Speedway Christmas at Charlotte Motor Speedway runs nightly Nov. 20 to Jan. 3, 6 to 10 p.m., closed Dec. 24. Passes, Express Lane, Christmas Village, tubing.
Last checked Oct. 26, 2026. This page is updated each year at the same address. Facts come from the Speedway Christmas page and the Speedway Christmas FAQ, both published by Charlotte Motor Speedway.
Yes, it is on this year. Speedway Christmas at Charlotte Motor Speedway in Concord opens Friday, Nov. 20, 2026, and runs nightly to Sunday, Jan. 3, 2027, from 6 to 10 p.m., rain or shine. It is closed Thursday, Dec. 24.
The speedway calls it the Southeast’s largest drive-thru holiday light show: more than 5 million lights on a four-mile course around the oval, pit road and the infield road course, synchronized to music on 101.3 FM. Atrium Health presents it.
Who to call
- Tickets and the nightly calendar: charlottemotorspeedway.com
- Weather closures: the speedway says it posts them as quickly as possible on its public channels
- Emergency: 911
Passes and prices
- One pass, one vehicle: a pass covers one carload of up to 15 people.
- Nightly passes: each advance pass is for a specific night. Drive-up passes are sold at the gate; the booths take major credit cards, Apple Pay, Google Pay and cash.
- Regular Season Pass: $120 plus fees, online only. The passholder must show ID that matches the buyer’s name. The speedway says Express Season Passes are coming.
- Express Lane: from about $80 a vehicle, a dedicated entry lane, Thursday to Sunday through Dec. 27 and every night Dec. 17-27. Express Lane guests enter at Entrance P off Morehead Road.
- All sales are final. Promotions cannot be applied after you buy.
- Last entry: if you are in line on speedway property at 10 p.m., you can still buy a pass. If you are still on nearby roads, you will be asked to come back another night.
Value Nights and Village Nights
The speedway sells two kinds of night. Value Nights are the drive-through light show at a lower price, without the Christmas Village. Village Nights add the village and its extra activities.
The FAQ says the Christmas Village, in the O’Reilly Series garage in the infield, is open Thursday to Sunday nights and is free to anyone with a Thursday to Sunday vehicle pass. It has:
- a lighted walking trail and a 360-degree selfie camera;
- photos with Santa;
- fire pits for s’mores;
- the tubing hill;
- food (doughnuts, chicken tenders, barbecue, turkey legs, gyros, ice cream) and drinks, including hot chocolate, beer, wine and seasonal mixed drinks.
Alcohol sales end at 9 p.m. Other concessions close at 10 p.m.
Tubing hill: $15 for unlimited rides that night, for adults and children, sold only at the booth beside the hill. It is open Thursday to Sunday nights and the week of Christmas, and needs a Speedway Christmas ticket. Children under 36 inches ride with a paying adult.
Drive-in movies
Films play on the speedway’s giant screen. The speedway’s 2026 schedule:
| Dates | Movie |
|---|---|
| Nov. 20-21 | White Christmas |
| Nov. 26-29 | Home Alone |
| Dec. 3-6 | Elf |
| Dec. 10-13 | The Grinch |
| Dec. 17-22 | The Santa Clause |
| Dec. 25-27 | The Polar Express |
The FAQ lists The Polar Express from Dec. 24, but the show is closed that night.
Rules for your vehicle
- Turn your headlights off on the course, or to dim if you cannot.
- No motorcycles, for insurance reasons.
- No riding in a truck bed or trailer; everyone must be seated and buckled.
- Buses are allowed on Value Nights and Village Nights, using the standard ticket links.
- Dogs may ride along but must stay in the car at the Christmas Village.
When to go and getting there
The speedway says Friday and Saturday nights in December are the busiest, with longer waits to get in, and Thursday and Sunday nights are quicker. Arrive early. From Charlotte, the speedway is northeast of the city in Concord, in Cabarrus County. Check our road construction and closures page before you set off, and our getting around page for the main routes out of town.
What this means for you
- Pick a Thursday or Sunday, buy a pass for that night in advance and arrive close to 6 p.m.
- Want Santa and the tubing hill? Go Thursday to Sunday, when the Christmas Village is open.
- Do not plan on Christmas Eve: the show is closed Dec. 24.
- More lights and holiday events: holiday lights and Christmas events, the Nutcracker and things to do this month.
Frequently asked questions
When does Speedway Christmas open in 2026?
Speedway Christmas opens Friday, Nov. 20, 2026, and runs nightly through Sunday, Jan. 3, 2027, from 6 to 10 p.m., rain or shine. It is closed on Christmas Eve, Dec. 24, according to the speedway.
How much is Speedway Christmas?
One pass covers one vehicle with up to 15 people. The speedway lists a Regular Season Pass at $120 plus fees, online only, and Express Lane passes from about $80 a vehicle. Nightly prices vary by date and are shown on the ticket calendar.
What is the best night to go to Speedway Christmas?
The speedway says Friday and Saturday nights in December are the busiest, with the longest waits, and Thursday and Sunday nights are quicker to get in. Arriving early helps.
Is the Christmas Village open every night?
No. The speedway says the Christmas Village in the infield garage is open Thursday to Sunday nights, free with a Thursday to Sunday vehicle pass. Value Nights are the drive-through only.
Can I bring my dog to Speedway Christmas?
Yes, in the vehicle. The speedway says dogs must stay in the car when guests visit the Christmas Village.
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