Frequently Asked Questions

Weekday General Admission (Mon–Thu) is $20 from 5:30–8pm, or $10 after 8pm. Weekend & Holiday Week (Fri–Sun) is $25 from 5:30–8pm, or $15 after 8pm. Prices increase at the gate — buying online in advance always saves money.

Children 2 and under are always free — no ticket needed.

The best value: Weekday nights (Mon–Thu) after 8pm are $10 online. Early entry (5:30–8pm) weekdays is $20. Weekend & Holiday Week nights (Fri–Sun) are $25 from 5:30–8pm or $15 after 8pm. Weeknights are the quietest nights of the season. Buy Tickets →

Yes — all ticket prices are higher at the gate. This includes general admission, VIP, the Magic Snowflake Wand, and carnival rides. Buying online in advance always gets you the best price.

Children 2 and under are always free — no ticket required. Children 3 and older need a ticket. There is no separate children's pricing — all guests 3 and older pay general admission.

Tickets are available online at lightsmagicjoy.com or at the gate the night of the show. Online pricing is always lower. Some dates sell out — buying in advance is recommended.

Yes — tickets are available at the gate on a first-come, first-served basis while capacity allows. Gate prices are higher than online advance pricing, and popular dates may sell out. We recommend buying online.

Online tickets include a small processing fee charged by our ticketing platform — this covers the cost of secure payment processing. Gate tickets are priced slightly higher to cover the additional staffing required to manage on-site sales. Either way, we recommend buying online — popular dates sell out and online purchase guarantees your spot in advance.

Ticket prices vary by day and entry time. Weekday nights (Mon–Thu) are $20 from 5:30–8pm or $10 after 8pm. Weekend & Holiday Week nights (Fri–Sun) are $25 from 5:30–8pm or $15 after 8pm. Anytime Admission ($30) is valid any day with no date selection needed. All pricing is shown clearly before you complete checkout.

Ballantyne's Backyard · 11611 N. Community House Road · Charlotte, NC 28277

Enter through the Wells Fargo building entrance only. Do not use the Ballantyne Bowl entrance — there is no entrance from that side. If approaching from the Bowl, walk or drive around to the Wells Fargo entrance.

Gates open at 5:30pm. Last ticket sold at 9:00pm. We begin closing the exhibit down at 9:30pm.

Christmas Eve: last ticket 7:30pm, lights out 8:00pm.

The show is closed November 30, December 1, December 2, December 7, December 8, December 9, and December 25. We are open select nights — Thursday through Sunday the first two weeks, then open nightly through December 30 (except Christmas Day, December 25).

Yes — always free. Park in the Wells Fargo parking deck at 11611 N. Community House Road. No parking fee on any night. On peak weekend nights, arrive early — the lot fills and overflow areas open nearby.

The 2026 season runs November 27 through December 30, 2026 — 27 magical nights. Open select nights — Thursday through Sunday the first two weeks, then open nightly through December 30 (except Christmas Day, December 25). View the full 2026 calendar →

Most guests spend 1.5 to 2 hours. Families with the Magic Snowflake Wand often spend more time hunting for all 15+ enchanted snowflakes on the half-mile trail. We recommend arriving by 9:00pm to enjoy the full experience before last entry.

Charlotte December nights get cold. You're outside for 1–2 hours. Layers, gloves, and a warm hat make the difference between a perfect night and cutting it short. Wear comfortable walking shoes — you'll be on your feet the whole time.

Tip: no flash on phone photos. The ambient light from the show is the magic — flash washes it out. Use Night Mode for stunning shots.

Yes — all live entertainment is FREE with every ticket. No separate entertainment ticket, no show charge, no add-on. Ballerinas, elves, princesses, Victorian carolers, live piano, singers, and Santa are all part of the experience.

Nightly entertainment includes Prima Ballerinas and Sugar Plum Fairies, playful Christmas elves, singing princesses, Victorian carolers, a live pianist on a glowing micro-grand piano, Christmas carol singers, and Santa Claus. Most performances center around the life-size Snow Globe.

See the full entertainment guide → · Check who's performing on your night →

Performers rotate throughout the season — not all performers appear every night. Check the 2026 Schedule page to see who is performing on your specific night.

Yes — our ballerinas invite children to dance and twirl alongside them around the Snow Globe. The Snow Globe itself is a performance stage for contracted performers only, but the magic spills out all around it and little ones are absolutely welcome to join in the dancing nearby.

Live entertainment generally runs during evening hours, with most performances happening after 6:00pm. Gates open at 5:30pm. Check the schedule page for performer timing on your night.

Yes — photos with Santa are free with admission. Bring your own phone or camera. There is no required photo package and no additional charge. Santa appears nightly through December 23 in Santa's Castle, where children can also color a picture and write a letter to the North Pole.

The Magic Snowflake Wand is a $20 interactive add-on at Carolina Holiday Light Spectacular. Santa hid more than 15 enchanted snowflakes throughout the trail — each one holding a different magical surprise. Hunt them. Find them. Touch your wand to their glowing heart and watch Christmas magic happen.

