(McAdenville, NC)
Our official website for McAdenville's Christmas Town is ChristmasTownUSA.org, as part of the Town of McAdenville's website. The quaint, vibrant town of McAdenville, which lies along the South Fork River in Gaston County, North Carolina, comes alive in spectacular fashion each year as Christmas draws near. Almost overnight, the small town is transformed into “Christmas Town U.S.A
.”
In 1956, the McAdenville Men’s Club decided to decorate a few trees around the McAdenville Community Center (currently the Pharr Family YMCA). Pharr suggested the use of red, white and green lights, the traditional colors of Christmas. Pharr’s suggestion, the trees around the lake were decorated and the manger scene became the focal point of the Christmas decorations. The reaction to these early efforts was so favorable that each year the number of decorated trees increased. In 1980, Charles Kuralt on his “Morning Show” gave nationwide television coverage to the beauty of McAdenville and placed it on the map as Christmas Town U.S.A. In 1989, Christmas Town was featured in Guidepost Magazine. In 1997, Christmas Town shared holiday greetings with the nation by way of “Good Morning America.” Over the past decade, Christmas Town U.S.A. has been recognized nationally and internationally, including by Time Magazine, USA Today, and Yahoo! Travel as one of America's premiere Christmas light displays. These organizations viewed Christmas Town as celebrating in the true spirit of Christmas. The nearly 300 trees which are decorated range in height from 6 feet to more than 75 feet. The number of lights on individual trees varies with the height, diameter and fullness of the trees. As few as 500 lights and as many as 5,000 lights may be used on one tree. One of the favorite spots for viewers is the lake which is situated near the heart of town. In 2022, the lake was dredged and the area around the lake was renovated to improve the health and safety of both. Featuring floating Christmas trees, the reflection of the lights in the water add to the beauty of the scene. A fountain, located in the center of the lake, jets water 75 feet into the air. Also adjacent to the lake is the historic bell tower that has served as a focal point for the Town of McAdenville since the establishment of McAden Mills in the early 1880’s. When McAdenville was founded in 1881, the town’s boundaries were established as a one-mile radius, with the bell tower at its center. In 2010, this historic bell tower was restored to its former prominence. In addition to the full restoration of the bell tower (that raised the tower approximately four feet and preserved the original bell), a new chime system was installed to renew the original tradition of the bell tower peeling time for the residents and workers in the village. The new chimes welcome visitors with carols throughout the Christmas light season as well as play special hymns and carols to mark each holiday season, national holidays and play during special remembrances - such as a tribute each year to those who lost their lives on September 11, 2001. Today, the Carstarphen family, Pharr McAdenville Corporation, and the Town of McAdenville are instrumental in carrying on this tradition. Their support, along with sponsors such as CaroMont Health, many volunteers and residents, has ensured that McAdenville will be a special place of celebration of the birth of Jesus. Tim Gibson leads the three month decorating, transformational process. In late August, Tim and his team begin checking the bulbs, wiring, and circuits. Around Labor Day, the actual stringing of lights begins. This work is not complete until Thanksgiving.
2023 marks the 68th year of the McAdenville Christmas light pageantry and tradition. With the opening of The River Room and 115 Craft, more events and activity will be enjoyed so stay tuned on this page as well as following on Instagram. Please visit us in December and return to McAdenville year round to enjoy shopping, dining, hiking, biking, canoeing and kayaking!
