Looking for the biggest, brightest, best Christmas lights in the Charlotte area for the 2024 Christmas season? You’ve come to the right place.
This list includes professional displays, town events, and private homes.
We 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 or this post please fill out this form. If you have trouble with the form, just email info@charlotteonthecheap.com. If you maintain a website or Facebook page for the display, please let us know. That makes it easy for readers to keep up with your schedule.
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!
Professional and Municipal Light Displays in the Charlotte Area
Christmas Town USA
McAdenville — Christmas Town USA
December 2 through December 26, 2024
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 2, and the Yule Log Ceremony and Parade will take place December 12. 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 (around 5 or 5:15 p.m.) and park, enjoy dinner in downtown McAdenville, and then walk around to see the lights. Also, the lines are longest on weekends, especially approaching Christmas.
Carolina Holiday Spectacular at Ballantyne’s Backyard
Carolina Holiday Light Spectacular
December 5 to 29, 2024 (every day, except Christmas Day)
5:30 to 10 p.m. (but will close early on Christmas Eve)
Ballantyne’s Backyard
11611 N Community House Road, Charlotte, NC
$10 to $25, depending on date (use promo code CHEAPLIGHTS20 for a 20% discount)
This popular attraction, which debuted in 2022, returns in 2024 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. Rides on the Alpine Avalanche Snow Tube Slide and the Spectacular Snowflake Wand are available for an extra charge.
Pirates Christmas
Pirates Christmas at High Seas Miniature Golf
10001 Charlotte Highway, Indian Land, South Carolina
November 22, 2024, through January 19, 2025
5 to 10 p.m.
$17 for adults; $12 for kids (4-12) and seniors (65+); Free for kids 3 and under; $10 if you’re just walking and not playing miniature golf
For just the third 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 22, 2024, to January 5, 2025 (every day except Christmas Eve)
6 to 10 p.m.
The cost is $35 for a car (up to 15 people) on days without the Christmas Village and $45 for a car on days when the Christmas Village was open
The Christmas Village is open Thursday to Sunday, and every night from December 12 to 23
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, 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 16 to December 30th, 2024, 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. Leonard Bearstein Symphony Orchestra’s ensemble of animatronic bears performs every evening.
Carowinds Winterfest
Carowinds’ Winterfest
Select nights from November 15, 2024, to January 4, 2025
14523 Carowinds Blvd, Charlotte, NC
Tickets direct from Carowinds are fairly pricey ($49.43 online, including fees, or $59.43 at the gate) but you can save up to 53% with this special deal on Carowinds Winterfest tickets. The deal has an option for a family 4-pack.
Holidays at the Garden
Holidays at the Garden
Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden
6500 South New Hope Road, Belmont
November 29 to December 28, 2024. Open Tuesday to Sunday.
5 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Tuesday to Thursday: Adult: $24; Seniors (age 60+): $22; Children (2 to 12): $18; Children under 2: Free
Friday to Sunday: Adult: $28; Seniors (age 60+): $25; Children (2 to 12): $20; Children 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. New this year will be a trackless train every Friday in December, visits with Santa on Saturdays and Sundays after December 1, and an adults-only Speakeasy with exclusive holiday cocktails.
Light the Knights
Light the Knights Festival
Truist Field, 324 S Mint Street
November 27, 2024, to January 3, 2025 (select dates)
Start and end time varies by day
$12 per person for just admission. $40 per person for admission, sledding and skating.
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. There is a full-sized ice skating rink and a 10-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, Kings Mountain, NC
November 22, 2024, to January 1, 2025
5 to 10 p.m.
Free
Costners Christmas Light Extravaganza transforms Patriots Park into a storybook wonderland full of color and light, with over a million lights.
Tanglewood Festival of Lights
Tanglewood Festival of Lights
4061 Clemmons Road, Clemmons, NC 27012
November 15, 2024, to January 1, 2025
6 to 11 p.m.
For a family car, van or truck: $20 by cash, or $23 by card.
Commercial vans, limos or minibus: $45 by cash, or $48 by card.
Motorcoaches: $115 by cash, $118 by card.
Discount nights:
- Monday, November 18
- Tuesday, November 19
- Monday, November 25
- Tuesday, November 26
Discount Prices:
- Family (cars, vans, trucks): $10 cash, $13 credit card
- Commercial (vans, limos, mini-buses): $25 cash, $28 credit card
- Motorcoaches and buses: $80 cash, $83 credit card
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 2024. The pictures, however, are sometimes from previous years.
We have just started contacting homeowners about their displays. Many more will be updated with 2024 info soon!
Charlotte
McAlleyville
Bay Street, near Lamar Avenue, Charlotte, NC
This alley in Elizabeth, off of Bay Street, boasts a bunch of really fun decorations. You’ll need to get out of the car and walk down the alley that is nicknamed “McAlleyville,” a play on McAdenville.
2024 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.
2024 update: Confirmed
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 between Selwyn Avenue and Westfield Road.
Accepts cash or food donations for Loaves and Fishes. Follow Hillside on Facebook.
2024 update: We expect this stretch of Hillside Avenue to be lit up soon! (Check Facebook.)
Wesley Lights
305 Wesley Heights Way, Charlotte, NC
Lights will be static, but go to WesleyLights.com and select a song from the list like a Jukebox and the lights will come alive. Listen in your car at 90.1FM or speakers will also play for on foot traffic.
2024 update: Check back soon
Sherwood Forest Drive (off Colony Road)
There are a couple very big displays in neighborhood, especially 7323 Sherwood Forest Drive. In past years, Santa was occasionally outside handing out candy canes. There is Christmas music and a collection for St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital.
