Here are the best places to see the holiday lights around the Charlotte area
It’s the most wonderful time of the year again: the holiday season.
There are several holiday events and activities you can check out around the holidays, including festive lights and over-the-top displays all around the Charlotte area.
So if you’re looking to make your holiday season extra merry and bright, here’s a list of local spots decked out and illuminated for Christmas:
Speedway Christmas
Location: Charlotte Motor Speedway, 5555 Concord Parkway, Concord, NC 28027
When: Now-Jan. 7, open 6-10 p.m., rain or shine. (Closed Dec. 24)
Cost: $35+ for Speedway Christmas and $20 a person for tubing or discounted rate of $15 with Speedway Christmas purchase; kids 12 and under can tube for $10.
Hop in the car and drive through a winter wonderland at Speedway Christmas. The Charlotte Motor Speedway will be decked out with nearly 5 million lights across a 4-mile course, hundreds of creative displays and lights synchronized to holiday music.
The Cook Out Tubing Hill premieres season with four 250-foot lanes of snow tubing.
Light the Knights
Location: 324 S Mint St, Charlotte, NC 28202
When: Now-Jan. 1, with hours varying
Cost: $10
Light the Knights is back at Truist Field this season with a full display of holiday activities and displays. In addition to ice skating, snow tubing and holiday shopping, there is also a holiday walkthrough and light show with various areas including Mrs. Claus’s Kitchen, Winter Wonderland, Santa’s Workshop and more. Then, catch a choreographed show involving the lights in the ballpark and holiday music.
Holidays at the Garden
Location: Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden, 6500 South New Hope Road, Belmont, NC
When: Nov. 24 through Dec. 23, Tuesday through Sunday from 5-10 p.m.
Cost: $15+
Stroll through Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden and see thousands of twinkling lights throughout the 30 acres of gardens. You can also enjoy the walk-through display while you snack on seasonal treats, hot cocoa and food truck bites.
[RELATED: Find festive holiday events, light displays and other seasonal fun in the Charlotte area]
McAdenville Christmas
Location: 102 Main St., McAdenville, NC 28101
When: Dec. 1, 5:30 p.m. through Dec. 26, with the Yule Log ceremony Dec. 14 at 5 p.m.
Cost: Free
McAdenville, known as Christmas Town USA, is a popular spot to check out holiday lights every year. Drive or walk through the nearby town, about 15 miles outside of Charlotte, and see homes decked out with unique displays for the holidays. McAdenville will also be hosting its annual tree lighting ceremony on Dec. 1, and its annual Yule Log ceremony with a parade on Dec. 14.
Sea of Lights at Sea Life Charlotte-Concord
Location: Concord Mills, 8111 Concord Mills Boulevard, Concord, NC 28027
When: Dec. 1-Jan. 3
Cost: $18.99 for adults, $15.99 for kids
This holiday season, SEA LIFE Aquarium in Concord Mills will be transformed into a winter wonderland for Sea of Lights. The aquarium will be decked out with thousands of holiday lights and over 25 decorated Christmas trees.
Carolina Holiday Light Spectacular
Location: Ballantyne’s Backyard, 11611 N Community House Rd, Charlotte, NC 28277
When: Dec. 7-30
Cost: $10+
Check out the Carolina Holiday Light Spectacular and walk through an outdoor trail filled with over a million illuminated lights and holiday scenes. There will also be performances, shopping, food trucks and more.
Did we miss a holiday light display? Lets us know at charlottefive@charlottefive.com.
This story was originally published November 27, 2023 at 5:30 AM.
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