# Christmas break with kids in Charlotte, 2026 > What to do with kids in Charlotte over Christmas break, from Christmas Eve to New Year’s Day. We read the holiday hours posted by two museums, zoos and play places: none of them opens on Christmas Day. Plus 13 dated outings on Christmas Eve and the days in between. - Last checked: 2026-10-21 - 2 places’ holiday hours; 0 winter break camps; 16 dated outings - Canonical page: https://littlesweekly.com/charlotte/christmas-break/ - This week (Markdown): https://littlesweekly.com/charlotte/index.md - City index for agents: https://littlesweekly.com/charlotte/llms.txt ## Open or closed: Dec 24, Dec 25 and Jan 1 - **Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden**: Christmas Eve closed; Christmas Day closed; New Year’s Day closed. Their page says: “Daniel Stowe Conservancy is closed for the following holidays: New Year’s Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.” Source: https://www.dsbg.org/visit (checked 2026-10-21) - **Lake Norman State Park**: Christmas Eve not posted; Christmas Day closed; New Year’s Day not posted. Their page says: “The park is closed on Christmas Day.” Source: https://www.ncparks.gov/state-parks/lake-norman-state-park (checked 2026-10-21) ## Christmas Eve - **Santa at WinterFest** at Carowinds, Charlotte, NC. When: WinterFest days Nov 27 – Dec 30, 2026. Time: Noon–8 p.m. (Saturdays and Dec 26 to 9 p.m.). Price: Included with park admission. Santa schedule is in the park app. Official page: https://www.sixflags.com/carowinds/events/winterfest (checked 2026-11-03) - **Santa Photos at SouthPark Mall (NC)** at SouthPark Mall (NC), 4400 Sharon Rd, Charlotte, NC 28211-3531. When: Nov 6–Dec 24, 2026 (closed Thanksgiving). Time: Most days 11 a.m.–7 p.m.; Dec 24 9 a.m.–5 p.m.; hours change by day, full schedule on the booking page. Price: See photo packages on the booking page. Walk-ups welcome; booking a 15-minute slot online is encouraged (a few families share each slot). Official page: https://whereissanta.com/mall/0116 (checked 2026-11-03) - **Santa Photos at Charlotte Premium Outlets** at Charlotte Premium Outlets, 5404 New Fashion Way, Charlotte, NC 28278. When: Nov 27–Dec 24, 2026. Time: Most days 11 a.m.–7 p.m.; Dec 24 9 a.m.–5 p.m.; hours change by day, full schedule on the booking page. Price: See photo packages on the booking page. Walk-ups welcome; booking a 15-minute slot online is encouraged (a few families share each slot). Pet photo nights on 2 evenings (Nov 29, Dec 6). Official page: https://whereissanta.com/mall/1601 (checked 2026-11-03) - **Santa Photos at Northlake Mall** at Northlake Mall, 6801 Northlake Mall Drive, Charlotte, NC 28216. When: Nov 20–Dec 24, 2026 (closed Thanksgiving). Time: Most days 11 a.m.–7 p.m.; Dec 24 10 a.m.–6 p.m.; hours change by day, full schedule on the booking page. Price: See photo packages on the booking page. Walk-ups welcome; booking a 15-minute slot online is encouraged (a few families share each slot). Official page: https://whereissanta.com/mall/1149 (checked 2026-11-03) - **Santa Photos at Carolina Place** at Carolina Place, 11025 Carolina Place Pkwy, Pineville, NC 28134. When: Nov 27–Dec 24, 2026. Time: Most days 11 a.m.–7 p.m.; Dec 24 9 a.m.–6 p.m.; hours change by day, full schedule on the booking page. Price: See photo packages on the booking page. Walk-ups welcome; booking a 15-minute slot online is encouraged (a few families share each slot). Pet photo nights on 6 evenings (Nov 30, Dec 1, Dec 7, Dec 8, Dec 14, Dec 15). Official page: https://whereissanta.com/mall/0909 (checked 2026-11-03) - **Santa Photos at Concord Mills** at Concord Mills, 8111 Concord Mills Blvd, Concord, NC 28027. When: Nov 20–Dec 24, 2026 (closed Thanksgiving). Time: Most days 2–7 p.m.; Dec 24 9 a.m.