It’s the time of year again to enjoy the spectacular display of holiday lights at Village Park in Kannapolis at the annual Celebration of Lights. We visited the event on opening night and were thrilled to watch the annual Christmas tree-lighting celebration. Along with the FREE light display of over 250,000 lights adorning the trees and buildings, there are also some pretty unique things to do throughout the month-long celebration in this beautiful park.
The Celebration of Lights: Village Park, Kannapolis
From November 18th, 2023 – December 30th, 2023, Village Park in Kannapolis is illuminated by lights of all colors, animated light displays, and the town’s Christmas tree display that makes for a magical photo opportunity with your family. To complement the lights, you can also take a train ride around the park, ride a Venetian carousel, and meet with Santa. Or, take the walking trail and just enjoy the lights around the park. Either way, you’re in for a treat!
Ride the Winterland Express Train Through the Lights
One of the Celebration of Lights most popular attractions is the Winterland Express, a train ride weaving through the light displays! The g-24 scale replica train travels throughout the entire park, blowing its little whistle, while going through light tunnels and beside animated displays while you look for the 12 days of Christmas. The train gives guests the best view of the lights and is a lot of fun for all ages. For 2023, they even added an additional train.
The train runs every 10 minutes and is by reservation only during the week. You can purchase tickets for the Winterland Express for $2 per passenger through the City of Kannapolis. Guest can make train reservations for Sunday through Thursday, but Friday and Saturday will be walk-up only. All you have to do is print your ticket or bring your mobile ticket to the train depot for boarding. The popularity of this attraction makes lines grow long quickly, so keep that in mind and plan for a little bit of a wait.
The Carousel
The double-decker Venetian carousel was one of my daughter’s favorite experiences of the holiday season so far! The carousel is housed indoors at Village Park and features beautifully crafted horses, chariots, gorgeously painted in pastels, with 1800 lights along the Brazilian oak decking. We went on the carousel during opening night, so there was a significant line, but it didn’t take long before it was our turn. If you have a tendency for motion sickness, I would recommend grabbing one of the seats instead of standing beside the horse (I learned this very quickly).
Tickets for the carousel are $2 per person, and you do not need to make reservations ahead of time.
Meet With Santa, Roast S’mores, and More
It wouldn’t be a true holiday celebration without Santa! You can visit with Santa in his adorable studio and take a photo of your kids rattling off their growing Christmas list. Afterward, head over to the firepits to roast some delicious s’mores and enjoy the warmth. The Celebration of Lights will also have a 30-minute caroling experience from the Kannapolis Singing Bears every hour to really set the mood for the holidays.
Things to Know Before You Visit the Celebration of Lights
Bathrooms– There is a small bathroom located at the park that is kept fairly clean, along with a changing table in the largest stall in the women’s bathroom.
Fireworks occur on the opening night of the Celebration of Lights in conjunction with the annual tree-lighting ceremony. These start right as the tree is lit up, making for a truly magical experience.
Lines– If you plan to go to the event on opening night or during the weekend, expect longer lines for the attractions than if you visit during the week.
Parking– There is ample free parking at the Kannapolis YMCA, which is located right beside the park. You will also find free parking at Village Park.
Inclement weather– If the weather turns bad and the City of Kannapolis decides to cancel events for the night, you can use your tickets another night.
What is Your Favorite Part of the Kannapolis Celebration of Lights?
With more than four million lights, the Charlotte Motor Speedway Christmas lights at Speedway Christmas in Concord, NC is one of the biggest in the country and we’re here for it!
Thanks to Explore Cabarrus for media tickets and an overnight at the Homewood Suites by Hilton in Concord so we could review the experience for our readers. All opinions are our own.
Speedway Christmas Presented by Atrium Health is unique in that you get to drive your own car on the racetrack that is normally driven on by professional NASCAR drivers. Unfortunately, your mini-van will be going at a snail’s pace, but it’s still pretty cool. On the four-mile drive-thru course, visitors get to view displays consisting of over four million lights! The Charlotte Motor Speedway Christmas lights are easily one of the biggest displays in the country and there is just so much to see.
The Speedway is about an hour and 45 minutes from Greenville so if you want to stay overnight nearby, we’ve got just the place to do so at the Embassy Suites in Concord. Read on for the full review.
The Completely Epic Light Display with the Speedway Christmas Lights
There are four miles of more than four million lights at the Speedway Christmas. I’ve been to most of the Christmas light drive-through shows in our area so had a decent idea of what to expect but I can say with confidence that I was wrong. This light show is just unreal with so many cool surprises that it kept my kids and me enamored the whole time. For 2023, you get to see some awesome beach-themed displays in celebration of the theme, A Christmas Beach Party.
