Forest City Hometown Holiday Lights
Visitors can stroll or ride along historic Main Street to view more than one million Christmas lights. Downtown attractions include synthetic ice skating, decorated storefront window displays, and visits to POPS to see the region's largest lighted ornament and a decorated tree. Guests can also enjoy live music, grab refreshments from local food trucks, and take horse-drawn carriage or hay rides.
Nov 26, 2026 – Jan 3, 2027 All ages
See more Christmas lights near Forest City
Plan Your Visit
Hours
Lights: 5PM-11:30PM nightly. “Ice” skating rink: dates are listed, but no hours are given. Hayrides: 6PM-9:00PM on December 4, 5, 11, 12, 18, and 19. Santa visits: 6PM-9PM on December 4, 5, 11, 12, 18, and 19. Black Coffee Quartet: 6pm-9pm on December 5, 12, and 19.
Neighborhood
Downtown
Food & Drink
Local food trucks are located on Mill Street near Main Street, and the POPS concession stand offers hot chocolate, cider, and coffee on Fridays and Saturdays.
Parking
For the November 26 lighting ceremony, Main Street is closed from Broadway Street to Church Street beginning at 7AM, with no parking on Main Street. The page encourages attendees to park in the municipal lots between Main Street and Trade Street, around the Florence Mill, or in the grassy area across from First Baptist Church. Main Street reopens at 9PM. During the November 29 parade, there is no parking on eastbound Main Street.
Location
Tips & Advice
- Reserve carriage rides online as soon as reservations open; they are advance-only and will not be sold on the day.
- Arrive at least ten minutes before your carriage reservation, since late arrivals forfeit the booking without a refund.
- Dress warmly for carriage rides, which may be cancelled in inclement weather; follow Forest City Events for cancellation updates.
- For hayrides, buy tickets on-site and be prepared for first-come, first-served sales.
- If attending the lighting ceremony, use one of the suggested off-street parking areas because Main Street is closed and has no parking.
Special Events & Promotions
- A lighting ceremony with live music from In His Glory is held on opening night.
- Many Main Street businesses are open Thanksgiving night for holiday shopping.
- The Christmas Parade is a separate event on November 29.
- Private horse-drawn carriage rides are sold separately and require advance online reservations; reservations go on sale on specified dates.
- Hayride tickets are sold separately on-site, first come, first served, on December 4, 5, 11, 12, 18, and 19.
Links & Contact
Run by Town of Forest City
Christmas Events Near Me is an independent guide, not the organizer of this event. For tickets, entries, vendor spots or questions, contact the organizer directly through their contact page.
Frequently Asked Questions
What can visitors see and do during the festivities?
You can view the lights along Main Street, browse decorated storefront windows, see the lighted ornament and decorated tree at POPS, and enjoy scheduled skating, rides, music, and Santa visits.
Which activities require advance reservations?
Horse-drawn carriage rides must be reserved online in advance and are not sold on the day. Hayride tickets are sold on-site, first come, first served.
Where can I get food and drinks?
Local food trucks are on Mill Street near Main Street. Hot chocolate, cider, and coffee are sold at the POPS concession stand on Fridays and Saturdays.
Where should I park for the lighting ceremony?
Main Street is closed and has no parking for the ceremony. Use the municipal lots between Main Street and Trade Street, the area around Florence Mill, or the grassy area across from First Baptist Church.
What should I know before booking a carriage ride?
Each reservation is for an entire carriage, which seats up to four adults or fewer adults plus additional children. Arrive at least ten minutes early and dress warmly; late arrivals forfeit the reservation without a refund.
Browse Christmas in Shelby
Always check the official website for the most current information.
We've done our best to keep details up-to-date, but event schedules, prices, and policies can change. For the latest updates, please visit the official website or contact the organizers directly. Christmas Events Near Me is an independent guide and isn't affiliated with the events we list.