Carowinds Winterfest
✓ Last confirmed for the 2025 season
Where: 14523 Carowinds Blvd, Charlotte, North Carolina
When: Select nights November 28, 2025 - January 3, 2026
Hours: 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Cost: paid admission
holiday musicalsselect rides openlight showsSanta visitsseasonal treatshot chocolateattraction
Carowinds transforms into a holiday theme park for Winterfest, with light shows, holiday musicals, Santa visits, and a selection of rides running on select nights. Discounted admission has been available through Groupon.
Best time to arrive. Sunset in Charlotte is around 5:13 PM in mid-December, fully dark by about 5:41 PM. A typical December night here bottoms out near 32°F, so dress for standing around outside.
Other displays nearby
There is 1 other display within 5 miles of this one, and 26 within 15 miles. Most people make a loop of it rather than driving out for a single house.
- 6315 Baltray Road Display
- Hillwood Court Holiday Lights
- Christmas at the Billy Graham Library
- Carolina Holiday Light Spectacular at Ballantyne's Backyard
- 3520 Selwyn Avenue Light Show
- Michaud Family Christmas
- 4300 Rounding Run Road Display
- Dilworth Santa House
Make a night of it. This is stop 19 on our 21-stop Charlotte lights loop — about 44.6 miles and 191 minutes of driving in total.