Entering the Racetrack for the Charlotte Motor Speedway Christmas Lights
Once you get past the gate, you’ll go right onto the massive track. I had to squash the urge to floor it because really, how many times do you get to drive on a real racetrack? I did no flooring and went very slow with my headlights off like the other drivers, which is exactly what you need to do, so pay attention.
You will follow along with a string of red or blue lights, so you don’t have to worry about taking a wrong turn. If you’re behind someone going super slow, there are several places to pass cars if you want to do that. The speedway also recommends that slower traffic stay to the right, so those who want to go a little faster through the light show can pass on the left.
The First Section of Lights
There are three different areas of the light display but they all sync up to Christmas music that you listen to through your car radio. The first section is more of a fun light display with Santa doing funny things. As you enter the racetrack, you will see lots of animated displays following the theme. Wakeboarding Santa, Penguins splashing into a pool, Santa cruising on a boat with his reindeer friends shooting a canon of light, just to name a few.
The Second Section of Lights
The second section is a massive display of flashing lights from the bottom of the Speedway up through the seating area. This is where you will begin driving through a couple of light tunnels. You will also see the synchronized light displays with giant Christmas trees matching the beat of the songs coming from your 101.3FM radio channel with the LED light displays along the bleachers. This was probably my kid’s favorite part of the drive because of how many lights were dancing to the music.
The Final Section of Lights
The third and final section is tunnels full of lights – it’s super cool. As you leave the infield Christmas Village, you get to drive through the last portion of the lights display, which honestly, was my personal favorite. You will come across an area where you can pull off and look over all the lights, which was really neat to see.
You will also go through several light tunnels. The tunnels were done so well, and each one is unique in shape and color display. You also get to see some really unique animated and stationary light displays! Our favorites were the two astronauts, a ballerina pig, and a snowman being built through animation.
The entire light show took us around 45 minutes to drive through if you choose not to stop at the Christmas Village.
The Christmas Village at the Speedway
Once you go through the bulk of the park, you will be guided to the infield parking lot. Here, you have the option to stop at the Christmas Village and/or see the drive-in movie playing.
The Christmas Village has a lot to do! The arches of lights, giant illuminated snowflakes, and “snow bubbles” that release a puff of smoke when they pop were some of my young daughter’s favorites. They also have a really cool FREE 360-camera experience for 2023. Your family stands on a platform as a camera zooms around you three times, giving you a unique holiday memory to enjoy!
Indoor Activities: Santa and More
The indoor section of the Christmas Village has two unique mazes, Christmas crafts at the elf village, vendors, decorated Christmas trees, and the opportunity to take photos with Santa. Santa was really kind, and your child can choose to stand or sit beside him. They even offer a little stool in case a parent needs to kneel down to keep their kids from getting nervous before rattling off this Christmas list. Pictures with Santa start at $10 for 1 photo.
Outdoor Food Court
The food truck lane has a lot of vendors with everything from Gyros to hot apple cider. One of the cooler food court stalls is the kettlecorn popcorn guy. My kids (and husband) enjoyed watching him flip the giant popcorn maker and reveal the sweet goodness that is delicious kettle corn. Plus, his stall has a little train engine on top that blows smoke every once in a while, which made us giggle.
We ended our food court adventure by purchasing some marshmallows to roast by the fire. We rocked in the rocking chairs, ate marshmallows drank cider, and just enjoyed the vibes. Afterwards, we visited the reindeer (animated, but so adorable!) for the kids to pet. They are super soft and look so real!
Drive-In Movie
And then, perhaps my favorite thing – a drive-in movie. The Speedway makes use of one of its huge screens to show different holiday movies. You can park your car facing the screen, tune your radio to the channel dedicated to the movie, eat some popcorn, and watch the movie. My kids wanted to sit in the car and watch the film so that’s what I let them do because #Christmas. They thought it was really neat.
Drive-in movie at the Speedway Christmas
Here’s the movie schedule for 2023:
November 17-19: “Christmas Vacation”
November 23-26: “The Grinch” presented by Bojangles
November 30-Dec 3: Classic Christmas shorts presented by Food Lion
December 7-10: “White Christmas” presented by Cook Out
December 14-19: “Elf” presented by AutoBell
December 20-23: “Polar Express” presented by Cook Out
December 28-31: “Home Alone”
There are also bathrooms right inside the Christmas Village as well as directly next to the drive-in movie, which is really nice since the route does take a while to drive.
The Christmas Village is closed on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday.
Tips to Enjoy the Speedway Christmas
Knowing what to expect helps everyone enjoy the lights.
Wait Times
Because this is such a hugely popular attraction, the wait may be long. This can be said of most holiday light events anywhere during the holiday season. Make sure everyone has taken a bathroom break before heading towards the Speedway and have snacks on hand. In past years, the wait times have gotten up to more than two hours.
