The holiday season is about spending quality time with family and friends — and enjoying the beauty of twinkling lights.
While we have some great opportunities here in Wilmington — Enchanted Airlie, Poplar Grove Plantation’s Merry and Bright Festival, and numerous Christmas tree lightings — there’s just something about a road trip at the holidays that gets everyone in a festive mood.
Whether you missed out on Enchanted Airlie tickets and want to fill the void with more sparkling lights or you’re just looking for some more fun activities to add to the calendar, here are some great spots for a holiday adventure. All are within about a two-hour drive from Wilmington.
ELJ Farms, Jacksonville
This family farm becomes Christmas Town each holiday season offering a Christmas light show trail that attendees can either drive-through in their personal vehicles or in a wagon ride. This year, the wagon ride will stop in the farm’s downtown shopping area, which includes The Jolly Post Office, a sweet shop offering holiday beverages, a general store, and a flower shop selling Christmas wreaths and bows.
ELJ Farms is located at 135 Batting Cage Lane in Jacksonville. For rates and more information, call 910-939-4945.
Mike’s Farm, Beaulaville
The Festival of Lights Hayride takes attendees through the woods where they can enjoy the sights and sounds of Christmas. Music and Christmas scenes are throughout the 30-minute ride. Hayride runs from 6 to 9 p.m. nightly through Dec. 23 and Dec. 26-28. Reservations are not needed for the hayride. Gift shops and a bakery are also onsite operating from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday and from 2 to 9 p.m. on Sunday.
Mike’s Farm is located at 1600 Haw Branch Road, Beulaville. For more information, call 910-324-3422 or visit mikesfarmnc.com.
Sweet Valley Ranch, Fayetteville
This holiday day-trip offers several fun activities, including the popular drive-through lights display. Visitors can also stop in Tiny’s Winter Wonderland where they will be able to meet and greet farm animals, enjoy bouncing on inflatables, gather around the fire pit and watch a holiday film on the big screen. Tickets are several additional attractions, including a Polar Express train ride, mini ATVs, and youth Go-Karts. (Age restrictions apply for the ATVs and Go-Karts.) A food truck is available onsite, and there is a gift shop offering additional treats.
Sweet Valley Ranch is located at 2990 Sunnyside School Road, Fayetteville. Call 1-844-622-3276 or visit sweetvalleyranchnc.com/festival-of-lights for more information.
Cape Fear Botanical Garden, Fayetteville
Holiday Lights in the Garden 2024 will include a walk-through holiday lights experience with interactive light displays and animations. Santa and the Grinch are available for photos, and holidays music plays throughout the venue. Food and seasonal beverages are available, and a vendor market offers holiday gifts.
Tickets must be pre-purchased as dates sell out quickly. Prices vary depending on date and time slot. Cape Fear Botanical Garden is located at 536 N. Eastern Blvd., Fayetteville. Call 910-486-0221 or visit capefearbg.org for information.
Meadow Lights, Benson
This display offers more than 8,000 lights spread across 30 acres. The tallest light display is 37 feet tall. While the lights are visible from the road, the venue operates three trains that run through 10 acres of the displays. Other attractions include a carousel and concessions. Santa is available for photos, and the Old Country Store with the area’s largest candy store featuring 300 varieties of old-fashioned candy.
Meadow Lights is located at 4550 Godwin Lake Road, Benson. The attraction is open from 5-10 p.m. through Dec. 31. For more information, call 919-669-5969 or visit meadowlights.com.
Lights on the Neuse, Clayton
Boyette Family Farms Inc. hosts Lights on the Neuse, a hayride through the farm adorned with lights. A concession stand will offer kettle corn, hotdogs, hamburgers, doughnuts, smores, and holiday beverages. Inside the Sugar Barn, gingerbread cookie kits are available to decorate at the farm or at home. While Santa isn’t available, attendees can take photos inside his sleigh with their phones or cameras.
Lights on the Neuse is located at 1620 Loop Road, Clayton. For ticket information, call 919-553-0016 or visit lightsontheneuse.com.
Night of a Thousand Candles, Murrells Inlet, South Carolina
Art and nature make Brookgreen Gardens beautiful any day of the year, but during the holidays that beauty is enhanced with more than 2,700 hand-lit candles and millions of lights. Now in its 25th year, Night of a Thousand Candles offers attendees the opportunity to enjoy a cup of cider as they stroll through paths of lights. Austin’s Harvest Restaurant offers dining for those with tickets to Night of a Thousand Candles, but reservations are recommended.
Brookgreen Gardens is located at 1931 Brookgreen Drive, Murrells Inlet, South Carolina. For dates and ticket information, call 843-235-6000 or visit brookgreen.org.