The holidays are my favorite time of year. There is always so much to do and see and it can be hard to decide what to choose! Recently my friends and I visited the Carolina Holiday Light Spectacular in Charlotte, NC and we thought it was one of the best ones in the area. Read below to find out why and to get all the details to prepare for your visit.

The Official Details & What To Expect

Just outside the entrance to the spectacular.

When To Go:

Thursday, December 7th – Saturday, December 30, 2023
Open Nightly

What To Expect:

From ncholidaylights.com:

All Pathways Concrete, Decked, or Gravel. Safe for Strollers and Wheelchairs (there are some hills).

Over a Million Spectacular Lights & Displays on a Half-Mile Walking Trail
Larger than Life Holiday Scenes, Wonderful Music Throughout, and Oversized Snow Globes
The Alpine Avalanche Snow Tube Slide
Magical Interactive Wand Elements Throughout (for an additional fee)
Holiday Village complete with Boutiques, Shops, & Rotating Food Trucks
Children’s Activities, Face Painting, and Moon Bounce
LIVE Santa EVERY NIGHT through 12/23
Ballerinas and Other Performers on Select Nights – Check Schedule
FREE Parking
Children under two do not need a ticket

They have several different ticket options that you can pay for and they also have several add ons that you can choose from. See the info below that I pulled from the website.

VIP ADMISSION

VALID MONDAY – SUNDAY

This Ticket is Date Specific

$39

Includes Souvenir Hot Chocolate Mug with Bottomless Hot Chocolate available during the event, access to VIP Lodge & Bar, access to VIP Washrooms, and Special VIP Entrance Line to the Holiday Light Spectacular.

We were not allowed access to the VIP area but I snapped a photo from afar. They had tons of private fire pits that I could see and it was completely fenced off from the rest of the displays. Very exclusive.

Where you collect your pre purchased mugs.

ANY DAY ADMISSION TICKET

VALID FOR ONE (1) GENERAL ADMISSION ENTRY ON ANY DAY DURING THE 2023 HOLIDAY LIGHT SPECTACULAR

$25

Holiday magic with flexibility!
Purchase your ticket now and choose your date later. This admission ticket is redeemable for one entry during the event.

This is what we did and it was very convenient. We added the passes to our Apple wallet and we could go any day we wanted we had originally planned to go on a Sunday but it rained all day so we went on a Thursday instead. Because they were not date specific it was not an issue.

MONDAY – THURSDAY GENERAL ADMISSION

VALID MONDAY – THURSDAY

This Ticket is Date Specific

$15 from 5:30pm – 8:30pm
$10 from 8:30pm – 10pm

FRIDAY – SUNDAY GENERAL ADMISSION

VALID FRIDAY – SUNDAY

This Ticket is Date Specific

$20 from 5:30pm – 8:30pm
$15 from 8:30pm – 10pm

The entrance. VIP enters to the far left and general to the right.

THE ALPINE AVALANCHE
SNOW TUBE SLIDE ADD-ON

$12

This Add-On offers Unlimited Slides Down the Alpine Avalanche Snow Tube Mountain Ride during the Time noted on the Add-On.*
The Slide Add-On is Date & Time Specific.

*Valid for one (1) guest access during 1/4 Hour increment. Only 20 Guests per 1/4 Hour. Substitutions are not guaranteed. Double-check your times, as many timeslots will sell out. 4 Years and Up Age Restriction.

No Shoes allowed on the Slide. One Rider per Tube at any time.
This Add-On is at the Rider’s Risk. This is not an admission ticket; prices increase on-site .

This costs $15 if you do not purchase in advance. You get to slide as many times as you want for 15 minutes. We purchased our tickets and waited for the next 15 minute increment to start and then the kiddos took off their shoes and started the climb up the bouncy stairs to the top. You can use a tube or just slide down on your bum. It was super steep and some kids that went down on tubes ended up coming off their tubes. There was one attendant keeping time but not really monitoring anything else. The kids had a wonderful time.

The Avalanche slide and booth to purchase tickets if you did not pre purchase.

Right next to the Alpine Avalanche is the Candy Cane Chateau bouncy house. It is free to bounce and the kiddos have to take off their shoes and it was enjoyed by all. There is an attendant monitoring the shoe situation but not much else. Easton had a blast bouncing and going down the slide over and over. He did this the whole 15 minutes that his brothers did the Avalanche.

There was a hot chocolate stand right in this area as well as several picnic tables and heat lamps so that the adults could relax and stay warm while the kids played.