We went on opening night for the 2023 season right when they opened at 6 pm and while we were able to skip the lines with an Express Lane pass thanks to Explore Cabarrus, we did pass the main entrance and there was hardly a line.
On busy nights, the express pass will save you about an hour of that two-hour wait. The Express Lane has a different entrance (5197 Morehead Road, Concord) than the Main Gate and there are signs indicating where you need to go.
Visiting Monday through Wednesday is suggested because attendance will be at its lowest on those days.
Bathrooms
The Speedway has set up port-a-potties along the route for guests to use if they need to. You do need to remain in your car while driving but there is plenty of room to pull over for these bathrooms if you need. You will also find clean bathrooms at the Christmas Village.
Pets
Pets are allowed but they must stay in your car the entire time, including if you choose to visit the Christmas Village
Purchasing Tickets
Guests have the option to purchase tickets ahead of time online at Charlotte Motor Speedway’s website but they also have passes available at the gate. The tickets you purchase online must be used on the date you choose so if you’re not sure when you’re going, you can just purchase your ticket at the gate. Stay tuned to the website to be notified of any closures due to bad weather.
Dress for the Weather
The light show obviously happens during the colder winter months so dress for the weather with jackets, hats, and gloves, especially if you want to go to the Christmas Village, much of which is outdoors.
Tickets for Speedway Christmas
Ticket prices range from $35-$45 per car depending on when you go. General admission tickets are typically $35 Monday through Wednesday, and $45 Thursday through Sunday night are more expensive.
On Thursdays through Sundays, there is also an express lane option for $75. If you have more than 15 people in your vehicle, you’ll be paying the van and bus rate of $140 to $175.
While Monday through Wednesday visits are cheaper, remember that the Christmas Village is not open on these days. The exception is December 18th through the 20th, 2023 when the village will be open and tickets will be at the regular $45 price.
Speedway Christmas runs from Friday, November 17, 2023, through January 7th, 2024.
Honest Mom Review of Charlotte Motor Speedway Christmas Lights
My kids and I just loved this light show. It was almost overwhelming how many lights there were at the Speedway Christmas. I kept thinking, “How long did all of this take to set up?”! It is very well done and obvious the organizers take great pride in the light display and making sure it’s top-notch.
Part of the Christmas Village at the Speedway Christmas
For kids who may have sensory issues, the light show may be a little much in some parts. I thought the Christmas Village and drive-in movie was a great rest stop to just hang out and enjoy the atmosphere before heading out to the last part of the show. And staying nearby at the Embassy Suites was fantastic. I didn’t need to worry about driving home late at night and my kids could enjoy the pool before bed. We were at the light show in its entirety – driving and the Christmas Village – about an hour and a half total.
Cabarrus, North Carolina
We think spending a day in Cabarrus, North Carolina is a great day trip. We’ve had several of our writers spend a lot of time there and have stories on some of the fun things to do in Cabarrus County, NC. You can spend the day there or make it a weekend with a stay in the Great Wolf Lodge, another favorite destination for us, here at Kidding Around. Regardless of the length of your trip, we think the Charlotte Motor Speedway’s light display should be on your itinerary.
Lodging in Concord near the Speedway
Embassy Suites in Concord
Explore Cabarrus sent us to stay at the lovely Embassy Suites in Concord in 2022 right off I-85 and five minutes from the Speedway. I’ve stayed at Embassy Suites in the past and always like them for their spacious rooms, free breakfasts, and great amenities.
The room we had was a one-bedroom suite with a living space area, full bathroom, and a bedroom with a closed door. The beds were comfortable and there was plenty of space for my two kids and I. But this could easily fit a family of five even since the couch in the living space area is a pullout.
Embassy Suites Concord, NC Pool
The free breakfast in the morning was a hit with my kids. They had pancakes, eggs, French toast, yogurt, cereal, toast, biscuits and gravy, fruit, and a made-to-order omelet and waffle station. They also had coffee, tea, and juice.
This Embassy Suites also had a heated indoor pool, which my kids enjoyed after we went to the light show. It was a great way to wind down the night.
Homewood Suites By Hilton Concord/Charlotte
For our visit in 2023, Explore Cabbarus sent us to Homewood Suites by Hilton, located right beside the Embassy Suites. This lovely hotel is located right off of 1-85 and is only a 5-minute drive from the Charlotte Motor Speedway Christmas lights. It is also close to tons of options for dining.
The hotel check-in was a breeze, and all the staff we interacted with were extremely helpful and kind. Our room was very clean, and even smelled good when we entered (that is always a good sign!) Our room was a suite, with a kitchen and living room, with a separate bedroom with double queen beds. The separate bedroom really helped us out because were able to put the kids down to bed, and then rest in the living room. We were very happy that the hotel was clean, quiet, and close to everything we would need.
