Just 40 Min from Concord — Tickets from $10
Nov 27–Dec 30 · Ballantyne, Charlotte · Free Parking
Looking for Christmas lights near Concord, NC? Carolina Holiday Light Spectacular is Charlotte's favorite Christmas light show — just 40 minutes from Concord at Ballantyne's Backyard in Charlotte, NC, open select nights November 27 – December 30, 2026. Searching for a Christmas light show near Concord, NC worth making a night of? Make Carolina Holiday Light Spectacular your family's Charlotte Christmas adventure. An easy trip down I-85 and around I-485 toward Ballantyne brings families from Concord, Kannapolis, Harrisburg, and the surrounding area to millions of sparkling Christmas lights — but seeing the lights is only the beginning. Grab an interactive Magic Snowflake Wand and make the magic happen, visit the Real Santa, catch live entertainment, enjoy festive treats, climb aboard the rides, and explore a Christmas experience designed to be enjoyed instead of simply observed. New this season: Santa's Private Workshop — Elf Academy — offers ten children per night a private experience with Santa that simply doesn't exist anywhere closer to home. It's more than a trip to see Christmas lights in Charlotte. It's a night your family gets to become part of them.
Entrance: Wells Fargo building only11611 N. Community House Rd, Charlotte, NC 28277
Free parking on-site. Not the Ballantyne Bowl entrance.
Concord and Kannapolis families already make the run to Charlotte for Panthers games, concerts, and the things worth driving for. This December, that same highway takes you somewhere those other trips don't.
From entrance to exit, there is no dark. Forty-plus illuminated scenes flow into each other continuously — the kind of experience that makes the drive from Concord or Harrisburg feel like it ended too soon. Concrete and decked throughout, fully accessible for strollers and wheelchairs. Walk at your own pace. Most families take 60 to 90 minutes.
Plan Your Visit →
Illuminated snowflake stations are hidden throughout the trail. Touch the wand tip to the glowing center — and something happens. More than 15 surprises, none identical, none announced in advance.
There's nothing like this in Concord. Nothing like it in Kannapolis. Nothing like it in Harrisburg. The Magic Snowflake Wand is the only fully interactive Christmas light experience in the Charlotte region — and it's 40 minutes from your front door.
Discover the Wand →$20 advance · Available at the Wand Hut inside the show
Before the trail opens each night, ten children get private time with the Real Santa. Thirty minutes — just your child and Santa in the workshop. An official Elf Academy Certificate signed by Santa. A commemorative keepsake. Free photos. If you're driving 40 minutes, make it count. Elf Academy is why Concord families book early and don't wait until December to decide.
Reserve Elf Academy →$49 presale · $68 after · online only — no gate sales · 10 children max · Check-in by 5pm
Free live entertainment every night — no extra charge, no separate ticket. Ballerinas in illuminated snow globes, live holiday singers, dancing elves. Santa on-site through December 23rd. Entrance to the Winter Wonderland Carnival is included with every ticket. Want to ride the Ferris wheel and more? Up the Magic and add your ride tickets at checkout. Families from Concord who've made the drive say it's the night the kids talked about until February.
Get Tickets →Concord and Kannapolis families make the drive to Charlotte for Panthers games, concerts, and special occasions. This December, that same drive takes you to something no one is doing at home — Charlotte's favorite Christmas light show, where millions of lights meet magic snowflake wands, Elf Academy, live entertainment, and the Real Santa — featured on Visit Cabarrus. Families from Harrisburg make it even faster at 30 minutes. The question isn't whether it's worth it. The question is whether you've already got your tickets.
All prices are online advance pricing. Prices increase at the gate. Children 2 and under are always free.
All tickets at lightsmagicjoy.com · Add-ons: Magic Wand ($20), Carnival Ride Tickets 4-pack ($20 online), Santa's Private Workshop ($49 presale · $68 after)
"Last year was our first year visiting and it was spectacular!! Would love to go again this year and take some friends."
"Have never been. Would love to go. Looks like so much fun for the whole family!"
"Would love to take my family!! Looks amazing — the perfect Christmas tradition."
Carolina Holiday Light Spectacular is approximately 40 minutes from Concord via I-85 South to I-485 West, Exit 61A Johnston Road. The show is at 11611 N. Community House Rd, Charlotte, NC 28277. Park and enter at the Wells Fargo building. Free parking on-site.
From Harrisburg, Carolina Holiday Light Spectacular is approximately 30 minutes via NC-49 South to I-485 West, Exit 61A. One of the closer northern communities to Ballantyne. Free parking at the Wells Fargo building.
Carolina Holiday Light Spectacular is Charlotte's favorite Christmas light show — millions of lights, the Magic Snowflake Wand with 15+ hidden surprises, free live entertainment every night, the Real Santa through December 23rd, a winter carnival, and Elf Academy new this season with private time with Santa for 10 children per night. Concord families who've made the drive say they're coming back.
Weeknights Monday through Wednesday offer the Twilight Ticket starting at $10 with entry at 8pm. For families making the 40-minute drive, a Tuesday or Wednesday avoids weekend crowds and gets the best price. Book at lightsmagicjoy.com to lock in your spot.
Yes — Elf Academy is available to any family who books in advance. Santa's Private Workshop, new for 2026. Limited to 10 children per night, 30 minutes of private time with the Real Santa, official certificate, commemorative keepsake, and free photos. $49 presale · $68 after — advance purchase only, no gate sales. Check-in by 5pm. Add at checkout at lightsmagicjoy.com.
Elf Academy open dates, early bird pricing, and show updates — before they go public.
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