Charlotte holiday events for families

• U.S. National Whitewater Center

  Paid

  Charlotte, NC

  Seasonal

  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 daySeasonal

  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 daySeasonal

  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

  HomeschoolSeasonal

  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

  HomeschoolSeasonal

  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

  PlaygroundsWaterSeasonal

  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

  PlaygroundsSeasonal

  Downtown Matthews park with a playground, summer concerts and community festivals.

  Year-roundVisit official site for Stumptown Park (opens in a new tab)

• Glencairn Garden

  Free

  Rock Hill, SC

  Seasonal

  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

  Seasonal

  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

  Seasonal

  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

  Seasonal

  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

  Seasonal

  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

  Seasonal

  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

  Seasonal

  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

  Seasonal

  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)

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.