5 best places to see 2019 holiday lights near Charlotte
Yes, we know we’re in the thick of it: You’re wrapping up work for the year. You’ve overindulged at all the holiday parties. The shopping isn’t done. The house hasn’t been dusted and the family will be here sooner than you thought. How is the month flying by so fast?
Here’s your PSA: Don’t forget to slow down and take in the moments in between the chaos. The evenings are the perfect time for a low-key stroll or driving through some holiday light displays.
Here are 5 places to go:
(1) Carowinds
What: WinterFest
Where: 300 Carowinds Blvd., Fort Mill, South Carolina
When: Select nights through Dec. 31, including News Year’s Eve. Hours vary, and the Wonderland Parade (new this year) will be each night at 9 p.m. (Closed Christmas Day).
“The parade features eight custom-designed floats, over 100 singers and dancers, and more than 40,000 lights. You’ll truly be in the spirit,” said CharlotteFive’s DeAnna Taylor.
Cost: Varies
Pro tip: If you purchase a 2020 Season Pass now, you’ll get unlimited visits to WinterFest this year — if you’re planning on spending some summer days at the water park, consider this.
(2) Charlotte Motor Speedway
What: Speedway Christmas
Where: 5555 Concord Pkwy S., Concord
When: Nightly until Jan. 5; infield village open through Dec. 29. 6-10 p.m. The infield village is open Thursday-Sunday. (Closed Christmas Day).
Cost: $20 per car Monday-Wednesday (infield village closed). $25 per car Thursday and Sunday, $30 per car Friday and Saturday.
Pro tip: For smoothest traffic flow, arrive early by 5:30 p.m. and consider nights other than Friday or Saturday if you can, Scott Cooper of Charlotte Motor Speedway told C5.
Movies will begin at 6:30 p.m. each night on the giant Speedway TV, with a second showing after. Listen via 105.1. Here’s the schedule:
Dec. 12-19: National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation
Dec. 20-24: The Star
Dec. 26-29: A Christmas Story
(3) Daniel Stowe Botanical Gardens
What: A Mile of a Million Lights
Where: 6500 S. New Hope Road, Belmont
When: Through Jan. 5 from 5-9 p.m (closed Christmas Day)
Cost: Purchase online in advance for Monday through Thursday at $14.95 per adult and Friday through Sunday at $16.95 per adult. Details about pricing for seniors and children here.
Pro tip: Make sure you’re hungry when you arrive. Food trucks will be on site, Sprouty Cakes Bakery will be selling sweets (including gluten free) and Tastebuds Popcorn will have snickerdoodle, mint cookies and cream and other flavors. Get some hot chocolate, cider or wine and wander the gardens.
(4) McAdenville
What: Christmas Town U.S.A.
Where: The entire town of McAdenville, North Carolina. More than 375 trees and nearly all of the homes will be lit up, and about 600,000 visitors drive through the small town each year.
When: Lights will be on display through Dec. 26.
Cost: Free
Pro tip: Make sure your bladder is empty when you get in line on Interstate 85. You are going to be in line for a long time. If you’re new to the area, Christmastown U.S.A. is a must-do, once. The line may prohibit you from ever doing it again, so once you get inside the town, find a parking place, get some hot chocolate and wander around.
(5) U.S. National Whitewater Center
What: Lights, an exhibit of lights that weave through a half-mile trail, created by artist Meredith Connelly.
Where: 5000 Whitewater Center Parkway
When: 6-10 p.m. nightly through February. (Open Christmas Day from 5-10 p.m.)
Cost: Free; parking is $6
Pro tip: While you’re there, don’t forget about the Whitewater Center’s ice skating. “Sit on the rocks surrounding the rink with drink in hand or join in the ice skating. Watch out for the 3-foot kids weaving through the crowd at high speeds,” said CharlotteFive’s Vanessa Infanzon. Ice skating is from noon-10 p.m. More details here.
This story was originally published December 19, 2019 at 5:30 AM.