The hotel offers free breakfast in the morning, which my husband took full advantage of. We had fresh waffles from the “make your own” waffle station, a mix of fruit, sausage patties, delicious muffins, cheesy omelets, orange juice, and fresh coffee.
Other Lodging
If you need another place to stay near the Speedway, you can see the map below. This article contains Stay22 affiliate links.
There’s a lot to do in Concord and the Speedway Christmas show is a great way to end a day or weekend trip to Cabarrus County!
Have you made it out to the Charlotte Motor Speedway Christmas lights? What was your favorite part?
It’s finally the time of year to see some dazzling displays of Christmas lights! Charlotte, NC has options to drive through thousands of lights, or your family can explore the lights as you walk about. There is something for every family. Plus, many of these events have extra attractions, including snow tubing, ice skating, and visits with Santa.
We even added a few neighborhoods you can drive through to give your kids a quick burst of joy on your way home. So get that hot chocolate ready. Here’s everything you need to enjoy the season with the illuminated magic of lights!
One of the most magical things about the holidays is the twinkly, dazzling lights around the city. These professional light displays take that magic to another level! With thousands of LED lights, holiday installations, decorated Christmas trees, and winter wonderland attractions, these drive-through Christmas light displays are an awesome memory maker for your kids.
Charlotte Motor Speedway, Concord, NC November 17, 2023 – January 7, 2024 Admission cost: $35 – $175; Weekends are more expensive. Express passes are available for $75 per car.
The annual Speedway Christmas at the Charlotte Motor Speedway is a unique experience that your kids will absolutely love! One of the most popular Christmas Lights events in North Carolina, you’ll be blown away by over 5 million synchronized lights as you drive through a 4-mile course. Plus, you get to drive on the iconic race track! There is also a Christmas Village where you can stop and enjoy an illuminated walking trail, photos with Santa, market vendors, food, and smores by the fire.
Village Park, Kannapolis, NC November 19th, 2023 – December 30th, 2023 Admission cost: Free; Train Ride: $2 per person; Carousel: $2 per person
Take a walk through the 250,000 dazzling lights that adorn Village Park in Kannapolis during their annual Celebration of Lights. Your kids will be bursting with excitement to ride the Winterland Express, a train ride that cruises through the light displays. Your family can also enjoy the carousel, make s’mores, visit with Santa, and enjoy Christmas carols. The light displays will not be open on Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve, and Christmas Day, so plan accordingly.
Village Park is an awesome place to visit any time of year. We absolutely love the beautiful carousel. Don’t miss this one! Here’s our Kidding Around Review of Village Park!
McAdenville, NC December 1, 2023 – December 26, 2023 Admission cost: Free
If you are looking for a truly immersive holiday experience, then Christmas Town USA should be on your holiday bucket list! You can drive through the town and see the astounding number of light displays and decorated houses. Or, you can take a walk around and feel the magic.
Be sure to check out the tree lighting ceremony on December 1st, in addition to the annual Christmas parade and Yule Log Ceremony on December 14th, 2023. We recommend visiting during the week to avoid long lines and cars because this experience is super popular.
Rosie’s Coffee and Wine Bar Decorates for Christmas
940 North Davidson Street, Charlotte Admission: Free
You can enjoy a beautiful Christmas display with your coffee or wine on the patio at Rosie’s Coffee and Wine Bar. Their 2023 display is nearly ready! Get a sneak peek in their Instagram post below.
Truist Field, Charlotte, NC November 22, 2023 – January 1st, 2024 Admission Cost: $10+ for entry only; $40+ for all activities; Ages 3 and under are free
You can take a walk through Truist Field and enjoy over 10,000 lights! They have some pretty epic additions to the lights, including snow tubing, ice skating, visits with Santa and Mrs. Claus, and lots of beautiful, larger-than-life decorations.
You’ll also want to check out The Market, which has 20 vendors selling everything from donuts to glow toys, perfect for your upcoming gift exchange. Be sure to check the schedule before heading to the field if you plan to see Santa, he’s a busy man this time of year and is only available during specific times.
Ballantyne’s Backyard, Charlotte, NC December 7th, 2023 – December 30th, 2023 Admission cost: $10 – $20 for general admission. Preordering tickets is recommended.
Enjoy the season with a half-mile walk along a trail that is illuminated with over 1 million lights! The display at Ballantyne’s is unique in that the displays, lights, hundreds of decorated trees, and other installations are so strategically designed that you are truly immersed in the lights.
Plus, there is Christmas music to enjoy, an Alpine Avalanche Snow Tube slide, several kid’s activities, performers, food trucks, and nightly visits from Santa. The trail is stroller-friendly, so you can take your time exploring. The tree lighting ceremony happens on opening night, which is sure to be a spectacular experience!