Easton going down the slide of the e bouncy house.

SPECTACULAR MAGIC
SNOWFLAKE WAND ADD-ON

$19

Get your light-up Snowflake Wand to use throughout the Holiday Light Spectacular experience. As you stroll, look for the illuminated snowflakes; with a wave of your wand and Joy in your heart, your Interactive Snowflake Wand will create amazing magical experiences throughout the show. Pre-order your Snowflake Wand TODAY!

Wand colors will vary, and prices increase on-site.

These were $22 on site and we opted out of the wands. We saw a few kids wandering around with them but did not see a ton of engagement with the displays.

The wands and the device that interacts with the wands.

Hot Chocolate Stands

At $5 a cup the prices were not terrible. They also served coffee, hot cider, cold eggnog, soft drinks, bottled water, wine, beer, cookies, mini gingerbread houses, commemorative mugs, and the light up magic wands.

Off to the side they also had tables where you could doctor up your drinks with sugar, creamer, marshmallows, peppermints, and sprinkles.

The mugs, cookies, and adorable mini gingerbread houses.

The hot chocolate “fixings” table with a heat lamp.

The available goodies you could use to fix up your hot chocolates. These were complementary.

Food Truck/Merchandise Area

Depending on if you start to the left or the fight this area will be at the beginning or the end of your journey (end of you go to the left like we did). There is a large covered area with picnic tables, portable heaters, and the night we went about 8 food trucks.

Right beside the covered seats is the merchant area. It is covered as well and enclosed in tents and contains tons of local vendors and items for purchase. We did not go inside to shop but it was very popular and you can check out the website to see some of the vendors that are available.

FAQs

Taken from the website ncholidaylights.com:

WHAT IS NC HOLIDAY LIGHTS?

Carolina’s Holiday Lights Spectacular is the ultimate family holiday experience. This walking adventure has millions of lights, spectacular oversized snowglobes, larger than life holiday displays, Santa and Mrs. Claus, Elves, countless candy canes and all of your favorite holiday cheer! Immerse yourselves in a winter wonderland featuring a gift shop, food trucks, and other “Instagrammable” moments for all to enjoy!

WHEN IS THE NC HOLIDAY LIGHTS?

December 8TH – December 30TH

5:30pm-10pm NIGHTLY, with several exceptions outlined here: https://ncholidaylights.com/schedule/

HOW LONG DOES THE EXPERIENCE TAKE TO SEE?

The trail itself is a walking trail and it is self-guided. Visitors are welcome to experience the attractions at their own pace. Most guests spend 45 MINUTES TO 1.5 HOURS in total on the grounds engaging in the exhibits and the the walking trail.

*They were not actively handing them out but they did have paper maps to utilize but it was very easy to navigate as it was a big loop and there were directional signs up.

WHERE IS NCHLS LOCATED?

Ballantyne’s Backyard
11611 N Community House Road
Charlotte, NC 28277

DOES NCHLS HAVE FOOD AND BEVERAGES?

Food and beverages will be available for purchase on-site from a rotation of top food trucks and vendors. We will be serving hot and cold seasonal beverages. There will also be seasonal alcoholic drinks for purchase for those 21+ years of age.

DOES NCHLS HAVE RESTROOMS?

Yes, there are bathrooms located in multiple areas of the grounds. We have bathrooms in our parking lot, our pre-show and out on the trail for use. VIP guests can enjoy an enhanced VIP Toilet Trailer in the Christmas Village.

*Just to be clear they are port a potties.

IS THERE PARKING AT NCHLS ?

Yes, there is tons of FREE PARKING.
Look For The Giant Inflatable on The Road.

*We parked in the parking garage right in front of the entrance with no problem.

IS THE EVENT FOR ALL AGES?

ALL ages are welcome to attend our event and there is truly something to enjoy whether you are old or young.
Those 3 year and older do need an admission ticket to attend the event. Those two years and under do not need a ticket.

WHAT IS THE REFUND POLICY?

All tickets are non-refundable. Our show will operate rain or shine.

*So this is maybe questionable as we initially wanted to go on a Sunday and it rained all day and the website said it would be closed that day due to the weather. Always check the website.

HOW CAN I CONTACT THE ORGANIZER WITH ANY QUESTIONS?

Please contact us at team@drinkeatrelax.com

DO I HAVE TO BRING MY PRINTED TICKET TO THE EVENT?

We encourage you to have your digital ticket ready for scanning on your TICKETSPICE ticket email, from your mobile Wallet, or alternatively, print a copy of your ticket for scanning upon arrival.

