Check list: How many of NC's most iconic holiday traditions have you done?

Posted 8:51 p.m. Dec 20, 2021 — Updated 8:51 p.m. Dec 20, 2021

Heather Leah

, WRAL multiplatform producer

Whether you want to see holiday lights in the mountains or on the ocean, in a small town or on a major NASCAR speedway, there are bright Christmas traditions within driving distance across North Carolina.

Many of these popular traditions have become iconic over the years – and some date back centuries!

Here are some of the most well-known, beloved or historic Christmas traditions and light shows across our state. How many have you tried for yourself?

1. 200-year-old holiday cookies: A Moravian Christmas in Old Salem

The story of Winston-Salem dates back to when 15 Moravian settlers landed there after walking all the way from Bethlehem, PA in 1753.

Old Salem takes its Christmas traditions from the 1700 and 1800s, allowing visitors to tour historic holiday sights, tastes and sounds. Visitors enter Old Salem by crossing a covered bridge, with giant Moravian stars glowing overhead.

One tradition that dates back to 1807 is visiting the Winkler Bakery for a taste of authentic Moravian cookies. The bakery has been on that same street, with the same family baking those same cookies for over 200 years. Now that's an old tradition!

NC Christmas traditions: Laser light show at the Whirligig Park in Wilson, NC.

2. Wilson: Using WWII whirligigs for a modern light show

Vollis Simpson's whirligigs have been popular piece of North Carolina folk art for decades. He started making his "kinetic motion machines" when he was serving in World War II, and he continued building them – bigger and taller – for the next several decades.

When he passed away, his beloved whirligigs were sprinkled into parks around North Carolina, with the majority of them on display in downtown Wilson.

In 2020, Wilson started a new holiday tradition using the historic artwork, creating a holiday laser light show with music and stunning visuals that utilizes the whirligigs as the main backdrop.

3. Charlotte: Drive on a real NASCAR track decked out with dazzling lights

If you've ever wanted to drive on a real NASCAR speedway track, this is your chance. For more than a decade, visitors have been allowed to drive more than 4 miles around the Charlotte Motor Speedway, illuminated by millions of lights synchronized to holiday music.

While the holiday tradition is only a decade old, the Charlotte Motor Speedway's history dates back to the early days of NASCAR. Built in 1959, the old track gives a peek back at the history of racing in North Carolina.

For the past 60+ years, McAdenville has transformed into Christmastown USA.

4. McAdenville: A real-life Christmas Town

Each December, the small town of McAdenville transforms overnight into the magical Christmas Town, USA.

Every single home, school, church and business decks the hall for Christmas. Children carol in the streets, shouting 'Merry Christmas!' to passersby. Santa walks through town waving at cars. People walk past glowing lights sipping warm cocoa, while the sound of holiday music and enchanting bells inexplicably fills the air.

It's like a magical Christmas movie come to life.

The town was founded in the 1800s and almost ruined during the Great Depression. However, it was saved by a wealthy family before going bankrupt. The tradition of Christmas Town dates back to the 1950s, when the first decorations were put up. Every year since then, the display has grown and grown, until it finally took over the town.

Visiting McAdenville is free, and guests can stroll through downtown taking in the magic.

5. Bryson City: Polar Express through the NC mountains

What could capture the imagination more than taking a Christmas train through the Smoky Mountains?

The quaint, small town of Bryson City is rich with history – and the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad runs right through it.

The 1.25 hour round-trip ride begins at the Bryson City depot and ends at the "North Pole," where Santa is waiting to give each child a special gift. Guests drink cocoa and eat cookies, sing carols and re-live the magic of the Polar Express story.

The Polar Express tradition has been a favorite for families around the state for more than a decade – and the history of the mountain railroad in NC goes back even farther.

6. Biltmore House: Hosting Christmas for more than a century

Visiting the Biltmore House to view the incredible Christmas decorations is an NC tradition that dates back to the 1800s.

The Biltmore House first opened for Christmas Eve in 1895, when the owner George Vanderbilt provided gifts for more than 300 people. He invited guests into the Banquet Hall, where even today thousands of guests still visit each Christmas.

According to an article on the Biltmore Estate's website, the New York Times wrote about the holiday celebrations at Biltmore in 1905, saying: "Mr. and Mrs. George W. Vanderbilt this afternoon provided for nearly a thousand children of Biltmore estate employees a big tree in the banquet hall of the chateau. The little ones were loaded with useful gifts and toys."

Just as many travel across the state to see the Biltmore each year, in 1905 people traveled for miles – some even walking or being pulled by oxen – making this one of North Carolina's older Christmas traditions.