Aloha Safari Park
Aloha Safari Park will have its first Christmas light show this year. They are open from 6 to 9 p.m. for lights. Admission is $10 per person for ages 2 and up. Come see a beautiful two-mile drive-through trail with over one million lights. When you’re done driving through, come on inside and enjoy some hot chocolate or make a s’more. Giraffe feeding will also be available. Santa himself will be there up until Christmas Eve. You can take photos with the jolly old fellow and a baby kangaroo. They will be open from Dec. 16 through Jan. 1.
Arnette Park
Enter a Winter Wonderland at Christmas in the Park at Arnette Park, a beautiful combination of developed facilities and natural woodland spanning 100 acres adjacent to the Cape Fear River. Enjoy a leisurely drive while taking in the sights and sounds of the Holiday season. Arnette Park is located at 2165 Wilmington Hwy, Exit 100 off Hwy 87. Admission is free. The dates of the light show are Dec. 14 – 15 and Dec. 18 – 21 (excluding Fridays and Saturdays).
Cape Fear Botanical Garden
A Garden tradition for the past 12 years, visit the Cape Fear Botanical Garden to see over one million lights, Santa, the Grinch, activities, S'mores and more. Food trucks and the Garden Bar will be available for refreshments. Visitors can also go shopping at the Artisan Market, make some arts and crafts, and see a showing of Frosty’s Winter Wonderland. Advance tickets are required and can be purchased by visiting the website. The light show is open from Dec. 16 through Dec. 22 from 4:30 to 9 p.m.
CATHIS Farm
This beautiful farm is the Holiday Light Destination this holiday season. Magical, twinkling Christmas light displays, photos with Santa and the Grinch, a snowfall play area, kid’s activities and games, make-your-own s’mores at the bonfire, plus private firepit reservations. Enjoy toasty holiday treats, and holiday shopping in their store, and experience wintery fun surrounded by their magical Christmas lights in Lillington. Tickets can be bought at https://cathisfarm.ticketspice.com/winter-lights-2022. The light show will be open on Dec. 16 – 18; Dec. 21 – 24; and Dec. 26. General admission tickets are $12 a person.
Farley Family Lights
The Farley Family will be doing a double feature every night at their house. Starting at 6 p.m. there will be a Christmas show featuring music from 92.7 FM. Following the Christmas Show is a Disney-themed light show. These two shows will repeat up until 9:30 p.m. So everyone gets a chance to see the double feature at least once. This is not a drive-thru event, rather a single-family home with some amazing decorations and timed lights and synchronized music. If you would like to see the show from the comfort of your car, please turn off the headlights however running lights are encouraged. This is a free event and is located at 95 Farley Road, Cameron.
Lu Mil Vineyard
Drive your own vehicle thru hundreds of thousands of lights and decorations that are synchronized to music that you can listen to on your car’s FM radio. Their magical experience will help create unforgettable family memories for all ages. Come make Lu Mil Vineyard’s Festival of Lights a family tradition. They are open from Dec. 15 through Dec. 23 from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. It is $10 a person, and children ages 5 and under are free. Cash and cards are accepted at the ticket booth. Bus Tour Reservations are available. There is a free wine tasting every night of the Festival of Lights. You can try any three of their wines for free. Pictures with Santa are also free, as long as you bring your own camera. They are located at 438 Suggs-Taylor Road in Elizabethtown.
The Meadow Lights
The Meadow Lights is the largest and oldest Christmas light show in Eastern North Carolina. They are a family-owned and operated business that started more than 40 years ago. In 1994 they built “The Old Country Store” to sell drinks and old-fashioned candy. Since then, they have become one of the largest candy stores in the state, specializing in Christmas and old fashion candy, carrying over 300 varieties. They display lights on over 30 acres and operate a train ride through 10-plus acres. The lights will be on every night until New Year’s Eve. Santa will also be there every night until Christmas Eve. The candy store and concession stand will remain open as long as they have inventory but may close earlier in the year. The Meadow Lights are located at 4546 Godwin Lake Road, Benson.
Segra Stadium
Get in the holiday spirit at Segra Stadium and enjoy tens of thousands of holiday lights. The Fayetteville Holiday Lights, presented by Aevex Aerospace, will run nightly through Dec. 23. The event will include tens of thousands of holiday lights around the stadium, with displays on the concourse and a path of walk-through lights on the warning track of the field. Patrons can also get their picture taken with Santa and participate in holiday crafts for free. Each night will have a different theme. Adult tickets are $10 and children’s tickets are $8 if you buy in advance Tickets go up $2 on the day of. Tickets can be bought at https://bit.ly/HolidayLights120822.
Sweet Valley Ranch
Join Sweet Valley Ranch as they transform their farm into a magical Christmas Wonderland featuring over one million lights and over 350 animals as the stars of the show. The light show is a drive-through event but guests can also park at Tiny’s Winter Wonderland (across the street) to enjoy a visit with Santa, vendors, gift shop, amusement rides, food and more. This is a drive-through event and all ticket holders must be in the same vehicle. Guests are encouraged to purchase their tickets online. Individuals that purchase tickets at the event will experience longer delays. The light show will be open on Dec. 15 – 18; Dec. 21 – 23; and Dec. 26. Tickets are $10 a person for one to three people in the car, $9 a person for four to eleven people in a car, and $8 a person for twelve or more people in a car. Anyone aged 2 and under is free. Tickets can be bought at www.sweetvalleyranchnc.com/festival-of-lights.