Looking for the best Christmas lights in Upstate? Hollywild to Night of Lights at Heritage

Nina Tran, Greenville News
Updated ·6 min read

Lights, cameras, hot cocoa ― this year, there is plenty of Christmas cheer to be had with the many holiday light displays across the Upstate.

From Greenville and Anderson to Spartanburg, one of these events is sure to put a smile across a family member's face. There are even opportunities for animal lovers to enjoy Christmas fun through animal interactions, like pony riding at Hollywild Animal Preserve during their "Magic of Lights" celebration, or taking in an adorable Highlands Scottish baby cow at Eudora Farms' petting zoo during Heritage Park's "Night of Lights."

Here are our top picks this holiday season to see some of the best Christmas lights in the Upstate:

∎ Anthony's Family Lights: "I'm Dreaming of a Whitemarsh Christmas," Simpsonville, Through-Dec. 26, 6-10 p.m.

This fun-filled Christmas display is located in Simpsonville's Lost River neighborhood at 902 Whitemarsh Ave. Visitors can drop a letter to Santa in the mailbox, grab a candy cane out of Santa's boot and take a picture with an elf or Santa. Be sure to tune your car to the radio station to 88.1 FM to hear the projector running on the side of the house.

∎ Night of Lights at Heritage Park, Simpsonville, Through-Dec. 31. Sun.-Thurs. 5-10 p.m., Fri-Sat. 5-11 p.m.

If you are looking to spend some holiday time with a few furry friends, this local event is one for you. Eudora Farms' petting zoo will be on site with a variety of animals as you walk through a lit-up winter wonderland: alpacas, a baby Highlands Scottish cow, sheep, goats and parakeets. The fun doesn't stop there though ― there will also be a skating rink and rides like bounce houses, a Ferris wheel, a carousel, and a spinning green dragon ride. Tickets are available at the gate entrance when you arrive at the CCNB Amphitheater. To read more about tickets and how to receive free admission through charity donations, click here.

Hollywild Animal Preserve's Magic of Lights drive-through holiday light display on Wednesday, Dec. 7, 2023 in Wellford, SC. Hollywild's event will be open to the public through December 31.
Hollywild Animal Preserve's Magic of Lights drive-through holiday light display on Wednesday, Dec. 7, 2023 in Wellford, SC. Hollywild's event will be open to the public through December 31.

∎ Holiday Putt Through Lights at Takeoff Minigolf, Greenville, Through-Dec. 30

Located at 28 Airport Road Ext., this lit-up golf course will have each hole decorated in surprise themes (sneak peek: the website says one of the themes is candy cane). Tickets are $15 per person and $13+$0.91 for children ages 4-12. Children under 3 enter for free. Times vary depending on selected dates.

∎ Upstate Holiday Light Show at District Park, Easley, Through-Dec. 31. Sun.-Thurs. 6-10 p.m. Fri-Sat. 6-11 p.m.

Explore an illuminated winter village while enjoying hot chocolate and holiday treats. When driving through the track, you can set your radio to 106.5 FM to hear classic Christmas songs "Deck the Halls" and "Carol of the Bells." There will be a pony corral and a petting zoo featuring exotic kangaroos, goats and donkeys. Cars, minivans, trucks and SUVs are $35 a passenger. Vans are $75 and buses are $100. Carnival rides are $1.25 a ticket.

∎ Tiny Town, Easley, open daily 5:30-10 p.m.

This Easley holiday staple began in 1974 by Perry and Ollie Jennings. Perry built a replica of Ollie's dream home that she has always wanted to live in, and as the home building continued, both Jennings worked together to build a miniature version of their little town. In 1977, Christmas Lights became a tradition, spanning a total of 80 structures in 2009, after both Jennings passed away. Only 25 of those structures survived, but Jennings children Pat Kelly, Bill Jennings and relative Debbie Kelly continue to expand the town with displays on 555 Latham Road.

∎ Wild Lights at Riverbanks Zoo and Garden, Columbia, open select nights through Jan. 14, 5-9 p.m.

Riverbanks Zoo and Garden is in the running for the Best Christmas Lights in America, voted on by USA Today's readers. Guests can look forward to interactive activities, photo ops and seasonal favorites like nightly snowfall and visits through Dec. 23. Nearly 60 handcrafted lanterns will be on display as well, inspired by nature like pollinators, plants and endangered/extinct animals. Tickets for adults are $19.99, $14.99 for children ages 2-12 and children under 2 enter for free.

∎ The Christmas House, Inman, Through-New Year's Eve, 5:30-10 p.m.

This family tradition located on 300 Foster Road will be celebrating its 50th anniversary this year with the display of a golden tree. Although there is no charge to see the 130,000 lights, visitors looking to help the owners keep up with the display's power bill can drop a donation in the box in front of the manger scene. Donations will also help law enforcement who direct traffic during the weekend.

Christmas Town USA: A preview of Christmas Town events happening this season in McAdenville

∎ Anderson Lights of Hope, Anderson, is open daily from 5:30-10 p.m.

At 150 Rose Valley Boulevard, you can expect to experience 290 displays with 3.5 million lights spanning across 45 acres. Tickets for this drive-thru event are $10 per car. This year, be on the lookout for a salute to the military and a tribute to the Hartwell Queen Riverboat. The purpose of Lights of Hopes is to benefit charity for disabled and disadvantaged individuals.

