Ever heard of the Winterfest Christmas lights in Tryon, NC? Only an hour from Greenville, SC, Winterfest is at the Tryon International Equestrian Center (TIEC). Millions of lights are on display through more than two miles of dazzling lights at the drive-through light show. We have visited Winterfest each year for several years, and we’re bringing you all the 2025 details.
Kidding Around received media tickets so we could review the Christmas Wonderland and Winterfest Holiday Village. We have updated this review with 2025 dates and details.
Watch our Visit to Winterfest at TIEC
This visit video is from 2024.
About the Holiday Lights at TIEC
Featuring millions of lights synchronized to an orchestra of holiday music, Shadrack’s Drive-Through Light Show at Winterfest is one of the area’s best drive-through Christmas light displays.
With ice skating, s’mores, live music, entertainment, and more, Winterfest Holiday Village is a great add-on.
2025 Winterfest Dates at Tryon International
Shadrack’s Drive-Through Light Show: November 14, 2025 – January 3rd, 2026.
Winterfest Holiday Village: Fridays – Sundays from November 28th – December 23rd, 2025.
If you’re familiar with TIEC’s Saturday Nights Lights during warmer months, the light show and Winterfest Holiday Village are at the same location. Shadrack’s Drive-Through Light Show happens every night from 6-10 pm, November 14, 2025 through January 3rd, 2026. I’ve been to several drive-through light displays, and this is absolutely one of the very best ones out there.
What to Expect at Shadrack’s Christmas Drive-Through Lightshow
When you get off at the exit for the TIEC, you’ll see signs directing you toward the light show, which is across the bridge if you’re coming from Greenville. Hang a left after the exit for 74 West onto a gravel road. You’ll then follow the road under a bridge and follow directions to the entrance of the light show.
Tune your radio to 92.9 FM so you can listen to the music and watch the lights dance along.
Once you pay the entrance fee, turn off those headlights and start your adventure. This event is drive-thru only. There are millions of lights over about two-and-a-half miles. The road twists through tons of light displays, and both kids and adults will be awed by the lights, especially as they sync up to the Christmas music.
You can only go through once with your admission, so go slow and take it all in. It took us about 25 to 30 minutes to drive through the whole light show. Once you are past the synchronized lights, you head into the TIEC through a back entrance and enjoy silly and creative Santa light displays.
The first time I took my kids, they were 8 and 5. Now they are 11 and 8, and they still love it. They were blown away by all the lights and thought the music was upbeat and fun. The tunes are a mix of traditional and newer Christmas music. They wanted to go through it again when we were finished.
Admission to Shadrack’s Drive-Through Light Show varies by date and vehicle type with Eventbrite tickets starting at $47.92 for weekday visits for cars and trucks. Weekend visits for cars and trucks range from $53.58 for Friday/Sunday visits to $59.24 for Saturday visits. Express passes and season passes available.
Winterfest Holiday Village at the Tryon Resort
Winterfest is back! On Fridays – Sundays from November 28th – December 23rd, 2025, families can head to the Legends Plaza which is transformed into Winterfest Village.
New for 2025, experience the Light Show magic on foot! Stroll through thousands of twinkling lights for an extraordinary holiday evening. Included with Holiday Village Ticket.
Admission to Winterfest Holiday Village varies by age and package with tickets starting at $25.30/youth 12-17 years old and $30.06/adults. Family packs and season tickets are available. The paid activities include Grinch & Whoville experience, Santa Meet-and-Greet, bounce houses, and carousel rides. Ice skating is also an additional fee, beginning at $25.30.
- Meet the Grinch
- Evening closing parade
- Visits with Santa
- Carousel rides
- Bounce house
- Live music and entertainment
- Shopping
- S’mores and storytelling
- Walk-through light show
Ice Skating
The ice skating rink is situated right in the middle of the action in the area where horses normally compete. Your ticket to ice skating includes an hour on the ice (real ice, by the way). And the ice skates are probably the nicest skates I’ve ever rented. You can also bring your own skates.
Eventbrite tickets for ice skating start at $25.30 each, and kids ages 4 and up can participate. You can purchase timed skating tickets online or at the gate. Ice skating at the TIEC will run through February 1, 2026. You can even have a birthday party or field trip here!
And don’t forget to get hot chocolate right next to the ice skate rental tent. It is delicious, nice and chocolatey. There is Christmas music playing and the atmosphere is festive and fun. People who don’t want to skate can hang out at the picnic tables next to the rink or enjoy the other activities in the same area such as the ice slide, bounce house, kids horse jumping area (they can jump over obstacles like horses), or mechanical horse.
Santa’s Workshop & Breakfast at Winterfest
Both kids and adults can take professional photos at Santa’s Workshop during Winterfest. Photos are for purchase, but they have such a cute and cozy setup along with an elf who will welcome you and introduce you to Santa.
The Tryon Resort also has Breakfast with Santa available Saturdays November 29th through December 20th and December 21-23, 2025. Seatings are at 8 am or 10:30 am. Tickets include a kid-friendly breakfast buffet and must be purchased ahead of time. Eventbrite tickets are $50.18 for adults and $29.83 for kids ages 6-12. Kids 5 and under are free.
Information You Need to Know About Christmas Wonderland & Winterfest
Shadrack’s Drive-Through light show happens daily from 6 – 10 pm, including holidays. Expect to wait a bit more if you go on weekends versus weekdays. Winter Holiday Village runs Fridays – Sundays from November 28th – December 23rd, 2025.
2025 Winterfest admission info:
Admission to Shadrack’s Drive-Through Light Show varies by date and vehicle type with Eventbrite tickets starting at $47.92 for weekday visits for cars and trucks. Weekend visits for cars and trucks range from $53.58 for Friday/Sunday visits to $59.24 for Saturday visits. Express passes and season passes available. Admission grants you one pass through the light display for the date you chose.
Admission to Winterfest Holiday Village varies by age and package with Eventbrite tickets starting at $25.30/youth 12-17 years old and $30.06/adults. Family packs and season tickets are available.
Do you plan to attend Winterfest and the Drive-Through Light Show in Tryon this year?
Thanks for posting this information. I’ve always wanted to see Shadrack’s Christmas, but it was stopped in Greenville before I even realized it was there. Sounds like a nice day trip!! Happy Thanksgiving and Merry Christmas!