After picking up your wand, head to the Wand Hut — through the Holly Arch, left at the bottom of the hill. A Wand Master activates the magic and helps you test it. Then hunt for glowing snowflakes hidden on the trail. When you find one, touch the glowing center of your wand to the glowing heart of the snowflake — center to center — and hold for a moment. Something magical happens.

Touch — not wave. Bring the glowing center of your wand directly to the glowing heart of the snowflake. Center to center. Hold them together for a moment and the magic connects. Your Wand Master will show you exactly how before you start the hunt.

More than 15 enchanted snowflakes are hidden throughout the trail — each one triggering a different surprise. Some are easy to find. Some take a little searching. Dinosaurs, dancing water, train whistles, and things Santa made us promise not to reveal.

the Wand Hut is your first stop inside the event. After entering the show, go through the Holly Arch and turn left at the bottom of the hill. the Wand Hut will be on your right — look for the snowflake lights and the line of excited kids. Wand Masters will activate your wand and help you test it before you head to the trail.

Absolutely. Little kids love making the magic happen. Teens enjoy the challenge of finding every snowflake. Adults and grandparents are just as surprised as the kids. There is no age limit on wonder.

VIP admission ($39) includes: dedicated VIP entrance line, access to the HO HO Glow Lounge with firepits and private seating, souvenir hot chocolate mug with bottomless hot chocolate all night, 2 carnival ride tickets, and heated restrooms. Select VIP when purchasing your tickets online.

Carnival ride tickets are $20 for a pack of 4 at advance online pricing. Each ticket is redeemable for one ride: Ferris Wheel, Bear Affair spinning ride, Sooper Jet kiddie coaster, or Rapid Slide. Prices increase at the gate.

Yes — add the Magic Snowflake Wand ($20 advance) when you purchase tickets online. It can also be purchased at the gate while supplies last, but gate pricing is higher. Learn more about the wand experience →

Most add-ons are available at the gate, but at higher pricing. Santa's Private Workshop: Elf Academy is advance purchase only — no gate sales. It is limited to 10 children per night and sells out. The Magic Snowflake Wand and carnival rides are available at the gate at higher pricing. Free Santa visits in Santa's Castle are included with every ticket and require no advance purchase.

Santa's Private Workshop: Elf Academy is a private experience with the Real Santa — limited to 10 children per night. Your child steps inside his workshop, joins Santa in a special activity, learns the secrets of the North Pole, and gets the kind of one-on-one time with Santa that simply doesn't exist anywhere else in Charlotte.

$49 per child advance purchase · $68 after the initial pricing period. Advance purchase required — no gate sales. Limited to 10 children per night. Available online only — it sells out. Book when you purchase your show tickets.

Includes:

• Exclusive time with the Real Santa in his private workshop
• Free photos — yours to keep, with no additional purchase required
• A personalized Official Elf Academy Certificate (digital)
• An Official Elf Academy Badge
• Official Elf Academy Digital Park Companion — exclusive mobile web experience for graduates

Important: Check-in by 5:00 PM — no late arrivals. Up to 2 parents may attend with their own show tickets.

Yes — up to 2 parents may attend per group. Parents must purchase their own show admission tickets separately — admission is not included in the workshop price.

Check-in is required by 5:00 PM. No late arrivals are accommodated and no refunds are issued for missed check-in. Plan to arrive early.

No — show admission is not included. Every guest attending the show, including workshop participants and their parents, must purchase a separate general admission ticket.

Yes — fully accessible. All pathways throughout the show are concrete or decked — no grass or gravel sections, meeting ADA guidelines. Wide enough for side-by-side strollers. Some gradual inclines on the trail. Have specific needs? Email team@ncholidaylights.com before your visit.

Yes — wide pathways accommodate side-by-side strollers comfortably. All surfaces are paved or decked. Some gradual inclines throughout the trail.

The show features bright lights, music, and live entertainment throughout. For guests with sensory sensitivities, weeknight Twilight hours (after 8pm) tend to be quieter with smaller crowds. Email team@ncholidaylights.com with any specific questions before your visit.

Yes — rotating food trucks are on-site every night. The lineup rotates so check the schedule page or our social media for same-day updates. Hot and cold seasonal beverages available every night. Seasonal cocktails for guests 21+.

Yes — select vendors are on-site in the Holiday Shoppes area throughout the season, offering artisan products, gifts, and seasonal items. Vendor lineup rotates and may vary by night.

The show operates in light rain and most weather conditions. Lights look stunning in the rain — and you'll often have the trail more to yourself. In the event of severe weather including lightning or conditions that affect guest safety, the show may pause or close. Check our social media or the National Weather Service on rainy nights for updates.

Email us at team@ncholidaylights.com. For group inquiries, reach out through the Group Sales form on our homepage.

Email team@ncholidaylights.com and we'll get back to you as fast as possible. We always tell you straight.