Looking for the biggest, best Christmas lights in the Charlotte area for the 2023 Christmas season? You’ve come to the right place.
This list includes professional displays, town events, and private homes.
We will have a Google map with all the light on this page, and more! To see the map, just scroll down past the pictures of the lights, or jump right to the map
If you want to submit a display for the map please fill out this form. The map can include any great display that anyone finds, but in order to have the display listed on this post, we need permission from the homeowner. If you are a homeowner who would like to be included on this page, just email info@charlotteonthecheap.com. If you maintain a website or Facebook page for the display, please let us know.
The displays in private homes, often synchronized to Christmas music, are put on by regular people, at their own expense, and it takes an incredible amount of time and creativity. So visit and let them know you appreciate it.
Note: Every year we remove some displays because the homeowner was getting too much traffic and asked to be removed. We never want to contribute to a disturbance for a neighborhood, so make sure to let us know what works for you.
Some are collecting money for charitable causes. If a radio station is listed, tune your car radio to that station to listen to the coordinated music. Please be considerate of these folks’ neighbors.
If a website or Facebook page is listed, make sure to visit and check out the hours, start dates, and any additional information that you need to know. Most of these displays start shortly after Thanksgiving, but make sure to look at the schedule for each. Some families show videos and pictures of their works in progress as well.
Read on for Charlotte on the Cheap’s big list of Christmas lights!
Subscribe to Charlotte on the CheapProfessional and Municipal Light Displays in the Charlotte Area
Christmas Town USA
McAdenville — Christmas Town USA
December 1 through December 26, 2023
Every night: 5:30 p.m. to 10 p.m.
McAdenville, NC
Free
McAdenville’s famous Christmas lights will be lit in the downtown area, and this year there will even be floating Christmas trees on the lake. The tree lighting ceremony will take place on December 1, and the Yule Log Ceremony and Parade will take place December 14. You’ve probably seen those long lines of cars entering McAdenville at night for the lights. The best way to to experience the lights, if you are able to walk, is to get there early and park, enjoy dinner in downtown McAdenville, and then walk around to see the lights. Also, the lights are longest on weekends, especially approaching Christmas.
2nd Annual Carolina Holiday Spectacular at Ballantyne’s Backyard
Carolina Holiday Light Spectacular
December 8 to 30, 2023 (every day, including Christmas Eve and Day)
5 to 10 p.m.
Ballantyne’s Backyard
11611 N Community House Road, Charlotte, NC
$10 to $25
This popular attraction, which debuted in 2022, returns in 2023 with 40% more show area. Also, all pathways are concrete, decked or gravel this year. It features spectacular light displays on a half mile walking trail, dozens of oversized snow globes, larger than life holiday scenes, Santa, ballerinas and other performers and hundreds of decorated trees. In addition, for $12 extra, get three rides on the Alpine Avalanche Snow Tube Slide. Or pay $19 extra for a Spectacular Snowflake Wand. Use promo code CHEAP20 for a 20% discount all season.
Pirates Christmas
Pirates Christmas at High Seas Miniature Golf
10001 Charlotte Highway, Indian Land, South Carolina
November 17, 2023, through the middle of January, 2024
5 to 10 p.m.
$15 for adults; $10 for kids (4-12); Free for kids 3 and under
For just the second year, this nautical and pirate themed miniature golf course has transformed into Pirates Christmas. The cost is for unlimited play that day or night. You’ll feel like you’re immersed in a giant treasure chest! There’s also a beer and wine garden there.
Speedway Christmas
Speedway Christmas
Charlotte Motor Speedway
November 17, 2023, to January 7, 2024 (every day except Christmas Day)
6 to 10 p.m.
Check back soon for 2023 prices. Last year the cost was $30 for a car (up to 15 people) on days without the Christmas Village and $40 for a car on days when the Christmas Village was open
The Christmas Village is open Thursday to Sunday
The light show is along a 4 mile drive-thru course. The lights are synchronized to Christmas music that you can listen to from your car radio. There are more than 800 individual displays, including some that are eight stories tall. All in all, more than 4 million lights are in play.
