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See Historic Planes for FREE! Western North Carolina Air Museum in Hendersonville, NC

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Did you know Hendersonville, NC has a FREE airplane museum? The Western North Carolina Air Museum is in a hangar beside a small runway full of historic airplanes. Learn about the history of the planes, how they’re made, and how they fly. There are even aircraft that kids can climb in, explore, and experiment with the controls. If you have an aviation enthusiast in your family, no matter their age, this is not a place you’ll want to skip. Let us introduce you to this amazing little gem in Hendersonville so you can plan your visit soon!

WNC Air Museum planes

What is the Western North Carolina Air Museum?

The museum consists of a single hanger filled to the brim with interesting and historic aircraft, informational exhibits, and knowledgable staff there to answer your questions and explain everything about these planes. There is also an aviation library that takes up almost an entire wall of the hanger, full of information for anyone researching an aviation topic whether it’s historical, technical, or anything in between.

Plane at the WNC Air Museum

Is the WNC Air Museum a Place for Kids?

YES! Definitely bring kids to this museum. Signage at the museum asks parents to supervise their children at all times, which makes sense since there are so many valuable aircraft and exhibits densely packed into the space.

That said there are definitely things for kids to touch, explore, play with, and enjoy. There are photo ops for kids in the form of a wooden painted plane. And your kids may also notice some stuffies doing a little piloting. Both a plane and a gyrocopter are available for kids to climb into the pilot’s seat and move the controls. They’ll actually be able to move the rudder, ailerons, and elevator. This was definitely my kids’ favorite part of the museum.

Kids lpiloting at WNC Air Museum

The staff at the museum were very kind to my kids, answering all their questions and complimenting us on their inquisitiveness and behavior. And really, what parent doesn’t want to hear things like that about their kids?

On our way out, my kids were offered copies of some aviation magazines which they eagerly accepted. Members of the Air Museum donate copies they are done with to the museum so kids can bring them home to learn more.

WNC Air Museum Stuffed Pilots

When Can We Visit the Western North Carolina Air Museum?

The regular hours of the museum are as follows:

  • April – October: Wednesday & Saturday, 10 am to 5 pm, and Sunday 12 pm to 5 pm
  • November – March: Wednesday, Saturday, and Sunday, 12 pm to 5 pm

The museum may also be open for additional hours for special events, like the Hendersonville Apple Festival. Visit the Western North Carolina Air Museum website for special event information.

WNC Air Museum

Getting to the WNC Air Museum

When you plug the address into your GPS or maps app you should have no trouble getting to the museum. It’s located just a few miles from downtown Hendersonville, but the area is residential and you may feel like you’re headed off in the wrong direction. The drive is gravel and you’ll see the hanger from the road.

WNC Air Museum entrance

Western North Carolina Air Museum
1340 Gilbert Street, Hendersonville
FREE admission and parking

Free Things to Do in Hendersonville, NC

There are so many more free and fun adventures in Hendersonville, NC!

Here’s our list of totally free fun in Hendersonville, NC.

Regal Cinemas Returns Holiday Classics to the Theater for Just $5 in 2023

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Love watching holiday classic movies on the big screen? Good news! You can watch classic holiday movies at Regal Cinemas this year for just $5. It’s all happening starting the weekend of November 26th, 2023 through December 23rd, 2023! Bring the family for a budget-friendly day out with some of your favorite Christmas movies. We have the schedule and all the details!

Regal Cinemas holiday movies in 2023

Regal Cinemas Holiday Classics Return to the Theater

What Christmas movies will be playing in 2023 at Regal Cinemas?

Here’s the Regal Holiday Classics schedule:

November 26th, 2023: Elf
December 2nd and 3rd 2023: The Polar Express
December 3rd, 2023: National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation
December 9th, 2023: Elf
December 10th, 2023: The Grinch
December 16th, 2023: National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation
December 17th, 2023: The Polar Express
December 23rd, 2023: The Grinch

Tickets to holiday moves at Regal Cinemas are only $5.

