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Christmas Town USA Lights Up McAdenville for the Holidays

  • Writer: Melissa McCauley
    Melissa McCauley
  • Nov 24
  • 3 min read

Updated: Nov 26


Colorful Christmas lights reflect on a pond, featuring cone trees and fountains. Buildings with festive lights line the background at night.

CHRISTMAS TOWN USA 2025

December 1-26

Christmas Town USA is one of the top destinations in Gaston County during the holidays. Located in McAdenville, a small town just west of Charlotte, NC it transforms this small mill town in the evenings with a light display running through the town, complete with holiday music.


THE TRADITION

It all started in 1956, when the McAdenville Men's Club, along with Mr. W. J. Pharr, Pharr's founder, and president at the time, conceived the idea of using red, white, and green lights to decorate the trees around the McAdenville Community Center, which grew into an annual tradition. Christmas Town USA. In 2023, USA Today, the people voted this public light display as one of the ten best in the nation, and it's in the running for 2025 Christmas Town USA in the Newsweek Readers’ Choice Awards.


FESTIVITIES

Runner crosses finish line at night 5K race under "START/FINISH" banner, wearing a red shirt and cap. Christmas lights in background.

CHRISTMAS TOWN USA 5K


Selling out months in advance, the Christmas Town 5K is always the Saturday after Thanksgiving and kicks off the yearly holiday celebration. Over one thousand people dress up in their holiday gear to run this festive 5K under the lights!


Crowd gathers outdoors for holiday event. People in red and festive attire. Poinsettias in foreground, trees and sunset in background. Festive mood.

Christmas Town USA Tree Lighting Ceremony

December 1, 2025

Christmas Town USA officially begins the season with the much anticipated Tree Lighting Ceremony at Dynamo 31 on Main Street at 5:30 pm. Join us for holiday merriment as one child is selected to flip the switch to light up the town! LEARN MORE


Red sled with green garland and red bows on brick floor, in front of a lit brick fireplace with plants on the mantel, creating a cozy ambiance.

Yule Log Parade

December 11, 2025

Another of McAdenville's beloved traditions is the Yule Log Parade, which began in 1949. After a trip overseas, where Mr. and Mrs. Pharr attended a Yule Log celebration, they brought the idea of this community gathering back to McAdenville. The townspeople, adults and children alike, traditionally meet in front of the Pharr Office in Downtown McAdenville to join a parade led by a local high school band. The log is pulled through our historic downtown to the Memorial Yule Log Fireplace at Legacy Park and placed upon the fire with great exuberance! The festivities will begin at 5:30 pm. LEARN MORE


Festive light display by a lake at night, with illuminated trees and vibrant red streaks from passing cars, creating a lively scene.

McAdenville Christmas Town Attractions

  • Walk or drive through McAdenville's downtown and see hundreds of brightly illuminated red, white, and green Christmas trees aglow along the Christmas Town USA route.

  • Listen to the sounds of the season as traditional carillon bells play Christmas carols at the Pharr Family YMCA.

  • Bask in the season's splendor, including views of the town's lake surrounded by more than 30 decorated trees and a 75-foot multi-colored fountain.

  • View the vintage Christmas displays, including Old Man Winter, Santa and His Reindeer, Carolers, and a beautiful Nativity Scene, all located within McAdenville's decorated historic downtown.


Downtown Shopping and Dining

Recommended Accommodations


Christmas County

Christmas is a magical time in Gaston County, with holiday lights, festivals, parades, skating, snowless sledding, and more. Learn more about everything included in Christmas County.

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