When the Christmas Village is open, visitors can exit their cars and enjoy holiday activities like photos with Santa, a live nativity scene, some rides, making s’mores by the fire, and shopping for gifts.
On those nights there will also be popular Christmas drive-in movies to enjoy on the 16,000 square foot Speedway TV screen.
Kannapolis Celebration of Lights
Kannapolis Celebration of Lights and Winterland Express
November 18 to December 30th, 2023, with the exception of Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day
Free to walk through the park; Train rides and carousel rides are $2
You can walk through the park for free and take in the impressive display of Christmas lights, or take the Winterland Express for $2. The attraction also features music, Santa visits (take your own picture for free), marshmallow roasting and more. The tree lighting ceremony will take place November 18.
Rosie’s Coffee & Wine Garden
Festive Lights at Rosie’s Coffee & Wine Garden
Rosie’s Coffee & Wine / McGill Rose Garden
940 N Davidson Street, Charlotte, NC
Open every day from 7 or 8 a.m. to 10 or 11 p.m.
Free to visit
This decorated rose garden is a hidden gem between Uptown and NoDa. Enjoy the twinkling lights and meandering paths while finding a nook to savor wine, beer, coffee or tea. Closed Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.
Holidays at the Garden
Holidays at the Garden
Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden
6500 South New Hope Road, Belmont
November 24 to December 23, 2023. Open Tuesday to Sunday.
5 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Adult: $25; Child 2-12: $15; Child Under 2: Free
Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden will again be decorated with imaginative and elaborate holiday lights. Sing along to your wintertime favorites at the popular topiary display, take in the rolling lights of the Piedmont Prairie and stroll among the blossoming cherry trees. Grab a bite from the food trucks, roast a marshmallow beside a roaring fire, sip a warm or cold beverage and soak up the season’s cheer.
Light the Knights
Light the Knights Festival
Truist Field, 324 S Mint Street
November 22, 2023, to January 1, 2024 (select dates)
Start and end time varies by day
Check back soon for ticket price
Light the Knights returns to Truist Field with the Christmas Village, Santa visits, holiday lights with the Uptown skyline backdrop, and lots of food and drink options. This year the offerings are expanding significantly, with a full-sized ice skating rink and a 6-lane snow tubing slope in the outfield.
Christmas Light Extravaganza at Kings Mountain
Christmas Light Extravaganza in Kings Mountain
Patriots Park, 400 S Railroad Avenue, and South Railroad Avenue in Downtown Kings Mountain, NC
Check back soon for 2023 information!
Free
Kings Mountain boasts two light shows, in previous years. Costners Christmas Light Extravaganza transforms Patriots Park into a storybook wonderland full of color and light, with over a million lights. And the Downtown Fantasy Light Show, on South Railroad Avenue in Downtown Kings Mountain is a synchronize light show with music from your car radio.
Lights at Whitewater Center
Lights and Ice Skating at Whitewater Center
Whitewater Center, 5000 Whitewater Center Parkway, Charlotte, NC
Check back soon for 2023.
Lights are free (parking is $6). Skating requires an Activity Pass.
Carowinds Winterfest
Carowinds’ Winterfest
Select nights from November 17, 2023, to January 1, 2024
14523 Carowinds Blvd, Charlotte, NC
Tickets start at $32.99 (plus fees)
Christmas light displays on houses in the Charlotte area
Note: Any addresses included here have been made publicly available by the homeowner on a website or Facebook page, or they’ve emailed us asking to be included. If a homeowner lets us know that they don’t want to be listed, we’ll take that address off this list.
Please follow the links to the Facebook pages, if available, because changes to the schedule will usually be announced there, especially when due to weather.
This list got so big that we’re trying to make it easier for you and organizing by area. Also, you can scroll down and look at the Google map, which contains all of these houses and even more.