Sweeten the Deal: Regal Christmas Concession Deals

What’s a trip to the movies without popcorn and other treats? Good news, you can get a free $10 gift card for concessions when you purchase a $50 Regal gift card. While you can’t use the concession gift card right away, because it’s only valid from January 1st through February 28th, 2024, you can buy your $50 gift card and use it for a gift or even your tickets and snacks now. Then come January you can grab tickets to a new release and enjoy your free popcorn.

Note that gift cards must be purchased in-store for the promotion.

Find a Regal Cinemas Location Near You

Is there a Regal Cinemas with $5 holiday movies near me? Here are all the Regal Cinemas locations.

Regal Cinemas Near Greenville, SC with $5 holiday movies

Regal Cinemas Near Columbia, SC with $5 holiday movies

Regal Cinemas Near Charlotte, NC with $5 holiday movies

Visit Bryson City, NC for the Holidays

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Are you searching for Bryson City holiday things to do? Most known for the Polar Express, there is so much more than just the train ride to do and explore in this friendly mountain town. Bryson City, NC also has a drive-thru light show, outdoor ice skating, delicious food, and much more! 

Looking for more holiday day trip ideas? Be sure to check out our festive guide!

Bryson City: A Real-Life Christmas Wonderland 

Bryson City is a quaint, peaceful mountain town along the Great Smoky Mountains. Just a quick 3 to 4 hour drive from Columbia, SC, this makes for the perfect weekend getaway. During winter each year, Bryson City transforms into a real-life Christmas wonderland with beautiful decor, twinkling lights, and Christmas magic all around. My family took a quick 1-night trip to the mountains and we spent one of our evenings exploring Bryson City. I left wishing we would have had more time to spend and know we will definitely be returning! 

Tree farms in Bryson City, NC

Things to do in Bryson City, NC for the Holidays

Take a Ride on the Polar Express 

One of the most popular things to do in Bryson City over the holidays is the Polar Express Train Ride! My family recently got to experience this magical event and both of my kids (ages 4 and 1) absolutely loved it. Be sure to check out the Kidding Around Pplar Express review for more tips and info! 

Bryson City Polar Express

Explore the Smoky Mountain Train Museum 

The train museum sits right next to the railroad tracks and is a great place to pass the time while waiting to board a train ride! Inside the museum, there is a huge display of model trains that are so fascinating to watch! My son loved pointing out all of the detailed features he saw. With a train ticket, entrance into the museum is free! 

Along with the model train display, the museum also offers a large gift shop area with plenty of trinkets and souvenirs. 

Smoky Mountain Train Museum

Smoky Mountain Rail

Go Outdoor Ice Skating

Outdoor ice skating is such a fun, classic winter activity! Unfortunately, on the evening we were there, the ice rink was not open, but now that I know it’s there we will be sure to plan accordingly for future visits. Along with ice skating, there is also a food truck and full-time bar. For $20 per person you will get 1 hour of skating time, skate rentals (smallest size is youth size 9), and 1 hot chocolate! Hours are as follows:

  • Thursdays and Fridays from 4 pm to 8 pm beginning November 17th, 2023
  • Saturdays and Sundays from 1 pm to 8 pm beginning November 19th, 2023

The Yard Ice Skating

Bryson City shops

Visit the Local Shops 

With so many locally-owned shops and businesses to choose from, picking a favorite would be hard! We popped into a few and really enjoyed all of the Christmas shops. We purchased an ornament from Uncle Bunky’s Christmas Cottage where they also had tons of holiday decor, small toys, sweet treats, etc. Loose Moose is another great gift store with lots of unique items to choose from. 

Madison’s on Main and Humanite Boutique are both great options for trendy women’s clothing! There are also several antique stores around that are always fun to browse through – you never know what you might find! 

