Are you ready for the ultimate WakeCo/JoCo Christmas Light Crawl? This helpful guide provided by the Jaclyn Smith Properties Team will navigate you to millions of festive holiday light displays scattered around Wake County, and Johnston County.
With time at a premium, you can avoid piling into your car and aimlessly searching for the best holiday lights. Who’s got time for that? We’ve polled all the local experts (moms, and kids 10 & under) to curate the most spectacular, over-the-top, award-winning Christmas light displays in the area (Southeastern Wake County and Johnston County).
Fill up your tank, grab a quick cup of cocoa (from Boulevard Coffee), cue up your favorite Spotify Christmas song list, and plug in these addresses in Google Maps. Now let the good times roll!
Planters Walk Neighborhood Light Fight – Knightdale
Address: 901 Lynnwood Drive Knightdale, North Carolina 27545
Drive Time: From Raleigh 15 min (10 mi) via I-440
Directions: From the Knightdale Boulevard (US 64 Business and the I-540) interchange take a right onto Lynnwood Road. The Planters Walk clubhouse is .6 miles down Lynnwood Drive on the left.
Phone: NA
2019 Holiday Season Dates: Approximately Thanksgiving weekend to Jan. 1
Hours: Approximately 6 p. to 10 p.m. daily
Admission: FREE
Insider Tips: We recommend you park in the Planters Walk clubhouse parking lot. The greenway entrance to the Christmas display is directly across the street from Clay Hill Drive. Just be careful when crossing Lynnwood Road to access the walking trail. Oh, and don’t forget to dress warm. This is a walking tour.
Homegrown Walking Light Tour
This display truly is “homegrown” that’s turned into an annual holiday tradition for Planters Walk homeowners and visitors alike. This is a wonderful walking tour that meanders behind homes in Planters Walk in Knightdale.
You’ll enjoy thousands of light, blow up displays, a snow making machine, and more!
Lake Myra-Wendell Wonderland Christmas Lights
Address: Corner of Third Street and Cypress Street, downtown Wendell
Driven Time: From Raleigh – 24 min (19.5 mi) via I-87
Directions: From Raleigh take I-87/US-264 E/US-64 East and take exit 11 toward Wendell Falls Pkwy. Keep right at the fork and merge onto Wendell Falls Pkwy. Merge onto Wendell Falls Pkwy. Turn right onto W 3rd St. Go approximately to 0.2 mi to S Cypress St & W 3rd St, Wendell, NC 27591
2019 Holiday Season Dates: 2019 Holiday Season Dates: Nov. 27 to Dec. 31
Hours: 6 p.m. to 10 p.m., Sunday through Thursday, and 6 p.m. to 11 p.m., Friday and Saturday
Hours: 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. on select nights; 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., Dec. 24.
Admission: FREE (donations are accepted)
Insider Tips: Bundle up in case it is cold. This display only operates in dry weather.
Check the website for additional details: https://www.lakemyrachristmaslights.com/
Longtime Local Favorite
The Lake Myra – Wendell WonderLand Lights is a tradition for everyone in eastern Wake County and are best viewed from the comfort of your lawn chair. The shows run between 30 minutes and 90 minutes and include 400,000 twinkling lights synchronized to music and more. Come and stay for more than one show. You can’t actually drive through (or by) this display. This is a free venue located in downtown Wendell. Tickets and reservations aren’t needed.
Street parking is allowed and parking lots are located near the venue. Parking is free. Pets are welcome.
Lights on the Neuse – Clayton
Address: 1620 Loop Rd., Clayton, NC
Phone: (919) 553-0016
Driven Time: From Raleigh – 31 min (20.9 mi) via I-87 and Smithfield Road
Directions: From Raleigh take I-440 E via the ramp to Rocky Mt. Take exit 14 toward US-64 E/US-264 E/Wilson/Rocky Mt/Greenville/I-495 North. Continue onto I-87/US-264 E/US-64 East. Take exit 9 for Smithfield Road. Turn right onto South Smithfield Road. Continue onto Pritchard Road. Turn right onto Covered Bridge Road. Turn left onto Loop Road. Your destination will be on the right.
