Ballantyne’s Backyard · 11611 N. Community House Rd · Charlotte, NC
✦ LIGHTS · MAGIC · JOY ✦ CAROLINA HOLIDAY LIGHT SPECTACULAR — 2026
Carolina Holiday Light Spectacular is Charlotte's favorite Christmas experience — a joy-filled walk through magic and light. Millions of lights across 40+ scenes flowing end to end, magic snowflake wands, free live entertainment every night, and Santa's Private Workshop at Ballantyne's Backyard.
Every ticket includes the full light trail and free live entertainment. The extras below make the night unforgettable — add them at checkout. Prices increase at the gate.
The Real Santa appears in Santa’s Castle every open night through December 23 — that is his last night of the season. Photos are free, just bring your phone or camera. No reservation, no extra charge. After December 23, Santa is not on-site. The show continues through December 30, but those nights are Santa-free.
From the moment you enter to the moment you leave — there is no dark. Over 40 illuminated scenes line the trail end to end, one flowing into the next. This is not a walk between displays. This is a walk through light.
Plan Your Visit →
Ballerinas performing inside illuminated globes. Live holiday singers. Dancing elves. Real performers who make the trail feel alive — every single night, no extra charge. All entertainment runs 6–9pm nightly.
See What’s Happening →
Dedicated VIP entrance. The HO HO Glow Lounge with firepits. Heated restrooms. And bottomless hot cocoa in your souvenir mug — included. The way the night should begin.
See VIP Perks →
Hidden throughout the trail, illuminated snowflake stations wait to be found. Touch your wand tip to the glowing center — and watch what happens. We’re deliberately not telling you what. That’s the whole point.
Four rides, one pack. Ferris Wheel, Bear Affair, Sooper Jet Kiddie Roller Coaster, and Rapid Slide. Buy online and save $5 — $20 online versus $25 at the gate. The kids will ask to go again. Budget accordingly.
Add Ride Tickets →
This is where Santa does his real work. Each night he opens his workshop to just 10 children. Your child steps inside, learns North Pole secrets, earns their Elf Academy Certificate, and gets the kind of one-on-one time with Santa that simply doesn’t exist anywhere else in Charlotte. This isn’t a photo op. This is a memory.
Check in by 5pm · Online only · No refunds if late · Once it’s full, it’s full
More Information →All tickets are date-specific. Advance pricing is locked — prices increase at the gate. Children 2 and under are always free.
Choose your date and arrival time.
The heated lounge and a warm cocoa waiting when you walk in.
✦ All General Admission Benefits — PLUS:
The easiest way to bring the whole family. One checkout, everything included — no math, no missing anything at the gate. Online only, while it lasts.
Children 2 and under are always free — no ticket needed. Prices increase at the gate. Lock in your advance pricing today.
Five Years Running.
The same Santa — every open night through December 23. No reservation. No extra charge. Just show up and meet him.
Photos are free. Bring your phone or camera. Santa has been welcoming families to Holiday Light Spectacular since 2022 — he knows how to make the moment count.
Your child gets 45 minutes of exclusive time with Santa — no crowds, no rushing. Learning North Pole secrets, earning their Official Elf Academy Certificate, and taking home commemorative memorabilia.
Show admission required separately · 5:15–6:00pm on open nights through Dec 23 · Online only — no gate sales · Limited to 10 children per night
Reserve Your Child's Spot →Show admission ticket required separately for child and parents. Workshop ticket covers the Elf Academy experience only.
"We've been every year since they opened. The wands are my kids' absolute favorite — they spent an hour finding every single snowflake. My youngest still talks about the one that made fog come out of nowhere. Worth every penny and then some."
Family · 3 visits"He proposed under the lights. I said yes. We had no idea when we bought our VIP tickets that we'd leave engaged. The lounge, the warm cocoa, the atmosphere — it was the most perfect night. We'll be back every year for the rest of our lives."
