Carolina Holiday Light Spectacular at Ballantyne's Backyard

Tickets are date-specific with a chosen arrival time (an Anytime ticket is also sold); buy in advance — weekends sell out and prices rise at the gate. Free parking at the Wells Fargo building, the only entrance. Paths are concrete or decked and fully accessible for strollers and wheelchairs.

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About this adventure

A walk-through Christmas light trail in Ballantyne, now in its fifth season, with millions of lights across more than 40 illuminated scenes that run end to end along concrete and decked paths (stroller and wheelchair friendly, with some gradual inclines). Every ticket includes free live entertainment from 6 to 9 p.m. — ballerinas performing inside illuminated globes, holiday singers and dancing elves — and free photos with Santa in Santa's Castle every open night through December 23 (bring your own phone or camera; no reservation). December 26–30 are Santa-free nights. Optional extras are sold separately: a Magic Snowflake Wand ($20) that sets off surprises at hidden snowflake stations, a four-ride carnival pack ($20 online) for the Ferris wheel, Bear Affair, Sooper Jet kiddie coaster and Rapid Slide, and VIP admission with hot chocolate and a fire-table lounge. Enter and park free at the Wells Fargo building; there is no entrance from the Ballantyne Bowl side. The show runs in light rain and pauses for lightning.