I am OBSESSED with Christmas lights, there is nothing I love more than the beautiful lights, and the more inflatables the better! Every year, our family piles in the car every year in PJ's and a hot drink to cruise the local neighborhoods and see the displays. We have rounded up as many as we can find for your family to get their fill of Christmas cheer. A couple of notes before you head out, please be respectful and mindful that many of these are people's neighborhoods, please bring a donation if they have asked for one, many of these displays use their lights as a way to collect food and money for local charities. Most importantly, please double-check before you head out, we have done our very best to ensure that this light display information is accurate. Things can change last minute and we may not be aware of it, if you come across an error please (kindly) let us know and we will correct it.
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Non-Residential Displays:
Light the Knights and Christmas Village at Truist Field: Shopping, food, and lights. Check website for new additions to activities this year!
Speedway Christmas: Charlotte Motor Speedway, through January 16, 2024, from 6-10 PM rain or shine.
McAdenville: Do not rely on GPS to see the lights, check the website and use the addresses provided there.
Holidays at the Garden, Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden
Celebration of Lights Kannapolis and Winterland Express Train: Lights and a train ride! Reservations are required for the train.
Zootastic Christmas Wonderland of Lights: Activities include animal feedings, photos with Santa and a baby kangaroo as well as train rides and a carousel.
Carowinds Winterfest: Food, rides, holiday parade, and more!
NEW this year - Carolina Holiday Light Spectacular
11611 Community House Rd. New walking trail in the Ballantyne Backyard. Enjoy over a million Christmas lights.
Worth the Drive:
Lights on 13th, Newton: 319 W 13th Street, Newton NC 28658. Lights are free but donations are suggested for the ECCM. Tune radio to 93.9 FM for music, there are different themes each night that can be found on their Facebook page.
Lights for Joy, Concord: 2634 Lansing Street NW, Concord 28027 in the Laurel Park neighborhood and put on by a local realtor looking to brighten up the holidays.
Tanglewood Park Festival of Lights, Clemmons, NC: Shopping, lights, s’mores, and more, this is one of the best light displays in the state.
Holiday Lights Safari: Wellford, SC: 100 acres of Christmas lights, decorations, and more.
Lights Before Christmas at Riverbanks Zoo: Open select weekends, Santa, North Pole Express, Candy Cane Carousel, and more for the whole family at the Columbia Zoo.
Winter Wonderland at the Greensboro Science Center: Dancing fountains, polar pond, dino disco, and treehouse lights are just a sample of the over-the-top holiday fun that is in store for the whole family.
Charlotte Area Residences and Neighborhoods:
Plaza Midwood: A perfect neighborhood to drive or walk through for beautiful lights.
Park Crossing: This neighborhood right off of Park Road (near South Meck High School) is perfect for wandering around for light viewing.
Cameron Wood: Right across the street from Park Crossing, this is another great neighborhood to wander around and see great light displays. The go-to light display put on by the Harbin family (10223 Summer House Ct.), they are taking donations for Make a Wish as well.
Hillside Drive: This is a Charlotte must! Head to one of the prettiest streets in Myers Park and enjoy the light display. The neighbors on Hillside Drive request that you please bring a donation for Loaves and Fishes when you come.
McCollough: This charming neighborhood in Pineville is even more magical at Christmas.
Queen Family Christmas: 3943 Black Sycamore Dr.~ The family is stepping it up this year with a live nativity scene on December 18 from 5:30-10:30 PM to raise money for Charlotte Rescue Mission.
Berewick: 6315 Baltray Rd, Charlotte 28278, there will be a sign in the yard to let you know what station to tune your radio to for the music.
Sherwood Forest Drive: This is our family’s favorite place to stop! The whole street is a light wonderland and sometimes Santa even shows up to hand out candy canes.
A Sweitzer’s Christmas: 1001 Sunnyview Circle in Matthews. This annual light show runs every 30 minutes from 6-10:00 PM Sun-Sat. Please bring a canned food donation and tune your radio to 107.3 to hear the music that goes with the show.
"Home Alone House" on South Path Lane Ballantyne. Donations for Cancer Coalition
Perkins Lights: 216 Port Royal Dr. Matthews. Sun - Thurs 5:30 - 9:00 PM and Fri - Sat 5:30 - 10:00 PM tune your radio to 89.5.
Union County:
Christmas on the Farm: Their hours seem to be sporadic, check their Facebook page or call ahead to ensure they are open.
Broda’s Light Show: 109 Graham Hall Court, Weddington. This house has dozens of trees synced to a rotating playlist on radio station 94.3. Sun.-Thu 6:00-9:00 PM and Fri.-Sat. 6:00-10:00 PM.
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Harbin Family Christmas: 10223 Summer House Ct. Donations accepted for Make-a-Wish Foundation.
The Preserve at Marvin: Local moms directed us to a house on Tea Olive Road that is supposed to be amazing if you’re up for exploring!
Callonwood: There are 2 houses that have been suggested in this neighborhood, the first is 1100 Arringill Lane (this display is collecting donations for Levine Children’s Hospital) and the second house to check out is on 1026 Fleming Lane; when you arrive at 1026 Fleming, tune your radio to 89.1 from 6-8:45P to hear the show that syncs with the lights. The show runs every 15 minutes.
Santa’s Sleigh Lights: Head to 6115 Colchester Lane in Matthews and you can see Santa AND his reindeer!
Bradle Lights: 3121 Deer Track Ln. Monroe runs shows every night from 5:00-10:00 PM
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Kingsmead: Lights 1007 Mapesbury Lane in Waxhaw
The Carter Light Spectacular 4008 Groves Edge in Marvin has a show nightly from 6:00-10:00 PM and you can tune to FM 94.9 for the music.
South Carolina:
Stafford Park Christmas Light Show: In Rock Hills, SC. This show is for 2 days only, their Facebook page suggests you get into line early. December 17th and 18th. They will be accepting donations for local charities.
Shelley Woods Neighborhood Lights: Start at the neighborhood clubhouse, 1015 Shelley Woods Dr in Indian Land, and then hit the neighborhood. The residents ask that you please bring a donation for the local pantry.
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Winter Wonderland Walk-Thru: Park at the clubhouse (1026 Crawford Drive, Lancaster) and enjoy the lights! This is a one-day event, December 18 from 5:30-8:30 PM.
Tega Cay: This is another one that was shared by some local moms, 1252 Stonecrest Blvd behind the Walmart is amazing!
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Here are some additional neighborhoods in Fort Mill/Tega Cay that were mentioned:
The Reserve at Gold Hill
The Manors at Lakeridge
Baxter
Downtown Rock Hill
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