When is Christmas Town USA 2026?

The lights are on every night from December 1 to December 26, 2026, from 5:30 to 10 pm. The tree lighting ceremony opens the season on December 1 at 5:30 pm.

Does it cost money to go to McAdenville?

No. Walking or driving through the town is free; there's no ticket and the public parking lots are free too.

Can you drive through Christmas Town USA?

Yes, and many people do — but on December weekends the line of cars on the way in is long. Parking in one of the town lots before 5 pm and walking in is the calmer way to see it.

How long does it take to drive through McAdenville?

The loop through town is short; the wait to get into it is what takes time. On a weekend evening in mid-December, budget an hour or more in the car. On a weeknight early in December it's much quicker.

How long do the lights stay up?

Until December 26. McAdenville switches off the day after Christmas, earlier than most displays.

Photo: De'Nick'nise · CC BY 2.0

Neighborhood · McAdenville, Gaston County · Free

McAdenville Christmas Town USA 2026

A small mill town west of Charlotte where every house and tree in the centre is covered in lights, with Christmas music along the streets and the old mill pond glowing. Park near the edge of town and walk in — or join the long line of cars driving through.

Dec 1, 2026 – Dec 26, 2026

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At a glance

2026 dates: December 1–26, 2026, every night
Hours: 5:30–10 pm
Cost: Free
Events 2026: Tree lighting Dec 1 at 5:30 pm at Dynamo 31, 102 Main St; Yule Log Parade Dec 10, singing from 5:30 pm
Parking: Public lots off Poplar St and Elm St, at McAdenville Elementary and by the Carstarphen Bridge (rear of Dynamo 31). No parking on Hickory Grove Rd or Riverside Dr
Where: Downtown McAdenville, Gaston County — about 15 miles west of Charlotte off I-85

Is it worth it?

Worth it — just don't drive into the queue. Park at the edge of town and walk.

What visitors say

Families call it pure holiday magic and come back every year. The big warning is the traffic: waits of an hour and a half are common. Locals' tip — don't navigate to McAdenville itself; set your GPS to the Food Lion or Burger King nearby, park there and walk in.

Every house in town lit
Christmas music on the streets
Tree lighting Dec 1
Yule Log Parade Dec 10

Getting there and getting in

Take I-85 to the McAdenville exit, about 20 minutes west of Charlotte. On weekends the line of cars starts on the interstate — come on a weeknight.

Worth knowing

Lights are on 5:30–10 pm each night.
You can park in town and walk the loop instead of sitting in the car line.

Open in Google Maps

Downtown McAdenville

Official site

Questions people ask

When is Christmas Town USA 2026?: The lights are on every night from December 1 to December 26, 2026, from 5:30 to 10 pm. The tree lighting ceremony opens the season on December 1 at 5:30 pm.
Does it cost money to go to McAdenville?: No. Walking or driving through the town is free; there's no ticket and the public parking lots are free too.
Can you drive through Christmas Town USA?: Yes, and many people do — but on December weekends the line of cars on the way in is long. Parking in one of the town lots before 5 pm and walking in is the calmer way to see it.
How long does it take to drive through McAdenville?: The loop through town is short; the wait to get into it is what takes time. On a weekend evening in mid-December, budget an hour or more in the car. On a weeknight early in December it's much quicker.
How long do the lights stay up?: Until December 26. McAdenville switches off the day after Christmas, earlier than most displays.

Checked 2026-09-30. Sources: Town of McAdenville — Christmas Town USA · Town of McAdenville — Planning a trip 2026 (PDF). Last season's numbers are labelled with their year until the organiser publishes 2026.

More Christmas lights in Charlotte

All 6 displays in Charlotte