Driving through neighborhoods to see how locals are decking the halls for the holiday season is one of my favorite traditions this time of year, and it turns out you’re on the same page. We’ve had several readers write in asking where to go for self-guided driving tours of the best holiday light displays in town.
So we asked you – our resident experts – to nominate the spots that are keeping things merry + bright this year. Here’s what you shared on Facebook + Reddit.
Bonus: Check out our interactive map here, where we’ve included all the points mentioned that we could find + locate easily on a map. Know of a great spot that didn’t make the list? Tell us in the comments section and help us build out our guide.
Did the Arboretum drive through last night and it was spectacular. Biltmore Village also appears all decked out. – John H.
525 Chunn’s Cove Road. Gargantuan, Stark, Apolitical, Non-sectarian, and Gluten Free. – Bill S.
My little street has quite a few homes with lights — Evelyn Place off Charlotte street – Lynn F.
93 Crayton Rd. in Oakley has a light display that is synchronized to 90.9 FM playing The Grinch when you go by, but also have speakers for people on foot. They don’t want people entering the property because of all the equipment and wires. 6-10pm M-Thurs and 6-11 Friday/Saturday Less busy later in the evening!
– Tasha P.
River Stone in Mills River – Carla P.
Lake Julian has an awesome drive thru display that you can go through multiple times, proceeds go to a charity every night. – Judy B.
Fletcher Park will be having free drive thru lights soon! –Kathleen B.
A lot of people have suggested Biltmore Lake in Enka. Also Lake Julian has a great drive through light show right off Long Shoals Road. $10 per car. 20% of proceeds go to Special Olympics of Buncombe County. – Whitney C.
There’s a house in Candler with a 2 acre front lawn that is loaded with lights. On 151 about 3mi down from Smokey Park HWY. About .25mi before Piney Mountain Methodist Church. Definitely worth looking at. – @brucevilletti
West Asheville is usually pretty good, specifically the area south of Haywood, sandwiched between the highways, Patton, and Haywood. There’s a pretty amazing house on Brevard, a couple blocks down from Haywood. They’re known for their Halloween display, but they have a pretty sweet Christmas one too. It’s also on a corner, so you can pull off of Brevard, park, and get out to look at it. – @superlosernerd
Montford and West Asheville neighborhoods had some good lights last year. Can’t say for certain this year but worth a shot. – @purplemoonpie
Biltmore Park has the best. I have been all around town – @theoccasionaldaily
So gas up the car, heat up the hot chocolate, and pick one or more of these spots for a safe drive-through experience. Looking to set the mood? Here’s a classic playlist you can stream on your adventure. Feeling a little something less traditional? Try this chilled out lo-fi playlist instead.
