The Nutcracker (Blumenthal Performing Arts) (Charlotte)
- Polar Express (Bryson City) (Bryson City)
- Polar Express Train Ride (Spencer) (Spencer)
- A Christmas Carol (Raleigh) (Raleigh)
- Enchanted Airlie (Wilmington)
- Tweetsie Christmas (Blowing Rock)
See these and even more events listed below!
Wilson Holiday Light Displays
Winter Lights at the North Carolina Arboretum
What to Expect:
Spectacular open-air walk-through light show with interactive elements and live performances.
Description:
Winter Lights at the North Carolina Arboretum features over one million energy-efficient LED lights, including a 50-foot lighted tree and the Quilt Garden, with new interactive elements and live performances.
Where: Asheville | More Info: Winter Lights at the North Carolina Arboretum
Speedway Christmas
What to Expect:
Synchronized light and sound show on a legendary oval track.
Description:
Speedway Christmas presented by Atrium Health is a spectacular drive-through holiday light show featuring over five million lights along a four-mile course at Charlotte Motor Speedway. The event includes synchronized lights and music, drive-in movies on the gigantic Speedway TV, and an infield Christmas Village with activities like photos with Santa, shopping, and roasting s’mores.
Where: Concord | More Info: Speedway Christmas
WinterFest at Carowinds
What to Expect:
Immersive holiday event with diverse activities and attractions.
Description:
Carowinds WinterFest offers a holiday celebration with millions of shimmering lights, ice skating, family activities, live entertainment, and holiday-inspired comfort food and beverages.
Where: Charlotte | More Info: WinterFest at Carowinds
Kersey Valley Christmas
What to Expect:
Immersive holiday experience with diverse activities and light displays.
Description:
Kersey Valley Christmas is a family-oriented event featuring over 2 million LED lights, train rides, giant slides, and various interactive activities like bungee trampolines and cow barrel rides. It includes visits with Santa and the Grinch, along with festive food options and shopping opportunities.
Where: Archdale | More Info: Kersey Valley Christmas
Tweetsie Christmas
What to Expect:
Holiday train ride with over 1 million lights.
Description:
At Tweetsie Christmas, families can enjoy a 20-minute nighttime train ride through over 1 million Christmas lights, visit Santa in his Gingerbread House, and participate in various holiday activities like live shows and amusement rides.
Where: Blowing Rock | More Info: Tweetsie Christmas
Christmas Town USA
What to Expect:
Community-driven holiday light display with historical charm.
Description:
Christmas Town USA in McAdenville transforms into a vibrant holiday destination each December, featuring over half a million lights, festive decorations, and community events like the Tree Lighting Ceremony and Yule Log Parade.
Where: McAdenville | More Info: Christmas Town USA
Tanglewood Park Festival of Lights
What to Expect:
Extensive drive-thru light display with interactive elements and special events.
Description:
Tanglewood Park's Festival of Lights features over a million twinkling lights, interactive musical displays, and holiday crafts. The event offers a variety of activities, including marshmallow roasting, horse-drawn carriage rides, and tractor-pulled hayrides.
Where: Clemmons | More Info: Tanglewood Park Festival of Lights
Enchanted Airlie
What to Expect:
Holiday light display supporting garden conservation efforts.
Description:
A self-guided walk through Airlie Gardens featuring over one million holiday lights and festive music, supporting important projects in the gardens.
Where: Wilmington | More Info: Enchanted Airlie
Holiday Lights at the Cape Fear Botanical Garden
What to Expect:
Interactive holiday light display with Santa and the Grinch.
Description:
The Holiday Lights at the Cape Fear Botanical Garden features thousands of lights, interactive displays, visits from Santa and the Grinch, holiday music, food, and a vendor market.
Where: Fayetteville | More Info: Holiday Lights at the Cape Fear Botanical Garden
Christmas at Biltmore
What to Expect:
Holiday celebration with candlelit tours and festive decorations.
