❄️Ice Skating in Charlotte
Where to Glide Into The 2025 Holiday Season ⛸
"Skating can make you feel athletic, graceful, beautiful."
... Gracie Gold
The holiday season in Charlotte is about to sparkle even brighter! As the temperatures dip and the lights go up, five of the Queen City’s most beloved destinations are transforming into magical winter wonderlands — complete with ice skating, cocoa, and community spirit.
Here’s what you need to know about where to lace up your skates this season and to glide into the holiday season.
“The ice can be unforgiving, but it’s also a reminder to always get back up and try again.”
... Brian Boitano
⛸ Camp North End’s “Camp North Pole”
Dates: November 20, 2025 – January 4, 2026
Location: 400 Camp Road, Charlotte, NC 28206
Price: $18 general admission (includes skate rental)
Hours of Operation:
Monday–Thursday: 4–9 PM
Friday: 4–10 PM
Saturday: 11 AM – 10 PM
Sunday: 11 AM –9 PM
- Holiday Hours: Thanksgiving Break (November 26–29): 11 AM – 10 PM | Winter Break (December 21–Jan 2): 11 AM – 10 PM | Christmas Eve: 11 AM – 5 PM
The Experience
Charlotte’s creative hub, Camp North End, is turning into Camp North Pole once again this holiday season! From November 20 through January 4, the historic industrial space will be decked out with festive decor, twinkling lights, and of course, a beloved ice skating rink.
Whether you’re planning a family outing, a date night, or just a fun afternoon with friends, Camp North Pole offers a cozy and vibrant atmosphere that captures the essence of the holidays. Expect themed events, food and drink pop-ups, and plenty of photo-worthy moments.
Perfect for: Date nights, family fun, and anyone who loves Charlotte’s artsy holiday energy.
⛸ Ice Skating at The Bowl at Ballantyne
Dates: November 22, 2025 – January 4, 2026
Location: The Amp Ballantyne, 11115 Upper Avenue, Charlotte, NC 28277
Price: $20 general admission (includes skate rental) | $12 children 5 & under | $18 with your own skates
Hours of Operation:
Monday–Thursday: 4–9 PM
Friday: 4–10 PM
Saturday: 11 AM – 10 PM
Sunday: 12–9 PM
Holiday Hours: Thanksgiving Break (November 26–29): 12–10 PM| Winter Break (December 21 – January 2): 12–10 PM | Christmas Eve: 12–5 PM. | Christmas Day: 12–10 PM)
The Experience
For the first time, Ballantyne’s Bowl transforms into a sparkling winter wonderland at The Amp. Picture skaters gliding under strings of golden lights with cocoa in hand while live holiday music fills the air.
Show your skating ticket at Postino in the Ballantyne Bowl to enjoy free Donut Dots (dine-in only, one per person).
The rink also serves as a donation site for Ballantyne Families Helping Neighbors in Need — making it the perfect mix of fun and giving back.
Perfect for: Families, groups, and south Charlotte locals looking for a new seasonal tradition.
⛸ Carowinds’ Snow Flake Lake Ice Skating
Dates: November 28, 2025 – January 3, 2026
Location: Celebration Plaza near Harmony Hall, Carowinds Amusement Park, 300 Carowinds Blvd, Charlotte, NC 28273
Admission: WinterFest tickets start at $32 per person (plus tax and fees)
Ice Skating Add-On: Available during WinterFest and includes skate rental
Hours of Operation:
Open evenings on select WinterFest dates throughout the season
45-minute skating sessions typically run between 5:00 – 8:30 PM
(Check Carowinds.com for the latest schedule, as session times vary by night.)
The Experience
Each winter, Carowinds transforms into a glittering holiday spectacular for WinterFest, and its star attraction is Snow Flake Lake — a sparkling ice rink surrounded by millions of twinkling lights, festive music, and seasonal shows. The scent of cocoa and cinnamon fills the air as skaters glide across the ice in the heart of the park’s celebration plaza.
This experience combines the thrill of Carowinds with the magic of the holidays, offering a picture-perfect backdrop for families, couples, and friends. After skating, explore the park’s rides, treats, and dazzling light displays for a full evening of festive fun.
Perfect for: Families and holiday-lovers who want a one-stop destination for lights, rides, and skating.
⛸ U.S. National Whitewater Center Ice Skating
Dates: Mid-November 2025 – Mid-February 2026
Location: 5000 Whitewater Center Parkway, Charlotte, NC 28214
Price: $25 Single Activity Pass (includes skate rental) | Included with Day Pass
Hours of Operation:
Weekdays: 12–10 PM
Weekends: 10 AM – 10 PM
- Hours subject to weathers. Check whitewater.org for daily updates
The Experience
For those who crave adventure with their holiday spirit, the U.S. National Whitewater Center offers a one-of-a-kind outdoor rink experience. The Upper Pond transforms into a 24,000-square-foot skating area complete with winding ice trails, firepits, and cozy seating.
After your skate, warm up by the bonfire with a cup of cocoa or a local craft beer. Surrounded by trees and twinkling lights, it’s Charlotte’s most scenic skating spot.
Perfect for: Nature lovers, outdoor adventurers, and anyone seeking a peaceful winter escape.
⛸ Light the Knights Festival Ice Skating
Dates: November 26, 2025 – January 4, 2026
Location: Truist Field, 324 S. Mint Street, Charlotte, NC 28202
Admission:
Festival Admission Only: approximately $12 per person (plus fees)
- Admission + Ice Skating + Snow Tubing: approximately $40 per person (plus fees; includes skate rental)
Hours of Operation:
Opening Night: Wednesday, November 26 – 5-10 PM
Friday, November 28: 2 - 10:30 PM
Most days: 2–10:00 p.m. (hours can vary; closed select weekdays and major holidays). Official schedule and full calendar.
The Experience
Set against the Charlotte skyline at Truist Field, Light the Knights Festival brings a full dose of holiday cheer to Uptown. The home of the Charlotte Knights is transformed into a dazzling Christmas village with an NHL-sized outdoor ice rink, snow tubing lanes, a European-style holiday market, and a massive tree of lights that fills the ballpark with color.
Families can skate under twinkling lights, sip hot cocoa or mulled wine, and browse festive vendors throughout the concourse. It’s equal parts holiday celebration and Charlotte tradition — a place where the city’s skyline glows behind the rink and the smell of roasted nuts and sweet treats fills the air.
Perfect for: Families, date nights, and anyone who wants the full Uptown holiday experience — all in one magical spot.
Whether you’re skating beneath the skyline at Camp North End and Truist Field, making memories at Ballantyne Bowl, twirling among the lights at Carowinds, or exploring icy trails at the Whitewater Center, Charlotte offers something for every kind of holiday spirit.
Bundle up, grab your gloves, and take to the ice — because Charlotte’s winter magic is waiting for you in 2025.
“Life is like skating; sometimes you glide, and sometimes you trip — but you always keep moving forward.”
... Ashley Wagner
HOPING TO SKATE INTO A NEW HOME IN TIME FOR THE HOLIDAYS?
This information about where to ice skate in Charlotte during the 2025 holiday season is provided by Nina Hollander with Coldwell Banker Realty, Greater Charlotte residential real estate expert. I've been opening doors for Charlotte region home buyers and sellers since 1999. And if you're hoping to skate into a new home in time for the holidays or before the new year, there's still time and I can help!
If you're considering selling or purchasing a home in the Charlotte region this holiday season, I'd love an opportunity to earn your business, exceed your expectations, and to show you why experience matters and how:
"The Right Broker Makes All The Difference."
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