Holiday season

Charlotte holiday events for families

Light shows, tree lightings, parades and winter fun around Charlotte — 19 family favorites for the holiday season.

Holiday kickoffs this weekend · Nov. 13–15, 2026Family Things to Do in Charlotte This Weekend (Nov. 13–15, 2026)Free tree lightings in Kannapolis, the Renaissance Festival's free-kids weekend, Fiesta Friday, the Southern Christmas Show and more.

Coming up in December: Repticon Charlotte returns to Cabarrus Arena in Concord on December 12–13, 2026, and again December 4–5, 2027 — an indoor reptile expo for animal-loving kids.

U.S. National Whitewater Center
Paid
Charlotte, NC
SeasonalHikingSports
Huge outdoor adventure park on the Catawba River. Warm months: whitewater rafting, ziplines, climbing, ropes courses, Wildwoods family play area and 50+ miles of trails. Winter at Whitewater (mid-Nov to mid-Feb): the Southeast's largest outdoor ice rink (24,000 sq ft), a free illuminated Winter Trail, Highland cows, a Christmas tree lot and night zips.
Free entry; parking $13/vehicle. All Access Day Pass $79; Wildwoods pass $18; ice skating $25 incl. rentals
Good to know: The Winter Trail and trails are free with parking.
Year-roundVisit official site for U.S. National Whitewater Center (opens in a new tab)
Carowinds
Paid
Charlotte / Fort Mill, NC/SC
Seasonal
Amusement park straddling the NC/SC state line with Camp Snoopy for little kids, big coasters for teens, and seasonal events. Now open year-round on select dates.
Year-roundVisit official site for Carowinds (opens in a new tab)
Extreme Ice Center
Paid
Indian Trail, NC
Rainy daySeasonalBirthdaysSports
Indoor ice rink with public skating sessions year-round.
Year-roundVisit official site for Extreme Ice Center (opens in a new tab)
Pineville Ice House
Paid
Pineville, NC
Rainy daySeasonalBirthdaysSports
Indoor ice rink with public skate sessions and learn-to-skate classes.
Year-roundVisit official site for Pineville Ice House (opens in a new tab)
Historic Rural Hill
Paid
Huntersville, NC
HomeschoolSeasonalFarmsHikingFestivals
265-acre historic Scottish-heritage farm with trails, animals and events, home of the Amazing Maize Maze each fall.
Year-roundVisit official site for Historic Rural Hill (opens in a new tab)
Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden
Paid
Belmont, NC
HomeschoolSeasonalHiking
Gorgeous gardens with fountains, a children's garden, and an orchid conservatory; spring blooms and holiday lights.
Year-roundVisit official site for Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden (opens in a new tab)
Lineberger Park
Free
Gastonia, NC
WaterPlaygroundsSeasonal
Big city park with a splash pad, playgrounds, occasional train rides, and holiday lights in December.
Year-roundVisit official site for Lineberger Park (opens in a new tab)
Village Park
Free
Kannapolis, NC
PlaygroundsWaterSeasonalHikingToddlers
Shady park with a playground, seasonal splash pad, paved trail, a $1.50 Venetian carousel and a small train.
Good to know: Carousel and train rides cost a small fee.
Year-roundVisit official site for Village Park (opens in a new tab)
Stumptown Park
Free
Matthews, NC
PlaygroundsSeasonalHikingToddlers
Downtown Matthews park with a playground, summer concerts and community festivals.
Year-roundVisit official site for Stumptown Park (opens in a new tab)
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Glencairn Garden
Free
Rock Hill, SC
SeasonalHiking
Free 11-acre garden with azaleas, fountains and a pond — stunning in spring.
Year-roundVisit official site for Glencairn Garden (opens in a new tab)
Speedway Christmas
Paid
Concord, NC
SeasonalFestivals
Drive-through holiday light show at Charlotte Motor Speedway with millions of lights and a Christmas village in the infield.
Good to know: 2026: Nov 20 – Jan 3, nightly 6–10 pm.
Visit official site for Speedway Christmas (opens in a new tab)
McAdenville Christmas Town USA
Free
McAdenville, NC
SeasonalFestivals
Whole town lit up with hundreds of thousands of lights — free to drive or walk.
Good to know: 2026: Dec 1–26, 5:30–10 pm. Arrive early.
Visit official site for McAdenville Christmas Town USA (opens in a new tab)
Holidays at the Garden – Daniel Stowe
Paid
Belmont, NC
SeasonalFestivals
Walk-through holiday light display with Santa visits and a trackless train on select dates.
Visit official site for Holidays at the Garden – Daniel Stowe (opens in a new tab)
Kannapolis Celebration of Lights
Free
Kannapolis, NC
SeasonalFestivals
Free holiday lights in Village Park with the carousel and train running, plus tree lighting and fireworks on opening night.
Visit official site for Kannapolis Celebration of Lights (opens in a new tab)
Belmont Festival of Trees
Free
Belmont, NC
SeasonalFestivals
Decorated Christmas trees fill Stowe Park all December — free.
Visit official site for Belmont Festival of Trees (opens in a new tab)
Whitewater Winter Trail & Ice Skating
Paid
Charlotte, NC
SeasonalFestivals
Winter at Whitewater (mid-Nov to mid-Feb): 24,000 sq ft outdoor ice rink, free illuminated Winter Trail with suspension bridges, Highland cows, tree lot and winter market.
Ice skating $25 incl. rentals; Winter Trail free; parking $13
Visit official site for Whitewater Winter Trail & Ice Skating (opens in a new tab)
Novant Health Thanksgiving Eve Parade
Free
Charlotte, NC
SeasonalFestivals
Charlotte's big uptown holiday parade on Tryon Street with floats, bands and balloons — free to watch (reserved seats sold separately).
Good to know: 2026: Wednesday, Nov 25 at 5:30 pm.
Visit official site for Novant Health Thanksgiving Eve Parade (opens in a new tab)
Repticon Charlotte
Paid
Concord, NC
SeasonalHomeschoolFestivals
Repticon is a family-oriented reptile and exotic-animal expo with vendors, educational exhibits and animals to see. It's a good indoor outing for older kids who like animals. Purchases are made from independent exhibitors, and always ask before touching any animal. Tickets are sold online only.
Online only. Super Ticket (both days) $20 adult; Saturday or Sunday all day $15 adult; Saturday after 1 p.m. $12 adult. Ages 5–12 $7; ages 4 and under free.
Good to know: Next show: December 12–13, 2026, at Cabarrus Arena in Concord. Kids 4 and under are free; ages 5–12 are $7.
Visit official site for Repticon Charlotte (opens in a new tab)
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ChristmasVille
Paid
Rock Hill, SC
SeasonalFestivals
Downtown Rock Hill's holiday festival. Confirm hours and admission on the official site.
See the official site for hours and admission.
Good to know: 2026 festival: Dec. 3–6 in downtown Rock Hill.
Visit official site for ChristmasVille (opens in a new tab)

More cold-weather ideas: winter around Charlotte, seasonal farms and events, and this weekend's holiday kickoffs in Family Things to Do in Charlotte This Weekend (Nov. 13–15, 2026).

Hours, prices and seasonal dates change often — always check the official website before you go. Info last reviewed November 2026.