Enjoy a Tasty Sweet Treat 

If you’re anything like me, the sweet tooth is at an all-time high throughout the holidays. The good news is, Bryson City has so many opportunities for delicious treats! After our ride on the Polar Express we stopped into the Heavenly Fudge Depot and let me just say, it lived up to its name! The peanut butter fudge from here was divine. They also had several festive sweet treats for kids – chocolate “believe” tickets and trains, cookies, bite-sized sweets, and more! 

The Chocolate Shoppe, Soda Pop’s Ice Cream, and Pop-N-Jacks Gourmet Popcorn are also great options to cure the sweet tooth! The popcorn from Pop-N-Jacks can even be brought onto the Polar Express with you and smells so good. I’m a little upset we didn’t stop in and give them a try, too! 

Take Festive Pictures 

Still need a family pic for this year’s Christmas card? There are tons of great holiday photo-ops everywhere you look in Bryson City! From the large, lit-up Christmas tree in the middle of the plaza to stationary train carts, a tractor, and more, you’ll have plenty of opportunities for family photos. 

Get Your Live Christmas Tree 

While there are no Christmas tree farms in Bryson City, there are several to choose from nearby. During our trip, we chose to get our tree at Smoky Mountain Tree Farm. They had a large variety of trees to choose from and even some that you could cut down yourself. The big red barn and beautiful Smoky Mountain scenery made for great pictures as well! 

There are two other tree farms within a few minutes of Smoky Mountain Tree Farm: Boyd Mountain Christmas Tree Farm and Mehaffey Tree Farm. Boyd Mountain Farm has several log cabins available for families to stay in as well as stocked fishing ponds, 4 miles of hiking trails, biking, and more!  

Christmas Tree Farm

Have you ever been to Bryson City during the holidays? What is your favorite thing to do?

17+ (2023) Magical Christmas Lights: Charlotte, NC

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It’s finally the time of year to see some dazzling displays of Christmas lights! Charlotte, NC has options to drive through thousands of lights, or your family can explore the lights as you walk about. There is something for every family. Plus, many of these events have extra attractions, including snow tubing, ice skating, and visits with Santa.

We even added a few neighborhoods you can drive through to give your kids a quick burst of joy on your way home. So get that hot chocolate ready. Here’s everything you need to enjoy the season with the illuminated magic of lights!



Places to see Christmas lights in Charlotte, North Carolina

Drive-Through Christmas Lights: Charlotte, NC

One of the most magical things about the holidays is the twinkly, dazzling lights around the city. These professional light displays take that magic to another level! With thousands of LED lights, holiday installations, decorated Christmas trees, and winter wonderland attractions, these drive-through Christmas light displays are an awesome memory maker for your kids.

Speedway Christmas 

Charlotte Motor Speedway, Concord, NC
November 17, 2023 – January 7, 2024
Admission cost: $35 – $175; Weekends are more expensive. Express passes are available for $75 per car.

We love Speedway Christmas. If you want to know more, check out our Kidding Around Review of Speedway Lights at Charlotte Motor Speedway.

The annual Speedway Christmas at the Charlotte Motor Speedway is a unique experience that your kids will absolutely love! One of the most popular Christmas Lights events in North Carolina, you’ll be blown away by over 5 million synchronized lights as you drive through a 4-mile course. Plus, you get to drive on the iconic race track! There is also a Christmas Village where you can stop and enjoy an illuminated walking trail, photos with Santa, market vendors, food, and smores by the fire.

Charlotte Motor Speedway Lights
Speedway Christmas at Charlotte Motor Speedway

Free Christmas Lights in Charlotte, NC

Kannapolis Celebration of Lights

Village Park, Kannapolis, NC
November 19th, 2023 – December 30th, 2023
Admission cost: Free; Train Ride: $2 per person; Carousel: $2 per person

Take a walk through the 250,000 dazzling lights that adorn Village Park in Kannapolis during their annual Celebration of Lights. Your kids will be bursting with excitement to ride the Winterland Express, a train ride that cruises through the light displays. Your family can also enjoy the carousel, make s’mores, visit with Santa, and enjoy Christmas carols. The light displays will not be open on Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve, and Christmas Day, so plan accordingly. 

