For many years, the late John Simpson placed the wreath at the top of the island’s lighthouse — a merry tribute to his grandfather, the second-to-last keeper of the light.
Walk through the covered bridge to go between Old Salem Museums & Gardens and the Old Salem Visitor Center. photograph by Jay Sinclair
At Christmastime, the rafters of this 120-foot pedestrian bridge are spangled with Moravian stars, symbols of the Star of Bethlehem, which light the way between the past and present.
This year, the American Tobacco Campus will celebrate its 21st annual tower lighting on December 3. photograph by Joshua Steadman
For nearly 100 years, workers gathered here to manufacture cigarette brands like Lucky Strike. Today, this emblem towers over the heart of a different, more festive kind of gathering place in the American Tobacco Campus.
334 Blackwell Street
americantobacco.co/events/21st-annual-tower-lighting
The 1908 county courthouse is now a museum with exhibits on local history — including the creation of Great Smoky Mountains National Park and Fontana Dam. photograph by Robert Stephens
Throughout December, revelers can head into the town’s visitor center to write letters to Santa and drop them into the North Pole mailbox — then pick up cocoa and Christmas cookies to enjoy on the picture-perfect front lawn.
2 Everett Street
explorebrysoncity.com/events/christmas-holiday
Complete with hand-painted Venetian murals, the Village Park Carousel is a visual delight throughout the year. Photography courtesy of City of Kannapolis
This double-decker carousel features 1,800 glowing bulbs, and during the city’s Celebration of Lights — which sees the entire park turned into a sparkling spectacle nightly through December — you might even catch Santa taking a spin.
700 West C Street
kannapolisnc.gov/christmas
It’ll be a bit longer before the Charlotte Knights play their first game of the season. In the meantime, head to the Light the Knights Festival to go for a spin on an ice-skating rink or zip down a 150-foot-long snow-tubing hill in the outfield.
324 South Mint Street
milb.com/charlotte-knights/ballpark/christmas
This year, after the mayor flips the switch and officially ushers in the holiday season at the annual Downtown Raleigh Tree Lighting on November 21, the giant evergreen will illuminate historic Moore Square — a gathering place since 1792 — each night of December.
201 South Blount Street
downtownraleigh.org/dra-programs/tree-lighting
When self-made millionaire and Tasteless Chill Tonic inventor E.W. Grove dreamed of “the most elegant building in America,” the Grove Arcade was born. photograph by ExploreAsheville.com
During the holidays, strings of lights draw shoppers’ gazes upward to admire the unique architectural elements of this historic enclosed mall, which opened in 1929.
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In busy workshops and bright stores, our state’s toymakers and purveyors keep wonder alive. Dolls, trains, and games remind us: The joy of play never grows old.
Whether it’s secret Santa or the company cookie swap, sweet gatherings get everyone into the Christmas spirit.
Among dazzling lanterns, silk creatures, and twinkling lights at the North Carolina Chinese Lantern Festival, one little boy leads his parents straight to the heart of the holidays.
Sparkling streets, local traditions, and the cozy charm of a city wrapped in holiday wonder — Asheville offers merriment for every age of visitor.