We note for each listing whether the homeowner has confirmed that they are doing the light display for 2021. The pictures, however, are sometimes from previous years.
Charlotte
Queen Family Christmas
Montibello neighborhood
3943 Black Sycamore Drive, Charlotte, NC 28226
Tons of lights and inflatables. Occasional nights with a live nativity. There’s even a walking tour with a candy cane tree and an elf-land cutout photo op. This attraction raises money for Charlotte Rescue Mission and Bethany’s Butterflies.
There are QR codes so that you can donate money. Last year, they raised over $21,000 for charity. Follow them on Instagram at @QueenFamilyChristmas.
2023 update: Check back soon.
Berewick
6315 Baltray Rd, Charlotte 28278
Look for the sign in the yard and tune your car radio to the radio station on the sign. The light show will be synchronized to the music.
2023 update: Check back soon.
Harbin Family Christmas Lights
10223 Summer House Court, Charlotte, NC 28210
Cameron Wood neighborhood
Lawn is covered with vintage blow mold decorations. A 22-foot tree moves to music. The family collects donations for Make-A-Wish.
Accepts donations for Make-A-Wish both online on their Facebook page and in person. Follow Harbin Family Christmas Lights on Facebook.
2023 update: Check back soon.
3200 Selwyn Avenue, Charlotte
Shows run approximately every 20 minutes. Tune to 101.7 FM. Please don’t block neighbors’ driveways.
2023 update: Check back soon.
Hillside Avenue in Myers Park
The neighborhood has a tradition of creating chicken-wire Christmas balls and hanging them from tall trees. It’s very impressive. You’ll see the Christmas balls in surrounding areas, but the area of highest concentration is on Hillside Avenue around Chelsea Drive.
Accepts cash or food donations for Loaves and Fishes. Follow Hillside on Facebook.
Sherwood Forest Drive (off Colony Road)
There are usually several big displays in neighborhood, especially 7323 Sherwood Forest Drive. In past years, Santa was outside handing out candy canes. There was Christmas music and a collection for St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital.
1317 Morningside Drive (Plaza Midwood)
2023 update: Check back soon.
Cabarrus County
Fantetti Christmas Light Show
263 Palaside Drive NE, Concord
Big light show, synchronized to music. Listen on 90.3. Donations collected for Mt. Pleasant Animal Rescue. Visit the Facebook page (above) to learn of updates, and to see when Santa will be there! This is the final year for Fantetti Christmas Light Show.
2023 update: Check back soon.
Lights For Joy
2634 Lansing Street NW, Concord
Broker Bryan’s Lights for Joy is dedicated to all of his real estate clients, but is open to everyone. It’s an interactive Christmas Holiday display. Donations go to CVAN. Walk through the tunnel and go inside the magical igloo. Children can sit in the lighted sleigh. Also, snowball fights will be scheduled. Check realty76.com/lights-for-joy for the schedule!
2023 update: Check back soon.
Lights on Bosson
7388 Bosson Street, Concord
This is a light show synchronized to music, with 10,000 LED pixels. Select a song to play from the website! Tune to 90.1 FM. Check for hours and updates on the Facebook page.
Please don’t block neighbors’ driveways or play the music loudly. Please dim your headlights. Watch a video here. Donations accepted for Carolina Christmas Angels.
2023 update: Check back soon.
Union Street in Concord
From the 800 block of Union Street South to the 200 block of Union Street North, in downtown Concord
The community takes great pride in holiday spirit, and the lights are beautiful on the historic homes. This is a wonderful stroll to take.
Yates Meadow
5379 Josephine Lane SW, Concord 28027
There will be music playing nightly. On December 18th, from 6 to 9 p.m., they’ll be handing out candy canes and there will be snow.
2023 update: Check back soon.
Lights on Indian Beech (Concord)
9592 Indian Beech Avenue, Concord 28027
November 25th, 2022, to January 1st, 2023.
From dark to 9 p.m. on weeknights, and until 10 p.m. on weekends.