Village Park is an awesome place to visit any time of year. We absolutely love the beautiful carousel. Don’t miss this one! Here’s our Kidding Around Review of Village Park!

Carousel at Village Park in Kannapolis during Celebration of Lights

Christmas Town USA

McAdenville, NC
December 1, 2023 – December 26, 2023
Admission cost: Free 

If you are looking for a truly immersive holiday experience, then Christmas Town USA should be on your holiday bucket list! You can drive through the town and see the astounding number of light displays and decorated houses. Or, you can take a walk around and feel the magic.

Be sure to check out the tree lighting ceremony on December 1st, in addition to the annual Christmas parade and Yule Log Ceremony on December 14th, 2023. We recommend visiting during the week to avoid long lines and cars because this experience is super popular.

Rosie’s Coffee and Wine Bar Decorates for Christmas

940 North Davidson Street, Charlotte
Admission: Free

You can enjoy a beautiful Christmas display with your coffee or wine on the patio at Rosie’s Coffee and Wine Bar. Their 2023 display is nearly ready! Get a sneak peek in their Instagram post below.

Walk Through Beautiful Charlotte Christmas Lights

Light the Knights

Truist Field, Charlotte, NC
November 22, 2023 – January 1st, 2024
Admission Cost: $10+ for entry only; $40+ for all activities; Ages 3 and under are free

You can take a walk through Truist Field and enjoy over 10,000 lights! They have some pretty epic additions to the lights, including snow tubing, ice skating, visits with Santa and Mrs. Claus, and lots of beautiful, larger-than-life decorations.

You’ll also want to check out The Market, which has 20 vendors selling everything from donuts to glow toys, perfect for your upcoming gift exchange. Be sure to check the schedule before heading to the field if you plan to see Santa, he’s a busy man this time of year and is only available during specific times.

Carolina Holiday Light Spectacular

Ballantyne’s Backyard, Charlotte, NC
December 7th, 2023 – December 30th, 2023
Admission cost: $10 – $20 for general admission. Preordering tickets is recommended.

Enjoy the season with a half-mile walk along a trail that is illuminated with over 1 million lights! The display at Ballantyne’s is unique in that the displays, lights, hundreds of decorated trees, and other installations are so strategically designed that you are truly immersed in the lights.

Plus, there is Christmas music to enjoy, an Alpine Avalanche Snow Tube slide, several kid’s activities, performers, food trucks, and nightly visits from Santa. The trail is stroller-friendly, so you can take your time exploring. The tree lighting ceremony happens on opening night, which is sure to be a spectacular experience! 

Fun & Festive: Lights Plus Lots of Fun Things to Do

High Seas Minature Golf, Pirate Christmas

High Seas Minature Golf
Opening mid-November, check the High Seas Minature Golf Facebook page for updates on Pirates Christmas

What’s better than mini golf? Um, mini golf with lots of Christmas lights of course! Play through the festive course, complete with glowing pirate ships lit by strands and strands of lights. In years past they’ve had a life-size snow globe photo op, snowfalling, and other activities.

Check out this Pirates Christmas video from 2022.

Winterfest at Carowinds

Carowinds, Charlotte, NC
November 17, 2023 – January 1, 2023
Admission cost: $32.99+

Dazzling Christmas light display AND roller coasters! Count us in. Carowinds is already an epic experience, but each winter they break out thousands of lights for Winterfest. You will also enjoy live holiday performances, ice skating, holiday foods, a parade with decorated floats, and more. 


Christmas Lights Displays Close to Charlotte, NC

Holidays at the Garden

Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden, Belmont, NC
November 24th, 2023 – December 23rd, 2023
Admission cost: $15 – $25; children under 2 are free.

There is something special about a garden display adorned with lights, especially with its perfectly curated display! Enjoy the dazzling lights, fountains, a cozy outdoor fire, and food trucks while you walk about the botanical garden. Tickets are timed entry, with a 5 pm and 7 pm option. It is recommended to purchase your tickets online, and members receive a discount.

