It’s officially the holiday season! My house is a mess with boxes and boxes of Christmas decor, lights, and ornaments strewn around. The music is playing (*NSYNC Christmas album always) and there is magic in the air. The only thing that could make it better would be a beautiful snowfall. If you’re like me and ready for Christmas then you’ll want to check out several of these holiday events! In the Queen City and the surrounding area, Christmas events are in full swing! And there are tons of things to do to get in the spirit this week in the Charlotte North Carolina area. Attend a tree lighting or parade, try your hand at ice skating, get some shopping done, or catch a show. As always we are here to help you make plans to get everything done this holiday season.
If you’ve already decked your halls, or maybe you are looking for some inspiration. Find it this weekend at a tree lighting or parade, ice skating, shopping event, or Christmas show. All of these events offer a fun chance to get in the spirit of the season. After all, it’s the most wonderful time of the year.
View our Ultimate Holiday Events Guide here or find it at the end of this article.
Have an event you’d like included on this list? Email full info to [email protected].
Happy Holidays!
Reindeer Romp
Where: Harris YMCA
When: December 3rd
What: A fun, healthy event for the whole family that can become your favorite holiday tradition! Decorate your stroller or find a Santa costume and come ready to win a best decorated or best dressed prize! Enjoy hot chocolate, great food and pictures with Santa when you finish!
Cost: $35
Downtown Mooresville Holiday Light Spectacular
Where: The lawn at Mooresville Town Hall
When: November 26th-Christmas
What: An orchestrated light show with 115,000+ lights set to music. The show takes place on the lawn at Town Hall, 413 N. Main Street, every evening beginning at 5:30. It’s fun for the kids (and adults!) and is a perfect way to start a night downtown.
Cost: Free
Kannapolis Celebration of Lights
Where: Village Park Kannapolis
When: November 20th-December 30th
What: Come to Village Park and enjoy all the beautiful lights and displays in celebration of the holidays. Area choirs and school groups will perform on select evenings between 6 and 8 pm (December 6, 7, 8, 13, 14 and 15). Bring your wish list for your visit with Santa – you are welcome to take your photo with him at no charge. Other activities include making a holiday craft, enjoying smore’s around the fire pit and much more. Local craft and artisans be on hand on the weekends so come prepared to do your Christmas shopping. Food trucks will have food and drinks for sale.
Cost: Free
4th Ward Sip & Stroll
Where: 4th Ward Uptown Charlotte
When: December 1st-3rd
What: Celebrate the season with a festive outdoor evening stroll through Historic Fourth Ward, beautifully decorated for the holidays! This self-guided, porch-crawl-style tour will include delicious food and beverage tastings (while they last), seasonal live music, Ride Charlotte golf cart rides, and carriage rides (Thurs/Fri Only) (first-come, first-served) in the most walkable and picturesque Victorian-era heart of the neighborhood.
Cost: $30-$60
Festival of Trees
Where: Downtown Belmont
When: November 28th-all of December
What: Join us in downtown Belmont as businesses along Main Street and Stowe Park are filled with a display of festive trees decorated by local schools and non-profit organizations for all to enjoy throughout the month of December.
Cost: Free
Christmas In Cornelius
Where: Old Town Cornelius
When: December 3rd
What: Enjoy a fun-filled afternoon of live bands, Christmas carols and choirs, food trucks, craft breweries, holiday kids activities and even a visit from Santa himself!
Cost: Free
Historic Gold Hill Christmas In The Village
Where: Historic Gold Hill
When: December 2nd-4th
What: Looking for a less hectic Christmas experience? Then make Historic Gold Hill your holiday destination by visiting Santa and the Historic Gold Hill merchants Friday, December 2 through Sunday December 4. In the Village you can step back in time and enjoy the season in a lovely, relaxed, quaint setting surrounded by nine unique specialty shops and Mama T’s restaurant. Merchants will offer complimentary light refreshments in their shops, hayrides, marshmallow roasting, live music, and free photo ops with Santa. All activities are free to the public.
Christmas In Davidson
When: December 1st-3rd
What: Annual Christmas festival featuring holiday light shows, entertainment, a live nativity, live music, food, holiday shopping, and more.
Cost: Free
Christmasville Rock Hill
Where: Old Town Rock Hill
When: December 1st-4th
What: Old Town Rock Hill comes alive as a charming, picturesque holiday village and outdoor art festival. With more than 70 events and activities, the award-winning ChristmasVille festival offers horse-drawn carriage rides, historic tours, strolling Dickens carolers, art, theater, dance, music, a gingerbread house contest, multiple Santa activities, and a REAL ice skating rink!
Cost: Free
Children's Theater The Winter Wonderland Shop
Where: ImaginOn
When: December 1-3
What: The Winter Wonderland Shop, benefiting Children’s Theatre of Charlotte, carries Charlotte’s longstanding tradition as our community’s leading family-centric shopping event. ImaginOn will be full of magic, snowflakes, and a snow-kissed stage. Children up to 12 years old are invited to shop on the Wells Fargo Playhouse stage for pre-wrapped gifts at low-costto give to their loved ones.
