McAdenville, NC becomes Christmas Town USA every December

McAdenville Christmas is a treasured tradition in the Charlotte area. McAdenville is Christmas Town USA, and for good reason. For more than 60 years the Christmas lights display has drawn visitors to this small town west of Charlotte and east of Gastonia. Hundreds of thousands of lights set the scene for holiday displays.

Check out our huge day-by-day list of holiday events in the Charlotte area! We update it every day!

2023 is the 68th year of this holiday tradition, and the town will shine brightly once again! All the pictures in this article were taken in 2020, and you can expect even more in 2023.

While you’re visit McAdenville, or other spots in the Charlotte area, we’d love for you send us pictures of your favorite Christmas lights. Click on the button below to see the list and the map, and to submit a photo.

Keep reading for all the details about McAdenville — Christmas Town USA!

It is absolutely, definitely worth visiting! Get out of your car and walk around the business district, as well as the town.

It’s small enough that you can cover it on foot if you’re comfortable walking, and you’ll be amazed at the effort and creativity that McAdenville residents put into their displays.

Tree Lighting Ceremony

The lights will be turned on Thursday, December 1st, 2022. There will be a tree lighting ceremony at 5:30 p.m., at 208 Main Street, McAdenville, NC.

The switch will be turned by a student from McAdenville Elementary School, after an exciting countdown.

They then will glow nightly, with the last night December 26th, 2022. The hours will be 5:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. each night.

Where to enter McAdenville

From I-85 South, take exit 26 in Belmont and enter Wesleyan Drive from Highway 74.

From I-85 North, take exit 22 and enter Main Street on Highway 7 from Lwell.

Both Church Street and Academy Street are closed to traffic.

Parking

You can drive through, but you can also park and walk, and we suggest that you do that. You’ve probably seen the long lines of cars on the exits from I-85, but you can totally avoid that if you’re able to walk around. Just arrive early, park the car, and enjoy a dinner or treat from one of McAdenville’s downtown businesses, and then walk around the town.

Arrive early!

If you choose to drive, make sure to read all the information on the Christmas Town USA website.

If you do choose to park, please stay on the sidewalks. You can park:

• Behind the McAdenville Baptist Church/Caromont Clinic
• Poplar Street, behind The business area of town
• Beside the lake in the heart of Christmas Town.
• McAdenville Elementary School is a great place to park for those entering from US Highway 29-74.

Also, In the business area, street parking is allowed.

Dining and Shopping in McAdenville

Arrive early and enjoy dinner, treats and shopping in Downtown McAdenville.

Some establishments to check out:

• Terra Mia Ristorante, 129 1/2 Main Street
• Mona’s Boutique and Gifts, 121 Main Street
• Revolver Records, 109 Main Street
• Two Scoops Creamery, coming soon to Downtown McAdenville
• 115 Craft (Brewery), 115 Main Street
• The River Room, 102 Main Street

Yule Log Parade

The annual Yule Log Parade is on December 15th, 2022. Arrive in town early to lineup at 100 Main Street, where the Yule Log will be on a vintage sled. Singing will start at 5:30 p.m. The log will be pulled through the historic downtown to the Memorial Yule Log Fireplace at Legacy Park, where it will be placed on the fire. The festivities end around 7:30 p.m.

 

 

More Holiday Events

Check out our huge day-by-day list of holiday events in the Charlotte area or see a few here.