I’m so excited that the holiday season is here and Charlotte has so many family-friendly Christmas and Holiday activity options. To make things easy for you I’ve put together a full comprehensive list of all the activities, events, shows, and Santa meet and greets that the Charlotte area has to offer. Each title is clickable and will take you to the website for that specific activity so you can get more information. If I’ve experienced the activity myself I’ve included some feedback so make sure to look for that as well.
Make sure to follow along on my Instagram for detailed posts and videos about many of these activities throughout the season.
I really hope this will make things easier for you in this busy season. Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!!
Carowinds Winterfest
Carowinds theme park is transformed into a winter wonderland with holiday live music, festive food, ice skating, holiday activities and tons of amazing lights displays. Select family rides will also be open including a few rollercoasters, most of the Camp Snoopy kids rides, and many of the carnival type rides.
We go every year and this is one of my favorite holiday activities in Charlotte. They do such a great job and it’s fun for a wide range of ages. Go early to avoid crowds and make the most of the visit before bedtime.
Where: Carowinds Theme Park
When: Select Days Nov. 21st- January 1st. Hours vary based on the day.
Price: Free for season pass holders or $32.99 for single day adult ticket and $19.99 for kids.
Speedway Christmas Lights
This is a drive-through light show inside of Charlotte Motor Speedway featuring more than 4 million lights that includes most of the speedway as well as the infield. The infield Christmas Village is back this year and open Thursday-Sunday nights. The village offers shopping, photos with Santa, food vendors, a few rides, fire pits, and indoor movies. Plan for about 45 min – 1 hour inside the speedway (not including the village).
Lines can get long for this one so it’s best to go on weeknights and get up there early to be at the start of the line. You can also buy a fast pass which will greatly reduce waiting. Tickets can be advanced tickets or bought at the gate.
Pro tip: Go early (in line by 5:30pm) and grab some fast food to eat in the car while you wait. Also bring a few treats to offer in the car if your kids get a little restless. Make sure to have kids use the restrooms before entering the speedway.
Where: Charlotte Motor Speedway
When: Nov. 18th – January 8th 2022
Time: Monday-Sunday 6:00pm – 10:00pm
Price: $30-$40 depending on the day of the week. Check out their website for more pricing. Fast Passes are now offered at $70 per vehicle and that allows you to skip the line.
Light the Knights and Charlotte Christmas Village
The Light the Knights Festival is a walkthrough holiday experience at Truist Field in Uptown. You’ll walk through the lights displays at the ballpark and then end at the Charlotte Christmas Village which includes food and drinks, live entertainment, shopping, and Santa. New this year there will also be snow tubing and ice skating right on the field. Tickets can be purchased in advance or at the stadium box office.
This is one of our favorite events each year and it’s a great for a wide variety of ages.
Where: Truist Field Uptown
When: Nov. 23rd-January 6th. Hours vary each day.
Cost: $10 per person for admission for lights and Christmas Village only. $25 per tickets to add on tubing or ice skating. All access day pass for $35. You can also buy season passes.
Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden Lights
Stroll through the garden and view their amazing Christmas light displays set to festive music. They also have food trucks, roasting marshmallow stations, and warm or cold beverage options.
We’ve done this one several times and always have a great time! They do a great job with the lights and we think it is worth the drive and fee.
Where: Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden about 30 minutes from uptown near Belmont, NC
When: Nov. 26th – Jan. 2nd, 5-9pm
Price: Adult: $20; Senior: $18, Child 2-12: $10; Child Under 2: Free. Tickets must be purchased in advance.
White Water Center Ice Skating and Lights
The ice rink has grown to 24,000 sq ft and includes four distinct skating areas, including two ice trails and two free skate zones. There is also an on-ice Airstream serving hot and cold beverages.
This year they are bringing back the lights displays! Explore a half-mile, self-guided walking trail showcasing a variety of illuminated installations.
Where: White Water Center
When: Mid Nov – Mid. Feb
Price: $25 for single activity skating pass. Lights are free.
Gingerbread Lane Ballantyne Hotel
The Ballantyne Hotel holds a Gingerbread house contest each year and the houses are on display at the hotel. The public is allowed to come and view their work and vote for your favorite. Hot Cocoa is available to purchase at the Gingerbread hut open daily from 11am-7pm.
Where: The Ballantyne Hotel
When: December 1st- Dec. 26th
Price: Free but donations are appreciated which go to Levine Children’s Hospital
*The hotel also offers a Holiday Tea Thursday – Sunday from 1-4pm. Reservations can be made by calling the hotel.
McAdenville “Christmas Town” Lights
For more than 60 years the Christmas lights display in this small town just west of Charlotte has drawn huge crowds. All of the houses in the town are decorated in lights as well as many other large light displays across the town. You can drive through to view the lights or park and walk through the town.
Tips: There can be really long lines to get into the town so going during the week is ideal or going as early as possible. Saturdays and Sundays can bring tons of traffic which means lots of waiting in your car to get into the town. If you wait to long for this one I feel it loses it’s magic so it’s best for plan to go during the week or very early if you must go on the weekend.