Cost: Free to attend, gifts cost between $1-7
OMB Christmas Market
Where: Olde Mecklenburg Brewery
When: November 25th to 27th, December 2nd to 4th, December 9th to 11th, December 16th to 18th
What: OMB’s Weihnachtsmarkt (Christmas Market) is a truly unique experience unlike any other in the Charlotte area. We transform our Biergarten into a German-style Christmas Village with traditional huts for shopping, holiday music, tons of lights, Gluhwein (our spiced wine pronounced “Gloo-vine,”) hot cocoa, festive food, warm fire pits, and of course, there will be plenty of beer, including seasonal favorites Yule Bock and Dunkel!
Cost: Free
Mt. Hope Christmas Market
Where: Mount Hope Church Salisbury
When: December 3rd
What: Annual Christmas Market. Indoor and Outdoor vendors. Crafts and Vendor items.
Cost: Free
Levine Senior Center Holiday Craft Fair
Where: Levine Senior Center Matthews
When: December 5th
What: The Levine Senior Center is having its Annual Holiday Craft Fair! There will be over 25 local vendors featuring one-of-a-kind items, a bake sale, a basket raffle, and a book sale. This event is free to the public. Lunch is available for purchase.
Cost: Free
Belmont Christmas Village
Where: Downtown Belmont
When: December 3rd
What: Christmas Village is an event that focuses on our downtown shops and restaurants, many of which will be offering special holiday features for the evening. Downtown will be full of music, horse carriage rides, hay rides, and even a carousel so make sure to join us for an evening of festive fun.
Cost: Free
Charlotte Christmas Village
Where: Truist Field
When: November 23rd-December 23rd
What: A twinkling European-inspired market located in Charlotte’s Uptown! Charlotte’s “Best Holiday Event” for 3 years!
Cost: $10 per person
A Soulflo Christmas
Where: Studio 229 on Brevard
When: December 2nd
What: A S.O.U.L.F.L.O. Christmas is one of the most wonderful times of the year! Join us Friday, December 2, 2022, at Studio 229 in the Historic District of Uptown Charlotte for “A Celebration of Good Yuletide Times and Tunes.” Kick the month off with your favorite holiday classics and back down memory lane melodies with soulful originals to help you get in the Christmas mood. This event is 21+
Cost: $25-$55 for table
Founders Holiday Ice Rink
Where: Old Town Rock Hill
When: November 17th-January 16th
What: Ice skating rink
Cost: $15 covers skate rental & 90 minutes on the ice.
Handel Messiah
Where: Knight Theater
When: December 2nd-4th
What: Conductor Laureate Christopher Warren-Green returns to the Charlotte stage to lead his world-renowned interpretation of Handel’s Messiah.
Cost: $19-$87
Noel & Maria Home For The Holidays
Where: Booth Playhouse
When: November 29th
What: Join Noel & Maria for their 3rd annual holiday show “Home for the Holidays 2022.” On the heels of their 2019 release “Merry Christmas My Dear,” Noel & Maria reinterpret Christmas classics as well as contemporary holiday favorites in an intimate cabaret setting.
Cost: $39.50-$49.50 per ticket
Holiday Brass & Organ
Where: First United Methodist Church
When: November 29th
What: This joyful concert pairs the shimmering sounds of brass with the resplendent tones of First United Methodist Church’s 3,500-pipe organ for a spectacular holiday experience that’s sure to be a musical highlight of the season.
Cost: $15 per person
The Real Christmas Story Dinner Theater
Where: NarroWay Theater
When: November 5th-December 30th
What: See your favorite Christmas scenes! Hear your favorite Christmas songs! Then watch in awe-stricken wonder as NarroWay beautifully re-creates “The Real Christmas Story.” And enjoy a Christmas dinner.
Cost: Adult with dinner (ages 19 – 54) $44.95, Senior with dinner (ages 55 and above), $42.95Youth with dinner (thru age 18) $24.95
Charlotte Youth Ballet Nutcracker
Where: CPCC Halton Theater
When: December 2nd-4th
What: The Charlotte Youth Ballet brings to the stage its 41st annual holiday classic production of Tchaikosvky’s The Nutcracker featuring the choreography of Charlotte legend Gay Porter and Bridget Young.
Cost: $25-$35 per ticket
The Best Christmas Pageant Ever The Musical
Where: McColl Family Theatre Imaginon
When: November 19th- December 22nd
What: The Herdmans are ready to wreak havoc! What happens when the “worst kids in the history of the world” find out about free food at Sunday school? What if they decide to audition for the annual Christmas pageant? This hilarious and heartfelt musical comedy, adapted from Barbara Robinson’s classic story, will have your family laughing and crying as we celebrate the holidays.
Cost: $16-$26 per ticket
Troutman Tree Lighting
When: December 1st 6pm
What: Tree lighting, hot chocolate and festive tunes.
Cost: Free
Harrisburg's Christmas Tree Lighting
https://www.instagram.com/p/CkYJiASOvs6/
Where: Downtown Harrisburg
When: December 2nd 6-8:30pm
What: Tree lighting, food trucks, train rides, and local performances.