Kings Mountain Christmas Extravaganza

Patriot’s Park
202 South Railroad Ave, Kings Mountain
2023 TBA- Likely end of November through New Year’s Day
FREE
Kings Mountain Christmas Extravaganza

Christmas lights with an extraordinary history, hand-made by the Costner family, and taken over by Kings Mountain after their passing, the extravagant Christmas spirit lives on. Bring the family and walk through this amazing display.

Kings Mountain Downtown Christmas Lights

After checking out the Christmas Extravaganza, you can enjoy a free synchronized light show in Downtown Kings Mountain!

Greenville, SC

If you’re headed towards Upstate, SC, you have lots and lots of options when it comes to Christmas lights. Check them all out in the Kidding Around Guide to Christmas Lights Displays in Greenville, SC.

Shadrack’s Christmas Wonderland

Tryon Equestrian Center
Drive time from Charlotte: About an hour and a half
Admission: $30-35 per car, $10-12 per child for Winterfest Village activities (no charge for adults)

Shadrack’s Christmas Wonderland and Winterfest Village  is a very popular option in Tryon, NC, not too far from the Upstate. The drive-thru light experience at the Tryon Equestrian International Center runs nightly from November 17, 2023 – January 7, 2024, from 6-10 pm. The Winterfest Village is open weekends in December through December 23rd from 5-9 pm with activities like bounce houses, carousel rides and visits with Santa.

Columbia, SC

Worth the drive from Charlotte, Columbia has a couple of really awesome lights displays. You can check them all out in our Columbia, SC Christmas Lights Guide.

We have two favorites in the Columbia area!

Holiday Lights on the River at Saluda Shoals

6071 St. Andrews Road, Columbia, SC
November 23 through December 31, 2023
Cost: $25 per car; $50 for passenger vans 

Holiday Lights on the River is a drive-through Christmas Lights Display in Saluda Shoals. In addition to lights, there are a bunch of activities including a giant slide, smores, letters to Santa, and more.

Holiday Lights on the River is a Columbia favorite. Find out more in our Kidding Around Review of Holiday Lights on the River

Fireflies Holiday Lights

Segra Park, 1640 Freed Street, Columbia
November 16th, 2023- December 31st, 2023
Cost: $10-12 per person

Fireflies Holiday Lights was new last year and we loved our visit. You’ll get to walk through massive lights displays in Segra Park, Columbia’s baseball venue. Then you can enjoy visits with Santa, smores, and even a tree farm!


Great Neighborhoods to See Christmas Lights in Charlotte

If you are looking for a way to see some lights on an evening drive with the kids without having to pay any money, a Christmas lights drive through these Charlotte area neighborhoods will not disappoint. These festive neighborhoods gather each year to decorate their streets to spread the magic of the Christmas season.

Ardrey Neighborhood: This neighborhood goes all out, with most houses participating in decorating their homes. You’ll see Christmas lights, decorated trees, holiday installations, and more. Take a drive through the area, or park and let your kids walk the sidewalks. GPS Wheatfield Road, Charlotte if you need navigation.

Plaza Midwood: The Plaza Midwood has a unique tradition of adorning the tree-lined streets with Christmas light balls! They are colorful and beautiful, making it a great stop while driving around looking for lights with the kids.

Hillside Avenue: If you head near Myers Park in Charlotte, you’ll come across the gorgeous display of lights on Hillside Avenue. Light balls adorn most of the trees, and your kid’s eyes will sparkle while they enjoy the drive through the neighborhood.

Private Property Displays

1417 Deer Spring Court, Indian Trail, NC
This walk through display is lit from 5 pm to 10 pm until January 2nd, 2024

Want to see more Christmas lights? Our sister sites have lots more!
See Christmas Lights Near Greenville, SC.
Enjoy Christmas Lights Near Columbia, SC and the Midlands

Huge Catawba Science Center is a Fun Day Trip in Hickory, NC

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The Catawba Science Center in Hickory, NC has so much to explore! See animals, build, learn about physics, space, gardens and more! We checked it out and have all the information you need to enjoy a fun day here as a day trip from Greenville, SC, or Charlotte, NC, or anywhere in between!

