CHARLOTTE — From popular attractions draped in sparkling lights to romantically lit gardens and parks, the Charlotte area shines bright during the holiday season.
Here are a few of our favorite places to enjoy the magic of the holidays.
Please use the links provided to check for last-minute updates before you go.
Ballantyne’s Backyard — Stroll along an outdoor walking trail filled with more than 1 million illuminated lights, dozens of oversized snow globes, hundreds of decorated trees, a snow tube slide, and a Christmas village complete with boutiques, shops and a rotating roster of food trucks during the Carolina Holiday Light Spectacular at Ballantyne’s Backyard. Ticket prices start at $10-$15 per person for Monday through Thursday, and $15-$20 for Friday through Sunday. Children ages 3 and older will need a ticket. Open through Dec. 29 (closed on Christmas Day). Link
Billy Graham Library — During Christmas at the Library, visitors can see a beautiful display of lights and a live nativity, plus enjoy horse-drawn carriage rides, story time for kids and carolers. Admission is free, but registration is required. There is a cost for the carriage rides. On display through Dec. 23. Link
Camp North End — Camp North End transforms into Camp North Pole for the holiday season. In addition to its annual holiday-themed Mistletoe Market and must-see Reindog Parade, there is an outdoor ice-skating rink and the complex will be decked out in festive holiday décor. The ice rink is open daily through Jan. 5. The Mistletoe Market will take place on the first three Saturdays in December (Dec. 7, 14 and 21) and the Reindog Parade is on Dec. 14. Link
Carowinds — The largest theme park in the area is decked out for the holidays during WinterFest. See millions of holiday lights, plus live shows, festive décor and a holiday parade. There’s also an ice rink and select rides are open. Tickets start at $32.99. Open select nights through Jan. 4. Link
Charlotte Motor Speedway — See more than 5 million twinkling lights along a 4-mile course around the iconic racetrack during Speedway Christmas. The Christmas Village is open Thursday through Sunday nights where visitors can get out of their cars and enjoy holiday activities, including photos with Santa. Christmas-themed movies will also be shown on the giant Speedway TV on select nights. Tickets per vehicle start at $35 Monday through Wednesday and $45 Thursday through Sunday. Open through Jan. 5 (closed on Dec. 24). Link
Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden — See twinkling lights and sparkling fountains, roast marshmallows by a roaring fire, grab a bite from a food truck, sip a warm or cold beverage and soak up the season’s cheer during Holidays at the Garden at Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden. Tickets cost $24-$28 for adults, $22-$25 for seniors 60+, and $18-$20 for children ages 2-12. Children younger than 2 are admitted free. Open through Dec. 29 (closed on Mondays and Dec. 23-25). Link
McAdenville — Every December, the quiet little town of McAdenville in Gaston County transforms into “Christmas Town, USA,” which has been consistently ranked in the top 5 in USA Today’s 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards for Best Public Holiday Lights Display. See hundreds of trees covered in lights and homes and yards decorated for the holidays along the 1.3-mile route. There is no cost to see the lights. On display nightly from 5:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. through Dec. 26. Link
McGill Rose Garden — This spot is one of Charlotte’s hidden gems, nestled just outside of Uptown and on the edge of NoDa. The garden glows for the holidays while Rosie’s Coffee & Wine serves up seasonal favorites. Admission is free. Drinks and snacks are available for purchase. Open daily. Link
Patriots Park — Enjoy a stroll through Patriots Park in Kings Mountain where more than 1 million lights have transformed the area into a holiday wonderland full of festive displays that will remind you of Christmases long ago. Admission is free. Open nightly through Jan. 1. Link
Sea Life Charlotte-Concord Aquarium — See thousands of twinkling lights and other festive décor during Sea Life’s Twinkling Tides, on display through Jan. 5. Tickets start at $18.99. Link
Truist Field — The Charlotte Knights will light up Uptown with its annual walk-through holiday experience. Light the Knights features tens of thousands of lights throughout the ballpark along with Christmas trees, holiday displays, snow and appearances from Santa. There is also an NHL regulation-size ice rink and a 10-lane snow tubing hill. Admission costs $14; ice skating and tubing cost extra. Children ages 3 and younger are admitted free. Open through Jan. 3. Link
Village Park — Get into the holiday spirit in Kannapolis at the Celebration of Lights in Village Park. See 250,000 lights, roast marshmallows or make s’mores and visit Santa. Visitors can also catch a train ride on the Winterland Express and see the Leonard Bearstein Symphony Orchestra that called Founders Hall in Uptown Charlotte home for 20 years. Admission to the park and viewing the lights are free; tickets to ride the train cost $2 per person. Tickets for the carousel are also $2 per person. The attractions is open nightly through Dec. 30. Link
Worth the road trip
Biltmore — Asheville’s most famous address has transformed into an unforgettable Yuletide destination for Christmas at Biltmore. By day, the rooms of Biltmore House shimmer, beautifully decorated with Christmas trees, ribbons, garlands and thousands of twinkling lights. In the evenings, flickering candlelight, glowing fireplaces and live music transport you back in time to the first Vanderbilt family Christmas in 1895. Tickets start at $125. On display through Jan. 5. Link
Riverbanks Zoo — Stroll through the zoo and discover nearly 60 larger-than-life handcrafted lanterns inspired by nature. Plus, enjoy interactive activities, fun photo ops, and seasonal favorites including nightly snowfall and visits with Santa. Tickets start at $20.99. Children younger than 2 are admitted free. Open select nights from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. through Jan. 12. Link
Tanglewood Park — See miles of lights and dozens of festive displays during the annual Festival of Lights at Tanglewood Park in Clemmons. Admission starts at $20. On display nightly from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. through Jan. 1. Link
WATCH: McAdenville Lights: Christmas Town USA through the years
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