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McAdville, NC: The Small Town with Big Christmas Spirit

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  //travel-leisure.news-articles.net/content/2025/ .. nc-the-small-town-with-big-christmas-spirit.html
  Published in Travel and Leisure on Monday, December 1st 2025 at 8:14 GMT by Travel + Leisure

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McAdville, North Carolina: A Small Town with a Big Christmas Spirit

Nestled in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, the tiny community of McAdville, North Carolina, has earned a reputation that belies its modest size. According to Travel + Leisure’s feature “Christmas Town USA: McAdville, North Carolina,” this little dot on the map is a holiday haven, a place where the glow of lights, the scent of pine, and the hum of seasonal cheer make it feel as if the entire world had paused for a moment of Christmas magic. The article, which has garnered praise for its warm portrait of a town that has made Christmas its identity, provides a detailed look at why McAdville is so beloved by travelers and locals alike.

A History of Lights and Community Spirit

The roots of McAdville’s Christmas tradition run deep. The article traces the town’s journey back to the early 1970s, when a group of residents decided to illuminate a local park with strings of lights for a community holiday event. By the mid‑1980s, the lights had become a staple of the town’s winter calendar, and the city’s leadership—most notably Mayor Harold Thompson, whose tenure is highlighted in the piece—officially adopted a “Christmas Town” designation in 1990. This formal recognition, the article notes, was driven by the town’s growing popularity among holiday travelers and its commitment to maintaining a consistent, year‑long celebration of the season.

What sets McAdville apart, the article explains, is the way the town’s lights are integrated into its landscape. Rather than a single display, the town’s streets, homes, and even the local train station are draped in multicolored ribbons that reflect the changing light from sunrise to dusk. In addition to the classic white bulbs, McAdville’s displays feature themed colors—red, gold, green, and blue—each symbolizing different aspects of the holiday spirit: love, generosity, hope, and joy. The local community works together to maintain and update these lights every year, making the tradition a living, breathing expression of communal pride.

The Main Attractions

1. McAdville Christmas Lights
The centerpiece of the town’s holiday offerings is its “Christmas Lights” show, which is described in the article as a “spectacular display that transforms the town into a winter wonderland.” Visitors can stroll or ride in a vintage trolley that circles the town’s main street, stopping at key points where themed light installations—like giant Christmas trees, snowflake arches, and nativity scenes—are showcased. The article notes that the lighting scheme is carefully coordinated with local music performances, which are played from the town’s square throughout the evening.

2. Santa’s Village
Another highlight is Santa’s Village, an area of the town that features a life‑size Santa Claus stand and a small gift shop where travelers can purchase handmade holiday trinkets. The village, as the article describes it, offers a hands‑on experience for children who can meet Santa, take pictures, and receive a personalized holiday letter. Behind the scenes, the village is a community effort, with volunteers from local churches and businesses running the operations.

3. Holiday Market & Food Stalls
The article also brings attention to the “Holiday Market” that takes place every Saturday during December. Vendors from around the state sell local crafts, baked goods, and specialty beverages like hot chocolate and mulled wine. In addition, there are food stalls offering regional favorites—such as barbecue, fried chicken, and homemade pies—that complement the festive atmosphere. The market has become a destination for families looking for a relaxed, family‑friendly holiday shopping experience.

4. Christmas Train Experience
McAdville’s holiday charm is extended to the rail line that passes through town, where the article highlights a “Christmas Train” experience. A vintage locomotive, decorated with candy‑cane and lights, pulls a carriage that visitors can board to watch the town’s lights from above. The train ride is a highlight for many tourists and a nostalgic nod to classic holiday movies.

Tourism and Economic Impact

The Travel + Leisure article makes clear that McAdville’s Christmas display has become an economic boon for the community. Every year, the town attracts an estimated 25,000 visitors—a figure that has grown steadily since the first lights were installed. The influx of tourists has spurred growth in local businesses such as restaurants, bed‑and‑breakfasts, and specialty shops. Mayor Thompson is quoted in the article as emphasizing that “the lights have become a vital part of our economy, and they bring us together.”

The town’s tourism board, as mentioned in the article, has collaborated with the North Carolina Department of Tourism to promote the holiday season nationwide. This partnership has resulted in featured listings in travel guides and social‑media campaigns that spotlight McAdville’s unique charm. The article even references a 2023 “Best Christmas Lights in North Carolina” list in which McAdville placed first, underscoring the town’s recognition beyond the region.

Additional Context from Linked Articles

Travel + Leisure’s piece links to several related resources that expand upon the story:

• “12 Best Christmas Towns in America” – The article briefly mentions this Travel + Leisure feature, which lists other towns such as Bethlehem, Pennsylvania; Christmas, New Mexico; and Wilmington, Delaware. This comparison helps readers understand McAdville’s place in a broader national context.

• “North Carolina Christmas Trail” – A guide that details other holiday destinations within the state, offering itineraries that combine McAdville with nearby attractions such as the Blue Ridge Parkway and Asheville’s Holiday Lights.

• McAdville Community Association Website – The article references the official site of the town’s community association, which provides logistical details for visitors, including the schedule of events, donation opportunities, and volunteer recruitment.

These links serve to situate McAdville within a network of holiday destinations while also offering practical information for those planning a trip.

Final Thoughts

McAdville may be small, but its holiday spirit is expansive. The article from Travel + Leisure beautifully encapsulates how a simple idea—decorating a town for Christmas—can grow into a communal tradition that brings people together, stimulates local economies, and provides a magical experience for travelers. Whether you’re strolling down a street lit with twinkling colors, enjoying a cup of hot cocoa while the train whizzes past, or meeting Santa in a tiny village, McAdville offers a quintessential American Christmas experience that is as heartfelt as it is festive. For those looking to soak up holiday cheer, the town stands as a shining example of how community, tradition, and the simple act of lighting up the darkness can create something truly unforgettable.