This Southern City Transforms Into a Christmas Wonderland With Over 15 Million Lights-Here's How to Visit

"Charlotte wears many hats-financial hub, NASCAR capital, Southern foodie favorite-but every December, it takes on its most dazzling role yet: holiday headquarters of the South. During this time, the Queen City and its surrounding towns are illuminated with more than 15 million bulbs, transforming the region into a dazzling patchwork of color and celebration. For those who like their Christmas spirit with a bit of horsepower, Speedway Christmas at the Charlotte Motor Speedway delivers pure spectacle."

"From Nov. 21 through Jan. 4, nearly five million LED lights stretch across a four-mile drive-through course, synchronized to holiday music on local radio. An on-site Christmas Village adds to the magic with Santa's workshop, an ice maze, and plenty of festive photo ops. Back in Uptown, the celebration continues at the Light the Knights Festival at Truist Field."

Charlotte transforms into a holiday hub each December, with more than 15 million lights across the city and surrounding towns. Speedway Christmas at Charlotte Motor Speedway features nearly five million LED lights on a four-mile drive-through synchronized to local radio and a Christmas Village with Santa's workshop and an ice maze. Uptown hosts Light the Knights at Truist Field with an NHL-sized ice rink, a 10-lane 150-foot snow-tubing hill, a holiday market, and thousands of lights. Camp North End becomes Camp North Pole with an outdoor rink, fire pits, the Mistletoe Market, themed zones, live music, and crafts. Ballantyne's Backyard offers a half-mile trail with over one million lights, interactive scenes, and a winter carnival.

Read at Travel + Leisure