The 16 best holiday lights around Charlotte in 2025

This list includes streets, individual homes, and organized displays like the Speedway, listed in no particular order.

WinterFest at Carowinds

When: Select nights Nov. 28-Jan. 3.

Where: 300 Carowinds Blvd. 

What to expect: Carowinds is ringing in the season with its immersive holiday experience, WinterFest. The park will host numerous holiday events and activities, like an artisan market, live shows, crafts, plus festive food and drinks.

• Select rides are running, too.

If you go: Tickets start at $32

Go deeper: Holiday guide: 26 festive things to do in Charlotte this winter

Rosie's Wine Garden

When: Typically through January.

Where: 940 N. Davidson St.

What to expect: During the holidays, the McGill Rose Garden in NoDa transforms into a cozy winter wonderland, making it a solid spot for everything from a happy hour to a date night.

If you go: Check their Instagram for drink specials and events. Outside food is also welcome.

Carolina Holiday Lights Spectacular at Ballantyne’s Backyard

When: Nov. 28-Dec. 30. Open nightly 5:30-10pm, unless otherwise noted.

Where: 11611 N. Community House Road

What to expect: A walking trail decorated with over one million holiday lights, hundreds of Christmas trees and interactive installments. There's also a holiday village with boutiques, shops and rotating food trucks.

If you go: General admission begins at $10. VIP admission is $39.

• There's a live Santa nightly through Dec. 23 and live performances on select nights.

Light the Knights Festival at Truist Field

When: Nov. 27-Jan. 4. Hours vary by day — view the calendar.

Where: Truist Field (324 S. Mint St.)

What to expect: A walkthrough holiday experience of over 10,000 lights, Christmas trees and seasonal displays at Truist Field. This year (its sixth year), expect ice skating, snow tubing, shopping and holiday treats.

If you go: It's $14 for admission only or $44 for admission and all activities.

Holidays at the Garden at Daniel Stowe Conservancy

When: Nov. 28-Dec. 27

Where: 6500 S. New Hope Road, Belmont

What to expect: The Belmont conservancy will transform into a winter wonderland with dazzling lights, sparkling fountains and holiday décor along a one-mile walk.

• Highlights include a trackless train, visits with Santa (weekends) and an adults-only speakeasy with holiday cocktails.

If you go: It's recommended that you buy tickets ahead of time. Tickets are $28-$33 (adults), $22-$30 (seniors) and $18-$25 (children).

Speedway Christmas

When: Nov. 21-Jan. 4, 6-10pm, nightly. Closed on Christmas Eve.

Where: Charlotte Motor Speedway, 5555 Concord Pkwy S., Concord

What to expect: A drive-thru holiday lights show, with 5 million lights illuminating the four-mile race track at Charlotte Motor Speedway.

• On select nights, drive-in holiday movies will play on the gigantic Speedway TV until Christmas.
• There's also a Christmas Village to stroll with vendors, fire pits for s'mores, photo ops with Santa.

If you go: Avoid out-of-towner traffic by going Sunday-Thursday.

• Entry is $46.41 per car on Monday-Wednesday and $57.93 Thursday-Sunday.

Winter at Whitewater

When: Now through mid-February.

Where: U.S. National Whitewater Center (5000 Whitewater Center Pkwy.)

What to expect: There are several ways to enjoy the seasonal décor at the Whitewater Center this winter through its Winter at Whitewater festivities.

• With an activity pass, you can explore various illuminated activities, including ice skating, Wildwoods (a kids' area), an off-leash dog park featuring a lighted trail and zip-lining courses.

If you go: An all-inclusive day pass starts at $79; a night pass is $49.

• Single-activity passes are available: Wildwoods is $18 and ice skating is $25.
• Parking is $12 per day, or you can opt for an annual parking pass for $40.

Celebration of Lights and Winterland Express in Kannapolis

When: Now through Dec. 30. Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.

