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North Carolina Town Among America’s Best Light Displays

When it comes to holiday home décor, many people go all out for various reasons. It could be a cherished holiday tradition, a means of embracing the festive spirit, or…

Close-up woman's hands in warm gloves taking picture of illuminated green Christmas tree using mobile phone in city at night, Christmas light displays concept.
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When it comes to holiday home décor, many people go all out for various reasons. It could be a cherished holiday tradition, a means of embracing the festive spirit, or simply an activity within the neighborhood. For many, the holiday season isn’t complete without at least one night dedicated to driving around and admiring the vibrant and colorful light displays.

To find the most festive displays, USA TODAY 10Best editors and experts combed the nation for the brightest and most beautiful holiday light shows. From neighborhoods and cities to parks, they identified the brightest and most captivating displays, putting the choices to a vote among readers.

North Carolina's Christmas Town USA.

Securing the 7th position on the list is North Carolina's "Christmas Town USA" in McAdenville. "Christmas Town USA" is a tradition dating back to the 1950s. Each December, McAdenville transforms into a festive Christmas wonderland, with the celebrations commencing through a Tree Lighting Ceremony. The ceremony involves a countdown, building up to a child “flipping the switch” that lights the display.

Visitors can walk or drive through the downtown area to witness the nightly illumination of lights from 5:30 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. until December 26. They can also explore dining options at Terra Mia Ristorante, grab a craft beer or glass of wine at 115 Craft, and shop at Mona’s Boutique and Gifts, The Modest Market, and Revolver Records.

In addition, the Yule Log Parade, a tradition since 1949, is recognized for paying tribute to the genuine spirit of the community, according to the official website. This year's event is scheduled for December 14.

If you’re curious about which city holds the number one spot, it’s Duluth, Minnesota for its Bentleyville Tour of Lights. The ranking highlighted it as being one of America’s largest free walk-through light displays, with more than 5 million lights spread across a 20-acre park on the shores of Lake Superior.

Completing the top three is the Chickasha Festival of Light in Oklahoma at the second position and Downtown Indianapolis, Indiana's Circle of Lights.

See which other cities secured a place on the list by checking out the complete rankings here.

Kayla is the midday host on Detroit’s 105.1 The Bounce. She started her career in radio back in 2016 as an intern at another Detroit station and worked her way here. She's made stops in Knoxville, TN, Omaha, Ne and other places before returning to Detroit. She’s done almost everything in radio from promotions to web, creating content on social media, you name it. She’s a true Michigander, born and raised. So, you can catch her camping or vacationing up north to exploring the downtown Detroit or maybe even catching a sports game. During her free time, Kayla enjoys watching movies, roller-skating, crafting, and music festivals. She and her husband together dip into many of the great things Michigan has to offer. Together they also like to travel. A few hobbies of hers include wine and beer tastings, crafting, hiking, roller skating, movies, home improvement projects, gardening, and festivals. She’s always looking to take on more local events happening in the community. She loves connecting with the community. When writing, Kayla covers topics including lifestyle, pop culture, trending stories, hacks, and urban culture.