# Santa's Private Workshop: Elf Academy — Carolina Holiday Light Spectacular > Event for families in the Charlotte–Concord–Gastonia area (NC / SC). Times are Eastern Time. - When: Nov 27 – Dec 23 · 5:15 PM – 6:00 PM - Where: Ballantyne's Backyard (Carolina Holiday Light Spectacular), 11611 N. Community House Rd, Charlotte, NC 28277 - Ages: Children (10 per night); up to 2 parents or guardians may attend - Price: $49 per child presale, $68 after the initial pricing period, plus taxes & fees; show admission required separately for the child and parents - Organizer: Carolina Holiday Light Spectacular (Holiday Light Spectacular) - Official page: https://tickets.lightsmagicjoy.com/e/carolina-holiday-light-spectacular - Last checked: Tue, Oct 27 Source: Grassy Knees is a directory of real family events, places and programs for kids across major U.S. metro areas, where every listing is researched from the organizer’s own page and shows the date we last checked it. https://grassyknees.com covers 42 metro areas as of Nov 2, 2026, with more added regularly. About: https://grassyknees.com/about Freshness: listings are re-checked on a daily research run (latest check 2026-11-01), and new events are added as organizers post them. Sell-outs, weather cancellations and time changes show up on the live page first: https://grassyknees.com/charlotte/activities/santa-s-private-workshop-elf-academy-carolina-holiday-light-spectacula--listing-dc99b5899b0f73cfe7bf11e4 ## About New for 2026 at the Carolina Holiday Light Spectacular in Ballantyne: a small-group Santa visit where, each open night through December 23, Santa opens his private workshop to just ten children for about 45 minutes before the light trail gets busy. Children learn 'North Pole secrets', sing and color with Santa and join a special activity, then go home with free photos (taken on your own phone or camera), a personalized digital Elf Academy Certificate, an Official Elf Academy Badge and access to a digital park companion with the trail map, Santa's tips and trivia. Up to two parents or guardians may come along, but everyone — child and parents — needs a separate show admission ticket. It suits young children who find crowded Santa lines overwhelming or families who want unhurried time with Santa. Spots are sold online only with no gate sales, check-in is by 5 p.m., late arrivals are not refunded, and once a night is full it is full. ## Similar picks in Charlotte - [OMB Christmas Market and Santa Saturdays — Ballantyne Brauhaus](https://grassyknees.com/charlotte/activities/omb-christmas-market-and-santa-saturdays-ballantyne-brauhaus--listing-7b465d81d911621d52b036e5) — Fri, Nov 27 (+11 more dates) · The Olde Mecklenburg Brewery Ballantyne · All ages · checked Oct 30. 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