Christmas in Charlotte with kids.
Christmas in Charlotte starts the night before Thanksgiving. The big parade rolls up Tryon Street on Wednesday, November 25. Speedway Christmas lights at Charlotte Motor Speedway open November 20. McAdenville, Christmas Town USA, turns on its lights December 1.
For light walks, try Daniel Stowe Conservancy or the Carolina Holiday Light Spectacular in Ballantyne. For a show, see Charlotte Ballet's Nutcracker or the Grinch at Children's Theatre. The symphony has a family Holiday Pops, too. The Polar Express runs from the N.C. Transportation Museum in Spencer.
Before you go
- At Speedway Christmas, Friday and Saturday nights in December have the longest waits. Thursday or Sunday is quicker.
- In McAdenville, never park on the side of the road. Go on a weeknight early in December if you can.
- Christmas at the Library at the Billy Graham Library is free, and so is parking.
- The Concord Christmas parade starts at 2:30pm, so it works around naps.
- On the Polar Express in Spencer, strollers aren't allowed on the train. Use the stroller parking area.
Family Christmas events in Charlotte
25 events
- Christmas lightsSanta visits Good for toddlers
Speedway Christmas at Charlotte Motor Speedway
- Dates
- Nov 20 - Jan 3 · Nightly 6-10pm, rain or shine. Closed Dec 24. The Christmas Village is open Thu-Sun nights and during Christmas week.
- Where
- Charlotte Motor Speedway, Concord (northeast of Charlotte)
- Price
- One pass per carload (up to 15 people). Value nights cost less than Village nights; see the official site. Tubing hill $15 extra.
- Ages and booking
- All ages · Buy a pass for a set night online ahead. All sales are final.
A 4-mile drive-through light show at the speedway. On Village nights you can park in the infield, walk a lit trail, roast s'mores and get photos with Santa.
Parent tip: Friday and Saturday nights in December have the longest entry waits. Thursday or Sunday is quicker. Dogs can ride along but must stay in the car.
- Christmas lights Good for toddlers
Christmas Town U.S.A. in McAdenville
- Dates
- Dec 1-26 · Nightly Dec 1-26. Lights on at 5:30pm and off at 10pm.
- Where
- Downtown McAdenville (Main Street), McAdenville, Gaston County (west of Charlotte off I-85)
- Price
- The town lists no ticket for the lights. See the official site.
- Ages and booking
- All ages · No booking. Park in a public lot before 5pm if you can.
A small mill town lights up in red, green and white every night in December. You can drive through or park and walk downtown.
Parent tip: Go early in the month on a weeknight if you can. Never park on the side of the road. Hickory Grove Road and Riverside Drive are off limits, and Church and Academy streets are closed to cars.
- Parades and tree lightingsFree Good for toddlers
Novant Health Thanksgiving Eve Parade
- Dates
- Nov 25 · Wed Nov 25 (the night before Thanksgiving). Steps off at 5:30pm, rain or shine.
- Where
- Tryon Street, Uptown Charlotte (9th Street to Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.)
- Price
- Watch from the curb with no ticket. VIP seats are sold on the official site.
- Ages and booking
- All ages · No booking for curbside. VIP seating is sold ahead.
Charlotte's big holiday parade rolls up Tryon Street on Thanksgiving Eve. This is its 80th year, and it airs live on local TV.
Parent tip: Come early to park and grab a curb spot before 5:30pm. The light rail stops at 7th Street, CTC/Arena and 3rd St./Convention Center are on the route.
- Christmas lights Good for toddlers
Holidays at the Garden at Daniel Stowe Conservancy
- Dates
- Nov 28 - Dec 30 · Select nights Nov 28-Dec 30, 5-10pm. Last entry 9pm. Check the ticket calendar for open dates.
- Where
- Daniel Stowe Conservancy, 6500 S. New Hope Rd., Belmont, Gaston County (west of Charlotte)
- Price
- Set-date tickets: adults $28, kids 2-12 $25. Mon-Thu value nights: $24 and $18. Under 2 free. Any Night ticket $33.