Cars drive through during the annual Anderson Lights of Hope displays off of Martin Luther King Jr Blvd across from the Civic Center of Anderson, in Anderson, S.C. The annual month-long drive through lights display which benefits local charities, from 5:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. through Christmas.
Cars drive through during the annual Anderson Lights of Hope displays off of Martin Luther King Jr Blvd across from the Civic Center of Anderson, in Anderson, S.C. The annual month-long drive through lights display which benefits local charities, from 5:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. through Christmas.

Anderson County Christmas: Calendar full of parades, lights, skating. What to know

∎ Hollywild Animal Preserve "Magic of Lights," Wellford, Through-Dec. 31, 5:30-9 p.m.

Magic of Lights is a drive-through holiday experience featuring holiday scenes and characters of the season. At Santa's Village, you can interact with animals with activities like pony riding or feeding cows. Professional photo ops will be available with Santa, and you can also meet the Grinch himself. Tickets are $10 per person and children under 2 enter for free.

North Carolina Arboretum: Bigger is better and brighter at Winter Lights

∎ North Carolina Arboretum, Asheville, NC, held nightly 6-10 p.m. through Dec. 31

The arboretum's "Larger Than Life" theme this year promises to be just that with the appearance of a Giant Happy Caterpillar and Behemoth Butterflies outside of its Education Center. "Flower Power" awaits those who walk inside the Stream Garden, full of glowing tulips, daisies, dandelions and Monumental Mushrooms. The Illuminated Quilt Garden's starry night theme will give way to the Star Wars theme song while the new Cocoa Cabin offers hot/cold beverages and snacks.

Scenes from the annual Winter Light show at The North Carolina Arboretum.
Scenes from the annual Winter Light show at The North Carolina Arboretum.

∎ Christmas Town USA, McAdenville, NC

Here is a timeline of events you can expect this year when visiting Christmas Town USA.

Thursday, Dec. 14 at 5 p.m. McAdenville's annual Yule Log Ceremony will begin at the Pharr Corporate Office. A small parade will march two blocks beginning at 5:50 p.m. to Legacy Park where the lighting of the Yule Log will take place at 6 p.m.

From Dec. 1-26, McAdenville will be fully decorated with many houses displaying dozens of lights and decorations every night from 5:30-10 p.m. The town recommends walking to take in all of the sights and offers free parking for visitors.

Chloe Collins with the Gaston Gazette contributed to this article.

Nina Tran covers trending topics. Reach her via email at ntran@gannett.com

Hollywild Animal Preserve's Magic of Lights drive-through holiday light display on Wednesday, Dec. 7, 2023 in Wellford, SC. Hollywild's event will be open to the public through December 31.
Hollywild Animal Preserve's Magic of Lights drive-through holiday light display on Wednesday, Dec. 7, 2023 in Wellford, SC. Hollywild's event will be open to the public through December 31.
Hollywild Nature Preserve's Magic of Lights drive-through holiday light display on Thursday, Dec. 7, 2023 in Wellford, SC. Hollywild's event will be open to the public through December 31.
Hollywild Nature Preserve's Magic of Lights drive-through holiday light display on Thursday, Dec. 7, 2023 in Wellford, SC. Hollywild's event will be open to the public through December 31.
Hollywild Nature Preserve's Magic of Lights drive-through holiday light display on Thursday, Dec. 7, 2023 in Wellford, SC. Hollywild's event will be open to the public through December 31.
Hollywild Nature Preserve's Magic of Lights drive-through holiday light display on Thursday, Dec. 7, 2023 in Wellford, SC. Hollywild's event will be open to the public through December 31.
Hollywild Nature Preserve's Magic of Lights drive-through holiday light display on Thursday, Dec. 7, 2023 in Wellford, SC. Hollywild's event will be open to the public through December 31.
Hollywild Nature Preserve's Magic of Lights drive-through holiday light display on Thursday, Dec. 7, 2023 in Wellford, SC. Hollywild's event will be open to the public through December 31.
A camel greets cars during Hollywild Nature Preserve's Magic of Lights drive-through holiday light display on Thursday, Dec. 7, 2023 in Wellford, SC. Hollywild's event will be open to the public through December 31.
A camel greets cars during Hollywild Nature Preserve's Magic of Lights drive-through holiday light display on Thursday, Dec. 7, 2023 in Wellford, SC. Hollywild's event will be open to the public through December 31.
A camel greets cars during Hollywild Animal Preserve's Magic of Lights drive-through holiday light display on Wednesday, Dec. 7, 2023 in Wellford, SC. Hollywild's event will be open to the public through December 31.
A camel greets cars during Hollywild Animal Preserve's Magic of Lights drive-through holiday light display on Wednesday, Dec. 7, 2023 in Wellford, SC. Hollywild's event will be open to the public through December 31.
A camel greets cars during Hollywild Nature Preserve's Magic of Lights drive-through holiday light display on Thursday, Dec. 7, 2023 in Wellford, SC. Hollywild's event will be open to the public through December 31.
A camel greets cars during Hollywild Nature Preserve's Magic of Lights drive-through holiday light display on Thursday, Dec. 7, 2023 in Wellford, SC. Hollywild's event will be open to the public through December 31.

This article originally appeared on Greenville News: Looking for the best Christmas lights in the Upstate? Our top picks.