Last updated: November 3, 2026 · By Magnolia Megan
The Southern Christmas Show 2026 runs Nov. 11 to 22, 2026 at The Park Expo and Conference Center, 800 Briar Creek Road in Charlotte. Adult weekday tickets are $20 online through Nov. 10 ($22 after), kids 6 to 12 are $12, kids 5 and under are free, and general parking is $12.
This is the 59th annual show. The organizers say its 400 vendors and 95,000+ shoppers make it the best attended show in North America.
Quick planning checklist
- Buy online by Nov. 10 to get the discounted adult price.
- Go Thursday to Saturday if you want evening hours (open until 9 p.m.).
- Bring exact cash for parking if you can. Cards work, but cash speeds up the line.
- Leave the wagon at home. Strollers and small carts are fine.
Southern Christmas Show 2026 at a Glance
Dates and Hours
The show runs 12 days. Some older listings say it starts Nov. 12, but the official dates and hours page confirms opening day is Wednesday, Nov. 11 (Veterans Day).
| Day | Hours |
|---|---|
| Wed. Nov. 11 (Veterans Day) | 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. |
| Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays (Nov. 12, 13, 14, 19, 20, 21) | 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. |
| Sundays through Wednesdays (Nov. 15 to 18 and Sun. Nov. 22) | 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. |
| Early Bird VIP, Sat. Nov. 14 | 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. |
The show does not list a last entry time or a parking lot opening time, so check the official site if you are cutting it close.
Tickets and Prices
Tickets are sold on the official ticket site. Adult tickets are discounted online through Nov. 10, 2026, and there is a $1 service fee on each ticket. Each ticket is good for one day, so you need a new ticket for each day you go.
| Ticket | Online through Nov. 10 | After Nov. 10 |
|---|---|---|
| Adult weekday (13+), Nov. 11 to 13 or Nov. 16 to 20 | $20 | $22 |
| Adult weekend (13+), Saturday or Sunday | $23 | $25 |
| Child (6 to 12) | $12 | $12 |
| Child (5 and under) | Free | Free |
| Early Bird VIP, Sat. Nov. 14 | $28 | $28 |
Prices from the official ticket site on Nov. 3, 2026. Add the $1 per ticket service fee.
- Weekday vs. weekend. The weekday ticket only works Nov. 11 to 13 and Nov. 16 to 20. The weekend ticket is for Saturday or Sunday (Nov. 14, 15, 21 or 22), but the show's FAQ says it can also be used on a weekday if you cannot make the weekend (no refund for the difference). Going the other way, the box office sells a $3 upgrade from a weekday ticket to a weekend ticket.
- Harris Teeter discount tickets. Select Harris Teeter stores sell adult tickets from Oct. 11 to Nov. 22: $19 for a weekday and $22 for a weekend.
- Groups. Groups of 20 or more pay $16 per person, bought in advance only.
- Mahjong and Mistletoe. This is a $100 event on Thursday, Nov. 19, listed for 5:30 to 8 p.m. You must be 21+ to play, and it includes a commemorative bag and two show tickets. The ticket details also mention 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. that day, so check the ticket page for exact timing.
What a family day costs: two adults on a weekday, bought online ($20 + $1 fee each), plus one child 6 to 12 ($12 + $1 fee), plus $12 general parking comes to $67 before food and shopping.
Parking and Getting There
The Park Expo and Conference Center is at 800 Briar Creek Road, Charlotte, NC 28205, just off Independence Boulevard. Some sites list a different address, so use 800 Briar Creek Road in your GPS. According to the official parking page, there are more than 4,000 parking spots at and right next to the venue.
- General parking: $12. Nearby lots include Bojangles Coliseum, Ovens Arena, Golden Green Hotel, and Chantilly Montessori School (weekends only).
- Valet: $25, with limited availability. It is a front door service, bought at the main lot's normal entrances.
- Bus parking: $50.
- Payment: Cards are accepted, but exact cash is preferred because it keeps the lines moving.
- Free golf cart shuttles: The Oasis Shriners drive golf carts from the lots to the door. Rides are free, and donations are welcome.
- Accessible parking: Tell the parking attendant, and hang your handicapped placard from your mirror. If accessible spaces are full, you can drop passengers at the front door.
The Park Expo sits near the Plaza Midwood neighborhood. If you want to turn the show into a full day out, see our guide to things to do in Plaza Midwood.
Special Days: Veterans Day, Early Bird VIP and Girls Night Out
Veterans Day (Wed. Nov. 11)
Opening day is Veterans Day. Veterans still need a valid admission ticket (an adult weekday ticket works), but veterans who are there at opening are invited to enter first. The day opens with the National Anthem sung by Amy Patrick of the Queen Charlotte Chorus. To get veteran only discounts at participating vendors, pick up a Veterans Day wristband at the Veterans Bridge Home Lounge in the Central Lobby. Details are on the Veterans Day page.
Early Bird VIP (Sat. Nov. 14, 8 to 10 a.m.)