2024 updated: Haven’t checked yet, but most likely!
Michaud Family Christmas
3200 Selwyn Avenue, Charlotte, NC
Show is approximately 15 minutes long and repeats. Parking is available on the opposite side of the street. Please do not block neighbors’ driveways when parking.
2024 update: Confirmed
6315 Baltray Road, Charlotte, NC
Lights will be on from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m.
2024 update: Check back soon
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.
2024 update: Check back soon
Cabarrus County
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.
2024 update: Confirmed
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.
Lights on Indian Beech (Concord)
9592 Indian Beech Avenue, Concord 28027
5:30 to 9:30 p.m. first two weeks after Thanksgiving, and then 6 to 9:30 p.m. Sunday to Thursday, and 6 to 10 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays. (Follow Facebook page for updates.)
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.
2024 update: Confirmed
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.
2024 update: Confirmed.
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.
2024 update: Confirmed
Christmas Lights for Joy — Broker Bryan of Realty 76
2634 Lansing Street NW, Concord, NC
Best enjoyed from outside of your vehicle. Feel free to take as many photos and videos as you like! #LightsForJoy Walk through the tunnel, go inside the igloo (including adults!), take pics of your children on the sleigh (up to 130 pounds total), jingle the sleigh bells, press the button on the sidewalk to make the snowman work and have your children do the character hunt. New for 2024 is a tribute to our Veterans on the right side of the house, behind the walk-in magical igloo. Latest updates/snowball fight dates posted on LightsForJoy.com. Raising funds for CVAN.
Gaston County
Mount Holly
113 Scaleybark Court, Mount Holly
This home features thousands of lights, and lots of giant hand-made giant props. Follow Isaac Alexander DIY on Facebook for lots of updates. This is a fantastic display. Also follow him on Youtube for tutorials.
2024 update: Confirmed.
Bosley Lights
1477 Woodbend Court, Stanley (although address in in Stanley, it’s really in Denver.)
December 3, 2024, to January 1, 2025
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.
2024 update: Confirmed
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!
2024 update: Confirmed
Huntersville and Lake Norman
Arndt Christmas Lights
14904 Carbert Lane, Huntersville
Opening date December 1, 2024
Raising money for the Wounded Warrior Project. Follow Arndt Christmas Lights on Facebook.
2024 update: Confirmed
Jones Family Holiday Lights
12623 Hollyhock Lane, Huntersville
Starting December 1, 2024, at 7 p.m.
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.
2024 update: Confirmed.
Greenman Family Lights
13038 Serenity Street, Huntersville 28078
Synchronized light display. Listen through speakers or through 98.3 FM from your car.
2024 update: Confirmed
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.
2024 update: Confirmed
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.
2024 update: Confirmed
Neon Christmas
159 Welcombe Street, Mooresville, NC
2024 update: Confirmed
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.
2024 update: Confirmed.
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.
2024 update: Confirmed.
Union County
Christmas on the Farm
3999 Fincher Road, Indian Trail, NC 28104
December 2, 2024, until a few days after Christmas
6 to 9 p.m.
Free to the public. Walk through Christmas light display on a 5-acre horse farm. 2 lighted acres with miniature horses, a donkey, an alpaca and more.
2024 update: Confirmed
2111 Bluebonnet Lane, Stallings, NC 28104
Sunday to Thursday: 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday: 5:30 to 11 p.m.
4 songs running with lights.
2024 update: Confirmed.
Lincoln County
Isenhour Lights
411 E Dixon Street, Lincolnton NC 28092
The show lasts about 28 minutes and is synchronized to music.
2024 update: Confirmed.
Duncan Family Christmas Light Show
3970 Highway 182, Lincolnton, NC
Starts Friday, November 22, 2024
Show starts at 5:30 p.m.
2024 update: Confirmed.
South Carolina
1252 Stonecrest Blvd, Tega Cay, SC
Starting November 20, 2024
Giving away candy canes and little toys to visiting kids on Sunday, Monday and Tuesday nights.
2024 Update: Confirmed
Shelly Woods Neighborhood
1015 Shelly Woods Drive, Indian Land, SC
Most lights will be up December 2, 2024
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.
2024 update: Confirmed
This show, with lights synchronized to music, is over 2 and a half hours, so please stay at long as you like! Fake snow and fobbles (fog bubbles) are on the weekends with Santa and candy canes!
For the full effect, make sure to turn your radio to 93.3 FM! The display includes 10,000 pixels, including a 20-ft pixel tree, the house outlined in pixels and much much more.
This year the family is collecting donations for wounded warriors. All donations go to the wounded warrior project, but donations are not required.
2024 update: Confirmed
Lights on 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! Extra fun is planned on December 14, including dinner, desserts, activities and Santa! FYI, this is in Indian Land, although the official address is Lancaster. It’s very close to Waxhaw.
2024 update: Confirmed
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 20 and 21, 2024, 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.
2024 update: Confirmed
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. You can help to choose the songs here!
2024 update: Confirmed
Matthews and Mint Hill
A Sweitzers Christmas
1001 Sunnyview Circle Matthews, NC 28105
Starts December 6, 2024
(107.3 FM)
Shows will last approximately 20 minutes. Follow A Sweitzers Christmas on Facebook.
2024 update: Confirmed
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.
2024 update: Confirmed
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.
2024 update: Confirmed
Add to the Charlotte Christmas Light Map
Google Map of Christmas Light Displays in Charlotte Area
We add to this map whenever new light displays are submitted!
