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Christmas Lights in Raleigh, NC
The top places to see Christmas lights in Raleigh this season are Fieldstream Farm Christmas Light Show (Nov 27 – Dec 31), North Carolina Chinese Lantern Festival (Nov 21 – Jan 10) and FestiBull of Lights (Nov 19 – Jan 2). We've mapped 12 displays in Raleigh and 27 more nearby (11 home displays, 7 tree lightings, 6 parades). 33 are free. 1 is synced to music. Tap any display for dates, hours and directions.
Updated Nov 11, 2026
Near Raleigh (within 25 miles)
Tap + Tour on a few displays to get one driving route you can send to your phone (how it works). Missing a house or show in Raleigh? Add it free.
Christmas lights in Raleigh: common questions
What are the best Christmas lights in Raleigh?
Popular picks this season include Fieldstream Farm Christmas Light Show (Nov 27 – Dec 31), North Carolina Chinese Lantern Festival (Nov 21 – Jan 10), FestiBull of Lights (Nov 19 – Jan 2) and Festival of Lights at Hill Ridge Farms (Nov 26 – Dec 27). In all, 39 displays are mapped in and around Raleigh, from decorated houses and neighborhoods to ticketed light shows.
Where can I see free Christmas lights in Raleigh?
Free options include North Carolina Chinese Lantern Festival, Festival of Lights at Hill Ridge Farms, Christmas by Candlelight at Duke Homestead and Raleigh Christmas Parade. 33 of the 39 displays near Raleigh are free to visit; most home and neighborhood displays cost nothing to drive by.
Is there a drive-thru Christmas light show near Raleigh?
Yes. Fieldstream Farm Christmas Light Show (Ticketed, see website), Festival of Lights at Hill Ridge Farms (About $17-$20 per person; 2 and under free) and Naylor Family Farms Winter Lights (About $18 per person (2025); 2 and under free). Drive-thru shows usually charge per car, and buying tickets online ahead of time is often faster.
Are there Christmas lights synced to music in Raleigh?
Yes. Raleigh Christmas Parade. Synced displays broadcast their soundtrack on a low-power FM station so you can listen from your car.
When do Christmas lights start in Raleigh?
The earliest Raleigh-area displays turn on Nov 19, and most are running by the weekend after Thanksgiving. Many stay lit through New Year's; check each display's page for its exact dates and nightly hours.
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