Catawba Science Center

Ever since I got my Roper Mountain Science Center membership, I’ve started planning day trips and homeschool field trips according to where my family can get in for free or half-price using the reciprocal membership benefits. The Catawba Science Center in Hickory, NC was on the list so that’s where we went. 

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Ride a Carousel & Train: Village Park in Kannapolis, NC

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Have you visited Village Park in Kannapolis, NC? Not only does this park have two amazing playgrounds and multiple picnic shelters, but you’ll also find North Carolina’s only double-decker carousel lit with 1800 lights! As if that weren’t enough, the park also has a real miniature train that families can ride around the park. Tickets for the carousel and train are very inexpensive. Topping all that off is a free holiday light display and seasonal events. We loved our visit to Village Park in Kannapolis and we have all the information for you!

Carousel at Village Green Park

Village Park Carousel

Manufactured in Italy, this carousel is the only double-decker carousel in North Carolina. It features over 1,800 lights, hand-painted murals, and traditional carousel music. The classic carousel is set beside a green space as you enter the park in its own covered shelter, making this park feel whimsical and inviting.

Tickets to ride the carousel at Village Park are $1.50.

Think your kids are too big? Think again. Even my preteens enjoyed a whirl on this carousel.

Village Park train

Village Park Train

The train shed at Village Park is located across from the carousel. From there, families can hop on board the rotary express train and ride around the park, past the splash pad, both playgrounds, and across the paved and shaded walking paths. The train is a g-24 scale replica CP Huntington engine.

Village Park train

Tickets to ride the rail at Village Park are $1.50. The train hours are seasonal, running weekends April through mid-October and daily in the summer. Find exact hours on the Kannapolis Parks website.

Purchase tickets for both the train and the carousel at the exterior window of the main building at the park’s entrance.

Village Park Playground

City of Kannapolis, Village Park Playgrounds

Climb high, bounce, swing, and slide at both of Village Park’s playgrounds. Located side by side, one playground is intended for the 5 and under crowd, while the other is meant for older kids. We loved the climbing options and long slides at this park!

Paved Walking Trails

Taking a walk or a run? The paved walking trails at Village Park and connected to other trails in the area could be just the right place for you. You can take the 2-mile loop between Village Park and Bakers Creek Park on the 8th Street Greenway and the Bakers Creek Greenway.

Greenway Trail Map

Splash Pad at Village Park

The splash pad at Village Park is amazing. Great free fun on a hot summer day.

Splash pad at Village Park in Kannapolis, NC

Free and Cheap Holiday Fun at Village Park in Kannapolis

We love FREE and low-cost holiday fun, and Villiage Park is packed with it. They have a totally free holiday light display with thousands of lights! Walk through the displays at your own pace for a magical holiday experience. Check out the FREE Holiday Lights at Village Park.

Or, if you want to turn it up a notch, book tickets for the park’s holiday train, the Winterland Express! Tickets are $2 per person. Ride the train through the park’s lights and see them in a whole new way. End your evening with a ride on the two-story carousel for just $2 per person.

Tree Lighting Celebration for the Holiday Season

The Kannapolis tree lighting at Village Park is one of the park’s most exciting events of the year! Thousands gather throughout the park on Saturday evening before Thanksgiving to see the park illuminated by 250,000 lights strung through trees, along buildings, and adorning the Christmas tree in the green space of the park. To kick off the Celebration of Lights, there is an annual Tree Lighting Ceremony.

Kannapolis Tree Lighting Ceremony at Village Park

The Tree Lighting Ceremony

When the ceremony begins, various speakers say a little about the past year and the year that is to come. Then, the crowd is introduced to Santa Claus himself! As he counts down with the crowd, the large Christmas tree illuminates as the crowd hits 1, along with dozens of LED Christmas trees that surround to tree. This creates a gorgeous display of color, and the crowd begins to move and weave through the trees, now bright with the Christmas spirit!

