A New, Merry and Bright Speedway Christmas presented by Atrium Health

Part of the new concourse display for 2023

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CONCORD, NC (Nov. 14, 2023) - The lights, sights and sounds of Speedway Christmas presented by Atrium Health have played a part in bringing the magic of the holidays to visitors for the last 14 seasons. This year the lights are brighter and the show even bigger as the new nearly four-mile course is illuminated by almost 5 million lights featuring a new concourse, tunnels and Christmas Village attractions.

Speedway Christmas presented by Atrium Health is back on Friday, Nov. 17, with a brand-new show-stopping concourse along with a transformed Christmas village and a thrilling tubing hill. (Photo: CMS)

• The traditional Speedway Christmas is getting bigger, brighter and better than ever before with nearly 5 million lights across an almost four-mile course

• A brand new concourse featuring new tunnels, image mapping of Santa Workshop and over 600 orbs

• Stroll through a larger-than-life candy wonderland in the Christmas Village as you capture the unforgettable moments of the night

Here’s a look at some of the new attractions waiting to greet visitors when Speedway Christmas opens Friday:

The course: The classic Christmas cruise around portions of the historic oval and through the iconic road course is receiving a revamp. Fans will enjoy classic Christmas lights as dozens of new displays bring to life this year’s theme, Santa’s Beach Party. Revelers can see animated lights showcasing a wakeboarding Santa, a whale ride and a Bonfire Jam.

The concourse: The newly designed and configured concourse by Light Up The Nights Productions will take guests through new tunnels, more than 600 illuminated orbs and dazzling candy canes as they journey from a winter wonderland to outer space and land at Santa’s workshop.

The village: The Christmas Village, open every Thursday through Sunday, will host a weekly rotation of area craft vendors, artisans and merchants. Stroll through a larger-than-life candy wonderland trail filled with eye-catching lollipop trees, a five-foot-tall candy bar, a candy throne and so much more. The picture-worthy moments don’t stop on the trail as Victory Lane will play host to a 360-selfie camera perfect for capturing the magic of Speedway Christmas.

Charity Christmas Forest: The Christmas village will be home to a unique forest of Christmas trees, as 15 trees will be decorated by local charities making an impact in the greater-Charlotte area and around North Wilkesboro Speedway. Fans will be able to vote for their favorite tree each night the village is open, with the winning tree receiving an additional grant from Speedway Children's Charities at the end of the year.

Cook Out Tubing Hill: New for 2023, the Fan Zone will feature four 250-foot tubing lanes for individuals of all ages to enjoy. The Cook Out Tubing Hill will open on Black Friday and will follow the schedule of the Christmas village, open every Thursday through Sunday from 6 pm to 10 pm. Admission for unlimited rides down the thrilling Cook Out Tubing Hill is $20 per person, $15 for those who have gone through the Speedway Christmas show and $10 for kids 12 and under. Admission to Speedway Christmas is not required to enjoy the tubing hill.

As crews prepare to flip the switch on the 14th edition of Speedway Christmas presented by Atrium Health at Charlotte Motor Speedway this weekend, fans will be swept away by the magical ambiance of the grand holiday lights extravaganza. This year, the iconic speedway transforms into a winter wonderland for one of the biggest and most dazzling holiday lights displays in the country. Families, friends and Christmas enthusiasts from all corners will gather at America's Home of Racing for what has become an irresistible Christmas tradition. The enchanting spectacle kicks off this Friday and runs nightly until Jan. 7, 2024, from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.

America’s Home for Racing will create Christmas magic during the 14th edition of Speedway Christmas presented by Atrium Health, opening on Friday, Nov. 17.

Here’s a look at this year’s Speedway Christmas, by the numbers:

5 million lights: Creating a spectacular display of Christmas magic, the speedway has adorned itself with an extra twinkle this holiday season, displaying a remarkable total of 5 million lights. With new displays and additional LEDs added, 2023 promises to be the biggest and brightest year yet.

Four miles: Draped in the festive spirit, the speedway is transformed with lights along the infield, tracing along the iconic speedway. From the grandstands to the concourse, Speedway Christmas guests embark on a magical journey through nearly four miles of illuminated enchantment, with the joyful melodies of Christmas-themed music creating a symphony of holiday wonder.

14: Guests travel from all across the region to visit Speedway Christmas. Last season, visitors from 14 states pre-purchased tickets to the show, including as far away as New York, Texas and Minnesota, proving once and for all that there’s no distance too far for those looking to enjoy the spirit of Christmas.

14: The number of original songs and holiday classics will fill the air as guests drive through the stunning displays, turning the experience into a synchronized show that perfectly captures the spirit of the holiday season. While driving through the displays, visitors can tune their radios to 101.3FM for a fully immersive experience.

50: Days the drive-thru show will be open between Nov. 17 and Jan. 7 (only closed on Christmas Eve). The infield Christmas village will be open every Thursday through Sunday night and the entire week of Christmas (except Christmas Eve), giving guests plenty of opportunities to schedule their night at the speedway.

360: Degrees of fun captured by the Speedway Christmas 360-camera, set up in Victory Lane to help guests capture the magic of the season. It’s an Instagram world and there’s no better way to commemorate a visit to Speedway Christmas.

600: Among the new displays installed for 2023, crews have hung 600 illuminated orbs along the newly designed concourse, which also features arched tunnels, elegant Christmas trees and larger-than-life space-themed holiday displays.

20,000: In partnership with a bevy of on-site food vendors, guests can savor a warm cup of hot chocolate as they gather around fire pits, roasting marshmallows and indulging in other festive treats. Visitors can enjoy a simmering cup of cocoa for half price, beginning on Dec. 1 when purchase a one-time, ten-dollar Charlotte Motor Speedway reusable travel cup. A dollar from every travel cup purchased will go to Speedway Children’s Charities Charlotte chapter to support local nonprofits. The delightful aromas and the comforting taste of Christmasy treats are just another way guests will create heartwarming memories.

180,000: Delicious hot, ready to order, mini donuts have become of Speedway Christmas staple. The famous Jack’s Treat Truck is returning to serve guests sweet treats throughout the show. Jack’s Treat Truck expects to sell around 180 thousand mini oily cakes, which if laid side-by-side, would stretch nearly 8.3 miles or close to double the length of the show. On top of these mini sweet-ring cakes, guests can also enjoy rich kettle corn, silky smooth ice cream, and toasted delicious smores.

6: Classic Christmas movies will be played on the speedway’s 16,000-square-foot HDTV throughout the show. Every Thursday through Sunday, the Queen City News Movie Nights transform the Christmas village into a festive drive-in, bringing holiday favorites like "The Grinch," "White Christmas," and "Home Alone" to life. Click here for a full schedule of movie nights.

80: Among the majestic displays, a towering 80-foot Christmas tree casting its radiant glow upon the infield stands as the grandest and most festive of them all.

CAR PASSES: Speedway Christmas presented by Atrium Health is open nightly from Nov. 17 to Jan. 7 (closed Christmas Eve), with tickets per vehicle starting at $35 Monday-Wednesday, when the Christmas Village is closed, and $45 Thursday-Sunday, when the Christmas Village is open. Guests can skip the lines and beat traffic with the Fast Pass Lane, accessible off of Morehead Road at entrance P. The Fast Pass Lane ensures a smooth ride at $75 per vehicle on Thursday-Sunday.
Get your tickets online at www.charlottemotorspeedway.com or grab them at the gate.

FOLLOW ALONG: Follow Charlotte Motor Speedway on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook or rev up the holiday spirit with the Charlotte Motor Speedway mobile app.

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