Holiday light show featuring thousands of lights and singing bulbs set to music. Tune to 87.9 FM. Follow LightsOnIndianBeech on Facebook, and @lights.on.indian.beech on Instagram.
2023 update: Check back soon.
Hard Family Christmas Lights
1641 Shadow Creek St, Concord 28027
Moss Creek neighborhood
Listen on 91.5 FM. They will randomly come out and visit with guests and hand out candy canes. They have a mix of standard LED lights and Pixels, which are all synchronized to music.
They also have a jukebox feature that allows guests to scan a QR code and pick a song from the library of songs. There are 15-20 songs to choose from. Follow The Hard Family Christmas Lights on Facebook.
2023 update: Check back soon.
Christian Family Lights
565 Keystone Court NW, Concord, NC
Light show synchronized to music. listen along on 93.9 FM. Follow on ChristianFamilyLights on Facebook.
2023 update: Check back soon.
Torrence Family Christmas Lights
851 Burrage Road NE, Concord, NC (new location)
This is the 15th year for this display, with over 50,000 lights synchronized to music. The show begins every half hour.
2023 update: Check back soon.
James Family Lights
Moss Creek Neighborhood
9505 Autumn Fire Avenue NW, Concord 28027
Display is synched to music. Tune to 93.9 FM. Follow James Family Lights on Facebook. Check out the video!
2023 update: Check back soon.
Gaston County
Mount Holly
113 Scaleybark Court, Mount Holly
Check back soon.
This home features 10,000 Christmas lights and hand-made giant props, including an 8-foot gingerbread house and 6-foot tall nutcrackers.
2023 update: Check back soon.
Bosley Lights
1477 Woodbend Court, Stanley (although address in in Stanley, it’s really in Denver.)
Light show set to music. Over 128 channels of animated lights. Tune your radio to 90.9. On some nights there will be free hot chocolate, with donations for a local charity.
2023 update: Check back soon.
Hammond Family Light Show
508 Chamberlain Court, McAdenville 28101
Light show with 15,000+ lights synchronized to music, plus an artificial snow machine. Cars aren’t allowed, due to the city blocking off streets. Park and walk. Stop by while visiting Christmas Town USA!
2023 update: Check back soon.
Huntersville and Lake Norman
Neel Lights
7603 Lullwater Cove, Huntersville, NC
Henderson Park
Tune your radio to 101.3. 3,000 lights will be synchronized to music.
2023 update: Check back soon.
Arndt Christmas Lights
14904 Carbert Lane, Huntersville
Raising money for the Wounded Warrior Project. Follow Arndt Christmas Lights on Facebook.
2023 update: Check back soon.
Jones Family Holiday Lights
12623 Hollyhock Lane, Huntersville
There are about one hundred figurines throughout the yard, each with its own story. You’ll see a pond with deer and another woodland animals, a dog park, the land of misfit toys, and even an ice hockey rink, where penguins are in the middle of a game.
The display also has a walking trail through the yard so you can get a closer look to see even more. Please don’t park in front of the house. Please park on Riverwillow Drive, the big hill perpendicular to the house.
2023 update: Check back soon.
Greenman Family Lights
13038 Serenity Street, Huntersville 28078
Synchronized light display. Listen through speakers or through 88.3 FM from your car.
2023 update: Check back soon.
Lights at Chesapeake Pointe
317 Cove Creek Loop, Mooresville
Christmas light experience with over 18,000 pixels choreographed to music transmitted over FM radio. This year’s Christmas display is approximately 22 minutes long. Also, the entire neighborhood has a lot of lights, and there’s a gated cul-de-sac with thousands of lights. Follow Lights at Chesapeake Pointe on Facebook.
2023 update: Check back soon.
Jordan Family Lights
107 Spartina Ct., Mooresville, NC
Tune to FM 107.1, and scan the QR code sign to choose from a large list of synchronized music. Follow Jordan Family Lights on Facebook.