- Ages and booking
- All ages · Buy ahead online. Set-date tickets can't be refunded, and door sales are limited.
A walking trail of more than a million lights through the gardens. Food trucks serve dinner, and you can warm up with live music in the Great Hall.
Parent tip: Paths fit strollers and wagons, but some spots are dark, so bring a flashlight. Santa visits Dec 5-6, 12-13 and 19-20 from 6-8pm. A trackless train runs Fridays Dec 4, 11 and 18. No dogs.
- Holiday festivalsChristmas lightsSanta visits Good for toddlers
WinterFest at Carowinds
- Dates
- Nov 27 - Jan 3 · Select dates Nov 27-Jan 3. Check the park calendar for hours each day.
- Where
- Carowinds, 14523 Carowinds Blvd., South Charlotte (NC-SC state line)
- Price
- Included with park admission. Food, drinks and some holiday extras, like cookie decorating, cost more.
- Ages and booking
- All ages · Buy park tickets online ahead.
The theme park reopens for the holidays with lights, live shows, Santa visits and up to 29 rides, including the new Snoopy's Racing Railway.
Parent tip: Not every ride runs in winter, and weather can close some. Check showtimes in the park app on the day.
- Shows and Nutcracker
Charlotte Ballet's Nutcracker
- Dates
- Dec 4-23 · Dec 4-23. Evening shows and 2pm matinees; check the schedule.
- Where
- Belk Theater, Blumenthal Arts Center, 130 N. Tryon St., Uptown
- Price
- Ticketed. Prices vary by seat and date. A VIP add-on is $85 at select shows.
- Ages and booking
- All audiences · Buy ahead online
Charlotte's holiday Nutcracker, with the Charlotte Symphony playing Tchaikovsky's score live.
Parent tip: Pick a matinee for younger kids. The VIP add-on includes free parking, a snack and a photo with a ballerina.
- Holiday trainsSanta visits Good for toddlers
The Polar Express Train Ride at the N.C. Transportation Museum
- Dates
- Nov 6 - Dec 23 · Select late afternoons and evenings: Nov 6-8, 13-15, 20-22, 27-29 and Dec 4-6, 10-23.
- Where
- N.C. Transportation Museum, 1 Samuel Spencer Dr., Spencer (about 45 miles northeast of Charlotte)
- Price
- Ticketed. Prices vary by class and night, and peak nights cost more. Tax and fees added.
- Ages and booking
- All ages · Buy ahead online.
A 70-minute Polar Express ride on the museum grounds, with two stage shows. Every rider gets hot cocoa, a cookie and a silver sleigh bell.
Parent tip: Strollers aren't allowed on the train, so use the stroller parking area. Leave car seats in the car. One child under 2 rides free on a paying adult's lap; kids 2 and up need a seat.
- Christmas lightsSanta visits Good for toddlers
Carolina Holiday Light Spectacular at Ballantyne's Backyard
- Dates
- Nov 27 - Dec 30 · Select nights 5:30-9:30pm, last ticket 9pm. Closed Nov 30, Dec 1-2, Dec 7-9, Dec 25 and Dec 31. Closes 8pm on Christmas Eve.
- Where
- Ballantyne's Backyard, 11611 N. Community House Rd., Ballantyne (south Charlotte)
- Price
- From $20. Twilight tickets after 8pm from $10 on select nights. Kids 2 and under free. Carnival 4-ride pack $20 online.
- Ages and booking
- All ages · Buy online ahead. Prices go up at the gate.
A walk-through light show with a small carnival, including a kiddie coaster. Santa sits in his castle every open night through Dec 23, and photos are free.
Parent tip: Paths are concrete or decking and work for strollers, with a few gentle slopes. Parking is free. Enter by the Wells Fargo building.
- Holiday festivalsChristmas lightsFree Good for toddlers
Christmas at the Library at the Billy Graham Library
- Dates
- Dec 1-23 · Mon-Thu 5:30-9pm, Fri-Sat 5:30-10pm.
