Christmas Town USA Gets Underway In North Carolina

Christmas Town USA in McAdenville, North Carolina is a celebration many look forward to every year. And, it officially kicks off for another season this week. So, let's learn more about the tradition and what you need to know to visit.

According to WSOC-TV, the annual lights festival begins this week providing visitors a chance to delight at dozens of beautifully decorated houses and a 'Yule Log Parade' on Main Street at 5:30 December 12. Visitors may choose to drive through the displays or park and stroll through. The festivities take place from 5:30 to 10 each night now through December 26.

For help in navigating the celebration, if you take I-85 N, the exit to watch for is 22, and enter Main Street on Highway 7. However, if you come from I-85 S, the exit is 26, and enter Wesleyan Drive. Limited parking is available off Poplar Street and Elm Street.

The official Christmas Town USA website suggests arriving early to enjoy a dinner at Terra Mia Ristorante or a craft beer or glass of wine at 115 Craft and The River Room. There are boutiques for shopping and candy shops for indulging. It sounds like all the best parts of a Hallmark movie.

And, something new to Christmas Town USA this year is North Pole Park. Mark your calendar for December 7 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. for Santa's Workshop at North Pole Park. It's described as a pop-up winter wonderland featuring a photo wall, crafts, food trucks, live music, and more.

Plus, don't forget to grab your 'Tinsel Trail Card' to check off a visit to all the hot spots on Main Street for a chance to win prizes. It's sort of like a festive scavenger hunt through local vendors and businesses. The grand prize is $200, and all the rules and details are available on the Christmas Town USA website.

The Christmas Town USA tradition began in 1956 as a collaboration between the McAdenville Men's Club and Mr. W. J. Pharr. The celebration was featured on CBS Sunday Morning with Charles Kuralt in 1980. And, it's grown by leaps and bounds since. Make plans and enjoy this tradition like no other this season!

When it comes to holiday movies, nobody does it like the Muppets. These lovable creatures know how to throw Christmas spirit in your face with just the right mix of heart, humor, and complete insanity. They’ve got something for everyone… Comedy, heartfelt songs, and even moments that sneak up and make you go, “Damn, why am I crying over a talking frog?” Muppet Christmas movies are proof that the holidays don’t have to be perfect to be magical. They just have to be full of love, laughs, and maybe a turkey or two running for its life.

The Muppets have mastered the art of taking classic Christmas tales and putting their wild spin on them. And when they’re not reworking Charles Dickens or George Bailey’s life, they’re coming up with their own bonkers holiday stories that somehow still capture the true meaning of Christmas. It’s the kind of joyful chaos you want during the holidays, like when your family is fighting over the last slice of pie, but deep down, you know everyone’s having having a blast doing it. That's a Muppet Christmas movie.,

What makes Muppet Christmas movies stand out is they’ll cast Michael Caine as Scrooge and surround him with singing rats! Or they’ll make Kermit question his existence while Miss Piggy hilariously spirals. Don't we all? And then there’s the catchy tunes that you’ll hum all season long, even if you don’t want to admit it. You love it.

Whether it’s a cozy jug-band in a small town or Gonzo pretending he’s Charles Dickens, every Muppet Christmas movie has something special. Sure they’re silly, but they always remind me that Christmas isn’t about perfection, it’s about showing up for the people (or Muppets) you love.

This is the Christmas classic. Gonzo as Charles Dickens? Genius. Michael Caine giving Oscar level acting surrounded by singing frogs and rats? Unmatched.

It’s like the Muppet version of a potluck. You’ve got Muppets, Sesame Street, and Fraggle Rock in one big holiday mashup. And yes, Miss Piggy arrives dramatically late, because she’s a star.

A heartfelt road trip to deliver lost letters to Santa. It’s sweet, it’s silly, and Pepe the Prawn steals the show with his one-liners. This one is special.

The Muppets go full It’s a Wonderful Life here, with Kermit wondering what life would be like if he’d never existed. Spoiler: Miss Piggy becomes a washed-up reality star. Iconic.

This one’s pure, old-school Jim Henson charm. Emmet Otter and his friends bring small-town sweetness and banjo vibes while chasing their dreams. It’s about family, music, and holiday spirit, wrapped up in a jug-band jam session.