Description:
Biltmore House transforms into a holiday spectacle with fragrant wreaths, glittering garland, and thousands of ornaments. The estate's Antler Hill Village is also adorned with festive displays. This event offers a step back in time to the very first Christmas at Biltmore House in 1895, featuring gently illuminated candles, the scent of fresh pine, and the sound of crackling fireplaces.
Where: Asheville | More Info: Christmas at Biltmore
Wilson Holiday Shows and Entertainment
Polar Express Train Ride (Spencer)
What to Expect:
Immersive holiday experience with live theatrical performances and historic train ride.
Description:
The Polar Express Train Ride at the North Carolina Transportation Museum in Spencer offers a holiday experience inspired by the classic movie. Passengers enjoy a train ride to the North Pole, complete with hot chocolate, cookies, and a reading of Chris Van Allsburg's "The Polar Express." Upon arrival, Santa presents the first gift of Christmas, and all passengers who believe receive their own sleigh bell.
Where: Spencer | More Info: Polar Express Train Ride (Spencer)
Polar Express (Bryson City)
What to Expect:
Special steam train trip to the North Pole with Santa Claus.
Description:
The Polar Express Train Ride is a 1¼ hour round-trip excursion where guests embark on a special steam train trip to the North Pole. Set to the sounds of the motion picture soundtrack, passengers enjoy hot chocolate and treats while listening to the magical story. Santa Claus greets each child and presents them with a silver sleigh bell.
Where: Bryson City | More Info: Polar Express (Bryson City)
The Nutcracker (Blumenthal Performing Arts)
What to Expect:
World-class ballet performance with elaborate sets and costumes.
Description:
The Charlotte Ballet's Nutcracker is a classic holiday ballet featuring 100 dancers, enchanting costumes, and Tchaikovsky's iconic score. The performance transports audiences to a winter wonderland where Clara and the Nutcracker embark on a mystical adventure.
Where: Charlotte | More Info: The Nutcracker (Blumenthal Performing Arts)
A Christmas Carol (Raleigh)
What to Expect:
Topical humor and show-stopping tunes in a Broadway-quality production.
Description:
Ira David Wood III's musical comedy adaptation of A Christmas Carol, celebrating over 50 years, brings Charles Dickens' classic to life with great songs, topical humor, and show-stopping tunes, preserving the poignant heart of the original.
Where: Raleigh | More Info: A Christmas Carol (Raleigh)
Playhouse Christmas
What to Expect:
All-new renditions of holiday favorites.
Description:
Flat Rock Playhouse presents an all-new holiday show featuring timeless classics, ensuring a joyful and spirited celebration.
Where: Flat Rock | More Info: Playhouse Christmas
Raleigh Ringers at the Meymandi Concert Hall
What to Expect:
Unique handbell ensemble performances with impeccable technique.
Description:
The Raleigh Ringers present their annual holiday concerts at the Meymandi Concert Hall in downtown Raleigh, featuring unique interpretations of sacred, secular, and popular music, including rock 'n' roll.
Where: Raleigh | More Info: Raleigh Ringers at the Meymandi Concert Hall
Wilson Other Holiday Activities
Christmas in the Park
What to Expect:
Holiday celebration with local entertainment and activities.
Description:
Celebrate the Christmas season at Arnette Park, featuring local artists, marshmallow roasting, craft stations, and an outdoor movie screen. Enjoy a leisurely stroll through the 100-acre park with developed facilities and natural woodland adjacent to the Cape Fear River.
Where: Fayetteville | More Info: Christmas in the Park
Festive Fun in Nearby Cities!
Discover Holiday events in hundreds of cities worldwide. Check out these nearby locations for more festive fun!
- Rocky Mount (17 miles)
- Goldsboro (24 miles)
- Greenville (32 miles)
- Kinston (37 miles)
- Wake Forest (38 miles)
- Garner (39 miles)
- Raleigh (41 miles)
- West Raleigh (42 miles)