Where is Carolina Holiday Light Spectacular?

At Ballantyne's Backyard in the Ballantyne area of south Charlotte.

How much are tickets?

For 2026: $10–$25 depending on the night and entry time, $30 for an any-night ticket and $99 for a family 4-pack. Buying ahead is cheaper.

On select nights from November 27 to December 30, 2026, 5:30 to 10 pm; closed on Christmas Day.

Where can I see the best Christmas light show in North Carolina?

For a walk with rides and Santa near Charlotte, this one; for a whole lit-up town, McAdenville's Christmas Town USA, 15 miles west.

Illustration

Walk-through · Ballantyne's Backyard · Ticketed

Carolina Holiday Light Spectacular 2026

A walking trail of more than a million lights in Ballantyne with music-synced trees, a holiday village, food trucks, hot chocolate stands, a small carnival with a Ferris wheel, and Santa in his own house with games and crafts.

2026 dates not announced yet — last season below, marked by year

Google 4.1 ★ · 38 reviews

At a glance

2026 dates: Select nights, November 27 – December 30, 2026 (closed Christmas Day)
Hours: 5:30–10 pm
Tickets (2026): $10–$25 by night and time; any-night $30; family 4-pack $99. Cheaper in advance
What's there: A walking trail of 1M+ lights, music-synced trees, holiday village, food trucks, a small carnival with a Ferris wheel, Santa's house
Where: Ballantyne's Backyard, Ballantyne, south Charlotte

Is it worth it?

A nice walkable evening with small children — skip the wand and go on a weekday.

What visitors say

Visitors enjoyed it for a family night, a cosy date or photos with friends, and praised a very good Santa. Some felt it was pricey for a fairly short route, and the $22 magic wand add-on disappointed one parent.

Music-synced light displays
Santa's house with crafts
Food trucks and cocoa
Stroller and wheelchair friendly

Getting there and getting in

Parking is free.

Worth knowing

Popular nights sell out; buy ahead.

Open in Google Maps

Ballantyne's Backyard — free parking

Official site

Questions people ask

Where is Carolina Holiday Light Spectacular?: At Ballantyne's Backyard in the Ballantyne area of south Charlotte.
How much are tickets?: For 2026: $10–$25 depending on the night and entry time, $30 for an any-night ticket and $99 for a family 4-pack. Buying ahead is cheaper.
When is it open?: On select nights from November 27 to December 30, 2026, 5:30 to 10 pm; closed on Christmas Day.
Where can I see the best Christmas light show in North Carolina?: For a walk with rides and Santa near Charlotte, this one; for a whole lit-up town, McAdenville's Christmas Town USA, 15 miles west.

Checked 2026-09-30. Sources: Carolina Holiday Light Spectacular (official). Last season's numbers are labelled with their year until the organiser publishes 2026.

More Christmas lights in Charlotte

All 6 displays in Charlotte