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Tree Lightings in Charlotte 2025: Free and Festive Ways to Celebrate the Holidays
The holidays in Charlotte are full of free, family-friendly events that make the season sparkle. Christmas tree lightings are among the most magical. From Uptown’s bright stadium show to small-town charm in Fort Mill and Waxhaw, these celebrations bring the community together with music, lights, and holiday cheer.
Here’s my recommended guide to Charlotte-area Christmas tree lightings 2025 which all offering free ways to celebrate the holidays across the Queen City and beyond.
Friday, November 15
🎄 Kannapolis Tree Lighting Ceremony
Time: 6:00 PM
Location: Village Park, 700 West C St., Kannapolis, NC
Details: Celebrate the start of the Christmas season with the Annual Kannapolis Tree Lighting Ceremony! Enjoy live music, entertainment, and fireworks immediately following the tree lighting at approximately 6:15 PM. Free admission for all ages.
Tuesday, November 18
🎄 Carolina Panthers & Charlotte FC Tree Lighting presented by Belk
Time: 5:30 PM – 9:00 PM
Location: Bank of America Stadium, 410 S. Mint St., Charlotte, NC
Details: Join the Panthers and Charlotte FC for the 12th annual Tree Lighting! This beloved Charlotte tradition features a spectacular stage show, the lighting of a 50-foot Norway Spruce, and festive fun including hot chocolate, crafts, Santa visits, and more. Free community event—mobile tickets required for entry.
More Here: Carolina Panthers Tree Lighting
Friday, November 21
🎄 Concord Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony
Time: 6:00 PM – 8:30 PM
Location: Downtown Concord, NC
Details: Celebrate the season with the 28th Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony featuring children’s activities, live music, and fireworks. Free and family-friendly!
More Here: Concord Tree Lighting and Parade
Saturday, November 22
🎄 The Lighting of Birkdale Village
Time: 2:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Location: Birkdale Village, Huntersville, NC
Details: Get in the holiday spirit with festive music, performances, and activities for the whole family. Enjoy face painting, glitter tattoos, Santa’s Elves, magicians, a petting zoo, letters to Santa, festive drinks, Birkdale on Ice skating, dance performances, the annual parade, and the tree lighting ceremony at 6:00 PM.
Details Here: Birkdale Village Tree Lighting
🎄 Blakeney Town Center “All is Bright” Holiday Tree Lighting
Time: 3:00 PM – 6:00 PM
Location: Blakeney Town Center, Charlotte, NC
Details: Kick off the magical holiday season with visits from Santa, hot cocoa, games, face painting, balloon artists, and a special performance by the Hawk Ridge Elementary 3rd Grade Choir.
More Here: Blakeney Tree Lighting
🎄 Waxhaw Pre-Tree Lighting Activities & Tree Lighting Ceremony
Time: 3:00 PM – 6:00 PM (Activities), Tree Lighting at 6:00 PM
Location: Downtown Park, 301 Givens Street, Waxhaw, NC
Details: Enjoy Touch-A-Truck exhibits, Santa photos, live entertainment, a Children’s Entrepreneur Market, and more! Sensory Hour runs from 3–4 PM. The official tree lighting takes place at 6:00 PM followed by downtown shopping and dining.
More Here: Town of Waxhaw
Saturday, November 29
🎄 Light Up Cornelius
Time: 4:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Location: Downtown Cornelius, NC
Details: Join thousands of visitors for this free community event as Downtown Cornelius comes alive with holiday cheer! Enjoy performances by local groups, children’s activities, sledding, trackless train rides, a model train display, food, drinks, s’mores, and a visit from Santa and Mrs. Claus. The evening culminates with the festive Tree Lighting Ceremony at 6:30 PM.
More Here: Light Up Cornelius
Monday, December 1
🎄 McAdenville Tree Lighting Ceremony
Time: 5:30 PM
Location: Dynamo 31, 102 Main Street, McAdenville, NC
Details: Kick off “Christmas Town, U.S.A.®” with this cherished tradition! Watch as a local child flips the switch to illuminate the town’s stunning Christmas light display.
More Here: McAdenville Tree Lighting
🎄 Belmont Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony
Time: 6:30 PM
Location: Old City Hall, 37 N. Main St., Belmont
Details: Join Belmont as we kick off the holiday season with our annual tree lighting! Enjoy twinkling lights, festive cheer, seasonal treats, merry caroling, and quality time with family and friends. Don’t miss this beloved community tradition!
