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

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  • 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

    Get More Info

  • 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

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  • 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

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  • 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

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  • 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

    Get More Info

  • 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

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  • 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

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  • 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

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  • 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

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  • 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

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  • 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

    Get More Info

  • 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

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  • 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

    Get More Info

  • 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

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  • 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.

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  • 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

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  • 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

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  • 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

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  • 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

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  • 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

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  • Troutman Tree Lighting

    When: December 1st 6pm

    What: Tree lighting, hot chocolate and festive tunes.

    Cost: Free

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  • 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

    Get More Info

  • 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

    Get More Info

  • 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

    Get More Info

  • 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

    Get More Info

  • 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

    Get More Info

  • 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

    Get More Info

  • 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

    Get More Info

  • Indian Trail Christmas Parade

    When: December 4th

    What: Annual Christmas Parade ending in Chestnut Square Park

    Cost: Free

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  • 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

    Get More Info

  • Rock Hill Christmas Parade

    Where: Downtown Rock Hill

    When: December 2, 2022 – 6:30 PM

    What: Annual Christmas Parade

    Cost: Free to attend

    Get More Info

  • 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

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  • Belmont Christmas Parade

    Where: Historic Downtown Belmont

    When: November 29, 2022 3:30 PM

    What: Annual Parade through downtown Belmont

    Cost: Free to attend

    Get More Info

  • 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

    Get More Info

  • 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#

    Get More Info

  • 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

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  • 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

    Get More Info

  • 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.

    Get More Info

  • 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

    Get More Info

  • 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

    Get More Info

  • 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

    Get More Info

  • 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

    Get More Info

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