Things to Do in
Charlotte This Week.
December 21 through 27, 2026 is Christmas week in Charlotte, and the calendar is all about lights, family, and tradition: the Hornets host the 76ers on Monday, the Vienna Light Orchestra plays the Carolina Theatre, WinterFest closes at Carowinds, and Christmas Town USA in McAdenville runs its final nights through December 26.
Christmas week is when Charlotte slows down, and that is exactly what makes it special. The Hornets play their only home game of the week on Monday against Philadelphia, then head out on a three-game road swing. Tuesday brings the final nights of WinterFest at Carowinds and the Vienna Light Orchestra's candlelit concerts at the Carolina Theatre. Christmas Eve and Christmas Day are all about lights: Christmas Town USA in McAdenville glows through December 26, Speedway Christmas stays open on Christmas Day itself, and Light the Knights at Truist Field lights up Uptown on December 23 and again on the 26th. If you are searching for things to do in Charlotte this week and weekend, the answer is simple: go see the lights.
Monday through Friday.
The week opens with the Hornets hosting Philadelphia on Monday at 7:00 PM, the only Spectrum Center game of the week. Tuesday brings the Vienna Light Orchestra to the Carolina Theatre and the final two nights of WinterFest at Carowinds. Wednesday, Light the Knights glows at Truist Field. Christmas Eve features candlelight services at Calvary Church plus the lights of McAdenville and Ballantyne, and on Christmas Day itself, Speedway Christmas is one of the few places in the region open for an evening drive through the lights.
Charlotte Hornets vs. Philadelphia 76ers
Spectrum Center, 333 E Trade St, Uptown
The Charlotte Hornets host the Philadelphia 76ers at Spectrum Center on Monday night, the team's only home game of Christmas week before a three-game road swing through Orlando, Atlanta, and Miami. A Monday tip-off at 7:00 PM is a great excuse to grab dinner around the arena and soak in the holiday lights of Center City afterward. Tickets through the Hornets' official site and Ticketmaster.
Vienna Light Orchestra: Christmas Concert
The Carolina Theatre, 309 N College St, Uptown
The Vienna Light Orchestra brings its candlelit Christmas concert to the historic Carolina Theatre on Monday and Tuesday, with 3:00 PM and 7:00 PM performances both days. Expect soaring orchestral arrangements of holiday classics performed by candlelight in one of Uptown's most beautiful historic rooms. It is a refined, family-friendly way to ease into Christmas week. Tickets through the venue's official ticketing.
WinterFest at Carowinds, Final Two Nights
Carowinds, 14523 Carowinds Blvd, Charlotte
Carowinds wraps its 2026 WinterFest run on Monday and Tuesday nights, the last chance this season for the park's festive lights, live holiday shows, select rides, Santa appearances, and seasonal food and drink. It is a short drive from south Charlotte and one of the biggest family draws of the holiday season, so catch it before the park closes for the winter. Admission via Carowinds.
Light the Knights at Truist Field
Truist Field, 324 S Mint St, Uptown
Light the Knights turns Uptown's baseball stadium into a holiday light festival for the season, and Wednesday is one of the final operating dates before Christmas. Walk the concourse under a million-plus lights, skate on the regulation-size ice rink, ride the 10-lane snow-tubing slope, and browse the holiday market with festive food and drink. A memorable family outing right in the middle of Center City.
Christmas Eve Candlelight Services at Calvary Church
Calvary Church, 5801 Pineville-Matthews Rd, Charlotte
Calvary Church hosts its traditional candlelight Christmas Eve services at 3:00, 5:00, and 7:00 PM on Thursday, with the services also available to watch online. Carols, candlelight, and a warm, family-friendly atmosphere make it a meaningful way to begin the Christmas holiday with the community. Free and open to all.
Christmas Town USA, McAdenville: Christmas Eve & Christmas Night
McAdenville NC, about 20 minutes west of Uptown
Christmas Town USA, the little mill town of McAdenville with roughly 600,000 red, green, and white lights, glows on Christmas Eve and Christmas night from 5:30 to 10:00 PM. It is one of the metro's most beloved traditions, free to walk or drive through, and these are among the final nights of the 2026 season, which ends December 26. Bundle up and bring the family.
Carolina Holiday Light Spectacular on Christmas Eve
Ballantyne's Backyard, 11611 N Community House Rd, Charlotte
The Carolina Holiday Light Spectacular at Ballantyne's Backyard is open on Christmas Eve with a 5:30 to 9:30 PM window and last ticket at 7:30 PM. The walk-through light trail features Santa appearances, carnival rides, and holiday treats, making it a convenient south Charlotte option for families who want lights close to home on Christmas Eve. It is closed Christmas Day and reopens December 26.
Speedway Christmas on Christmas Day
Charlotte Motor Speedway, 5555 Concord Pkwy S, Concord
Speedway Christmas at Charlotte Motor Speedway is one of the few attractions in the region open on Christmas Day, with the 4-mile drive-through light spectacular running 6:00 to 10:00 PM. Cruise the track under millions of synchronized lights from the comfort of your car, a relaxed and memorable way to cap off Christmas evening. Note that it is closed Christmas Eve, so Christmas Day is the holiday window to catch it.
Saturday & Sunday.
The weekend after Christmas is made for lights and lazy game-watching. Saturday, Light the Knights glows at Truist Field, Christmas Town USA in McAdenville runs its grand finale, and the Express Lane at Speedway Christmas hits its final nights. Sunday, the Panthers play in Pittsburgh and the Hornets wrap their road trip in Miami, so grab a booth at an Uptown or South End sports bar, or settle in at home with the lights on in the backyard.