–5 p.m.; hours change by day, full schedule on the booking page. Price: See photo packages on the booking page. Walk-ups welcome; booking a 15-minute slot online is encouraged (a few families share each slot). Official page: https://whereissanta.com/mall/0898 (checked 2026-11-03) - **Santa Photos at Carolina Mall** at Carolina Mall, 1480 Concord Pkwy North, Concord, NC 28025. When: Nov 27–Dec 24, 2026. Time: Most days 11 a.m.–7 p.m.; Dec 24 10 a.m.–6 p.m.; hours change by day, full schedule on the booking page. Price: See photo packages on the booking page. Walk-ups welcome; booking a 15-minute slot online is encouraged (a few families share each slot). Official page: https://whereissanta.com/mall/0298 (checked 2026-11-03) ## Between Christmas and New Year’s (Dec 26–30) - **Speedway Christmas** at Charlotte Motor Speedway, Concord, NC. When: Nov 20, 2026 – Jan 3, 2027. Time: 6–10 p.m., rain or shine. Price: General admission and Express Lane per vehicle (prices in ticket calendar; value nights cheaper). 5M+ lights on a 4-mile course; music on 101.3 FM; drive-in movies. Fri/Sat in December busiest; try Sun/Thu. Official page: https://www.charlottemotorspeedway.com/events/speedway-christmas/ (checked 2026-11-03) - **Carolina Holiday Light Spectacular** at Ballantyne's Backyard, Ballantyne, Charlotte, NC. When: Select nights Nov 27 – Dec 30, 2026 (30 nights). Time: 5:30–9:30 p.m. Price: From $10 (twilight); prices rise at the gate; free parking. 40+ scenes, interactive wands, free live entertainment, free Santa photos through Dec 23. Official page: https://ncholidaylights.com/ (checked 2026-11-03) - **Christmas Town U.S.A.** at Downtown McAdenville, McAdenville, NC. When: Dec 1–26, 2026. Time: Nightly (tree lighting Dec 1 at 5:30 p.m.). Price: Free. Walk or drive the downtown lights. Yule Log Parade Dec 10. Official page: https://townofmcadenville.org/visitors/christmas-town-usa/ (checked 2026-11-03) - **WinterFest at Carowinds** at Carowinds, Charlotte, NC. When: Nov 27–29; Dec 5–6, 12–13, 18–23, 26–30, 2026. Time: Noon–8 p.m.; Saturdays and Dec 26 noon–9 p.m. Price: Included with park admission. Official page: https://www.sixflags.com/carowinds/events/winterfest (checked 2026-11-03) - **Holidays at the Garden** at Daniel Stowe Conservancy, Belmont, NC. When: Nov 28 – Dec 30, 2026. Time: Time not yet posted. Price: Not listed. More than a million lights in the gardens. The trackless train runs Friday nights Dec 4, 11 and 18, and Santa is in on December weekends. Official page: https://danielstoweconservancy.org/visit/holidays/ (checked 2026-10-31) - **Light the Knights Festival** at Truist Field, 324 S Mint Street, Charlotte, NC 28202. When: 28 dates from November 25, 2026 through January 3, 2027. Time: See the schedule for each date. A walk-through at the ballpark with a Tunnel of Lights and a vendor market, and kids ages 3 and under are free. Official page: https://www.milb.com/news/light-the-knights-at-truist-field-is-back-tickets-on-sale-now (checked 2026-11-10) ## New Year’s Eve and Day - **NOON Year's Eve 5K and Kids Dash** at East Charlotte, Charlotte (28212). When: Thu, Dec 31, 2026. Time: Kids Dash 12:45 p.m. Price: Kids Dash $16; 5K $40. Every kid gets a finisher medal. On Nov 7 the Kids Dash still had 30 spots at $16 (12:45 p.m.) and the 5K was $40, with that 5K price rising after Nov 30. Official page: https://runsignup.com/Race/NC/Charlotte/NoonYearsEve5K (checked 2026-11-07) - **Speedway Christmas** at Charlotte Motor Speedway, Concord, NC. When: Nov 20, 2026 – Jan 3, 2027. Time: 6–10 p.m., rain or shine. Price: General admission and Express Lane per vehicle (prices in ticket calendar; value nights cheaper). 