Cost: Free
Belmont Tree Lighting
Where: Downtown Belmont at City Hall
When: Monday, November 28th, 6:30 pm
What: Tree lighting, holiday music, lights, and festivities.
Cost: Free
Town of Indian Trail Winterfest and Tree Lighting
Where: Chestnut Square Park
When: December 2nd 6-9pm
What: Santa, holiday inflatables, s’mores by an open fire, a sledding hill, and community tree lighting!
Cost: Free
Mint Hill Tree Lighting
Where: Downtown Mint Hill
When: December 3rd
What: Following the parade tree lighting, visits with Santa, food trucks, entertainment.
Cost: Free
Christmas In Huntersville
Where: Downtown Huntersville
When: Saturday, December 2nd 6-9pm (Tree lighting) Sunday, December 3rd 2-8pm
What: Tree lighting, vendors, food and drinks, Santa, children’s rides and activities, holiday performances.
Cost: Free to attend
Birkdale On Ice
Where: Birkdale Huntersville
When: November 19 – January 16
What: Outdoor ice rink that will be reservation only
Cost: $18/person includes skates, children under 12 $14 including skates
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Whitewater Center
Where: Whitewater Center Charlotte
When: Available mid-November through mid-February.
What: 24,000 sq. ft. of unique skating space split into four distinct skating areas, including two ice trails and two free skate zones.
Cost: $25 per person
Indian Trail Christmas Parade
When: December 4th
What: Annual Christmas Parade ending in Chestnut Square Park
Cost: Free
Gastonia Christmas Parade
Where: Downtown Gastonia and CaroMont Health Park
When: December 4th at 5pm
What: Gaston County Jaycees Christmas Parade followed by the City of Gastonia Vendor Marketplace and the Keep Gastonia Beautiful Tree Lighting
Cost: Free to attend
Rock Hill Christmas Parade
Where: Downtown Rock Hill
When: December 2, 2022 – 6:30 PM
What: Annual Christmas Parade
Cost: Free to attend
Town of Troutman Christmas Parade
Where: Old Murdock Road Troutman
When: Saturday, December 3, 2022, at 11:00 am
What: Annual Christmas Parade
Cost: Free
Belmont Christmas Parade
Where: Historic Downtown Belmont
When: November 29, 2022 3:30 PM
What: Annual Parade through downtown Belmont
Cost: Free to attend
North Meck Holiday Parade
Where: Main Street in Davidson traveling to Cornelius
When: Saturday, December 3, 2022 at 1:00 p.m.
What: Annual Christmas Parade
Cost: Free to attend
Mint Hill Parade
Where: Downtown Mint Hill
When: Saturday, December 3, 2022, 5:30-9:00 pm
What: Annual Christmas parade followed by a Tree Lighting
Cost: Freehttps://k1047.com/wp-admin/post.php?post=376685&action=edit#
Zootastic Park's Christmas Wonderland of Lights
Where: Zootastic Park
When: November 27th-January 4th
What: Drive through a wildlife safari amid a spectacular display of lights at Zootastic Park. With nearly 4 million lights, a S’mores pit, pony rides, petting zoo, Tiger and Giraffe feeding, pictures with Santa and the zoo’s baby animals, and more, it’s an experience you won’t forget.
Cost: $7
Christmas At The Library
Where: Billy Graham Library Charlotte
When: November 28 thru December 23 (Closed on Sundays)
What: Celebrate Christmas with a live nativity, horse-drawn carriage rides, light displays, delicious treats, carolers, and inspiring Library exhibits.
Cost: Free
Winterfest at Carowinds
Where: Carowinds Charlotte
When: Select nights from November 21st through January 1st
What: Holiday light displays with millions of shimmering lights, ice skating, family activities, live entertainment, holiday-inspired comfort food and beverages, and select attractions.
Cost: Tickets start at $32 per person, admission is included for season pass holders, some experiences are an additional cost.
McAdenville
Where: McAdenville (between I-85 and US-74)
When: December 1st-26th
What: McAdenville is known as Christmastown USA, the town is completely decorated in Christmas lights. Visitors can drive through or walk through the displays which encompass a 1.3 miles route.
Cost: FREE
Speedway Christmas
https://www.instagram.com/p/CYM8Ux1PYxG/
Where: Charlotte Motor Speedway Concord
When: November 18th-January 8th
What: Four million lights strewn across a four-mile course, with displays and lights synchronized to Christmas-themed music and a Christmas Village with rides, animals, movies on the in-field, and more.
Cost: $40 per car (up to 15 people) buses and express lane extra
Holidays At The Garden
Where: Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden Belmont
When: November 25th through December 31st
What: The garden is decorated with dazzling lights and holiday décor, s’mores at an outdoor fire, and food trucks.
Cost: $20 for adults, $10 for children
Light The Knights
Where: Truist Field Uptown Charlotte
When: November 23rd through January 6th
What: A walkthrough holiday lights exhibit, holiday shopping at the Charlotte Christmas Village, ice skating rink, and snow tubing.
Cost: Daily admission varies by activity and ranges from $10-$35 season passes are also available
