City of lights: Places to see the best Christmas displays
Published 12:10 am Monday, December 21, 2015
- This house on South Fulton Street proves that you can't go wrong with a classic decorating style. Photo by Rebecca Rider, Salisbury Post.
Don’t you just love Christmas lights? They make December nights seem warm and cozy, despite the chill. But if you’re one of those folks who likes to drive around looking for the best-dressed house, sometimes it’s hard to know where to begin. Well, if you’re in the mood to see the best Rowan County has to offer on a December evening, the Electric Elf has you covered. Whether the lights are wacky and colorful, blinking or twinkling, set to music, brand new or full of history, elaborate or elegant — we’ve made our decisions. After asking, and driving, around, the Post presents a list of some of the must-see Christmas decorations this holiday season.
Christmas in the park — City Park
While blue lights do seem to be popular this year, Curlett’s lights have a unique history. They belonged to her grandfather, an Ellis Crossroads resident who became locally famous for outlining his house with blue Christmas lights. The large, glass, classic blue bulbs add a unique flair to a tried-and-true decorative style. The drive down Old Mocksville road has some simple-but-lovely lights.
Innovative decorations — 1708 Old Concord Road
If you’re looking for unusual-but-beautiful decorations, this is the place to stop. The house itself is unlit, but the trees out front are hung with dozens of multi-colored globes that give this location an artistic touch.
Color, color everywhere — 859 Lincolnton Road
This house lights up the night with color. The fence leading up to the driveway is wrapped with lines of multicolored lights, and the strands that frame the home turn its white siding into a work of art. Decorated trees and reindeer help break up the long lawn.
Classy and bright — 415 S. Fulton St.
Every line of this older-style house is dripping with icicle lights — from the beautiful open porch to the roof of its two turrets. It’s a classic look that is absolutely breathtaking on this home. While you’re there, take a trip up South Fulton to see a few more elegantly decorated houses.
A musical performance — 150 Corriher Gravel Road, China Grove
This 30-minute LED light show runs every thirty minutes from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. on weeknights and 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. on weekends. Park across the road at the Corriher Sand and Stone gated entrance and tune your radio to 107.3 FM, and watch the show. Bright LED displays flash across the house. The designs are simple, but this display is entertaining to watch from the comfort of your car. Dialogue between the show’s hosts “Cooley the Snowman” and “Rupert the Christmas Fairy” make this show a great place to take the kids. If you’re sensitive to strobes or flashing lights, you may want to skip this location.
A yard full of color — 809 Newsome Road
Despite a small yard, this display fills up every bit of space and breaks out in bright, eye-catching color on the dark of Newsome Road.
Flying away — 1960 East Ridge Road
This location went all out with lights and blow-up figures. Look for Santa’s helicopter on the roof.
Twinkle and tunes — 1100 block of Shore Acres Road..
It’s a little far out, but this house has its Christmas lights and yard displays coordinated to music. The show starts at 6 p.m.
Competing for the win — 748 and 750 Brown Acres Road, Granite Quarry
These two neighbors stepped it up with brilliant colored lights decking their houses and yards. There’s a little bit of everything here, from a nativity to reindeer. And you’ll love seeing how these two houses play off and strive to outshine each other. While you’re in Granite Quarry, be sure to take a drive down Main Street for some beautiful, classic decorations.
A Christmas Adventure — 1112 Choate Road, East Spencer
Choate Road’s best display is a good-sized yard that’s completely packed with lit-up figures and towers of lights. Snowflakes and lights around the windows of the house flicker on and off. Pull off the road and roll down your window to hear the music that this display dances to, including Christmas classics like “Carol of the Bells” along with a few songs that you may not expect — such as the “Pirates of the Caribbean” theme.
Classic Christmas — 124 S. Ellis St.
This gorgeous stone home is the shining star of its neighborhood. Decked in simple white lights and Christmas stars, it’s a must-see if you love classic decorations.
