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Win Tickets to Carolina Holiday Light Spectacular — plus, get 20% off any day

POSTED BY
Jody Mace
Sign says Holiday Light Spectacular in lights
Photo: Mace Publishing, LLC

The 3rd Annual Carolina Holiday Light Spectacular is bringing holiday magic back to Ballantyne’s Backyard, 11611 N. Community House Road, Charlotte, NC, this Christmas season.

Tickets are on sale now. We have a discount to share, and we are also giving away some free tickets. Keep reading or jump right to the ticket giveaway!

Check out our huge day-by-day list of holiday events in the Charlotte area! We update it every day!

Overview of Carolina Holiday Light Spectacular with golden reindeer in the foreground
Photo: Mace Publishing, LLC

Immerse yourself in over a million Christmas lights along a half-mile walking trail.

The attraction will take place every night from December 5 to December 29, 2024, except for Christmas Day.

The Grand Lighting Ceremony takes place on December 5, 2024, from 7 to 10 p.m., and benefits the Isabella Santos Foundation. Tickets for the Grand Opening Ceremony are $30.

After that date, the hours will be 5:30 to 10 p.m., but will close early on Christmas Eve.

What to expect:

  • 40% more Show Features…Including new scenes and new displays
  • New VIP Options and Amenities
  • 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
  • Holiday Village complete with Boutiques, Shops, & Rotating Food Trucks
  • They’ve improved the pathways even more. All pathways are Concrete or Decked. Safe for scooters, strollers, and wheelchairs. Please be aware there are some inclines throughout the venue.
  • Children’s Activities and Moon Bounce
  • Live Santa every night through 12/23
  • Ballerinas and Other Performers on Select Nights
Santa waving from within a snow globe
Photo: Mace Publishing, LLC

This is not what we think of as an “on the cheap” event, but we are including it because it’s sure to be one that many readers will want to know about, and there is a discount.

Christmas trees and presents at Christmas lights display
Photo: Mace Publishing, LLC

Follow Carolina Holiday Light Spectacular on Facebook for updates.

Polar bears and snow flakes in winter scene
Photo: Mace Publishing, LLC

Discount for Carolina Holiday Light Spectacular

Use the promo code CHEAPLIGHTS20 for a 20% discount on tickets. This discount is available all season! The discount doesn’t include add-ons like the wands or slides, and it can’t be applied to other promotional offers. There might occasionally be other discounts, and we’ll mention them here too.

Tickets for Carolina Holiday Light Spectacular

  • Grand Lighting Ceremony: $30
  • Any Day Admission: $25
  • Monday to Thursday, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.: $15
  • Monday to Thursday, 8 to 9:30 p.m.: $10
  • Friday to Sunday, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.: $20
  • Friday to Sunday, 8 to 9:30 p.m.: $15
  • VIP tickets also available for $39

Remember to use the promo code CHEAPLIGHTS20!

Purchase tickets
Light sculptures of ballerina in Christmas display
Photo: Mace Publishing, LLC

Contest

Two Charlotte on the Cheap subscribers will each win FOUR General Admission tickets to Carolina Holiday Light Spectacular! Entering is easy. First, just make sure you’ve subscribed to the Charlotte on the Cheap newsletter.

Then, scroll down this article and leave a comment! We will randomly select the two winners on Sunday, November 24, 2024, and send you an email with the tickets. It’s that easy!

Subscribe now
Carolina Holiday Light Spectacular
When
Weekly on Sunday, Friday, and Saturday @ 5:30 pm-9:30 pm (December 6, 2024 - December 29, 2024)
What
Carolina Holiday Light Spectacular
Where
Ballantyne’s Backyard
Cost
$15.00-$20.00
When
Weekly on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday @ 5:30 pm-9:30 pm (December 9, 2024 - December 29, 2024)
What
Carolina Holiday Light Spectacular
Where
Ballantyne’s Backyard
Cost
$10.00-$15.00

Ballantyne’s Backyard

11611 N. Community House Road
Charlotte, NC

Get Directions

Reader Interactions

Comments

  10. Amanda M. says

    Oh, this would be so much fun for my family! Fingers crossed, knock on wood, and wishing for lucky mojo!

