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2026 season · Updated Friday, November 6

Christmas lights in Charlotte 2026

Drive-through light shows, garden walks and free town displays around Charlotte this season, with dates, hours and prices checked against each organizer's own site.

Light displays

  • Celebration of Lights and Winterland Express

    Village Park, Kannapolis

    Coming up

    A free park light display in Kannapolis with a miniature train and carousel, nightly from November 13 to December 30.

    Dates
    Nov 13–25, Nov 27–Dec 23, Dec 26–30
    Time
    5:30 PM – 9 PM
    Price
    Free entry; rides ticketed

    Details and directionsTickets

  • Speedway Christmas

    Charlotte Motor Speedway, Concord

    Coming up

    A drive-through light show on a course of nearly four miles at Charlotte Motor Speedway, nightly from November 20 to January 3.

    Dates
    Nov 20–Dec 23, Dec 25–Jan 3
    Time
    6 PM – 10 PM
    Price
    From $46 per car

    Details and directionsTickets

  • Bright Lights 5K & Fun Run

    Daniel Stowe Conservancy, Belmont

    Coming up

    A Thanksgiving Eve night run through Daniel Stowe Conservancy's holiday lights in Belmont, Wed Nov 25 at 6pm, with a Holidays at the Garden sneak-peek party.

    Dates
    Wed, Nov 25
    Time
    5K 6:00pm, fun run 6:45pm, sneak-peek party 7-9pm
    Price
    Fun run $39.05, 5K $65.55 through Nov 22 (fees included); higher Nov 23-25

    Details and directionsTickets

  • Light the Knights

    Truist Field, Charlotte

    Coming up

    Holiday lights, a Tunnel of Lights and a holiday market at Truist Field, plus an ice rink and snow tubing hill on the ballpark field.

    Dates
    Nov 25, Nov 27–29, Dec 3–6, Dec 10–13, Dec 17–23, Dec 26–30, Jan 1–3
    Time
    Weeknights 5–10 PM; weekends and holiday-week days from 2 PM (Sundays until 9 PM)
    Price
    $12 plus fees; skating and tubing $40

    Details and directionsTickets

  • Carolina Holiday Light Spectacular

    Ballantyne's Backyard, Charlotte

    Coming up

    A walk-through light trail with more than 40 lit scenes at Ballantyne's Backyard, on most nights from November 27 to December 30.

    Dates
    Nov 27–29, Dec 3–6, Dec 10–24, Dec 26–30
    Time
    5:30 PM – 9:30 PM
    Price
    From $20 per person

    Details and directionsTickets

  • WinterFest at Carowinds

    Carowinds, Charlotte

    Coming up

    Christmas light displays, holiday shows, Santa and select rides inside Carowinds, on select days from November 27 to January 3.

    Dates
    Nov 27–29, Dec 5–6, Dec 12–13, Dec 18–23, Dec 26–Jan 3
    Time
    Most days noon–8 PM, Saturdays noon–9 PM; Dec 31 from 3 PM
    Price
    With park admission (from $69)

    Details and directionsTickets

  • Holidays at the Garden

    Daniel Stowe Conservancy, Belmont

    Coming up

    A walking tour of more than a million lights through Daniel Stowe Conservancy's gardens in Belmont, on select nights from November 28 to December 30.

    Dates
    Nov 28–29, Dec 3–6, Dec 9–13, Dec 16–24, Dec 26–30
    Time
    5 PM – 10 PM
    Price
    Adults $24–$33, kids $18–$25

    Details and directionsTickets

  • Christmas Town USA

    Downtown McAdenville, McAdenville

    Coming up

    Free lights across the town of McAdenville every night from December 1 to December 26.

    Dates
    Dec 1–26, daily
    Time
    5:30 PM – 10 PM
    Price
    Free

    Details and directions

Good to know

  • Weeknights are usually quieter than Fridays and Saturdays, and the week before Christmas is the busiest.
  • For timed-ticket events, book ahead and arrive at the start of your window.
  • Check the organizer's site on the day if the weather turns. Some displays close for rain or wind.

FAQ

When do Christmas lights start in Charlotte?

The first display on our list this year opens Nov 13: Celebration of Lights and Winterland Express. Most run into late December, and a few stay open into early January.

Are there free Christmas lights near Charlotte?

Yes: Celebration of Lights and Winterland Express in Kannapolis (Nov 13–25, Nov 27–Dec 23, Dec 26–30); Christmas Town USA in McAdenville (Dec 1–26, daily).

Where can I drive through Christmas lights near Charlotte?

Speedway Christmas in Concord (Nov 20–Dec 23, Dec 25–Jan 3).

Do I need tickets?

Buy ahead for Celebration of Lights and Winterland Express, Speedway Christmas, Bright Lights 5K & Fun Run, Light the Knights, Carolina Holiday Light Spectacular, WinterFest at Carowinds, Holidays at the Garden. Popular nights can sell out, so book weekday nights if you can.

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