Where: Village Park, Kannapolis

What to expect: The Celebration of Lights in Village Park showcases over 250,000 lights, a Winterland Express train, and a carousel.

• Enjoy festive activities like visits with Santa, marshmallow roasting, and performances by the Leonard Bearstein Symphony Orchestra, featuring 18 animatronic bears.

If you go: Admission to the park and lights is free.

• Tickets are required for the train and carousel.

Pirates Christmas at High Seas Mini Golf

When: Nightly through Jan. 19, 5-10pm.

Where: 10001 Charlotte Hwy., Fort Mill

What to expect: This pirate-themed putt-putt course goes all out with its holiday experience, Pirates Christmas. The entire course is decked out in seasonal decor and holiday lights.

If you go: Tickets are $18 for adults, $13 for kids, $13 for seniors and $11 if you're not playing golf. Reservations are not accepted.

Christmas Town USA (McAdenville)

When: Dec. 1-26, nightly 5:30-10pm

Where: Downtown McAdenville (~30 minutes from Uptown) — use 212 Wesleyan Dr. for the GPS

What to expect: Over 100 homes go all out on the holiday decorations — it's a tradition that's been happening for nearly 70 years. The streets are lined with more than 250 evergreens covered in half a million lights.

If you go: You can drive or park and walk. Aim to arrive before sunset, and go on a weekday for less traffic.

Ardrey (south Charlotte)

Where: A subdivision in Ballantyne, not far from Blakeney. If you need a street address for your GPS, plug in Wheatfield Road

What to expect: Hundreds of Charleston-style homes decked out in classic Christmas decor (think: garland, white lights and wreaths).

If you go: You can drive around, or park and stroll.

Hillside Avenue (Myers Park)

When: Typically throughout December, according to the Hillside Avenue Facebook page.

Where: Enter from Park Road and Selwyn Ave.

What to expect: This street-long light display is a hallmark of Charlotte's Christmas season. Along with beautifully decorated homes, nearly all the trees are adorned with giant, glowing Christmas light balls.

If you go: Along Hillside, there's a food drive where you can make a cash or food donation to Nourish Up.

Harbin Family Christmas Lights (south Charlotte)

When: Typically nightly 6-10pm — details for 2025 haven't been announced yet. Check the Facebook page for updates.

Where: 10223 Summer House Ct.

What to expect: The Harbin family puts on this dazzling display each year to raise money for Make-A-Wish Central and Western Carolina.

If you go: You can donate to Make-A-Wish here.

"McAlleyville" (Bay Street) in Elizabeth

When: Typically through December

Where: In the Elizabeth neighborhood. Off Bay Street, between Clement and Lamar.

What to expect: A hidden gem called "McAlleyville," an alleyway where residents go all out decorating their homes. The name is a playful nod to Christmas Town USA in McAdenville.

If you go: Put 1816 Bay St. in the GPS.

Zimnowski Light Show (Huntersville)

When: Lights typically run nightly 6-10pm — details for 2025 will be released zoom, according to the home's Facebook page.

Where: 15419 Hugh Mcauley Road

What to expect: This Huntersville home is a must-see for its synchronized light shows. This year, there'll be Christmas classics, holiday mash-ups, and music from big names like Taylor Swift, Kylie Cantrall — and even songs from "Wicked."

If you go: There are five rules for visitors: Stay off the front lawn, dim your headlights, don't block driveways, remain in your car and tune into 101.3 FM for synchronized music.

Lights on Bosson

When: Nightly from 5:30-9pm. Check their website for showtimes and updates.

Where: 7388 Bosson St. SW, Concord

What to expect: Every Christmas, this Concord home on Bosson Street transforms into a magical light show. Tune your radio to 90.1 FM — you can even vote for your favorite song to play.

If you go: The show is free, but they're accepting donations to the Cabarrus County Animal Shelter.

Looking for more things to do this holiday season in Charlotte? Find 26 festive things to do in our 2025 holiday guide.