  19. Linda clark says

    would love to win this. we haven’t had the chance to check out the lights yet. thanks for the chance

  28. Marty viser says

    we LOVE Christmas lights and have enjoyed coming out to Ballantyne to see this display. thank you for putting it on again!!

  30. Kai says

    Oh, how I long to see the night,
    Alive with sparkling, twinkling light.
    A wonderland of glowing cheer,
    To mark the magic of the year.

    Each color bright, each pathway grand,
    A holiday dream by loving hand.
    So let me roam through scenes so sweet,
    Where winter’s glow and wonder meet.

    🙂
    Kai

  40. Janan H says

    My Mom is Christmas obsessed and would love this!! And opening week …it’s her Birthday week!!
    Best Birthday gift!! #71

  41. Nikki Sawyer says

    visiting Charlotte for Christmas all the way from Europe – can’t wait to see some real American holiday decorations!

  47. Peggy Mathis says

    I would love to see this. At 73 years young, I still ride around and look at Christmas lights.

  61. Kelsey Zane says

    This would be so cool to take the kids to! I wish we would have known about it last year when we moved here!

  65. Donna Maudell Armbrister says

    I love Christmas lights ! So, seeing the lights shining brightly this Christmas Season in Ballantyne is going to fantastic!

  68. Karen Nash says

    New to Charlotte, just learning about all the great holiday things to do. would love to see this one!

  74. Lakenya Williams says

    My husband just had his sight restored just in time for Christmas! We are planning see the lights to celebrate!

  83. Christina says

    Would really love to take our 3 kids to see this. We have never been. It looks so nice and a great time to be had!

  87. Jessica says

    We learned about this the first year through Charlotte on the Cheap and went that year. We would love to return!

  90. Lorraine Sifford says

    I would really enjoy seeing the lights with my family. I haven’t been to this location.

  91. Brian Walker says

    Another great way to get yourself and your family in the spirit🙏🎅🏻
    We’ve been to Holiday light shows in other states, looking forward to seeing this one!
    Hope to win

  95. Linda says

    My daughter and her family visited the lights last Christmas. This year he is a bit older and will understand and enjoy it so much more. I definitely will not be missing the look on his face as he loves “lights” of all kind.

  96. Andrea Metz-Nicholson says

    This would be a great holiday family outing & I love the opportunity to take our family.

  103. Mary Ann Skinner says

    This looks like so much fun, and a great memory maker for my grandchildren! Fingers crossed that we win!!🤗

  117. Mary Ware says

    this looks so fun! would love to take my family to this! we have only lived in North Carolina since Halloween and are looking for things to do and new traditions and memories to make in our new state!

  167. Kathey Brown says

    This would be a most wonderful evening with my grands.
    The most wonderful time of the year.

  168. Steph says

    I have been and it is wonderful every year!! My family has not gone yet so I would love to take them to it!

  169. Terri villig says

    I would love to see it, Christmas is my favorite time of the year and I always go everywhere to see the decorations.

  171. Joel says

    My parents are coming from another country what a beautiful opportunity to share with them and show them how spectacular is Christmas here!

  175. JoMarie Perillo says

    My family would love to visit this Christmas light festival as part of our holiday season. Hoping for an email delivering tickets.

  176. Nicole says

    Wow this looks like so much fun for a family outing to kick off the holidays! Thank you for sharing the information

  177. Anais Maldonado says

    My girls and I would love to see the lights! 🎄 this would be such an amazing experience!!

  192. Susan Hartwell says

    My Birthday is on the 1st day of the event, December 6th, & I would love to add the Carolina Holiday Light Spectacular to my celebration! 🥳🎈🎉

  199. Kaliah Ligon says

    There are so many comments how will you find me! Lol! The Mon- Thurs ticket price is not terrible, especially if you can still use the discount!

