One man still picks old-school incandescent bulbs over LEDs, and he uses more than a quarter million of them. I love that kind of stubborn holiday loyalty.
It feels like a warm sweater in light form.
The whole thing began in 2002 with about 15,000 lights at a family home. Four years later, it topped 100,000.
Traffic got so heavy that the show eventually needed a new address.
Now it sits in a small North Carolina downtown, and nobody charges a cent to see it. The lights dance in sync with holiday music.
You can even tune your car radio to follow along.
I can’t imagine a better way to spend a chilly December night for free. So how did one family’s hobby turn into a whole town’s tradition?
A Backyard Hobby Grew Way Past The Backyard
Long before crowds showed up, Don Williams was just a kid who loved decorating his family’s yard. That early spark never really faded.
It simply got bigger, brighter, and a lot more computerized.
The Lake Myra Christmas Light Show started as a computerized display at his home in 2002. Back then, it used around 15,000 lights, which already sounds like plenty for one house.
Of course, plenty wasn’t the goal. By 2006, the display had grown to more than 100,000 lights.
Most of us struggle to untangle one strand, so that number feels almost heroic.
Today, the show shines with over a quarter million bulbs. Some reports even put the count as high as 400,000 lights.
I like that the heart of the story stays simple. It’s still a family hobby at its core, just one that outgrew every expectation.
The name Lake Myra comes from those early home years, before the show found its current spot.
Knowing that history makes the visit feel more personal. You’re not looking at a corporate holiday attraction.
You’re seeing decades of one person’s December passion, all lit up at once.
Too Much Traffic Led To A Brand-New Home
Success came with a funny problem. So many people wanted to see the lights that the neighborhood traffic got out of hand.
Picture a quiet residential street suddenly acting like a holiday highway. Something had to change, and in 2012 it did.
The show moved to its current downtown spot in Wendell.
You’ll find it at 10 S. Cypress St, Wendell, NC 27591.
That move made the whole experience easier to reach and easier to enjoy.
Free street parking and nearby lots now handle the visitors. That’s a big upgrade from squeezing past a neighbor’s mailbox.
Wendell sits east of Raleigh in Wake County, North Carolina. The location makes it a manageable evening trip for many folks around the Triangle area.
Plug the address into your map app before you head out. Then plan to park, stroll, and settle into the show without rushing.
Honestly, the relocation feels like a happy ending for everyone involved. The original neighbors got their streets back.
Meanwhile, the rest of us got a downtown holiday tradition that’s simple to find each winter.
Warm Bulbs Beat Cool LEDs Here, On Purpose
Most big displays switched to LEDs years ago. Don Williams went the other way and kept his incandescent bulbs.
He prefers their old-school warmth over the crisper look of modern LEDs. That choice gives the Lake Myra Christmas Light Show a cozy feel that matches classic holiday memories.
Think about the lights from childhood holiday photos. Many of those had that soft, golden glow, and this display leans right into it.
Sticking with incandescent bulbs takes real commitment. With a quarter million lights or more, that’s a lot of tiny glowing loyalty.
I believe this detail says plenty about the show’s personality. It isn’t chasing trends or trying to look like every other display in North Carolina.
Instead, it feels like a gift from someone who knows exactly what he loves. The warmth comes through in the color, not just the music.
When you visit, take a moment to notice the glow itself. Snap a photo and compare it to other light shows you’ve seen.
Chances are, that nostalgic shade will stand out right away.
Your Car Radio Becomes Part Of The Show
Set your dial to 103.3 FM, and the music suddenly matches every flash outside. It’s a small trick that makes a big difference.
The lights at the Lake Myra Christmas Light Show dance in sync with holiday songs. Each beat seems to trigger a burst, sweep, or sparkle across the display.
That radio option is great for chilly nights. You can stay warm inside your car while still catching every musical cue.
Here’s an important note, though. This is not a drive-thru display, so you’re meant to park and watch rather than roll past.
Parking along the nearby streets lets you see the lights while staying cozy. Bring a blanket for the back seat, and the kids might call it the best concert ever.
Want the full surround-sound version? Step outside and let the music and lights wrap around you together.
Either way, you get to choose your own comfort level. That flexibility makes it easy for toddlers, grandparents, and everyone in between to enjoy the same show on the same night.
Walk Right Through A Giant Glowing Tree
Very few Christmas trees invite you inside. At this one, stepping into the tree is half the fun.