Where to Gather Your Family for the Tree Lighting Ceremony

You can sit pretty much anywhere in the circumference of the tree to get a good view. If you plan to ride the carousel, train, or visit Santa right after the lighting, I would recommend standing toward the back closer to the lines for those activities. The lines grow long quickly, so anything you can do to get you closer to the front of the line, the better. The train lines seem to be the longest of the three attractions, so if that is on your holiday bucket list, stay close to that line during the tree lighting ceremony.

You can also choose to stand closer to the main stage area to hear the wonderful messages from community leaders. Here, your kids will get an up-close view of Santa as he greets the park! There are also a few carols sung, and you are best able to hear and enjoy the thrill of the countdown here (it’s a little hard to hear once you get closer to the tree). 

Fireworks 

My family’s favorite part of the tree lighting ceremony was hands down the fireworks that immediately preceded the lights. The fireworks rose into the sky behind and to the left of the main stage, so we were able to position ourselves so that the fireworks rose into the sky right above the Christmas tree.

The fireworks display lasted around 5 minutes and was a great way to start the celebration and helped stabilize the crowd movement for a few minutes. If you have little ones, be sure to bring ear protection (our two-year-old didn’t find the fireworks as thrilling as the rest of us).

Celebration of Lights

This free holiday light display in Village Park is daily from November 18th through December 30th, 2023. Hours are Sunday through Thursday 6 pm to 9 pm and Friday and Saturday 6 pm to 10 pm. The display will be closed on Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve, and Christmas Day.

In addition to the lights, Santa will be on-site to visit with the kids every evening! Plus enjoy live holiday music, entertainment, crafts, and a miniature train display.

Celebration of Lights in Kannapolis, North Carolina

Here’s everything you need to know about Celebration of Lights at Village Park

Tickets for the Winterland Express and Carousel

Book your tickets in advance for the Winterland Express at the Celebration of Lights.

Carousel tickets can be purchased nightly on-site.

Places to see Christmas lights in Charlotte, North Carolina

Looking for more places to see Christmas lights? We’ve got you covered!

Here’s our list of more than 10 places to see Christmas lights near Charlotte, NC.

Kannapolis Holiday Events

Tree Lighting Ceremony: November 18th, 2023 6 pm in Village Park
Christmas Parade: December 19th, 2023 6 pm in Downtown Kannapolis

Downtown Kannapolis
Downtown Kannapolis, NC

Village Park, Kannapolis
700 West C Street, Kannapolis

10 Parent-Hacks for Amazing & Memorable Trips to the Farm this Fall

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Want to make sure your family trip to the farm is amazing? Farms in the fall are perfect places for family fun and lots of memory-making. But, bringing your whole crew anywhere can sometimes be a little stressful, right? So, we have some tips to help you make your fall farm trip easy with nothing but fun and happy faces.

Parent tips for farm trips
Famoda Farm

Wear the correct clothes.

A farm is a great opportunity to take some adorable, matching farm-themed photos, but it’s important to realize that it is a farm. Farms have dirt, fire ants, and typically a lot of sun. Cute smocked outfits, warm “fall” clothes, and open-toed shoes might look great in photos but may not be comfortable, practical attire for having fun at the farm.

If your main goal is photos, consider either outfit choices that are comfortable and can get dirty or take your photos and schedule another visit for full farm activities.

We recommend wearing:

  • Clothes that can get dirty
  • Closed-toed shoes that are comfortable for walking such as tennis shoes or boots
  • Layers, even on cooler fall days it can feel really hot in the sun especially if you spend an hour wandering in a corn maze.
  • A hat or sunglasses if it’s a sunny day
Moo Cow farms cow cuddling
Moo Cow Farms

Bring snacks and water.

Most farms will allow you to eat on the property or at your car. Some serve food, but not all. Most do not have a place to refill water bottles.

We recommend making sure you have plenty of food and water.

