Holiday Light Displays in Charlotte
The Queen City is aglow with festive light displays during the holidays.
by Arielle Patterson Nov 07, 2024
Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden
This blog is brought to you in partnership with Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden.
Winter nights in Charlotte sparkle a little brighter during the holiday season. Whether you’re driving through festive scenes or walking along illuminated paths, these holiday light displays are sure to put you in the seasonal spirit.
Holidays at the Garden
When: Nov. 29-Dec. 29
Area: Belmont
Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden dazzles during the holidays with light displays throughout the garden, every night except Mondays from 5-10 p.m. Make your way along the lighted paths, passing ornate decorations and Instagrammable photo backdrops. Stay warm by the crackling firepits as you enjoy s’mores, hot chocolate, cider and holiday cocktails, along with hot meals from the on-site food trucks.
WinterFest
When: Select nights Nov. 15-Jan. 4, 2025
Area: South Charlotte
WinterFest at Carowinds is one of the most immersive holiday events in the Carolinas. Surround yourself in the warm glow of holiday lights throughout the theme park. Take photos in front of the giant Christmas tree adorned with lights, then watch a brilliant light display set to holiday music.
A Kannapolis Christmas
When: Nov. 16-Dec. 30
Area: Kannapolis
Celebration of Lights, part of A Kannapolis Christmas, showcases enchanting lights at Village Park. Area choirs and school groups will perform on select evenings, creating the perfect ambiance for you to stroll the festive displays.
Kings Mountain Christmas Lights
When: Nov. 22-Jan. 1, 2025
Area: Kings Mountain
Head to scenic Kings Mountain to gaze at a state-of-the-art light display. Every night through New Year’s Eve, Patriots Park will be aglow with over one million lights to create a holiday scene right out of a storybook.
Host the perfect holiday gathering with ease, creating memories that shine all season long.
Speedway Christmas
When: Nov. 22-Jan. 5, 2025
Area: Concord
Charlotte Motor Speedway glitters with more than five million lights on a four-mile course during Speedway Christmas. The largest drive-thru holiday light show in the Southeast offers a unique chance to travel along the Speedway’s legendary oval, pit road and in-field road course.
Carolina Panthers & Charlotte FC Tree Lighting Festival
When: Nov. 26
Neighborhood: Uptown
The Carolina Panthers and Charlotte FC invite fans, friends and families to watch as a 50-foot Norway spruce tree, garnished with 50,000 string lights, is lit up for the season at Bank of America Stadium. This Charlotte tradition will also include appearances by Sir Minty, Sir Purr and Santa.
Light the Knights
When: Select nights Nov. 27-Jan. 3, 2025
Neighborhood: Uptown
Truist Field, home to the Charlotte Knights, transforms into a winter wonderland. Nearly every part of the stadium, from the concourse to the seats and baseball diamond, is decorated with colorful lights. There’s even a choreographed light show set to the soundtrack of holiday music.
Christmas Town USA
When: Dec. 2-26
Area: McAdenville, N.C.
Walk or drive through McAdenville’s charming downtown, located less than 20 miles from Uptown Charlotte, adorned with thousands of lights. The celebration kicks off with the annual Christmas tree lighting on Main Street on Monday, Dec. 2.
Festival of Trees
When: Dec. 2-Jan. 6, 2025
Area: Belmont
Stowe Park in Belmont is filled with festive trees throughout the month of December. This annual event kicks off with the tree lighting ceremony on Monday, Dec. 2. Find out which of the showcased trees took first, second and third place in each of the categories.
Fourth Ward Holiday Sip & Stroll
When: Dec. 5-7
Neighborhood: Uptown
Celebrate the holiday season by taking a stroll around historic Fourth Ward. Take a self-guided tour of the area’s beautifully decorated homes and businesses, enjoying food and cocktail tastings along the way. An additional Holiday Home Tour is available for an upgraded ticket.
The most magical time of the year is closer than you think...
Carolina Holiday Light Spectacular
When: Dec. 5-29
Area: Ballantyne
Bring the whole family out to Ballantyne’s Backyard for the Carolina Holiday Light Spectacular. This year’s show features over one million marvelous lights in new, festive displays along a paved, half-mile walking trail. Along the way, you’ll find food trucks, larger-than-life holiday scenes and merry music.
Twinkling Tides
When: Dec. 6-Jan. 5, 2025
Area: Concord
SEA Life Charlotte-Concord illuminates its underwater tunnel with holiday lights during the Twinkling Tides event. Ten zones of the aquarium will also be transformed with festive holiday décor and thousands of sparkling lights.