- Where
- Billy Graham Library, West Charlotte
- Price
- Free admission and parking. Carriage rides $12 adults, $6 kids under 12.
- Ages and booking
- All ages · Check the reservations link on the official site. Book carriage rides ahead; a few are sold on site.
Free evenings with a live nativity and animals, lights, carolers and 15-minute horse-drawn carriage rides. Kids' story time starts at 5:30pm and repeats every 30 minutes.
Parent tip: A petting zoo runs Thu-Sat, 11am-1pm. Please don't pet the nativity animals in the evening.
- Parades and tree lightingsChristmas lightsHoliday trainsFree Good for toddlers
Kannapolis Tree Lighting and Celebration of Lights
- Dates
- Nov 13-15 · Tree lighting and fireworks Fri Nov 13, 6:30-8:30pm. Celebration of Lights and Winterland Express Sat-Sun Nov 14-15, 5:30-7:30pm.
- Where
- Village Park, 401 Laureate Way, Kannapolis (about 28 miles northeast of Charlotte)
- Price
- Free to walk the park lights. Winterland Express train rides $2.50.
- Ages and booking
- All ages · Walk up
Kannapolis starts its season with a tree lighting and fireworks, then a weekend of park lights and rides on the little Winterland Express train.
Parent tip: Pack layers, since it's all outside after dark. The Saturday and Sunday light nights end at 7:30pm, which suits early bedtimes.
- Holiday festivalsSanta visitsChristmas marketsFree Good for toddlers
Holidays in Huntersville
- Dates
- Dec 5 · Sat Dec 5, 3-8pm
- Where
- Veterans Park, Downtown Huntersville, Huntersville (north Mecklenburg)
- Price
- Free to attend. Food and drinks for sale.
- Ages and booking
- All ages · Walk up
A free town holiday afternoon with kids' rides, ice sculptures, face painting, holiday characters, stage shows and letters and photos with Santa. More than 50 local vendors sell gifts.
Parent tip: Missed Santa? The town's Santa's Village runs Dec 10-12, 5-8pm, inside the American Legion Post 321 building.
- Christmas markets Good for toddlers
Southern Christmas Show
- Dates
- Nov 11-22 · Thu-Sat 10am-9pm, Sun-Wed 10am-6pm. Opening day Wed Nov 11 runs to 9pm.
- Where
- The Park Expo and Conference Center, East Charlotte
- Price
- Adults 13+ about $19 on weekdays and $22 on weekends in advance. Each day needs its own ticket. Parking is extra.
- Ages and booking
- All ages · Buy ahead online or at Harris Teeter for the advance price.
A big indoor holiday shopping show with decorated displays and gift vendors. It's a good rainy-day pick early in the season.
Parent tip: Strollers and small push carts are fine, but wagons aren't. No strollers on the Early Bird VIP morning, Sat Nov 14. If you leave the lot, you pay for parking again.
- Santa visits Good for toddlers
Morning with Santa at Daniel Stowe Conservancy
- Dates
- Dec 19 · Sat Dec 19, 10am-12pm
- Where
- Daniel Stowe Conservancy, 6500 S. New Hope Rd., Belmont, Gaston County (west of Charlotte)
- Price
- Adults $40, kids 1-12 $30, infants free.
- Ages and booking
- All ages · Buy tickets ahead online
A grab-and-go breakfast with pastries and a hot chocolate bar, a holiday craft and a letter-to-Santa table, then a visit with Santa.
Parent tip: Leave your mailing address with your child's letter, and Santa's elves will mail back a reply after Christmas.
- Parades and tree lightings Good for toddlers
McAdenville Tree Lighting Ceremony
- Dates
- Dec 1 · Tue Dec 1, 5:30pm
- Where
- Dynamo 31, 102 Main St., McAdenville, Gaston County (west of Charlotte off I-85)
- Price
- See the official site
- Ages and booking
- All ages · No booking
The opening night of Christmas Town U.S.A. A local child flips the switch after a countdown, and Santa comes too.