  203. Dream Jones says

    I would love to go see the Christmas lights. I am new to Charlotte never was able to experience the Christmas lights here.

  204. Angela Ballard says

    Would love to win ! Been through a lot this past year breast cancer and lung cancer . Currently out of work with my lung cancer until Jan 15 . Healing well !

  208. Amanda Burton says

    Looks like lots of family fun!!
    Never been to this particular light show before, will have to check out!!

  211. Dawn Hanrahan says

    My boys love coming to this each year. Can’t wait to see all they have added. Merry Christmas 🎄

  212. Sheila Martin says

    Christmas lights bring out the joy of the season. I would love to take my granddaughter to see them.

  214. Lisa P says

    I read Charlotte on the Cheap every morning to see what’s going on. This would be a great way to kick off the holiday season!

  232. Sharon says

    Is there anything that screams Christmas, more than lights…..and lots of them? mmmm….I don’t think so. I will be there, even if I don’t win.

  234. Carla Diamond says

    I am so ready to be uplifted by some beautiful lights that is being offered here!
    Will be spectacular at this location.
    Thank you so much for the opportunity being offered.

  238. Natalie Milby says

    Competition for tickets looks stiff. Thanks for giving us the opportunity to see what promises to be a spectacular display. Merry Christmas to all who work so hard to bring some holiday cheer to the community 🎄

  243. Stacey Bradam says

    This looks like a perfect way to lock off the holiday season with my family. Hoping to win !!

  244. Fran says

    I would love to take my grandson to see the lights. We normally do things like this for the holidays but I lost my job a few weeks ago and right now I just can’t afford it.

  245. Hailey Carvalho says

    So excited for all the winter/holiday festivities! Thanks for always sharing the best, low-cost or free events! 🎅🏼🎄 I finally moved to Charlotte in August so this is my husband and I’s first holiday season here 🥰

  248. Kristine Farrish says

    We tried to go to this last year but it just wasn’t in the budget. We would live to be able to go!! I love reading the emails we get from Charlotte on the cheap! They always let us know what fun things are going on around town and help us better plan all our holiday events! Thanks COTC!

  250. Christina says

    We have never been and my kids will be home from college. Our family loves stuff like this to do!!

  251. Kimberley O’Connell says

    This is literally a SPECTACULAR & absolutely unique walk through event that will leave you with memories to last a lifetime! It enchants everyone who experiences with a special magical holiday feeling that is really great for the entire family, no matter what age. I originally found out about this event through Charlotte on the Cheap in 2022 & I had to attend. It was absolutely mind blowingly beautiful! The giant snow globes were so cool! And the hot cocoa is to die for!!! Extra chocolate chips & marshmallows, of course! ^.^ I would love to attend with my fiancé & our friends (that have never been) this year. Make it a really cool double date! I will be attending even if I don’t win the tickets, but Thank you for the opportunity for 4 free tickets. Cheers, Charlotte on the Cheap!! Thank you! Keep up the great work you do! Happy Holidays! 🙂

  252. Edie beatty says

    Been to this event the last two years…can’t wait to see what they’ve added this year!!

  260. Kelly Roberson says

    ❤️🎄✨ PICK ME! 😄 Love knowing about all the fun things to do in Charlotte! I’ve never been to the lights show, hope to go this year!!

  261. Alex says

    Thank you for doing this giveaway, I would love to take my family to these lights and feel the time of magic🎄☃️🎉

  268. Stephanie Paniagua says

    I love this page! Being new to the area, it has allowed me to see upcoming events. Good luck to everyone!

  277. Bree Moser says

    We have been to the display in years past and it is wonderful. We would love to continue our tradition and go again.

  280. Terran Williams says

    Can’t wait!! My family is going to love this and it’s going to get the kids in the christmassy spirit!

  284. Leah F says

    Looks very cool! Being able to go to this would be such a blessing to our family after a hard year 🙂

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