There will likely only be porta-potties at the farm so plan accordingly.

Wear your sunscreen. It can get hot in October in our region.

Apple slingshot
Apple slingshot at McLadke Orchards

Go over farm etiquette before getting out of the car.

It’s important to go over basic farm rules with your kids if they are unfamiliar with farm etiquette. Farming is hard work and it’s important to respect the farmer’s property.

Follow all farm signs and rules.

Be sure to treat plants with respect. Only pick what you plan to pay for and don’t destroy farm property such as forming new paths in a corn maze.

Don’t throw produce such as pumpkins or corn unless it’s part of a farm-approved game.

Watch your kids closely. Farm equipment can be dangerous.

Don’t feed animals unless signs give permission to feed them and only feed animals food that is approved by the farm.

If you have the opportunity to touch or hold animals, remind your children to be gentle.

Feeding animals at Goat Daddy's Farm
Goat Daddy’s Farm

Be prepared before you get lost in the corn maze.

Corn mazes are fun but they also are in direct sunlight and involve a lot of wandering around trying to figure your way out.

Your kids will likely insist on picking all of the turns which often results in walking in circles for hours.

  • Make sure your preschooler/toddler understands that they have to stay with you because losing a child in a corn maze is more excitement than most of us want when visiting a farm.
  • Take a photo of the corn maze before you enter. That way if you get lost and tired, you can still find your way out.
  • If all else fails, follow the wall-hugger trick.
  • Make sure you have your water with you.
  • Go to the bathroom before your start the maze.
  • If your kids are little, they usually won’t know the difference between the entrance and exit so you can always have a short visit into the corn maze and just exit out the way you came before everyone gets tired.
Corn maze
Denver Downs

Pick the right farm.

If you want to pick apples or pumpkins, make sure the farm lets you pick them before arriving. Some orchards and farms only sell pre-picked produce.

Some farms allow you to enjoy all the activities for one price, whereas others charge per activity. If your main event is picking apples, paying once for the jumping pillow or hay ride might be the right choice. If your main activity is playing at the farm, consider one with an all-inclusive price.

Denver Downs Slide
Denver Downs

Check to see what forms of payment they accept.

Some of the farms in the region only accept cash or check. Make sure you are prepared.

Clinton Sease Farm Offers Incredible Fall Fun in Lexington, SC

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Are you thinking about a trip to Clinton Sease Farm this fall? If you’re looking for a family-friendly place to enjoy the season and all the festivities it has to offer, Clinton Sease is the place for you! At this farm, you will find a huge corn maze, pumpkin patch, two awesome kid zones FULL of activities, tractor rides, and more. We recently went and have all you need to know in order to make your trip a memorable one! 

This article includes:
About Clinton Sease Farm
Clinton Sease Farm Hours
Tickets for Clinton Sease Farm
Things to Do for Kids at Clinton Sease Farm
Corn Maze at Clinton Sease Farm
Pumpkin Patch: Pick your pumpkin off the vine
Tractor Rides
Birthday Parties at Clinton Sease Farm

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10+ Things to Do While Exploring York County, South Carolina

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Are you looking for things to do in York, SC? We recently spent a few days exploring all that York County, South Carolina has to offer visitors and we found a lot! There’s something there no matter what your family enjoys doing. We discovered orchards, outdoor activities, and delicious food that we know you will enjoy. So, let us help you get ready for your next day trip to York, South Carolina!

Guide to visiting York County, South Carolina

We were the guests of VisitYorkCounty.com for the purpose of this guide to York County, SC. However, the words and opinions of our team member are honest and genuine. 

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Visit Farms and Win Prizes with the SC Agritourism Passport Program

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Looking for a fun way to explore our state’s different sources of plant- and animal-based products? The SC Agritourism Passport Program is an incentive program where people can earn free goodies for visiting places that are probably already on your to-do list! The good news is there are nearly two dozen farms not far from Greenville and Spartanburg. Visiting farms is more than a fun, family activity; it’s also a field trip-worthy educational opportunity! 

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