IS IT OK IF THE NAME ON MY TICKET OR REGISTRATION DOESN’T MATCH THE PERSON WHO ATTENDS?

Yes, each ticket has its own QR code for entry per person. Each person must have a ticket, it’s not necessary to match the name to the attendee.

IS THERE SECURITY AT NCHLS?

Attendees will pass through a security check-point prior to entering our activation zone. Please downsize any purses or bags you are bringing with you. All bags will be searched.

*While we did not see a “security checkpoint” necessary or see anyone getting their bags or strollers or wagons checked, there were police, and firemen on the property walking around.

CAN I BRING MY DOG TO NCHLS?

Generally, there are no pets permitted on the grounds at all of our properties, only service animals with proper documentation.

CAN I TAKE PICTURES?

Yes! We encourage all of our guests to take photos, post on social media and share their experience with family and friends!
Follow us:
Instagram: @NCHolidayLights
Facebook: www.facebook.com/ncholidaylights
Be sure to tag us!

IS SMOKING PERMITTED ON THE GROUNDS?

Smoking of any kind is not permitted anywhere on the grounds during the NCHLS

WHAT HAPPENS IF THERE IS SEVERE WEATHER?

The event will operate in rain, snow, or sunshine. We will only close the event if the grounds are deemed unsafe due to severe weather conditions or damage to our infrastructure. Tickets are non-refundable, but in an emergency closure scenario, we will make every effort to exchange your tickets for another available date. You can follow us on Facebook and Instagram or online at this website for up to the minute updates.

IS NCHLS ADA ACCESSIBLE?

All of our properties are all ADA accessible and have ADA restrooms located on site. Please be mindful that there are several different terrains on each property that you will traverse including decking, gravel and asphalt. There are also slight changes in elevation throughout the trail. Each property has seating in the pre-show zones and a rest stop halfway through the walking experience. Please make sure you read more on your specific city and if you have any further questions or concerns please reach out to the designated information email address for your specific city.

It’s for a good cause! A portion of event proceeds go to Spirit of Hope Children’s Foundation Visit: www.spiritofhopechildrensfoundation.org

What To Bring

Cash. Many of the vendors & food vendors will accept credit cards but just in case it’s always best to have some cash as well.

Food & Drinks. Feel free to bring your own non-alcoholic beverages and snacks for the day. All bags and coolers will be subject to search.
Your Holiday Spirit! So many people were dressed in festive outfits or sweaters or hats. We brought light up necklaces and got so many compliments!
Dress Appropriately. We were super bundled! Gloves, hats that covered ears or earmuffs, long socks, boots, scarves, heavy jackets, and layers! I had on long johns under my jeans and two shirts under my sweater and jacket. Nothing worse than being cold or having the kiddos be cold!
Helpful other things: Baby wipes for any messes or messy hands, Kleenex, hand sanitizer, lip balm, hot hands (hand warmers).
Your tickets!!!

The Lights

One of the directional signs posted along the trail.

From the website ncholidaylights.com: Carolina’s Holiday Lights Spectacular is the ultimate family holiday experience. This walking adventure has millions of lights, spectacular oversized snowglobes, larger than life holiday displays, Santa and Mrs. Claus, Elves, countless candy canes and all of your favorite holiday cheer! Immerse yourselves in a winter wonderland featuring a gift shop, food trucks, and other “Instagrammable” moments for all to enjoy!

Once we checked in and got our tickets scanned we passed through the giant ornament and gazed out at the beautiful field full of lights. We decided to head to the left and stopped at a hot chocolate stand for a warm beverage before getting lost in the beautiful displays.

Just after we got our tickets scanned we passed under the giant archway and into the displays.

The largest display that moved along with music.

We passed by a blowup snow globe with a talking Christmas tree inside, a candy cane forest, gingerbread lane, a dinosaur display (our favorite), and several really great places to take photos and selfies.

We went through light tunnels, the kids bounced in a gingerbread house and slid down a snow mountain slide, and we sipped tasty hot chocolate. Christmas music could be heard the entire time we walked around and it was truly a lovely experience. It never felt over crowded and the groups of people all moved at their own pace to enjoy the different displays.

Our visit took about an hour and a half and we enjoyed every minute. This will be one that we make sure we visit year after year and highly recommend to you and your family!! Don’t have a favorite Christmas light display? Have you been to the Carolina Holiday Light Spectacular? Share in the comments!

Official Website

Carolina Holiday Light Spectacular