We are so lucky here in Charlotte to have so many wonderful choices for light displays at Christmastime – whether it’s driving through Christmas Town U.S.A. in McAdenville or the Speedway Lights in Concord, or strolling through the Daniel Stowe Botanical Gardens or Knights Stadium uptown or heck, just driving up Hillside Avenue in Myers Park. This year we’ve got a new choice – the Carolina Holiday Light Spectacular at Ballantyne’s Backyard and it’s a fantastic new option!
We scouted it out, Smarties, (see my lovely mom and sister in the photo?!) and here’s what it’s got that some of the others don’t.
Convenience: Located just off Community House Road in Ballantyne, it’s an easy in and out, and with a commercial parking deck adjacent to where you enter the display, parking is free and easy.
Sheer volume: The display is billed to have more than one million Christmas lights strung throughout the half-mile walking trail and seeing it is believing it! It’s vast and bright and impressive and the light-covered tunnels and the 
enormous “tree” are impressive and beautiful spots for photos.
Magic wands for kids: This was our favorite feature, hands down. With three boys ages 6 and 5-year-old twins, having a toy, I mean a tool, for them to use throughout the walking tour was perfect. They could take their wands and touch them against a “magical” snowflake and make light displays blink and change colors. Such creative fun and a great souvenir to take home! (Each wand is an additional $14 or free with the purchase of the VIP package.)
We missed the performers who come on the weekends like Santa and ballerinas and watched from afar as others zoomed down the Alpine Avalanche Snow Tube slide, but that just means there’s more fun to be had next time! The event is open between now and New Years’ Eve! Bring family and friends and check it out! Purchase tickets here.
Carolina Holiday Light Spectacular
Where: Ballantyne’s Backyard, 11611 N Community House Rd
When: Dec. 15-31, 5-10 p.m.
Cost: General admission is $15 Monday – Thursday and $20 Friday -Sunday. Children 2 and under are free. There’s a VIP edition for $35 that includes Hot Chocolate and Candy Canes, a Souvenir Swag Bag, an expedited VIP line to enter the event, three slides down the Alpine Avalanche Snow Tube Slide, and a Special VIP Toilet Trailer.