Parent tip: The town suggests arriving before 5pm, when parking is easiest.
- Parades and tree lightings Good for toddlers
McAdenville Yule Log Parade
- Dates
- Dec 10 · Thu Dec 10. Singing starts at 5:30pm.
- Where
- Starts at 100 Main St.; ends at the Memorial Yule Log Fireplace in Legacy Park, McAdenville, Gaston County (west of Charlotte off I-85)
- Price
- See the official site
- Ages and booking
- All ages · No booking. Arrive early to line up.
People of all ages walk behind a high school band and pull a big Yule log on an old sled through downtown. The log ends up in the town fireplace.
Parent tip: Families can join the walk, not just watch. Line up early at 100 Main Street near the log.
- Parades and tree lightingsFree Good for toddlers
Concord Christmas Parade
- Dates
- Nov 21 · Sat Nov 21, 2:30pm
- Where
- Downtown Concord: Church Street N. to Union Street (route over 2 miles), Concord (northeast of Charlotte)
- Price
- Free
- Ages and booking
- All ages · No booking
Concord's 98th Christmas parade, with bands, floats and walking groups. The city provides one Santa, who rides in the parade.
Parent tip: Floats don't throw candy, so there's no scramble at the curb. An afternoon start works well for nap schedules.
- Parades and tree lightingsSanta visitsFree Good for toddlers
Huntersville Town Tree Lighting
- Dates
- Dec 4 · Fri Dec 4, 6-8pm. The tree is lit at 6:30pm.
- Where
- Veterans Park, Downtown Huntersville, Huntersville (north Mecklenburg)
- Price
- Free to attend
- Ages and booking
- All ages · Walk up
The town lights its tree with live music, rides, treats and Santa's Workshop. It wraps up by 8pm.
Parent tip: Come back the next afternoon for Holidays in Huntersville at the same park.
- Shows and Nutcracker Good for toddlers
Dr. Seuss's How the Grinch Stole Christmas! The Musical
- Dates
- Nov 21 - Dec 23 · Nov 21-Dec 23. Check the calendar for show times.
- Where
- McColl Family Theatre, ImaginOn, Uptown
- Price
- Ticketed. See the official site for prices.
- Ages and booking
- All ages · Buy ahead online
Children's Theatre of Charlotte stages the Grinch musical for the first time, with Max, Cindy Lou Who and the Grinch song. It's one act, about 75 minutes.
Parent tip: Sat Dec 5 is Super Saturday, with free themed story times for ticket holders. The theatre also lists a sensory-friendly show.
- Shows and Nutcracker Good for toddlers
Doggie on My Doorstep: A Holiday Tail
- Dates
- Dec 5-23 · Dec 5-23. Check the calendar for show times.
- Where
- Wells Fargo Playhouse, ImaginOn, Uptown
- Price
- Ticketed. See the official site for prices.
- Ages and booking
- Preschoolers (Pre-K) · Buy ahead online
A 45-minute holiday show for preschoolers about a stray dog and a grumpy old man. There's no dialogue, just puppets and lots of physical comedy.
Parent tip: Bring a bag of dog or cat food for the Humane Society bins outside the theatre. Opening day, Dec 5, adds free story times and a holiday sing-along.
- Shows and NutcrackerSanta visits Good for toddlers
Charlotte Symphony Holiday Pops
- Dates
- Dec 18-20 · Dec 18-20. A shorter family show runs Sat Dec 19 at 11am.
- Where
- Knight Theater, 550 S. Tryon St., Uptown
- Price
- Ticketed. The Dec 19 family show starts at about $60.
- Ages and booking
- All ages; the family show is the best fit for young kids · Buy ahead online
Carols and holiday favorites with the Charlotte Symphony and Charlotte Master Chorale, plus a visit from Santa and friends.
Parent tip: Pick the Saturday 11am family show for preschoolers. It's a morning slot with Santa in the program.