5M+ lights on a 4-mile course; music on 101.3 FM; drive-in movies. Fri/Sat in December busiest; try Sun/Thu. Official page: https://www.charlottemotorspeedway.com/events/speedway-christmas/ (checked 2026-11-03) - **Light the Knights Festival** at Truist Field, 324 S Mint Street, Charlotte, NC 28202. When: 28 dates from November 25, 2026 through January 3, 2027. Time: See the schedule for each date. A walk-through at the ballpark with a Tunnel of Lights and a vendor market, and kids ages 3 and under are free. Official page: https://www.milb.com/news/light-the-knights-at-truist-field-is-back-tickets-on-sale-now (checked 2026-11-10) ## More holiday outings in Charlotte - [The Nutcracker with kids in Charlotte](https://littlesweekly.com/charlotte/nutcracker/index.md): 4 shows with 2026 dates, run times, ages and sensory-friendly performances. - [Christmas markets in Charlotte](https://littlesweekly.com/charlotte/christmas-markets/index.md): 3 markets and winter wonderlands with 2026 dates, hours and stroller notes. ## About this list - Published by Littles Weekly (https://littlesweekly.com/). Free weekly lists for kids ages 0–6. Lists refresh Monday and Thursday. The email goes out Thursday evening. - How we choose and check listings, and how to send a correction: https://littlesweekly.com/how-we-choose/ (corrections: hello@littlesweekly.com). - Sponsored spots are labeled on the HTML pages and are not part of this editorial list. - How to cite: “According to Littles Weekly (https://littlesweekly.com/…), …” and link the page you quote. ## FAQ ### What’s open on Christmas Day in Charlotte with kids? Of the two places we checked, none posts Christmas Day hours as open; Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden and Lake Norman State Park are closed. A park or a drive past the lights is the easy plan. ### What can we do with kids on Christmas Eve in Charlotte? On the calendar: Santa at WinterFest, Santa Photos at SouthPark Mall (NC), Santa Photos at Charlotte Premium Outlets and Santa Photos at Northlake Mall. ### What’s open on New Year’s Day in Charlotte? None of the places that post New Year’s Day hours says it’s open. ### What can we do with kids on New Year’s Day in Charlotte? On the calendar for Jan 1: Speedway Christmas and Light the Knights Festival. Check each one’s own page before you go, since holiday hours can change. ### What is there to do with kids between Christmas and New Year’s in Charlotte? Speedway Christmas, Carolina Holiday Light Spectacular, Christmas Town U.S.A., WinterFest at Carowinds and Holidays at the Garden. Check each one’s calendar for the exact nights; some close on certain days. ### Where are the rest of the December plans in Charlotte? The month’s dated listings are on the [December page](https://littlesweekly.com/charlotte/december/), and rink dates and skate aids are on the [ice skating page](https://littlesweekly.com/charlotte/ice-skating/). ### Where can we cut a Christmas tree near Charlotte? Choose-and-cut farms within about 40 miles, with wagon rides, Santa, cocoa and kid notes, are on the [Christmas tree farms page](https://littlesweekly.com/charlotte/christmas-tree-farms/). ### When is the tree lighting in Charlotte? Dates, times and what each organizer posts for kids are on the [tree lighting page](https://littlesweekly.com/charlotte/christmas-tree-lighting/). ### How do you check these holiday hours? Each listing comes from the venue’s or organizer’s own page and links to it. We only list a date, time or price when that page shows it, and anything we can’t confirm stays off. These were last checked Oct 21, 2026, and we recheck them in early December and again the week before Christmas. [How we choose and check](https://littlesweekly.com/how-we-choose/).