Where: McAdenville, NC
When: December 1st-December 26th, 5:30pm-10:00pm nightly
Christmas at Billy Graham Library
During the Christmas season the library offers a live nativity with petting zoo, horse-drawn carriage rides, story time, and Christmas carolers.
Tips: Generally, crowds are smaller in the beginning days of December, and a weekday visit may be less crowded. Plan for a significant wait for all activities on Friday and Saturday. Christmas-only events start at 5 p.m. and require a reservation.
Where: Billy Graham Library – 4330 Westmont Drive Charlotte, NC
When: Nov. 28th-Dec. 23rd. Mon-Thurs = 5-9pm and Sat and Sun = 5-10pm.
Price: Free but reservations are required. Carriage rides are $11 for adults and $5 for children under 12.
Kannapolis Celebration of lights and Winterland Express
The Celebration of Lights includes thousands of Christmas lights and holiday displays. Adults and children can take a ride on the Winterland Express and take a spin on the double decker carousel. Area choirs and school groups will perform on select evenings between 6 and 8 pm (December 6, 7, 8, 13, 14 and 15).
Where: Village Park
When: Nov. 20th – Dec. 30th from 6-9pm.
Price: Free entry. Must make advanced reservations for train ride and carousel. Both require a fee.
Olde Meck Brewery Christmas Market
They transform their biergarten into a German-style Christmas Village with traditional huts for shopping, holiday music, tons of lights, Gluhwein, hot cocoa, and festive food. Santa will make an appearance on Nov. 26th and Dec. 17th 2 pm – 5 pm for photos
Where: Olde Meck Brewery
When: Nov. 25th-Dec. 18th on the weekends
Festival of Trees Belmont
Downtown Belmont and Stowe Park are filled with a display of festive trees for everyone to enjoy throughout the season. This year, the festival will also feature a special display of “Oh Starry Night” – a luminary event presented by Strong Like AK located on the upper field of Stowe Park.
Where: Downtown Belmont/Stowe Park
When: Nov. 28th-Jan.3rd
Holiday Light Spectacular at Ballantyne’s Backyard
New this year this will be a walk through holiday lights display along a half-mile walking trail.
Where: Ballantyne’s Backyard
When: Dec. 12th – 31st. 5:00pm-10:00pm daily. Also open on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and New Years Eve.
Price: Pricing ranges from $15-$25 depending on the day of the week. Children under 3 are free.
Additional Ice Skating Options:
Founders Holiday Ice Rink in Rock Hill
Hanukkah Celebrations in Charlotte:
Chanukah Festival at Symphony Park – December 18th
Family Hanukkah Breakfast with Cliffford the Big Red Dog – JCC – December 18th
Hanukkah with Temple Kol Tikvah – Davidson Village Green – December 18th
Menorah Lighting at Stonecrest Shopping Center – December 19th
Chanukah Celebration at Birkdale Village – December 20th
Menorah Lighting in Matthews – December 20th
Waxhaw Menorah Lighting – Main Street – December 21st
Weddington Menorah Lighting – December 22nd
One Time Christmas Events:
A full list of Tree Lighting Ceremonies and Festivals can be found on my Instagram page using this link.
ChristmasVille 2022 – Old Town Rock Hill, Dec. 1-4
Ballantyne Village Holiday Spectacular – Dec. 3
Indian Trail Winterfest and Tree Lighting – Chestnut Square Park, Dec. 3rd
Town of Pineville Tree Lighting – Pineville Town Hall, Dec. 3rd
Town of Matthews Winter Wonderlights – Stumptown Park, Dec. 3rd
Downtown Monroe Tree Lighting – Dec. 3rd
Christmas in Davison – Downtown Davidson, Dec. 1-3 (North Meck Parade Dec. 3rd at Davidson Town Hall)
Christmas in Huntersville – Downtown Huntersville, Dec. 2-3
Downtown Christmas Village – Downtown Belmont, Dec. 3
Christmas in Cornelius -Town Hall, Dec. 4
Waxhaw Christmas Parade, Dec. 11th 3pm
Mt Holly Christmas Parade, Dec. 16th
Christmas Plays/Musicals:
Polar Express in Concert – 25th and 26th
Nutcracker Ballet – Dec. 9th – 23rd
The Singing Christmas Tree – Dec. 9th, 10th, 11th
The Best Christmas Pageant Ever: The Musical – Nov. 18th – 22nd
Photos with Santa
Here is a list of many of the meet and greet with Santa options in Charlotte. I’ll update this list as I hear of any new ones. In years past we’ve done the Southpark Mall Santa on a weekday and had a good experience but this year we are trying out the Santa Max experience. I’ve heard wonderful things about it and I’ll share feedback after our first.
- Cabelas
- Bass Pro Shop
- Southpark Mall
- Carolina Place Mall
- Metropolitan – Dec. 17th
- Grinch at Metropolitan – Dec. 3rd
- Santa Max
I hope this is helpful and that you all have a wonderful holiday season. Thanks for stopping by!