2026 Nightly Schedule | Carolina Holiday Light Spectacular
✦ Carolina Holiday Light Spectacular 2026

Entertainment, Food &
Nightly Schedule

Carolina Holiday Light Spectacular is Charlotte's favorite Christmas light show, open select nights November 27 – December 30, 2026 at Ballantyne's Backyard in Charlotte, NC.

Live music, ballerinas, elves, Santa, and rotating food trucks — something different every night. Open November 27 through December 30, 2026.

Nov 27 – Dec 302026 Season
5:30 – 9:30pmSelect Nights
8:00pmChristmas Eve Close · Last Ticket 7:30pm
ClosedChristmas Day Dec 25
Always FreeParking
✦ At a Glance

What Is the 2026 Season Calendar?

Open select nights November 27 – December 30. Closed Mon–Wed the first two weeks and Christmas Day.

Carolina Holiday Light Spectacular 2026 calendar — open select nights November 27 – December 30
⚠ Closed Nights November 30 · December 1 · December 2 · December 7 · December 8 · December 9 · December 25 (Christmas Day)
✦ Live Entertainment

What's Happening
on the Trail Each Night?

Live entertainment is included with every ticket — no extra charge. All performances subject to availability and may change without notice. 2026 schedule coming soon.

✦

Is Santa Claus There Nightly Through December 23?

The Real Santa is here every night through December 23 — for photos, for letters, and for a little one-on-one Christmas magic. After Dec 23, Carol-oke with Mr. Snow Christmas takes the stage nightly through December 30.

Through Dec 23
✦ Ballerinas Select Nights
Nov 28–30
South Carolina Ballet Company
Dec 6–7
South Charlotte Ballet Company
Dec 12–13
South Charlotte Ballet Company
Dec 19–21
South Charlotte Ballet Company
Dec 22–30
Claire Fenton, Featured Enchanted Ballerina
✦ Elf Entertainers Select Nights
Dec 5–8
Elfis Presley
Flow Art Elf
Dec 7
Singing with Cookie the Elf
Dec 13–15
Elfis Presley / Eliza & Elowen
Junior Elf Dancers
Dec 20–22
Elfis Presley / Sophie & Friends
Junior Elf Dancers
Dec 27–29
Elfis Presley, Flow Art Elf
✦ Live Music Select Nights
Dec 5–6
Mike Benshish
Pianist Entertainer
Dec 8, 13
Maddox Lane-Cress
The Velvet Pianist
Dec 13–15
Brett Pemelton
Dec 21–22
Dianne Agee
Pianist
Dec 23–24
The World Famous Dave Arazmo
Guitarist & Singer
Dec 27–29
Cambra Cradduck
Former Ms. California
✦ Snow Globe Performances Nightly
Nightly
Snow Globes Come to Life
Ballerinas, Dancing Elves & Musical Performances inside our iconic oversized snow globes
Nightly
Immersive Holiday Music
Throughout the entire half-mile walking trail
Nightly
Holiday Village & Shoppes
Local boutiques and artisans at Santa's Village

2026 performance schedule coming soon. All entertainment subject to availability.

✦ Come Hungry

Which Food Trucks Are
Here Each Night?

Updated regularly — check back often. Food truck lineup rotates nightly and is subject to change. While we do our best to keep this schedule current, vendors may occasionally adjust their plans last minute. We appreciate your understanding and always recommend checking our social media the day of your visit for the most current lineup. Hot and cold seasonal beverages available every night. Seasonal cocktails for guests 21+.
November 27 Friday · Opening Night Check back for lineup ▾

Food truck lineup coming soon. Check back closer to opening night.

November 28 Saturday Check back for lineup ▾

Food truck lineup coming soon.

November 29 Sunday Check back for lineup ▾

Food truck lineup coming soon.

November 30 Monday — CLOSED Show closed ▾

The show is closed this night.

December 1 Tuesday — CLOSED Show closed ▾

The show is closed this night.

December 2 Wednesday — CLOSED Show closed ▾

The show is closed this night.

December 3 Thursday Check back for lineup ▾

Food truck lineup coming soon.

December 4 Friday Check back for lineup ▾

Food truck lineup coming soon.

December 5 Saturday · Live Music Night Check back for lineup ▾

Food truck lineup coming soon.

December 6 Sunday · Live Music Night Check back for lineup ▾

Food truck lineup coming soon.

December 7 Monday — CLOSEDShow closed▾

The show is closed this night.

December 8 Tuesday — CLOSEDShow closed▾

The show is closed this night.

December 9 Wednesday — CLOSEDShow closed▾

The show is closed this night.

December 10 ThursdayCheck back▾

Coming soon.

December 11 FridayCheck back▾

Coming soon.

December 12 SaturdayCheck back▾

Coming soon.

December 13 Sunday · Live Music NightCheck back▾

Coming soon.

December 14 MondayCheck back▾

Coming soon.

December 15 TuesdayCheck back▾

Coming soon.

December 16 WednesdayCheck back▾

Coming soon.

December 17 ThursdayCheck back▾

Coming soon.

December 18 FridayCheck back▾

Coming soon.

December 19 SaturdayCheck back▾

Coming soon.

December 20 SundayCheck back▾

Coming soon.

December 21 Monday · Live Music NightCheck back▾

Coming soon.

December 22 Tuesday · Live Music NightCheck back▾

Coming soon.

December 23 Wednesday · Last Night with Santa · Live MusicCheck back▾

Coming soon.

December 24 Christmas Eve · Closes Early · Last Entry 7:30pm Check back ▾

Coming soon. Note: Last entry 7:30pm, lights off 8:00pm.

December 25 Christmas Day — CLOSED ▾
December 26 SaturdayCheck back▾

Coming soon.

December 27 Sunday · Live Music NightCheck back▾

Coming soon.

December 28 Monday · Live Music NightCheck back▾

Coming soon.

December 29 Tuesday · Live Music NightCheck back▾

Coming soon.

December 30 Wednesday · Last Night of the Season 🎄 Check back ▾

Coming soon. The final night of the 2026 season.

December 31 Thursday — CLOSEDShow closed▾

The show is closed this night.

✦ Common Questions

What Questions Do Guests Ask About the Schedule?

Is entertainment included with my ticket? +

Yes — all live entertainment is included with every ticket. Ballerinas, live musicians, elf entertainers, snow globe performances — no extra charge. Santa appears nightly through December 23.

What time does entertainment start? +

Live entertainment runs 6:00pm – 9:00pm on open nights. Gates open at 5:30pm. Elf Academy guests enter early at 5:00pm. Last ticket sold at 9:00pm. We close at 9:30pm.

Are there food trucks every night? +

Yes — food trucks are on-site every night. The lineup rotates, so check back on this page or follow us on social for same-day updates. Hot chocolate and seasonal beverages available every night. Cocktails for guests 21+.

When is the last night with Santa? +

Santa's last night is December 23. After that, Carol-oke with Mr. Snow Christmas takes over nightly through December 30 — the final night of the season.

What are the Christmas Eve hours? +

Christmas Eve (December 24): last entry 7:30pm, lights off at 8:00pm. Plan accordingly — it's a shorter night. The show is closed Christmas Day (December 25).

Ready to Plan Your Night?

Tickets from $10. Buy in advance — prices increase at the gate and dates sell out.

Get Tickets — From $10 →
2026 Season · Nov 27 – Dec 30
From $10