Winter WonderPark lights City Lake Park six nights from Dec. 5, with Santa on Dec. 5, 6 and 12; Kersey Valley Christmas runs Nov. 27 to Dec. 23 in Archdale.

Last checked Oct. 11, 2026. This page is updated every year at the same address. Facts come from High Point Parks and Recreation’s Winter WonderPark page, the city calendar and High Point University. Parks and Recreation: 336-883-3469. The parade is on our separate Christmas parade and tree lighting page.

Updated Oct. 26: added Kersey Valley Christmas, Nov. 27 to Dec. 23, from its 2026 ticket site.

High Point’s biggest light display is Winter WonderPark, when the city decorates High Point City Lake Park for six nights in December. Santa visits on three of them, the High Point Museum holds its free Holiday Open House the same weekend, and High Point University has opened its campus to a drive-through lights display in past seasons.

What this means for you

  • Lights and Santa: Winter WonderPark, 4 to 8 p.m. on six nights from Saturday, Dec. 5. Free to walk through.
  • Biggest walk-through lights nearby: Kersey Valley Christmas in Archdale, Nov. 27 to Dec. 23, online tickets only.
  • Santa at the museum: Holiday Open House, 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 6.
  • Shop local: the city’s Holiday Craft Bazaar is Saturday, Nov. 14, at Oakview Recreation Center.
  • Parade: 3 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 22, on Main Street; see the parade page.

Winter WonderPark at City Lake Park

High Point City Lake Park, 602 W. Main St., Jamestown, glows with holiday lights and seasonal decorations from 4 to 8 p.m. on these nights, according to the city:

Date Theme
Saturday, Dec. 5 Kickoff, with Santa
Sunday, Dec. 6 Gingerbread and Candyland, with Santa
Friday, Dec. 11 Sounds of the Season, with a local school band or chorus
Saturday, Dec. 12 Help Santa’s Workshop, with Santa and elves
Friday, Dec. 18 Polar Express Night (pajama night)
Saturday, Dec. 19 How the Grinch Stole Winter WonderPark
  • Cost: walking through the park is free and needs no registration.
  • Rides: a $5 pass covers unlimited rides on the decorated “Polar Express” train and the carousel, plus mini golf. Passes are sold on site only, on the day, because of past weather cancellations.
  • Food: s’mores kits and hot chocolate are sold at the concession stand, with an outdoor fire for roasting marshmallows.

High Point University Christmas lights

High Point University has opened its campus for a free drive-through lights event in recent seasons, according to its Christmas lights page: more than 100,000 lights, a life-size Nativity scene, 236 nutcrackers and Christmas trees 70 and 58 feet tall. Cars enter at the North University Parkway entrance and leave at Panther Drive onto Lexington Avenue by the Nido and Mariana Qubein Arena and Conference Center; the university says to take N.C. 68 to University Parkway for the line. The page still shows the last published season, Dec. 20-27 from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.; HPU had not posted 2026 dates as of Oct. 11. We will add them when it does.

Kersey Valley Christmas in Archdale

Kersey Valley Christmas is at Kersey Valley, 6948 Cecil Farm Road, Archdale, about six miles south. Its 2026 ticket site runs the season from Friday, Nov. 27, to Wednesday, Dec. 23. The organizer lists what one admission covers:

  • More than a million lights to walk through
  • Unlimited rides and attractions
  • Characters, including the Grinch, on the grounds all evening
  • Fire pits and treats

Santa visits, food and the Santa photo package cost extra. Tickets are sold online only, by date and time, and the organizer says “most nights sell out before showtime.” Prices and nightly hours are on the ticket site.

Santa and history at the High Point Museum

The museum and its Historical Park are at 1859 E. Lexington Ave.

  • 54th Annual Holiday Open House, 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 6: reenactments, music, demonstrations, refreshments, hands-on candle dipping and a visit from Santa, according to the event listing.
  • Candle Dipping in the Historical Park, noon to 4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 12: costumed interpreters teach historic candle making and visitors make their own, according to the event listing.
  • Scottish Faire, 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 19: Yule and Hogmanay traditions, Revolutionary War soldiers of the North Carolina Highland and 71st regiments, Gaelic music and storytelling, tartan history and Hogmanay dishes cooked over an open fire, according to the event listing. Visitors are invited to wear their family tartan or plaid.
  • Make Your Own Tartan ribbon crafts in the Little Red Schoolhouse the same day: a sensory-friendly session (dim lights, a calm room, limited numbers) from 10 a.m. to noon, then an open session from noon to 2 p.m.

The museum is closed Dec. 23-25.

Holiday markets

  • Holiday Craft Bazaar, Saturday, Nov. 14, Oakview Recreation Center, 503 James Road. The city’s annual bazaar of local artists and craftspeople, according to a Parks and Recreation notice. Vendors can call the center at 336-883-3508.
  • For store hours, Small Business Saturday and other shopping, see our Black Friday and holiday shopping page.

Menorah lightings and tree lighting

No public menorah lighting or downtown tree lighting in High Point had been announced for 2026 as of Oct. 11. We will add them here when an organizer announces one.

Library and trash over the holidays

  • High Point Public Library, 901 N. Main St.: closed Wednesday through Friday, Dec. 23-25, and closes at 5 p.m. on New Year’s Eve, according to the city calendar.
  • Trash: Christmas week runs on the normal schedule, with no make-up collection for missed carts, according to the city’s collection schedule. More on our trash and recycling guide.

Related: Christmas parade and tree lighting, New Year’s Eve in High Point, things to do this month and parks and trails.

Frequently asked questions

When is Winter WonderPark in High Point in 2026?

4 to 8 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 5; Sunday, Dec. 6; Friday, Dec. 11; Saturday, Dec. 12; Friday, Dec. 18; and Saturday, Dec. 19, at High Point City Lake Park, 602 W. Main St., Jamestown. Walking through is free.

Where can kids see Santa in High Point?

Santa visits Winter WonderPark at City Lake Park on Dec. 5, 6 and 12, and the High Point Museum’s free Holiday Open House from 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 6.

Are the High Point University Christmas lights open in 2026?

HPU had not posted 2026 dates as of Oct. 11. Its last published drive-through ran Dec. 20-27 from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m., entering at North University Parkway.

When is the High Point Christmas parade?

The High Point Holiday Festival Parade is 3 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 22, 2026, on Main Street. Details are on our separate Christmas parade page.