Fun & Festive: Lights Plus Lots of Fun Things to Do
What’s better than mini golf? Um, mini golf with lots of Christmas lights of course! Play through the festive course, complete with glowing pirate ships lit by strands and strands of lights. In years past they’ve had a life-size snow globe photo op, snowfalling, and other activities.
Carowinds, Charlotte, NC November 17, 2023 – January 1, 2023 Admission cost: $32.99+
Dazzling Christmas light display AND roller coasters! Count us in. Carowinds is already an epic experience, but each winter they break out thousands of lights for Winterfest. You will also enjoy live holiday performances, ice skating, holiday foods, a parade with decorated floats, and more.
Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden, Belmont, NC November 24th, 2023 – December 23rd, 2023 Admission cost: $15 – $25; children under 2 are free.
There is something special about a garden display adorned with lights, especially with its perfectly curated display! Enjoy the dazzling lights, fountains, a cozy outdoor fire, and food trucks while you walk about the botanical garden. Tickets are timed entry, with a 5 pm and 7 pm option. It is recommended to purchase your tickets online, and members receive a discount.
Kings Mountain Christmas Extravaganza
Patriot’s Park 202 South Railroad Ave, Kings Mountain 2023 TBA- Likely end of November through New Year’s Day FREE Kings Mountain Christmas Extravaganza
Christmas lights with an extraordinary history, hand-made by the Costner family, and taken over by Kings Mountain after their passing, the extravagant Christmas spirit lives on. Bring the family and walk through this amazing display.
Kings Mountain Downtown Christmas Lights
After checking out the Christmas Extravaganza, you can enjoy a free synchronized light show in Downtown Kings Mountain!
Tryon Equestrian Center Drive time from Charlotte: About an hour and a half Admission: $30-35 per car, $10-12 per child for Winterfest Village activities (no charge for adults)
Shadrack’s Christmas Wonderland andWinterfest Village is a very popular option in Tryon, NC, not too far from the Upstate. The drive-thru light experience at the Tryon Equestrian International Center runs nightly from November 17, 2023 – January 7, 2024, from 6-10 pm. The Winterfest Village is open weekends in December through December 23rd from 5-9 pm with activities like bounce houses, carousel rides and visits with Santa.
Columbia, SC
Worth the drive from Charlotte, Columbia has a couple of really awesome lights displays. You can check them all out in our Columbia, SC Christmas Lights Guide.
We have two favorites in the Columbia area!
Holiday Lights on the River at Saluda Shoals
6071 St. Andrews Road, Columbia, SC November 23 through December 31, 2023 Cost: $25 per car; $50 for passenger vans
Holiday Lights on the River is a drive-through Christmas Lights Display in Saluda Shoals. In addition to lights, there are a bunch of activities including a giant slide, smores, letters to Santa, and more.
Segra Park, 1640 Freed Street, Columbia November 16th, 2023- December 31st, 2023 Cost: $10-12 per person
Fireflies Holiday Lights was new last year and we loved our visit. You’ll get to walk through massive lights displays in Segra Park, Columbia’s baseball venue. Then you can enjoy visits with Santa, smores, and even a tree farm!
Great Neighborhoods to See Christmas Lights in Charlotte
If you are looking for a way to see some lights on an evening drive with the kids without having to pay any money, a Christmas lights drive through these Charlotte area neighborhoods will not disappoint. These festive neighborhoods gather each year to decorate their streets to spread the magic of the Christmas season.
Ardrey Neighborhood: This neighborhood goes all out, with most houses participating in decorating their homes. You’ll see Christmas lights, decorated trees, holiday installations, and more. Take a drive through the area, or park and let your kids walk the sidewalks. GPS Wheatfield Road, Charlotte if you need navigation.
Plaza Midwood: The Plaza Midwood has a unique tradition of adorning the tree-lined streets with Christmas light balls! They are colorful and beautiful, making it a great stop while driving around looking for lights with the kids.
Hillside Avenue: If you head near Myers Park in Charlotte, you’ll come across the gorgeous display of lights on Hillside Avenue. Light balls adorn most of the trees, and your kid’s eyes will sparkle while they enjoy the drive through the neighborhood.
Private Property Displays
1417 Deer Spring Court, Indian Trail, NC This walk through display is lit from 5 pm to 10 pm until January 2nd, 2024
The Catawba Science Center in Hickory, NC has so much to explore! See animals, build, learn about physics, space, gardens and more! We checked it out and have all the information you need to enjoy a fun day here as a day trip from Greenville, SC, or Charlotte, NC, or anywhere in between!
