Looking for some opportunities for family fun this holiday season, without any large crowds? Nothing spreads holiday cheer quite like some twinkling Christmas lights! We've got the info you need to enjoy some bright and cheery holiday fun! Light displays are a great way to enjoy the season and jump start your holiday cheer. I can remember as a child piling into the family car to go look at the Christmas lights, and today's kids will enjoy having those memories just as much. Dine in or pick up some carryout from a local eatery to enjoy along the way, on your way home, or at a local park if the weather's mild.
WCBK Christmas Light Parade
November 30, Martinsville
The WCBK Christmas Light Parade is now in it's 3rd year, and takes place on the Saturday after Thanksgiving each year. Beginning at 5:30 pm in downtown Martinsville near City Hall, this fun lighted parade travels north on Jefferson Street, then east on Harrison Street to Home Avenue, where it again turns north to end at Jimmy Nash City Park, just in time for the park's lighting event (see details below). The WCVB Christmas Light Parade is a delight for all ages. Each float in the parade is lit up for a beautiful holiday feel, Santa Claus himself will be a participant, and several community groups as participate as well. Make sure you come prepared to catch some candy!
Winter Wonderland Festival of Lights at Jimmy Nash City Park
November 30 - January 1, Martinsville
The annual light display at Jimmy Nash City Park is a Martinsville tradition, and the perfect way to end the evening after a visit to the Martinsville Candy Kitchen for holiday candy canes! (See the Martinsville Candy Kitchen Facebook page for specific candy cane pour times, but they almost always make them on Friday evenings in December and up to three times each Saturday in November and December.) Drive through the lower loop of Jimmy Nash City Park in Martinsville to see this year's light display. Please note: The park now closes at 9 pm. If you are inside the park at that time, the automatic gate will open to let you out, but you cannot drive into the park after 9 pm.
A Monrovia Hometown Christmas
November 30, Monrovia
The town of Monrovia will present A Monrovia Hometown Christmas, their first-ever lighted Christmas Parade and Christmas tree lighting ceremony on Saturday, November 30. The fun kicks off that morning at 10 am with a Winter Market and there are fun activities scheduled throughout the day that include a scavenger hunt, petting zoo, lighted parade, photos with Santa, a live nativity and more! The Christmas tree lighting ceremony and Christmas carols will begin at 5:15 pm.
Mooresville Christmas Lights Tour
December 1-31, Mooresville
mooresvillelights.com
The Mooresville Christmas Lights Tour is now in its fifth year, and it has quickly become a popular tradition. Beginning on December 1, get your online tour map at mooresvillelights.com. Navigate the self-guided trail to enjoy a wide variety of Christmas lights displays in and around Mooresville. Be sure to vote for your favorite display using the form on the website! BONUS: Be sure to keep an eye out for Santa along the way. He's been known to hang out at along the tour, weather permitting.
Martinsville Light Tour
Dec. 6-31, throughout Martinsville
martinsvillelightour.com
Brand new this year, the Martinsville Light Tour will kick off in early December for its second year of highlighting area holiday light displays in and around Martinsville. The self-guided tour map will be available on the website and more information can be found on their Facebook group. Stops will be lit each night until 10 pm. Be sure to vote for your favorite stop. BONUS: Watch for the mailbox on the tour - it's a direct postal link to the North Pole, where you can mail your letters to Santa!
Downtown Mooresville Christmas Tree Lighting
December 6, Mooresville
On the Friday evening before the Mooresville Victorian Christmas Celebration, December 6 this year, the community comes together downtown at Bicentennial Park for the Downtown Mooresville Christmas Tree Lighting event! This fun event will feature more than just lighting up the tree - Santa Claus will be there to take your holiday gift requests along with other Christmas characters to interact with, festive music and even food trucks. Come out and enjoy the seasonal cheer. The festivities typically begin around 5 pm, and the big tree is lit up at 7 pm.
Eminence Christmas Tree Lighting
December 7, A&A Fire Station, Eminence
Eminence will host their first ever Christmas Tree lighting event at the A&A Townships Volunteer Fire Station. The fun will take place on Saturday, December 7, at 7 pm. Once the tree is lit, attendees are invited to enjoy cookies, hot cocoa and a visit from Santa at the Fire Station!
Bobby Helms Jingle Bell Rock Christmas Spectacular & Tree Lighting
Dec. 7 & 8, Downtown Martinsville
The Bobby Helms Jingle Bell Rock Christmas Spectacular and Tree Lighting takes place in downtown Martinsville on Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 7 and 8, but if you've been downtown lately, you'll notice festive holiday window displays all around the square (and beyond)! The tree lighting itself will be on Dec. 8, between 7:30 and 8 pm, after a celebration of the season featuring two days of ice skating, vendors, roaming characters such as Elf, the Grinch and Cindy Lou Who, carriage and trackless train rides, a holiday film on Dec. 7, and lots of live holiday musical performances on the evening of the 8th, leading up to the final performance of the evening - the Bobby Helms Jingle Bell Rock Tribute Band, which will take the stage before the City's 30 foot tree Christmas tree is lit.
