McAdenville began their tradition of Christmas Town USA in 1956 when a few members of the McAdenville Men's Club asked a man by the name of William James Pharr who came to town in 1939 if they could decorate a few trees around the McAdenville Community Center. Pharr not only gave permission, but he offered to pay for the lights and the labor. Year after year, more and more lights were added to the display.  Lights began to sparkle down Main Street.  Lights began to encircle the lake and eventually thousands upon thousands of lights poured across the town!  It was as if the spirit of the town simply needed to shine for the world!

It's Time to Visit Christmas Town USA

Christmas Town USA was literally written into the town's charter. Today, every resident and every business in McAdenville must agree to decorate for the holidays and keep the Christmas Town USA tradition alive.

McAdenville, NC just West of Charlotte thrives on putting the "Merry" in Christmas with a community-wide decorating effort that began in 1956 with just nine adorned trees and has turned into a nationally recognized holiday attraction and destination!

McAdenville IS Christmas Town USA

This NC Town Becomes a Beacon for Those Looking 

for 

Head-to-Toe Holiday Spirit!

In 1939, Pharr established Pharr Yarns which was the largest employer and land owner in McAdenville at the time. Every resident of McAdenville knows the Pharr name.  It's woven right into the tinsel of the town's history.  Pharr's personal values of 'goodwill toward men' helped create the spirit of kindness and magic that ultimately led to the creation of Christmas Town U.S.A. and become a gift for the entire State of North Carolina.

A Festive Tree on a Front Porch 

is Always a Nice Addition

In 1980, Christmas Town USA gained national attention when featured on CBS Sunday Morning with Charles Kuralt.  Since then, McAdenville has been featured on Good Morning America and other television shows in addition to popular periodicals such as Southern Living Magazine. 

Gingerbread Cookies Galore 

at 

this McAdenville Home

My husband, Bill and I experienced Christmas Town USA for many years when we spent our winters in North Carolina .  We came to know a gentleman by the name of Steve Rankin.  Steve is a professional McAdenville photographer who has contributed many beautiful Christmas Town USA photos.  If you are in North Carolina during the holiday season, make plans to visit this little town of 800 plus residents .. it's like walking onto the set of a Hallmark Christmas movie! 

Photo Credit to Steve Rankin

HO HO HO

Photo Credit to Steve Rankin

McAdenville Seen from Above

Yes, Virginia .. It Does Snow in North Carolina!

Photo Credit to Steve Rankin

The Tradition

 McAdenville's most beloved traditions is the Yule Log Parade and Ceremony which began in 1949.  After a trip overseas where Mr. and Mrs. William James Pharr attended a yule log celebration, they brought the idea of this community gathering back to McAdenville. The townspeople traditionally meet in front of the Pharr office in McAdenville to join in the parade led by a local high school band.  The log is pulled through the historic downtown to the memorial yule log fireplace at Legacy Park and placed upon the fire with great exuberance!

In Loving Memory 

of

Mr. and Mrs. William James Pharr

Founders of the McAdenville Christmas Lights 

and

Yule Log Ceremony

Mrs. Pharr suggested the use of red, white and green lights,

the traditional colors of Christmas.  Later, at Mrs. Pharr

suggestion, the trees around the lake were lighted.

The Gaston Symphonic Band and a choir fill children of all ages with Christmas Spirit! Come enjoy carriage rides, kettle corn and hot chocolate with Santa!

"Christmas Town USA and all of its 800 plus residents who decorate each Christmas season for the 600,000 who visit and enjoy McAdenville can do so free of charge.  Maybe the only town in the world that can make that statement."

Steve Rankin

And One Never Knows What They'll Come Upon

during the Holidays

in

Christmas Town USA

USA Today has entered the North Carolina Town of McAdenville in their 10 Best Public Holiday Lights Display in the United States. 

McAdenville is nicknamed "Christmas town USA" for good reason.  Each winter, this small town in North Carolina transforms into a festive twinkling wonderland dotted with thousands of lights, dramatic displays and a spirited Main Street.  Hundreds of thousands of visitors come to Christmas Town USA every December to drive or walk by breathtaking holiday displays .. a time-honored and proud tradition that continues.

Tap on the link below and vote for Christmas Town USA once per day until polls close on Wednesday, November 29 at noon EST.  The top 10 winning displays, determined by your vote, will be announced Friday, December 8.

I will announce the winner on this blog!

https://10best.usatoday.com/awards/travel/best-public-holiday-lights-display-2023/christmas-town-usa-mcadenville-north-carolina