Ever since I got my Roper Mountain Science Center membership, I’ve started planning day trips and homeschool field trips according to where my family can get in for free or half-price using the reciprocal membership benefits. The Catawba Science Center in Hickory, NC was on the list so that’s where we went.
Have you visited Village Park in Kannapolis, NC? Not only does this park have two amazing playgrounds and multiple picnic shelters, but you’ll also find North Carolina’s only double-decker carousel lit with 1800 lights! As if that weren’t enough, the park also has a real miniature train that families can ride around the park. Tickets for the carousel and train are very inexpensive. Topping all that off is a free holiday light display and seasonal events. We loved our visit to Village Park in Kannapolis and we have all the information for you!
Village Park Carousel
Manufactured in Italy, this carousel is the only double-decker carousel in North Carolina. It features over 1,800 lights, hand-painted murals, and traditional carousel music. The classic carousel is set beside a green space as you enter the park in its own covered shelter, making this park feel whimsical and inviting.
Tickets to ride the carousel at Village Park are $1.50.
Think your kids are too big? Think again. Even my preteens enjoyed a whirl on this carousel.
Village Park Train
The train shed at Village Park is located across from the carousel. From there, families can hop on board the rotary express train and ride around the park, past the splash pad, both playgrounds, and across the paved and shaded walking paths. The train is a g-24 scale replica CP Huntington engine.
Tickets to ride the rail at Village Park are $1.50. The train hours are seasonal, running weekends April through mid-October and daily in the summer. Find exact hours on the Kannapolis Parks website.
Purchase tickets for both the train and the carousel at the exterior window of the main building at the park’s entrance.
City of Kannapolis, Village Park Playgrounds
Climb high, bounce, swing, and slide at both of Village Park’s playgrounds. Located side by side, one playground is intended for the 5 and under crowd, while the other is meant for older kids. We loved the climbing options and long slides at this park!
Paved Walking Trails
Taking a walk or a run? The paved walking trails at Village Park and connected to other trails in the area could be just the right place for you. You can take the 2-mile loop between Village Park and Bakers Creek Park on the 8th Street Greenway and the Bakers Creek Greenway.
The splash pad at Village Park is amazing. Great free fun on a hot summer day.
Free and Cheap Holiday Fun at Village Park in Kannapolis
We love FREE and low-cost holiday fun, and Villiage Park is packed with it. They have a totally free holiday light display with thousands of lights! Walk through the displays at your own pace for a magical holiday experience. Check out the FREE Holiday Lights at Village Park.
Or, if you want to turn it up a notch, book tickets for the park’s holiday train, the Winterland Express! Tickets are $2 per person. Ride the train through the park’s lights and see them in a whole new way. End your evening with a ride on the two-story carousel for just $2 per person.
Tree Lighting Celebration for the Holiday Season
The Kannapolis tree lighting at Village Park is one of the park’s most exciting events of the year! Thousands gather throughout the park on Saturday evening before Thanksgiving to see the park illuminated by 250,000 lights strung through trees, along buildings, and adorning the Christmas tree in the green space of the park. To kick off the Celebration of Lights, there is an annual Tree Lighting Ceremony.
The Tree Lighting Ceremony
When the ceremony begins, various speakers say a little about the past year and the year that is to come. Then, the crowd is introduced to Santa Claus himself! As he counts down with the crowd, the large Christmas tree illuminates as the crowd hits 1, along with dozens of LED Christmas trees that surround to tree. This creates a gorgeous display of color, and the crowd begins to move and weave through the trees, now bright with the Christmas spirit!
Where to Gather Your Family for the Tree Lighting Ceremony
You can sit pretty much anywhere in the circumference of the tree to get a good view. If you plan to ride the carousel, train, or visit Santa right after the lighting, I would recommend standing toward the back closer to the lines for those activities. The lines grow long quickly, so anything you can do to get you closer to the front of the line, the better. The train lines seem to be the longest of the three attractions, so if that is on your holiday bucket list, stay close to that line during the tree lighting ceremony.
You can also choose to stand closer to the main stage area to hear the wonderful messages from community leaders. Here, your kids will get an up-close view of Santa as he greets the park! There are also a few carols sung, and you are best able to hear and enjoy the thrill of the countdown here (it’s a little hard to hear once you get closer to the tree).
Fireworks
My family’s favorite part of the tree lighting ceremony was hands down the fireworks that immediately preceded the lights. The fireworks rose into the sky behind and to the left of the main stage, so we were able to position ourselves so that the fireworks rose into the sky right above the Christmas tree.
The fireworks display lasted around 5 minutes and was a great way to start the celebration and helped stabilize the crowd movement for a few minutes. If you have little ones, be sure to bring ear protection (our two-year-old didn’t find the fireworks as thrilling as the rest of us).
