Looking for the best place near Charlotte, North Carolina to see Christmas lights and decorated houses but not sure where to start? You might’ve heard of McAdenville but think it’s too overwhelming or the Speedway, but don’t want to wait in line for several hours. We have exactly the place for you that would make sure to put you in the Christmas spirit and have you come back here every year without battling the crowds and the best part – it is free.
Each year this one neighborhood just North of Charlotte, NC gets all decked out and totally impresses us with their thoughtful ways and each year we count down the days before they put their insanely amazing decoration up for all of us Christmas lovers to enjoy.
- HOW AND WHERE TO FIND THE CHRISTMAS LIGHTS
We have created a map for you to follow around this neighborhood so you can fully enjoy this spectacular Christmas display and get the absolute best of this experience. Grab a hot chocolate and your ugly Christmas sweater, blast the Christmas music in your car and get ready to enjoy some of the best Christmas lights around.
We suggest you plan on at least an hour for the trip (more if you choose to park and actually listen to the synchronized music and watch the lights dance). Hot chocolate, warm decaf coffee for yourself or a candy cane for the young ones would be a great way to keep them occupied while moving from one house to another. Christmas snack to munch on would also be great for kids and adults alike.
The Christmas lights get put up just after Thanksgiving typically and stay on until Christmas. Please check the weather before planning a visit as they would not be on if it is raining or snowing, so make sure to pick a good weather day. If you choose to walk around the neighborhood which is perfectly acceptable and accessible bring a warm jacket with you or look at the forecast and choose a warmer night to do so. The lights are best seen in the dark so plan to get here after 5.30PM.
If you are coming from the direction of Charlotte, Mooresville, Cornelius, Huntersville or Kannapolis the first stop you would like to put in the GPS would be 14904 Carbert Lane in Huntersville, North Carolina.
Once you exit the highway follow the GPS to your first and most impressive stop. The house before you upon arriving at the MacCaulay Neighborhood is straight out of a movie. Located on the corner of Carbert Lane and Sagefield Drive this elaborately decorated home gets better and better each and every year. Lights of every kind are galore, the backyard is bright and festive, the large Merry Christmas sign to the side of the house is perfect for your Christmas card background and the Christmas lights tunnel is our kids favorite. They would walk through it back and forth and back and forth millions of times if I let them.
You can just drive by or park your car and look at the lights from inside or you can park by the side of the street without disturbing the neighborhood traffic and take a look at all the decorations up close. Take a walk through the tunnel and take your Christmas picture by the large Christmas sign. Have a little laugh at the neighbors sign that would totally make your day and have you smiling for a very long time.
Once done here punch in your next destination. The address for the following Christmas lights stop is 15038 Hugh McAuley. While driving through the neighborhood you would be greeted by pretty much every house decorated in different lights, inflatables and decorations and each of them more impressive than the one before it . The trees are wrapped in lights as well blinking as you pass them and creating the effect as if you are passing through a tunnel of lights.
An impressive lightshow awaits you right at the front of the Hugh McAuley house. Again park safely by the side of the road making sure neighborhood traffic can pass by and enjoy the show. Make sure to tune in to the radio station that would be shown to you at the front of the house to be able to hear the sound of the music accompanying the lights . If you happen to stop by here on a warm December day come out of the car and have yourself a little dance.
Next and last stop in the neighborhood is 15038 Hugh McAuley Road just down the street from where you were. An expansive decoration in front of the house consistent of large Christmas inflatables, Christmas wreaths and singing Christmas trees combined with a little Christmas light tunnel surrounding the sidewalk is what awaits you here. A sign with the radio station you can tune in to in your car is located to the right side of the house and there are various songs the Christmas trees are singing to for your delight. We highly recommend you park here and enjoy the show.
There are so many other houses wonderfully decorated around the MaCaulay neighborhood so make sure to take a drive around and look at them all. Bellow we have several pictures of just few of them that you would encounter on your drive.
If you arrive in Huntersville before dark and need to pass some time check out Birkdale Village just down the road from Macaulay neighborhood and the Santa Shop where you can meet and greet the jolly old man and take a picture with him. If you decide to do that you will need to make an appointment before arriving. For more information check the link HERE. If that is more than what you are interested in doing just walk around and look at their wonderful Christmas decoration and the Christmas tree right behind the temporary Santa Shop.
If pottery paining is your cup of tea check out Meg-art Pottery Studio located right across from the MaCaulay neighborhood. You do not need to make an appointment in order to visit the shop. Walk ins are welcome. The studio is open Monday to Thursday 12PM-8PM, Friday 12PM-12AM, Saturday 12PM-8PM and Sunday 1PM-5PM. If you want to paint a pottery piece (there are hundred to choose from) but don’t have time to do it in store you can pop in and choose a piece to take and paint at home.
If you forgot your hot chocolate or coffee at home there is a Starbucks shop right in Birkdale Village. If you are looking to grab a dinner after you have enjoyed the lights there are several options less than 5 minutes away from the neighborhood.
- La Unica Restaurant
- Bad Daddy’s Burgers
- Red Rock Café
- Brixx Wood Fired Pizza
- Dressler’s Restaurant
- Midwood Smoke House and Barbeque
Once finished with your dinner grab a desert at Kilwins, a movie at the theater or finish your Christmas shopping by visiting any of the many stores in Birkdale Village.
We hope you come and check the lights out. If you have any questions make sure to send us an email or DM us on our INSAGRAM account where you will also find many other adventure suggestions, things to do in and around Lake Norman and North Carolina, restaurants to visit and places to stay while exploring around. Happy Holidays!