Waxhaw Holiday Festival of Lights & Christmas Parade

About this adventure

Historic Downtown Waxhaw in Union County offers one of the most picturesque holiday light experiences in the Carolinas, with more than one million lights illuminating the town's turn-of-the-century brick storefronts, water tower, and historic overhead pedestrian footbridge spanning the working CSX railroad tracks. Families can stroll both sides of the tracks along North and South Main Street to admire glowing reindeer, sparkling arches, and festively decorated shops. The season includes the Waxhaw Holiday Festival of Lights kickoff with live musical performances, Santa visits, and food trucks, followed in mid-December by the Waxhaw Christmas Parade featuring marching bands, antique tractors, costumed characters, and Santa. Waxhaw's historic downtown features wide sidewalks, ADA-compliant curb cuts, and wheelchair-accessible ramps leading to the historic overhead footbridge. Public restrooms with infant changing counters are located inside the Waxhaw Police Department and at the downtown pavilion. Free municipal parking is located on Broome Street and Givens Street.