Celebration of Lights
This free holiday light display in Village Park is daily from November 18th through December 30th, 2023. Hours are Sunday through Thursday 6 pm to 9 pm and Friday and Saturday 6 pm to 10 pm. The display will be closed on Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve, and Christmas Day.
In addition to the lights, Santa will be on-site to visit with the kids every evening! Plus enjoy live holiday music, entertainment, crafts, and a miniature train display.
Are you looking for Kids Eat Free deals in Charlotte? We have got you covered! This list of Charlotte-area restaurants offers free or discounted kid’s meal deals on various days of the week, so you won’t have to cook dinner!
Note: Restaurants frequently alter their promotions and many of these restaurants have multiple locations. We encourage you to check with the location you are visiting beforehand to confirm that the promotional deal is still active.
Quick Links for Charlotte, NC Kids Eat Free deals on the specific day you are looking for!
Carolina Raptor Center is located just north of Charlotte in Huntersville, NC. The center is home to falcons, hawks, owls, eagles and vultures from all over the world. Visitors can view these magnificent raptors up close, and learn about their individual stories and unique characteristics that help them survive in the wild. The center also offers educational programming for groups. KAG contributor, Maria Bassett, shares a visit she and her children took to the Carolina Raptor Center.
What is a Raptor?
Raptors. We see them in the sky far above us, soaring and circling, their sharp eyes keenly searching out their next meal. They don’t sing, or entertain us with their bright colors at our feeders. They don’t visit our backyard feeders at all (except maybe to snack on the songbirds themselves). In fact, we rarely get the chance to see anything but their silhouettes overhead. And yet they catch our attention. What makes these birds so unique? If you want to know, you will find the drive to Carolina Raptor Center well worth it!
Raptors are meat eating birds that catch their prey with their talons (unlike other birds who may eat meat that catch their prey with their beaks- think birds and worms, or penguins and fish). They are equipped with many special features that give them the ability to accomplish this task. From sharp talons, to third eyelids and tiny bones that act as sun visors, you’ll be amazed at all you’ll learn in just a few hours at the center.
How About a Field Trip?
Educational groups who plan a visit to the center can schedule a presentation from a very knowledgeable staff member. Our group was able to view and learn about three different raptors. We learned about each bird’s special features, how they train the raptors, where the birds come from, what they eat and more, all while getting an extremely close view of these magnificent creatures.
This presentation was easily the best part of our visit. The children (and adults) in attendance were so excited to see each bird as our guide brought them out. The guide kept everyone interested and engaged. Being a homeschool family that likes to school as much as we can through experiences, I have to say, this was one of the best educational presentations we’ve ever had the pleasure to view.
Fieldtrip groups also have the added benefit of a significant per person discount. The center has pre-planned programming, but will also customize for your group. Homeschoolers, you do not have to be part of an organized group to schedule these field trip programs! Gather some adventure-loving homeschool families with children of similar ages and make your own group!
The Trail
The trail at CRC is open to all paying guests. The trail area is where you will view the center’s various raptors in their habitats. It’s a mostly shaded, gravel path and easily walkable. We had a few strollers in our group who had no problem with the path. Along the trail you’ll see raptors divided by their types; a grouping of owls, a loop of falcons, a section of vultures, the eagle aviary, and lineup of hawks. This allows you to easily compare them within their raptor families.
The trail also contains an exhibit showing the center’s raptors who regularly help out in the educational presentations, as well as an exhibit showing some of the work the raptor hospital onsite does regularly. The hospital is not regularly open to the public; however, they offer a behind-the-scenes tour and the exhibit “A Day in the Life of a Raptor Hospital.”
Spending the Day at Carolina Raptor Center
If you plan to spend a large portion of your day at CRC, you should know that there is no onsite food vendor. The gift shop sells snacks, ice cream bars, and popsicles. If you plan to have lunch, you’ll need to bring it with you. (There isn’t much in the way of fast food nearby, either.)
The center has several places to picnic, one is alongside a nature play area. The play area contains teeter totters made out of sanded logs, a sand pit, sliced log blocks, a wooden play house, and a small area where children can view pictures of raptor nests and try to recreate them with nearby materials.
Getting to CRC
Carolina Raptor Center is located about 20 minutes north of Charlotte. As you approach the center, follow signs for the nature preserve. As you pass the preserve, you’ll soon approach the raptor center on your left. The first entrance is for the raptor hospital, the second entrance is the clearly marked main entrance to Carolina Raptor Center. Google Maps brought us right to the visitor center parking lot with no problem.
Address: Carolina Raptor Center, 6000 Sample Road, Huntersville, NC 28078
Admission and Hours
Hours are 10 am to 4 pm daily. They close from 12:30 pm to 1:30 pm, meaning the gift shop, ticketing and restrooms are closed from 12:30 to 1:30 pm, but guests already on the Raptor Trail do not have to leave.
