Happy holiday season, Smarties! I hope you and your families have found great joy in your holiday traditions this year.
Our family has had many wonderful traditions over time, but one of my all-time favorites was going to see Christmas lights. I’ll never forget riding in the back of my parents’ old Chevy Suburban as we drove through McAdenville each year, mesmerized by the magical glow of lights. It wouldn’t truly feel like Christmas until we made a trip through “Christmastown” and now, I replicate the same magic for my kids.
Charlotte is teeming with light displays and the Christmas spirit is never in short supply here. While the joy on the outside of the car is always tangible, sometimes the joy inside the car can be dampened by normal life. Whether it’s someone asking for a potty or their 1,000th snack, Christmas light viewing can be overshadowed by the logistics of making the magic happen.
As you pack up the mini-van remember these tips to keep the cheer in your Christmas light viewing this year.
Leave early
The later it gets into the evening the less happy your younger family members are likely to be, so leave early and be some of the first ones to go through the display. We like to pack a car picnic and have dinner nearby our destination so that right when it’s time to begin we are right there. This also helps fight some of the traffic on the front end and make car travel a bit easier.
Plan your route in advance
As with any great road trip, logistics are key. Make sure you know where you’re going, what the traffic might look like, if there’s an entry fee, and any other important information before you leave the house. If you have a well planned trip you’ll be able to spend your time being present with your family instead of trying to figure out logistics on your phone.
Be prepared to entertain
Some Christmas displays are so popular that the lines to get in may be very long. In the likely event that you are stuck in traffic, come prepared to entertain. Have Christmas carols cued up and ready to go, bring car games, have family discussion topics ready, download a seasonal audiobook you can listen to as a family, or when all else fails- play “I spy.” When you leave the house remember that you might be your family’s sole source of entertainment for parts of this excursion, so be prepared.
Pack snacks
Along with a car picnic, always be prepared with extra snacks. Christmas cheer always works up an appetite so avoid any backseat Grinches by having plenty of snacks on hand. Better yet, include a car safe container of hot chocolate for all the viewers aboard your personal Polar Express to take the level of festivity up a notch!
Car Potty
When the inevitable “I need to go potty” statement comes from someone in the backseat don’t get caught without an option. A simple car potty from Amazon can be a game changer for any car ride, especially Christmas light viewing when your destination is out your window. Be sure to stock your car potty station with all the necessary supplies including extra potty liners, wipes, hand sanitizer, and grocery bags.
Ride in jammies
There’s always one kid that falls asleep on the way home, so riding in jammies can make the transfer to bed a little easier. Jammies in the car also take the Christmas cheer meter to new heights. Bonus points for Christmas themed jammies!
Slow down and enjoy
Whether you are just cruising around your own neighborhood or doing a whirlwind tour of all the light displays you can fit into one evening, remember that you’ll never get to repeat this holiday season again. Slow down and enjoy the journey, even the bumpy parts.
5 Charlotte Christmas light displays to add to your list:
1. Hillside Holiday Hunger Drive Through
Hillside Ave in Myers Park. Walk or drive down this residential road admiring hundreds of Christmas balls lit up in the trees. Free entry but cash or food donations are greatly appreciated for Loaves and Fishes.
2. Sherwood Forest Drive
Located just off Colony Road, there are several big Christmas displays on this residential street but most notably is 7323 Sherwood Forest Drive. Santa might be outside handing out candy canes and wishing all who drive past a Merry Christmas. Free entry but Santa does collect donations to benefit St. Jude.
3.Speedway Christmas
Drive through this four-mile light display every evening with the exception of Christmas Eve (when it’s closed) now through Jan. 7 at the Charlotte Motor Speedway in Concord. Course is open from 6-10 p.m. and tickets purchased in advance are recommended. Make a pit stop in Christmas Village for Santa’s Workshop, photos with Santa, multiple vendors, and a walk-through light display. Leave plenty of time to check out the drive-in movie options playing on the Speedway TV too!
4. Christmastown, USA
Every year since 1956, McAdenville North Carolina has celebrated Christmas by decking every hall in the town. Drive or walk through for free each evening from now until December 26th. Lights turn on at 5:30 p.m. and will turn off at 10 p.m. Arrive early and be prepared for traffic because this small town sees up half a million visitors in the month of December each year.
5. Holidays at the Garden
Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden has transformed into a true botanical winter wonderland. Take a stroll through the garden Tuesdays through Sunday (they are closed on Mondays) from now until December 23rd to enjoy the thousands of lights, Christmas displays, and vendors spread throughout the garden. Tickets are required with timed entries at 5 p.m. or 7 p.m. Grab a mug of something warm to drink and enjoy the magic all around.