Couple · Engagement Night"We brought our entire company — 85 people — for our holiday party. The group coordination was seamless, everyone had an incredible time, and Santa's workshop was the talk of the office for weeks. We've already booked again for 2026. Don't wait."
Corporate Group · 85 Guests★★★★★ · 4.8 on Google · 38 reviews and growing
Visited before? Leave us a Google review — you help other families discover the magic.
One corporate inquiry can represent hundreds of tickets. Coming with 15 or more? We make group nights effortless — and memorable. Reach out and we'll have options to you within the hour.
Book a private night or group tickets for your whole team. We've hosted groups of 85+.
Special pricing for non-profits and faith communities. A meaningful night for everyone.
A magical outing your students will talk about all the way through the holiday break.
Make the holiday season the backdrop for a milestone nobody will forget.
Fill this out and we'll reach out within the hour with availability, pricing, and options for your group.
Weekday GA (Mon–Thu) is $20 from 5:30–8pm, or $10 after 8pm. Weekend & Holiday Week GA (Fri–Sun) is $25 from 5:30–8pm, or $15 after 8pm. Anytime Admission (any day, no date needed) is $30. VIP is $39. Family 4-Pack is $99 (4 Anytime tickets). Children 2 and under are always free. Prices increase at the gate.
The show is located at 11611 N. Community House Rd, Charlotte, NC 28277 — in Ballantyne. Park at the Wells Fargo building — this is also the show entrance. This is the only entrance. There is no entrance from the Ballantyne Bowl side. Some guests walk over from nearby shops and restaurants, but all entry goes through the Wells Fargo entrance.
Parking is always free. Park at the Wells Fargo building at 11611 N. Community House Rd, Charlotte, NC 28277. That's the show entrance — you can't miss the lights. Some guests walk from the Ballantyne Bowl area, but parking at Wells Fargo is the most direct and is always complimentary.
Open select nights November 27 – December 30, 2026. Gates open 5:30pm, last ticket sold at 9:00pm, we close at 9:00pm. Christmas Eve: last ticket 7:30pm, close 8:00pm. Closed: Nov 30, Dec 1–2, Dec 7–9, and Dec 25.
Touch your wand tip to the glowing center of any illuminated snowflake station — and something magical happens. Every activation is different. We deliberately don't tell you what — discovering each one is part of the experience. If you purchase in advance, you'll receive a wand voucher with your tickets. When you arrive, enter the show and follow the trail down the hill to the Wand Hut — hand over your voucher and pick your color. Wands can also be purchased at the Wand Hut on-site while supplies last, at the gate price.
Yes. All pathways are concrete or decked — fully accessible for strollers, scooters, and wheelchairs. Please note there are some gradual inclines throughout the trail.
The show operates in light rain and most conditions. In severe weather — including lightning — we may suspend and contact you directly by email and phone to reschedule. If you have concerns about a specific evening's weather, email us at team@ncholidaylights.com before you leave home.
Santa is here every open night through December 23 — because he has a very important delivery to make on the 24th. After December 23, Santa is not on-site. The show runs through December 30, but December 26–30 are Santa-free nights. For a private experience with Santa before the 23rd, look into Santa’s Private Workshop: Elf Academy — just 10 children per night, advance booking required.
Yes — free live entertainment is included with every ticket, every night. Ballerinas performing inside illuminated globes, live holiday singers, dancing elves, and more. No extra charge and no reservation needed. Just look up — they'll find you on the trail.
Early bird pricing, exclusive offers, and Santa's Private Workshop opening dates — to your inbox before they go public.
By signing up you agree to receive emails from Carolina Holiday Light Spectacular. Unsubscribe anytime.
Weekends and Santa's Private Workshop sell out fast — and early bird pricing disappears when the season starts. Drop your email and we'll make sure you're first to know.
No thanks, I'll check back later.
Drop your email and we'll send your discount code instantly. Use it at checkout — good for any ticket, any night.
No thanks, I'll pay full price.