Admission: $12 adults, $10 seniors, teachers, military, $8 Students ages 4 and up, Free for children ages 3 and under.
Bring the Learning Home
Here are some great books you can find on Amazon or at the library about raptors:
Birds of Prey (Peterson Field Guide)- J 598.9L
Discovering Birds of Prey by M.J. Thomas- J 598.9 T
Animal Lives: The Barn Owl- J 598.97
Eyewitness Book: Eagle and Birds of Prey- J 598.9
Your family might also enjoy reading My Side of the Mountain, by Jean Craighead George, as well as the sequels. The main character in these stories trains a peregrine falcon to help him hunt as he tries to live on his own, off of the land.
Consider having students bring a sketchbook and sketch a few of the raptors they see. Clearly label the sketches. When you get home, have students look up information about the raptors they drew. Consider a writing assignment, creative poster, flyer, brochure, or some other type of assignment that incorporates the sketches. Similarly, families could take photographs of the birds and complete a family project, like a bulletin board or scrapbook, about what they learned.
Love Raptors?
Enjoy your visit to CRC? Looking for a little more? Consider visiting Caesar’s Head State Park this fall to observe the migration of thousands of raptors as they pass above the cliff on their way to their winter homes. Check out the Kidding Around Greenville story on Hawk Watch. You are likely to only see them from the sky, but they are still quite impressive.
Have you been to SouthTown Wake Park? Summer adventures are calling us, and new and exciting things become harder to find towards the end of the season. We made a discovery in Rock Hill, SC, that will have you hopping in the car and making the trip to York County! SouthTown Wake Park has something to keep everyone entertained, no matter how adventurous you are!
Just about 90 minutes from here is one of my favorite day trip destinations. York County, South Carolina, has so many fun adventures to enjoy. My children and I have made countless trips and have yet to scrape the surface of possibilities. However, SouthTown Wake Park is worth the trip all on its own! This Aquapark has something for all adventure levels, so don’t worry if you don’t share the same enthusiasm for watersports with the rest of your family.
Wake-Boarding at SouthTown Wake Park
Traditionally wakeboarding consists of a boat pulling a rider around a body of water from a two rope, while they stand on a single ski. At SouthTown Wakepark riders are pulled around one of two lakes by a cable system. This activity is fun and in no time you can be zipping across the lake. SouthTown also offers wakeboarding if you have never done anything like this and want to ease into it.
The instructor will start you out on the straight cable, where there aren’t any features to complicate things. Here you will learn the basics and what to do if you let go of the cable system. Once you feel at ease, it’s on to the lake with the ramps and a cable system that loops the lake. Don’t worry, you won’t be jumping any features just yet, you’ll just work on holding on as that cable rounds the corner.
Wakeboarding is one of the fastest-growing extreme sports, and my son loved his time on the lake. He took to it and if we lived closer, he would be there every week.
$25 – 20-minute one-on-one coaching session (including rentals) on the training cable
$15 for rental of required gear (board, life vest and helmet)
The Floating Obstacle Course At SouthTown Wake Park
SouthTown also has a floating obstacle course for families to enjoy. This is a great activity to tire those kids out, as it takes a ton of energy to climb and jump over the obstacles. While you don’t need to be straight off the set of “American Ninja Warrior” to enjoy the course, I do caution you against participating if you have any back issues. While falling off the platform requires little effort, pulling yourself back up onto the platform requires a bit more muscle.
Ages 7+ and at least 48″ tall – 45 minutes session starts at $18 per person
For younger kids, and parents that aren’t into the excitement involved in the previously mentioned activities, SouthTown offers kayaking and paddleboarding. Parents can paddle across the lake with the younger kids, over to the floating obstacle course to wave hi! That way everyone gets some time out on the water. This is a great way to practice in a controlled environment if you are considering investing in paddlesports for your family (which we encourage!)
Dry Land Activities at SouthTown Wake Park
In addition to all of the fun on the water that is offered at SouthTown, they also have things that don’t require you to get wet. Land-lovers can enjoy a game of disc golf or cornhole. There are picnic tables to sit at and the pro-shop offers soft drinks and ice cream for sale.
The $64 First Time All Access Pass is the best deal for those new to wakeboarding and gets you everything you need for an entire day at SouthTown Wakepark!
a 20-minute one-on-one Getting Started Lesson on our training cable
2 hours of wakeboarding or kneeboarding on the main cable
Our complimentary fun at SouthTown Wake Park was arranged by Visit York County, all words and opinions of the writer are honest and genuine. All the info you need to make the most of a trip to York County, South Carolina can be found on Kidding Around!
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