Christmas lights · Charlotte, NC
Charlotte has a four-mile drive-thru around the Motor Speedway, a walk-through trail in Ballantyne, and, west of the city, McAdenville, the small town that calls itself Christmas Town USA. Those three have 2026 dates out; the free neighborhood displays round it out.
6 displays · 3 free · 3 with 2026 dates announced
McAdenville Christmas Town USA
Neighborhood · McAdenville, Gaston County
Speedway Christmas
Drive-thru · Charlotte Motor Speedway, Concord
Carolina Holiday Light Spectacular
Walk-through · Ballantyne's Backyard
Hillside Avenue
Neighborhood · Myers Park
Queen Family Christmas
Neighborhood · Montibello
Holidays at the Garden
Garden · Daniel Stowe Conservancy, Belmont
No ticket, but the best-known ones get very crowded. Go on a weeknight if you can, and read the card for how to get in.
A whole small town lit up — walk or drive through downtown. The tree lighting is Dec 1 at 5:30 pm and the Yule Log Parade Dec 10.
On the map
Checked 2026-09-23 · Town of McAdenville
Official siteChicken-wire Christmas balls glowing high in the old Myers Park trees. Donations for Loaves and Fishes are collected along the street.
Getting in and parking
On the map
Checked 2026-09-23 · Charlotte on the Cheap (2025)
One family's house of lights, inflatables and an elf-land photo spot, sometimes with a live nativity. Donations go to the Charlotte Rescue Mission.
On the map
Worth knowing
Checked 2026-09-23 · Charlotte on the Cheap (2025)
Paid per car, not per person, so a full car is the cheap way to do it. Weekends are the busy nights.
More than five million lights on a four-mile course around the speedway, with music on 101.3 FM and drive-in movies.
On the map
Worth knowing
Checked 2026-09-23 · charlottemotorspeedway.com
Official siteMostly ticketed per person, and on foot. Check the hours before you set out.
A half-mile trail of over a million lights and 25-plus scenes, with a small winter carnival and Santa.
Getting in and parking
On the map
Worth knowing
Checked 2026-09-23 · ncholidaylights.com
Official siteMillions of lights along the garden paths, with fountains that dance to holiday music.
On the map
Checked 2026-09-23 · Charlotte on the Cheap (2025)
Official siteBefore you go
Most displays announce the season in October or November. Until they do, we show last year's dates and say so, rather than guess this year's. Every card shows the day we last checked it and where the facts came from.
Santa services in the US