By Rebecca Rider
rebecca.rider@salisburypost.com

SALISBURY — Nights are getting darker and colder, but Rowan County is keeping winter at bay with cheerful, colorful Christmas displays.

It’s easy to find a bit of everything near and dear to Christmas light lovers locally if you know where to look — from yards featuring blow-ups of beloved cartoon characters to displays set to the fast-beat of carol remixes to homes dripping with icicle lights, we have it all.

But Rowan is no small county, and while some may be willing to cruise around their neighborhood or town after sunset, looking for lights further afield can be a daunting task. Where to begin?

Luckily, the Electric Elf is on your side. After accepting numerous recommendations from residents, a Post reporter ventured out into the cold December night to vet suggestions and uncover some of the best home light displays Rowan County has to offer.

Over the years, the Post’s Electric Elf has compiled a list of dazzling, must-see favorites that are sure to have you “oohing” and “ahhing” on your holiday light tour.

Must see lights

A show worth watching, 150 Corriher Gravel Road, China Grove

Park across the road at the entrance of Corriher Sand and Stone, turn your lights off and turn your radio to 107.3 F.M. for a special LED-light performance put on by a host of forest folk. “Cooley the Snowman” and “Rupert the Christmas Fairy” host this 30-minute light display and explain the true meaning of Christmas while trading jokes and showing their appreciation for Christmas classics such as “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen” and “Dance of the Sugarplum Fairy. Shows run nightly from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. and from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. weekends. On select nights, light refreshments are available. If you’re not a fan of strobe or flashing lights, you may want to skip this location.

A Faith tradition, 185 Deal St.

Randall Barger has been decking out his Deal Street home in Christmas displays for more than 20 years. The home features a long drive with canopies of lights, hand-made light displays and a pond providing a picture-perfect reflection of each lovingly-made piece. As you drive through, be sure to keep an eye on the upper window of the home for a glimpse of Santa Claus. Though this house has a Deal Street address, you’ll want to approach from Faith Road and turn down a driveway labeled “Barger Drive.” Don’t worry about getting lost — if you’re driving south on Faith Road, you can’t miss it.

Music and lights, 1112 Choate Road

Roll down your windows as you pull up to this Choate Road home. While the yard features displays, trees and blow-ups of all shapes, colors and sizes, select parts are set to music playing from an unseen speaker. You’ll definitely want to pull out a camera for this stop.

Clear and classic, South Fulton Street.

While you’re out touring the best and brightest, be sure to take a drive down South Fulton Street for more classic and bright decorations. Homes on this historic street are decked out in elegant icicle lights and feature porches full of trees and doors hung with Christmas wreathes.

New destinations

Joy to the world, 216 South Deerfield Circle

This home is a bit removed, but well worth the trip. The yard is decked out in lights of all shapes and colors. And while you’re there, be sure to tour the rest of Plantation Ridge, which features multiple homes with noteworthy displays.

And as you’re pulling out of the subdivision, be sure to stop a moment to appreciate the house across the way, at the corner of U.S. 601 and Old Mocksville Road, which features a long, lit driveway and beautiful white lights on the roof and yard.

A little bit of everything, 950 East Ridge Road

This house features something for everyone, with lights in the trees, unexpected splashes of color and bright snowmen gracing the yard.

Lines of luminaries, 355 East Ridge Road

Bethel Lutheran Church has lined its horseshoe-shaped drive and parking lot with the flickering light of dozens of live luminaries. The setup lends an eerie beauty to the country church.

Boatloads of blow-ups, 201 Galleria Place

If you love blowups, this is the house for you. Beloved characters from Santa to Olaf the snowman parade around this Milford Hills home.

Bringing light, 818 Newsome Road

This house is dressed to the gills for Christmas. Its colorful displays and leaping reindeer light up the Newsome Road neighborhood.

Glittering competition, 748 and 760 Brown Acres Road

These two neighbors compete with bright, colorful, busy light displays that are sure to have you pulling over for a better look.

So pack the kids in the car, grab a mug of hot chocolate and turn on the Christmas tunes before heading out into the night — the lights are waiting.