- Shows and Nutcracker
Dr. Seuss's How the Grinch Stole Christmas in Concert
- Dates
- Nov 27-28 · Fri Nov 27 and Sat Nov 28. Check the schedule for show times.
- Where
- Ovens Auditorium, East Charlotte
- Price
- Ticketed. See the official site for prices.
- Ages and booking
- Kids who can sit through a full movie · Buy ahead online
The live-action Grinch movie plays on the big screen while the Charlotte Symphony plays the score live.
Parent tip: The Friday evening show offers audio description.
- Shows and Nutcracker
Cirque de Noël with the Charlotte Symphony
- Dates
- Dec 11-13 · Dec 11-13. Check the schedule for show times.
- Where
- Knight Theater, 550 S. Tryon St., Uptown
- Price
- Ticketed. See the official site for prices.
- Ages and booking
- All ages (billed as a family show) · Buy ahead online
Aerialists and acrobats perform above the orchestra while it plays holiday music.
- Shows and Nutcracker
A Christmas Carol at Theatre Charlotte
- Dates
- Dec 11-20 · Dec 11-20. Wed-Sat 7:30pm; Sat and Sun 2:30pm.
- Where
- Theatre Charlotte, 501 Queens Rd., Myers Park
- Price
- $24-40
- Ages and booking
- Older kids. The theatre gives no age guide. · Buy ahead online
A community-theatre take on the Dickens story. It runs about 90 minutes with a 15-minute break.
Parent tip: The show uses fog and lighting effects, so prep kids who scare easily. Weekend 2:30pm shows are best for families.
- Shows and Nutcracker
A Magical Cirque Christmas
- Dates
- Nov 22 · Sun Nov 22, 3pm
- Where
- Belk Theater, Blumenthal Arts Center, 130 N. Tryon St., Uptown
- Price
- From about $40
- Ages and booking
- All ages · Buy ahead online
A touring holiday show of acrobats, strongmen, comedy and magic, set to modern holiday songs.
Parent tip: The 3pm start makes it easy to fit in a nap first.
- Shows and Nutcracker
The Hip Hop Nutcracker
- Dates
- Dec 29 - Jan 3 · Dec 29-30 at 7pm; Dec 31 at 2pm; Jan 2 at 2pm and 7pm; Jan 3 at 1:30pm.
- Where
- Knight Theater, 550 S. Tryon St., Uptown
- Price
- From about $40
- Ages and booking
- Billed for the whole family · Buy ahead online
The Nutcracker story retold with hip hop dance, a DJ and a violinist. Rap pioneer Kurtis Blow opens with a short set.
Parent tip: Good for the week after Christmas. The Dec 31 and Jan 2 matinees suit kids best.
Dates and prices were checked on each event's official site. They can change, so check the official site before you go.
On a budget? See every free Christmas event in Charlotte, including parades and tree lightings.
Shopping for gifts? Compare the Christmas markets in Charlotte, with hours, costs and tips for going with kids.
Planning a Santa visit? See where to find Santa in Charlotte, plus free Santa photos, breakfasts with Santa and tips for skipping the line.
Going to the ballet? Compare every Nutcracker in Charlotte, with run times, age tips and sensory-friendly shows.
Questions parents ask
What is there to do in Charlotte for Christmas with kids?
Watch the Thanksgiving Eve parade in Uptown. Drive through Speedway Christmas, and see the lights in McAdenville. Walk the lights at Daniel Stowe or Ballantyne, or visit Carowinds WinterFest.
For shows, see Charlotte Ballet's Nutcracker or the Grinch at Children's Theatre of Charlotte.
When is the Charlotte Thanksgiving parade in 2026?
The Novant Health Thanksgiving Eve Parade is on Wednesday, November 25, 2026. It steps off at 5:30pm on Tryon Street in Uptown, rain or shine. Watching from the curb is free.
When are the McAdenville Christmas lights in 2026?
McAdenville's lights are on every night from December 1 to 26, 2026, from 5:30 to 10pm. The town lights the tree on December 1 at 5:30pm.
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