2019 Holiday Season Dates: Opens Nov. 29 and runs on select nights through Dec. 24.Hours: 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. on select nights; 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., Dec. 24.Admission: Tickets are $9 for ages 3 and up. It’s free to sit with Santa and chat. Pictures are $8 (or you can take up to three pictures per family).
Insider Tips: Dress warm! Be sure to purchase tickets online ahead of time to avoid the ticket line. It costs to have a pic with Santa but you get to take your own pictures and use your own camera (phone). It’s also fun to buy a s’mores kit from a local grocery store and use their big fire to roast the marshmallows.
Check the website for details. https://lightsontheneuse.com/
The Best Hayride in JoCo!
The Lights on the Neuse display includes a 30-minute Christmas hayride through the Johnston County countryside. Remember, this is a “working farm”. The odors are FREE!
Along your ride you will enjoy light displays and Christmas music. Be sure to include a visit with Santa; and treat yourself to some candy, hot chocolate, coffee, kettle corn and s’mores. All of these can be purchased onsite (or bring your own). As if you needed more… the Sugar Barn is filled all manner of candies and cookies.
Free parking is available on-site.
Meadow Lights – Benson
Address: 4546 Godwin Lake Road Benson, NC 27504
Phone: 919-669-5969
Driven Time: From Raleigh – 55 min (40.6 mi) via I-40 E
Directions: From Raleigh take I-40 E/US-64 E. Keep right at the fork to continue on I-40 E, follow signs for Benson/Wilmington for 32.4 miles. Take exit 334 for NC-96 toward Meadow. Turn right onto NC-96 S for 1.6 miles. Turn right onto Godwin Lake Road. Your destination will be on the right.
2019 Holiday Season Dates: Opens Nov. 22 and runs on select nights through Dec. 24.
Hours: 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. on select nights; 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., Dec. 24.
Admission: FREE
Insider Tip: If you exit your car, be careful for the traffic. Don’t forget to bundle up the little ones!
Check the website for details. http://www.meadowlights.com/
Started with a Single Home!
From its humble beginnings, the owner wanted to decorate his home and yard for his children enjoyment. As his decorations grew over the years, other homeowners in the community got involved. The popularity of this special attraction grew as well.
As one of the “largest and oldest Christmas Lights Shows in Eastern NC”, Meadow Lights is the perfect way to usher in the holiday season!
Occupying over 30 acres of lights , travelers from near and far come to visit this community located outside of Benson to enjoy this spectacular display.
Kids young and old will love the a train ride through the lights and see all the animations up close. The Old Country Store is a must-see destination. Here you’ll find Santa along with every type of sugary treat.
If you’ve not visited the Meadow Lights, you must place it at the top of your list this year. We promise, you won’t be disappointed.
Christmas Lights on the Farm – Middlesex
Address: 11959 NC 222 Hwy W, Middlesex, NC 27557
Phone: 919-269-8620
Driven Time: From Raleigh – 37 min (33.7 mi) via I-87 and US-264 East
Directions: From Raleigh and I-440, take I-87/US-264 E/US-64 E. Continue onto US-264 E/US-64 East. Keep right at the fork to continue on US-264 East, follow signs for Wilson/State Route 97/Greenville. Take exit 21 for NC-39 S toward US 264 Alternate Est. Turn right onto NC-39 South. Turn left onto NC-231 North. Turn right onto NC-222 East. The destination will be on the right.
2019 Holiday Season Dates: Opens Nov. 23 and runs on select nights through Dec. 24.
Hours: Saturday, November 30, 2019 at 6 p.m. – 9 p.m.
Admission: 3 and Under FREE – 4 and Over $6.00
Insider Tip: Wear warm clothes to ride on the hayride. Be sure to bring extra $$ for pictures with Santa, making S’mores by the fire, concession goodies & items in the gift store. Print your $1 off coupon here: http://www.christmaslightsonthefarm.com/img/coupon2018.jpg
Check the website for additional details: http://www.christmaslightsonthefarm.com/location.html
Free parking is available on-site.
Google Map to the Top 5 Christmas Light Displays in JoCo and WakeCo
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Be sure to leave a comment and tell us about your experience creating memories at these displays!