A walkway lets you stroll around the display and get close to the lights. The tallest decorated tree even lets you walk right through it, which feels a bit like entering a holiday spaceship.
A towering decorated tree of around 50 feet is one of the show’s most famous features. Some reports from the 2021 redesign describe a 60-foot tree, so either way, you’ll be looking up.
Walking the path gives you new angles on the show. Each turn reveals another burst of color moving to the music.
Kids will probably want to go through the tree more than once. Honestly, so might you, and nobody’s counting.
Comfortable shoes are a smart move here. The ground can be uneven or damp after rain, so skip the fancy heels.
This walk-through setup also makes for great family photos. Have someone stand inside the glowing tree while you shoot from the walkway.
It’s a picture that practically says Wendell holidays all by itself.
Bring A Chair, The Shows Keep Rolling
Folding chairs might be the most underrated holiday accessory. Visitors are welcome to bring their own and settle in for the show.
A complete show runs about 25 to 45 minutes. Sometimes there’s a short intermission of about five minutes between showings.
That timing means you can stay as long as you like. Catch one round, grab a better spot, then catch it again.
A chair turns the evening into something closer to an outdoor concert. Add a thermos of something warm, and you’ve built a pretty cozy setup.
Dress in layers, since you’ll be outdoors in a December evening. North Carolina winters can swing from mild to surprisingly cold, sometimes in the same week.
Gloves and a hat help a lot during longer visits. A small blanket over the lap works wonders too.
One more tip: snacks aren’t confirmed on site at the Lake Myra Christmas Light Show. Packing a few treats from home keeps little ones happy between songs.
Nobody enjoys a hungry meltdown during the big finale.
Leashed Pups Get A Holiday Invite Too
Good news for dog lovers: leashed dogs are welcome at the light show. Your four-legged family member doesn’t have to miss the holiday fun.
That’s a nice perk, since plenty of seasonal events keep pets at home. Here, your pup can tag along on the walkway and soak in the evening with everyone else.
A few simple habits keep things pleasant. Keep the leash short near crowds, and pack waste bags for quick cleanup.
Some dogs may feel nervous around music and moving lights. Watching from the car on 103.3 FM can be a calmer option for jumpy pets.
Bundle up small dogs on colder nights. A cozy sweater works, and it also guarantees adorable photos.
Treats in your pocket help too. They’re useful for rewarding calm behavior or getting your dog to look at the camera.
Bringing a pet makes the outing feel even more like a true family tradition. Every year, you can snap a photo of your pup with the glowing display.
It might become your favorite holiday card picture yet.
Santa Pops By On Select Saturdays
Saturday nights can come with a special guest in a red suit. Santa Claus makes appearances on select Saturdays during the season.
For kids, that’s a huge bonus. Seeing Santa against a backdrop of dancing lights feels like a scene from a holiday movie.
Since visits happen only on certain nights, plan ahead. The Lake Myra Christmas Lights Facebook page is the best place to check updates.
That page also shares schedule changes for weather. Rain or standing water can affect operations, so a quick look before leaving saves trouble.
Have your camera ready if you catch Santa. A photo with him and the glowing display makes a sweet holiday keepsake.
Prepare the kids with their wish lists beforehand. Little ones sometimes freeze up when the big moment finally arrives.
Even without Santa, the show still delivers plenty of holiday magic. But if your family loves a classic Christmas meet-and-greet, aim for one of those Saturdays.
It turns a free evening out into a memory your kids might talk about all year.
Mark Your Calendar Before The Last Bulb Blinks
Timing matters with seasonal fun. For 2026, the Lake Myra Christmas Light Show is scheduled to run from November 21 through December 31.
Nightly hours are typically 5:30 to 10 p.m. That gives you plenty of room to visit after dinner or squeeze in a late stroll.
Admission is completely free. You’ll spot donation boxes on site if you’d like to give back and help keep those bulbs glowing.
Contributing feels like a natural thank-you. Running hundreds of thousands of incandescent lights for weeks isn’t exactly cheap.
Weather can shift plans, so check the Facebook page before heading out. Rain or standing water may pause the show.
Going earlier in the season gives you more chances if one night gets washed out. It also leaves time for a return trip with friends.
The show makes an easy add-on to a broader holiday outing in Wendell, North Carolina. Since parking is free and the music starts on schedule, all you need is a warm coat and some patience for the kids.
Then let the lights handle the rest.
