By Becky J. Beall
Attractive holiday backdrops caress the mood of shoppers, and the holiday season wouldn’t be the same without decorations and spectacular lighting displays. You don’t have to travel far to experience the feel of a winter wonderland.
Christmas Town USA
McAdenville, NC, better known as Christmas Town USA, celebrates 52 years of lighting and decorating traditions this year. With free admission, folks flock from miles around to see over 375 trees illuminated in shades of red, white and green (a tradition carried forward from year to year) and scattered along this quaint town’s driving tour. Trees reflecting light onto the water surround the lake in the heart of McAdenville. A fountain in the lake’s middle jets water 75 feet into the air. Alternating light colors rotate every few seconds and a 46-foot-wide illuminated Old Man Winter image blows snowflakes into the air. Open nightly from Nov. 30–Dec. 26. For details, visit www.mcadenville-christmastown.com.
Christmas at The Biltmore
Asheville, NC, home to The Biltmore Estate, offers Christmas at Biltmore Estate
and Candlelight Christmas Evenings at the 250-room French Renaissance chateau as it is transformed into a fairytale-like castle with miles of evergreen garland, hundreds of poinsettias, dozens of Christmas trees and a splendid 35-foot live Fraser fir decorated from top to bottom with lights, ornaments and gifts. Candlelight Christmas Evenings packages are available from Nov. 3–Dec. 29. For specifics, visit www.biltmore.com.
Charleston’s Holiday Festival of Lights
A three-mile driving tour at James Island County Park hosts the Holiday Festival of Lights along a glowing pathway of light-sculptured art. Some 600 displays make up the Holiday Festival of Lights, including historical displays and new themes. After the tour, plan to visit Santa’s Village where you’ll find a train ride, marshmallow roasting, a sweet shop and a gift shop. A carousel ride is found in Winter Wonderland and little ones can have photos made with the jolly one himself. Open Nov. 9–Jan 1. For more information visit www.ccprc.com and click on special events.
AAA Takes You There
For spectacular displays in other states, visit AAA.com and click the Go Magazine link.
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