Famous lights to glow alongside new attractions in Belmont and McAdenville
Discover the perfect recipe for holiday cheer in Belmont, N.C. – a dash of small-town charm, an abundance of twinkle, a smidge of shopping and a heavy heap of family-friendly, memory-making fun.
The season emerges with several heart-warming traditions, including the contemporary nature scenes of Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden’s Holidays at the Garden and one of the nation’s biggest lights presentations in nearby McAdenville, aka Christmas Town USA. Also rolling through the city this year is a new festivity for the entire family, the Train to Christmas Town, leaving station from historic Belmont.
“Every year, Belmont offers more and more to those who visit during the holiday season,” said Jim Hoffman, chairman of Belmont Tourism Development Authority. “From awe-filled attractions to shops and restaurants, our city’s small-town charm shines at Christmastime for travelers of all ages, from near or far.”
Belmont’s newest seasonal selection, the Train to Christmas Town, departs for its inaugural ride on Nov. 27, welcoming guests of all ages for the first-year experience through Dec. 27. The festive attraction provides riders a unique train ride with a variety of characters – including Santa Claus – straight from the pages of Peggy Ellis’ The Train to Christmas Town. Bring the whole family to this exciting excursion and carve new memories and new traditions on this new Belmont adventure.
Winter glistens at Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden this season from Nov. 20 to Jan. 3. Behold the Garden’s sparkling plants, trees, pathways and fountains, lit by more than 500,000 LED lights across 380+ acres at the annual Holidays at the Garden. Alongside friends and family, enjoy hot cider, horse-drawn carriage rides, holiday crafts, Santa visits, one-of-a-kind train displays and, traditional favorite, the 16-foot tall Orchid Tree.
Venture just outside Belmont – mere minutes away – and discover Christmas Town, USA, or McAdenville. This quaint town annually adorns its holiday moniker once dozens upon dozens of homes and hundreds of trees and lampposts are delightfully decorated. From Dec. 1-26, travel along city streets – by foot or car – that have been lit to the brim since 1956, dazzling McAdenville for millions of visitors for nearly six decades.
“The holidays truly envelop Belmont and its visitors with pure warmth and joy,” said Ted Hall, president of the Chamber of Commerce. “We look forward to seeing familiar faces returning to our streets this season as well as new, excited first-timers traveling here for boutique shopping and our abundance of lights and activities.”