2023 update: Check back soon.
Zimnowski Light Show
15419 Hugh Mcauley Rd. Huntersville, NC 28078 (87.9 FM)
Over 50 songs are in the rotation, with the lights synchronized to them. You can use your phone to select a song.
2023 update: Check back soon.
Gibson Family Light Show
178 Kilborne Road, Mooresville
Wyndham Shores
More than 14,000 LED lights are synchronized to music. There’s a 20-foot Mega Tree and singing characters. Tune in to 89.1 FM. Follow Gibson Family Light Show on Facebook and check them out on YouTube too.
2023 update: Check back soon.
10996 Sunstone Circle, Davidson
2023 update: Check back soon.
Union County
Nikitas Christmas Wonderland V2.0
1417 Deer Spring Court, Indian Trail, NC
Besides the light display in the front yard, there are multiple personally designed and built wooden buildings, in the backyard, which you are welcome to explore. Donations are accepted for Novant Health Foundation and Hemby Children’s Hospital.
Please respect the property and decorations and don’t touch anything.
The buildings are intricately designed, including a Toy Factory, the Elves Training Academy, a Gingerbread House, Kringle’s Bakery, J. Frost Diner, the Observatory (where Santa identifies the naughty or nice children) and so much more!
2023 update: Check back soon.
Lincoln County
Isenhour Lights
411 E Dixon Street, Lincolnton 28092
The show lasts about 28 minutes and is synchronized to music.
2023 update: Check back soon.
South Carolina
Shelly Woods Neighborhood
1015 Shelly Woods Drive, Indian Land, SC
The whole Shelly Woods neighborhood gets into the spirit and decorates. The above address is for the clubhouse and is a good place to start. They are again collecting non-perishable food items at the entrance of the neighborhood for Belair UMC Food Pantry. Last year they collected close to 1,500 pounds of food.
2023 update: Check back soon.
Arches of Livingston
Park at Community Clubhouse on 1026 Crawford Drive, Lancaster, SC (and walk to Livingston Drive.)
The 400 block of Livingston Drive in Lancaster, SC is very festive! Walk or drive through a block of lighted arches! FYI, this is in Indian Land, although the official address is Lancaster. It’s very close to Waxhaw.
2023 update: Check back soon.
Stafford Park Christmas Light Show
2210 Keswick Lane, Rock Hill, SC
Stafford Park is a neighborhood in Rock Hill that goes all out for Christmas lights. You can drive through any night, but on December 16th and 17th, they will have voting.
It’s free, but they will be collecting donations of canned food and unwrapped toys, as well as cash donations for local charities, Dorothy Day soup kitchen and Toys for Happiness. 100% of all donations stay right in York County.
2023 update: Check back soon.
Catawba County
Lights on 13th Street
319 W 13th Street, Newton, NC 28658
Tune to 93.9 FM. There will be over 15,000 pixel lights all synchronized to music. Donations accepted for Eastern Catawba Cooperative Christian Ministry. Santa will be on site on a date TBD.
2023 update: Check back soon.
Matthews and Mint Hill
A Sweitzers Christmas
1001 Sunnyview Circle Matthews, NC 28105
(107.3 FM)
Shows will last approximately 20 minutes. Follow A Sweitzers Christmas on Facebook.
2023 update: Check back soon.
6115 Colchester Lane, Matthews
Very cool reindeers pulling Santa on a sleigh! Plus a gingerbread house, Peanut characters and Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer. There is sometimes a snow machine that will produce snow on the hour or when someone pulls up if the homeowner is at home.
2023 update: Check back soon.
Christmas on the Hill
9451 Nugget Hill Place, Mint Hill, NC 28227
Bainbridge
Great display synchronized to music. Tune your radio to 94.5. Follow Christmas on the Hill on Facebook.
2023 update: Check back soon.
Add to the Charlotte Christmas Light Map
Google Map of Christmas Light Displays in Charlotte Area
We will add to this map as we confirm about more displays!
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