Drive through Edenton, North Carolina on a winter evening, and you might notice something delightfully unexpected: outdoor trees ablaze with multicolored lights, standing as beacons of cheer in front yards throughout this historic town. These aren’t your typical holiday decorations—they’re “Joy Trees,” a growing Southern tradition that’s spreading smiles across Chowan County and beyond.

We have a short video on some Joy Trees we found below this article.

Joy Trees are outdoor trees decorated with vibrant, colorful lights that remain lit throughout the winter months. Unlike traditional Christmas trees that come down after the holidays, these exuberant displays keep shining, offering a dose of brightness during the darkest months of the year. The trees are characterized by their bold, playful aesthetic — think rainbow lights, generous coverage, and an unapologetic celebration of color.

While Joy Trees are a recent phenomenon in Edenton, the tradition has deeper roots in various Southern communities. In Richmond, Virginia, Meredith Boone grew up surrounded by these whimsical lit trees in her neighborhood — a cherished part of her childhood. Similarly, the Ellis family on corner of East Water and Court Street in Edenton had been lighting a tree for years, carrying forward a tradition from Greensboro, North Carolina, though with a somewhat more conservative approach.

The tradition found new life in Edenton thanks to the combined enthusiasm of residents who wanted to share this unique custom with their community.

How Joy Trees Came to Edenton

The Joy Tree movement in Edenton gained momentum in 2020, when the world needed brightness most. MaryScott Hagler, an Edenton native, recognized that her community could use some extra joy during the COVID-19 pandemic. When Meredith Boone brought the Richmond tradition to Edenton for her own children, Hagler saw an opportunity.

With Boone’s blessing, Hagler posted online encouraging Edenton residents to “light up with JOY trees” in November 2022. The timing couldn’t have been better. During a period of uncertainty, these colorful beacons became symbols of hope, resilience, and community connection.

The response was overwhelming. Each year since, more families have joined the tradition, transforming Edenton and Chowan County into a wonderland of color.

Beyond Edenton

The Joy Tree tradition isn’t confined to Edenton alone. Neighboring Hertford and nearby communities have also embraced these cheerful displays, and the concept continues to spread throughout northeastern North Carolina and other parts of the South. What makes this tradition special is its organic growth—neighbor inspiring neighbor, community building upon community.

The Edenton-Chowan Recreation Department has made it easy for residents to participate in this glowing tradition. Families can register their Joy Tree through an online form, which helps create a community map of lit trees.

Hagler is also compiling an online list (available here) for people to create their own tour.

The maps allow residents and visitors to take self-guided Joy Tree tours, spreading cheer throughout the area.

We will include a link to the maps once they become available.

Tips for Creating Your Own Joy Tree

Ready to add your own Joy Tree to the landscape? Here are some tips to get started:

• Choosing Your Tree: Select a healthy outdoor tree in your front yard with good branch structure. Evergreens work well, but most people choose deciduous trees that create their own striking silhouette when lit. Consider the tree’s visibility from the street.
• Lights, Lights, Lights: The key to a Joy Tree is generous, colorful lighting. Opt for multicolored LED string lights, which are energy-efficient and long-lasting. Many Joy Tree enthusiasts use multiple strands that can be used outdoors to achieve full coverage. Don’t be shy — more is more when it comes to Joy Trees!
• Installation: Start from the trunk, wrapping lights in a spiral pattern. Then decorate the top however you want. Many people include hanging decorations, such as lit-up snowflakes, spheres or ornaments. For larger trees, you may need a ladder and a helper. Please always prioritize safety and make sure lights are rated for outdoor use.
• Power Considerations: Make sure you have adequate outdoor electrical outlets. Use weatherproof extension cords and consider a timer or smart plug to automate your display. Make sure that if your electrical cord crosses the sidewalk, a cover (plastic or brightly colored tape) is provided to prevent people from tripping or accidentally unplugging your lights.
• Maintenance: Check your lights periodically throughout the season, especially after storms. LED lights are more durable, but connections can loosen over time.
• Think Beyond the Holidays: Remember, Joy Trees shine brightest during the post-holiday winter months. Many families keep their trees lit from early December through February or March, providing light during the longest, darkest nights.

The History Behind the Lights

The tradition of decorating outdoor trees with lights is a widespread American holiday custom with roots stretching back centuries. The practice of using lights on Christmas trees began in 16th-century Germany with candles, a tradition brought to America by German immigrants, including the Moravians who settled in what is now Winston-Salem, North Carolina. The innovation of electric Christmas lights came in 1882, when Edward H. Johnson created the first string of electric lights in New York, though they remained an expensive novelty for years. By the early 20th century, outdoor electric lights began appearing on trees in cities across America, including San Diego in 1904, Appleton, Wisconsin in 1909, and New York City in 1912.

The trend of extensive outdoor residential and community lighting truly flourished after World War II, when lights became more affordable and widely available. In the South, one town helped transform this scattered practice into a celebrated community tradition. In 1956, McAdenville, North Carolina—now known as “Christmas Town U.S.A.”—formalized a community-wide lighting tradition when the local men’s club and W.J. Pharr, a local business owner, decorated nine evergreen trees around the community center with red, white, and green lights. This display grew over the decades into a spectacular phenomenon that draws hundreds of thousands of visitors annually and helped popularize community outdoor lighting displays across the nation.

While the tradition is now celebrated nationwide, it has particularly strong roots and expressions throughout the Southern United States. From McAdenville’s pioneering display to large-scale holiday light shows at venues like the Atlanta History Center and various botanical gardens across the region, Southern communities have embraced outdoor tree lighting as a way to spread holiday cheer, create festive atmospheres, and build community spirit during the winter months.

The Joy Trees of Edenton and Hertford represent a continuation of this embrace of light and color, adapting a time-honored tradition to bring year-round brightness to their communities.

More Than Just Lights

Joy Trees represent something deeper than decoration — they’re about community, connection, and choosing happiness. In a world that often feels divided, these trees unite neighborhoods in shared wonder. Children beg their parents to drive past their favorite trees. Strangers smile at the same glowing display. Families create new traditions around seeking out the brightest, most creative installations.

Sometimes what a community needs most is permission to embrace joy unapologetically. In Edenton, Hertford, and beyond, Joy Trees have become exactly that— a reminder that even in dark times, we can choose to light up our world.

So this winter, consider adding your own splash of color to the landscape. Register your tree, invite your neighbors to do the same, and join a tradition that proves joy, like light itself, is meant to be shared.

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NOTE: This story was updated at 5:39 p.m. Dec. 1, 2025, to include the history of outdoor lighted trees.