More Here: Belmont Christmas Tree Lighting
Thursday, December 4, 2025
🎄 Fort Mill Christmas Village & Lighting of the Tree
Time: 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Location: Fort Mill Amphitheater at Walter Elisha Park, 345 N. White Street, Fort Mill, SC
Details: Experience the magic of the season as Fort Mill lights its stunning 50-foot Christmas tree! Enjoy performances by local choirs, dance teams, and community entertainers. Stroll through the Christmas Village to shop from local vendors, enjoy kid-friendly activities, ride the trackless train, and visit Santa for photos. Savor delicious bites from food trucks and take in twinkling lights throughout Downtown Fort Mill.
More Here: Fort Mill Christmas Village & Lighting of the Tree
🎄 Town of Davidson Christmas Tree Lighting
Time: 6:00 PM
Location: Town Green, Davidson, NC
Details: Celebrate the start of the holiday season in Davidson as the community gathers on the Town Green for the annual Christmas Tree Lighting. Enjoy festive music, holiday performances, and plenty of small-town charm as the tree comes to life with twinkling lights.
More Here: Town of Davidson Christmas Tree Lighting
Friday, December 5
🎄 Holidays in Huntersville & Tree Lighting
Time: 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Location: Veterans Park, Huntersville, NC
Details: Celebrate the season with artisan vendors, local food and drink, rides, and children’s activities. The tree lighting kicks off the festivities at 6:30 PM!
More Here: Holidays in Huntersville
🎄 Harrisburg Christmas Tree Lighting
Time: 6:00 PM – 8:30 PM
Location: Town Center, Harrisburg, NC
Details: Enjoy craft vendors, food trucks, live performances, train rides, and a visit from Santa. The tree lighting takes place shortly after 6:00 PM.
More Here: Harrisburg Tree Lighting
🎄 Indian Trail Winterfest
Time: 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Location: Chestnut Square Park, Indian Trail, NC
Details: A winter wonderland evening featuring sledding, hot chocolate, photos with Santa, and a festive tree lighting! Free admission.
Saturday, December 6
🎄 Christmas in the Park – Stallings
Time: 3:00 PM – 6:00 PM
Location: Stallings Municipal Park, Stallings, NC
Details: Experience the magic of the holiday season with festive activities, family fun, and a heartwarming tree lighting ceremony at 5:45 PM.
More Here: Stallings Christmas in the Park
🎄 Marvin Annual Tree Lighting
Time: 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Location: Marvin Efird Park, 8909 New Town Road, Marvin, NC
Details: Celebrate the season at Marvin’s Annual Tree Lighting Celebration! Enjoy performances by the Marvin Ridge High School Band and Choir, free hot chocolate and cookies, and a special visit from Santa himself. Gather with friends and neighbors for this joyful community tradition that’s sure to warm your holiday spirit.
More Here: Marvin Annual Tree Lighting
🎄 Miracle on Main Street – Mount Holly
Time: 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Location: Downtown Mount Holly, NC
Details: Get into the holiday spirit with the annual Tree Lighting Ceremony, Santa & Mrs. Claus appearances, live music, vendors, and food trucks.
More Here: Visit Mount Holly
🎄 Mint Hill Christmas Parade & Tree Lighting
Time: Parade at 5:30 PM | Entertainment at 6:00 PM | Tree Lighting at 7:30 PM
Location: Downtown Mint Hill, NC
Details: The holiday parade begins at Bain School and concludes at Town Hall with festive entertainment and the lighting of the Christmas tree.
More Here: Mint Hill Events
Saturday, December 13, 2025
🎄 Indian Land Christmas Parade & Tree Lighting
Time: Parade at 4:00 PM | Tree Lighting & Awards Ceremony at 5:30 PM
Location: 8063 River Rd, Indian Land, SC 29707
Details: The day kicks off with a 5K run and fun walk, and a Christmas Village opens at 10:00 AM. Then at 4:00 PM join the community parade lined with floats, family fun, and seasonal cheer. The festivities conclude with the tree lighting and awards ceremony at 5:30 PM inside Santa’s Workshop. Hosted by the Indian Land Christmas Parade & Tree Lighting Organization.
🎁Celebrate the Season — for Free!
All of these Charlotte-area Christmas tree lightings are free ways to celebrate the holidays, making them perfect for families looking to enjoy the magic of the season without spending a dime. Whether you’re in Uptown, the suburbs, or nearby towns like Fort Mill or Indian Land, there’s a festive event waiting for you.
Keep the Holiday Cheer Going! Check out more local guides for free holiday events in Charlotte, Christmas parades, and top holiday things to do across the Carolinas this season: Free Holiday Events in Charlotte 2025 | Best Christmas Parades Around Charlotte | Top Holiday Events & Light Displays in the Carolinas