Best Neighborhoods for Holiday Light Displays in the Sandhills Region

One of the best parts of the holidays in central North Carolina is driving through neighborhoods that go all-out on lights. The Sandhills has a wonderful mix of historic village streets, established subdivisions, and wide-open rural properties — and each shines in its own way. Here's a local's guide to the kinds of communities that put on the best shows.

What Makes a Great Display Neighborhood

The best display neighborhoods share a few traits: homes set close to the street so lights read up close, a culture where multiple neighbors participate (so the whole street glows, not just one house), and a mix of roofline lighting, landscape lighting, and yard decor. When several homes on a street lean in, the effect is magical.

Moore County Highlights

Moore County has some of the most charming holiday streets in the region.

• Southern Pines — the tree-lined streets and historic homes near downtown make a stunning backdrop for warm-white roofline lighting. A slow evening drive through the older neighborhoods is a Sandhills tradition.
• Pinehurst — the village's refined architecture looks elegant lit up, and the community's pride means many homes participate. Permanent lighting in Pinehurst is increasingly popular for exactly this reason.
• Aberdeen and Cameron — smaller, friendly communities where neighbors know each other and a few well-lit homes can set the tone for a whole block.
• Carthage and Vass — quieter, but their open properties and mature trees make for beautiful, sprawling displays.

Lee and Harnett County Highlights

• Sanford — as the largest city in Lee County, Sanford has a wide range of neighborhoods, from established streets near downtown to growing subdivisions where whole cul-de-sacs get into the spirit.
• Lillington — the Harnett County seat has a cozy, riverside-town feel, and its established yards light up warmly for the holidays.

Cumberland County Highlights

• Fayetteville — central NC's largest city in our area, with dozens of neighborhoods that go big for the holidays. Military families bring traditions from all over the country, which makes for an incredible variety of displays.
• Spring Lake — near Fort Liberty, Spring Lake's family neighborhoods put on warm, welcoming displays, often with team colors mixed in for game days.

Tips for a Display-Worthy Home

Want your home to be the one neighbors drive by? A few principles:

• Start with the roofline. A clean, level roofline line is the backbone of any great display — see our outdoor holiday lighting service.
• Add landscape lighting. Wrapping trees and lighting pathways adds depth — our landscape holiday lighting makes the whole property glow.
• Consider permanent lighting. If you want to be the best-lit house on the street every single night, permanent lighting lets you change colors for every occasion.
• Coordinate with neighbors. A few households agreeing to participate turns a single display into a destination street.

Whether you're in a historic village or a new subdivision, the Sandhills is a wonderful place to light up. Call (910) 994-6404 or request a free quote to make your home a highlight.