Early Bird VIP gives you two hours to shop before general admission opens, and the $28 ticket includes general admission for the rest of that day. Regular tickets are not valid for this window, and child tickets are not accepted. Strollers, wagons and bags with rolling wheels are not allowed during Early Bird hours.
Girls Night Out (Fri. Nov. 20, 4 to 9 p.m.)
Girls Night Out tickets are $15 and are sold at the box office starting at 3 p.m., with entry at 4 p.m. The first 100 guests get giveaways while supplies last, and there are prize drawings every hour. See the Girls Night Out page for updates.
What to See Inside
Shopping with artisans and crafters is the main event. Here are the features listed on the official features page:
- Christmas Tree Lane, with trees from the NC Christmas Tree Association.
- Olde Towne Shopping Experience and the Designer Rooms.
- Decor Competition, with decorated Christmas trees, wreaths, front doors and mantels.
- NC Wine Pavilion and Holiday Morsels.
- Christmas Inspiration Lounge.
- Santa photos: 1 for $10, 2 for $18, or 3 for $25, with proceeds going to Shriners Hospitals for Children.
- Tiny Trains scavenger hunt, based at shop 32 in Liberty Hall. A good one to keep kids busy.
- LeafFilter Entertainment Stage, where Marcus Rosner appears Friday, Nov. 20 at 2:30 p.m., followed by an autograph signing.
The show has not posted a 2026 theme on its official site.
What You Can Bring
These rules come from the show's official FAQ page.
- Strollers and carts: Strollers and small pull behind or push carts are allowed. Grocery size carts and wagons are not. During Early Bird VIP, strollers, wagons and rolling bags are not allowed at all.
- Bags: There are no bag limits outside of Early Bird VIP hours.
- Food: Only food bought on site can be eaten there, so leave the snacks in the car. The venue has cafeteria style and concession style food.
- Pets: No pets. Service animals are the only exception, and emotional support animals do not qualify.
- Re-entry: With a handstamp, you can come back in the same day. If you drive out of the lot, you pay for parking again.
- Coat and package check: Both are free. Coat check is at the main entrance, and package check is in the central lobby.
- Wheelchairs: Standard push wheelchairs are available first come, first served, and cannot be reserved. Bring your own if you need an oversized or motorized chair.
- Commemorative bags: Sold for $6, with proceeds going to Shriners Hospital for Children.
Best Time to Go and Tips
- Buy online by Nov. 10. That is when the discounted adult prices end. After that, you pay $2 more per adult ticket.
- Pick your day by the hours. Sunday through Wednesday the show closes at 6 p.m. Thursday through Saturday it stays open until 9 p.m., which helps if you are coming after work.
- Want room to shop? Early Bird VIP on Saturday, Nov. 14 is the show's dedicated early shopping window, before general admission starts at 10 a.m. Just remember: no child tickets, strollers or rolling bags.
- Shop hands free. Drop purchases at the free package check in the central lobby.
- Plan your meal. Outside food is not allowed. If you would rather eat before or after, see our guide to where to eat in Charlotte.
Is It Worth It?
If you love holiday decor, handmade gifts and getting a head start on Christmas shopping, the Southern Christmas Show is one of the biggest holiday traditions in Charlotte. Go in with a plan: buy online by Nov. 10, pick a day that fits the hours, and set a shopping budget. If you mostly want festive photos and a little browsing, a weekday visit keeps the cost down, while Early Bird VIP is the pick for serious shoppers.
Looking for more holiday plans? Start with our Charlotte guide or browse more things to do in NC.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the Southern Christmas Show 2026?
The Southern Christmas Show runs Nov. 11 to 22, 2026, at The Park Expo and Conference Center in Charlotte. It is open 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Thursday through Saturday and on opening day, and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday through Wednesday.
How much are Southern Christmas Show tickets?
Adult weekday tickets are $20 online through Nov. 10, then $22. Adult weekend tickets are $23, then $25. Kids 6 to 12 are $12, kids 5 and under are free, and there is a $1 service fee per ticket.
How much is parking at the Southern Christmas Show?
General parking is $12, valet is $25, and bus parking is $50. Cards are accepted, but exact cash is preferred because it speeds up the lines.
Can I bring a stroller or wagon to the Southern Christmas Show?
Strollers and small pull behind or push carts are allowed, but grocery size carts and wagons are not. None of these are allowed during Early Bird VIP on Nov. 14.
Can I leave the Southern Christmas Show and come back?
Yes. With a handstamp you can re-enter the same day. If you leave the parking lot, you will pay for parking again.
Is there a Girls Night Out at the Southern Christmas Show in 2026?
Yes. Girls Night Out is Friday, Nov. 20, from 4 to 9 p.m. Tickets are $15 and are sold at the box office starting at 3 p.m.
Sources
- Southern Christmas Show: Official site
- Southern Christmas Show: Dates and hours
- Southern Christmas Show: Official tickets
- Southern Christmas Show: Admission prices
- Southern Christmas Show: Parking
- Southern Christmas Show: FAQs
- Southern Christmas Show: All features
- Southern Christmas Show: Girls Night Out
- Southern Christmas Show: Veterans Day