Light the Knights at Truist Field
Truist Field, 324 S Mint St, Uptown
Light the Knights glows again on Saturday night at Truist Field, one of the last chances to skate, tube, and shop under the stadium lights before the festival closes in early January. The ice rink, snow-tubing slope, holiday market, and festive food stalls make it a perfect post-Christmas outing for families and groups in Uptown.
Speedway Christmas, Express Lane Final Nights
Charlotte Motor Speedway, 5555 Concord Pkwy S, Concord
The Express Lane at Speedway Christmas runs daily through December 27, so Saturday and Sunday are the final nights to drive the quick-access route through the light spectacular before the full run ends January 3. The infield Christmas Village is also open on these weekend nights with food, fire pits, and family activities. A classic Charlotte holiday tradition for all ages.
Christmas Town USA, Grand Finale
McAdenville NC, about 20 minutes west of Uptown
Saturday is the final night of the 2026 Christmas Town USA season in McAdenville. The town's streets, trees, and mill buildings glow with roughly 600,000 red, green, and white lights one last time from 5:30 to 10:00 PM, free to walk or drive through. If you have never seen it, this is your last chance until next December.
Carolina Holiday Light Spectacular, Reopens
Ballantyne's Backyard, 11611 N Community House Rd, Charlotte
After closing on Christmas Day, the Carolina Holiday Light Spectacular at Ballantyne's Backyard reopens Saturday and Sunday evening from 5:30 to 9:30 PM. The walk-through light trail, Santa appearances, and carnival rides are a great way to keep the holiday spirit going for the kids over the weekend, and it stays open through December 30.
Charlotte Hornets at Atlanta Hawks: Watch Party Night
Watch at Uptown, South End, or home
The Hornets are on the road at Atlanta on Saturday night, part of their three-game holiday road swing. With no home game until December 29, this is a great night to catch the game at a sports bar in Uptown or South End, or to gather friends at home. Check local listings for broadcast time and channel.
Carolina Panthers at Pittsburgh Steelers
Watch at Uptown, South End, or home
The Carolina Panthers close out the holiday weekend on the road in Pittsburgh for their Week 16 matchup against the Steelers. With no home game until January, Panthers fans will be gathering at sports bars across Uptown and South End for the afternoon. Check the NFL schedule for the exact kickoff time, which can shift with flex scheduling.
Charlotte Hornets at Miami Heat
Watch at Uptown, South End, or home
The Hornets finish their holiday road swing Sunday night in Miami against the Heat. It is the last game of the three-game trip before the team returns to Spectrum Center on December 29 to host Orlando. A cozy night-in game watch is the perfect wind-down to a busy Christmas weekend.
Ongoing & recurring.
Christmas Town USA, McAdenville
McAdenville NC (about 20 minutes west of Uptown)
Final nights of the 2026 season run through December 26, 5:30-10 PM. Roughly 600,000 red, green, and white lights across the little mill town, free to walk or drive through.
Speedway Christmas at Charlotte Motor Speedway
Charlotte Motor Speedway - Concord
The 4-mile drive-through light spectacular runs nightly through January 3, 6-10 PM. Closed Christmas Eve, open Christmas Day; the Express Lane runs daily through December 27.
Light the Knights at Truist Field
Truist Field - Uptown Charlotte
A stadium-wide holiday light festival with a regulation-size ice rink, a 10-lane snow-tubing slope, a holiday market, and festive food and drink on the concourse, open select nights through early January.
Carolina Holiday Light Spectacular at Ballantyne
Ballantyne's Backyard - 11611 N Community House Rd, Charlotte
A walk-through light trail with Santa appearances and carnival rides, running nightly through December 30. Closed Christmas Day and New Year's Eve.
Holidays at the Garden at Daniel Stowe Conservancy
Daniel Stowe Conservancy - 6500 S New Hope Rd, Belmont
A million-plus lights woven through the garden paths, glowing fountains, and festive displays nightly, 5-10 PM, through December 30.
Charlotte Regional Farmers Market
1801 Yorkmont Rd
Open Wednesday through Sunday year-round. Late-December stock: winter squash, apples, pecans, greens, and holiday baking staples.
Don't miss these.
Christmas Town USA, Final Nights (through Saturday, Dec 26)
McAdenville is the crown jewel of Charlotte-area Christmas lights, and this is the last week to see it until next December. Go on a clear evening, park once, and walk the loop: the lights reflecting on the mill pond are the moment everyone remembers.
Hornets vs. 76ers on Monday Night
Monday is the only Spectrum Center home game of Christmas week, and a 7:00 PM tip against Philadelphia is a perfect way to open the holiday stretch. After the buzzer, the holiday lights of Center City are still glowing for the walk back to your car.
Speedway Christmas on Christmas Day
Most of Charlotte closes on December 25, but the 4-mile drive-through light show at Charlotte Motor Speedway is open 6:00 to 10:00 PM. It is the rare Christmas evening activity that requires nothing but a car and a thermos of cocoa.
Light the Knights on Saturday, Dec 26
The day after Christmas is the perfect time for the stadium festival: the crowds thin, the ice rink and tubing hill are still going strong, and the holiday market is a great place to spend gift cards. One ticket covers an evening of lights, skating, and treats in Uptown.
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