Community calendar

Please submit your event information online. Go to http://events.charlotteobserver.com and click on “add to our listings.” Email photos to stories@newsofsouthcharlotte.com. The submission deadline for print is two weeks in advance of the event date.

Dec. 23

Gingerbread Lane:

Enjoy an enchanting collection of gingerbread houses throughout the holiday season. Attendees may vote on their favorite gingerbread house with $1 minimum donation per vote. All proceeds will benefit Levine Children’s Hospital. 9 a.m. The Ballantyne Hotel & Lodge, 10000 Ballantyne Commons Parkway, Charlotte. 704-248-4000. www.theballantynehotel.com.

Holidays at the Garden:

The sights and scents of a winter’s eve will envelop guests as Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden celebrates this special season. Our holiday display promises surprises aplenty with a new festive display of Christmas trees, a lighting display with 500,000 lights, and a touch of warmth offered by tasty s’mores enjoyed beside a glowing fire. Closed Dec. 25. 12 p.m. Adults $12; seniors 60 or older $11; children 4-12, $6;. 704-829-1252. Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden, 6500 S. New Hope Road, Belmont. 704-825-4490. www.dsbg.org.

Holiday Afternoon Tea:

Join The Ballantyne Hotel & Lodge for Holiday Afternoon Tea in the main lobby throughout December. Holiday Afternoon Tea includes a variety of seasonal loose leaf tea blends from Harney & Sons Teas and a selection of savory tea sandwiches, traditional confectionaries and holiday treats. Reservations required. 1 p.m. The cost is $30 for adults and $15 for children ages 5-12, and complimentary for children ages 4 and younger (plus tax and gratuity). 704-248-4100. The Ballantyne Hotel & Lodge, 10000 Ballantyne Commons Parkway, Charlotte. 704-248-4000. www.theballantynehotel.com.

Dec. 24

Gingerbread Lane:

Enjoy an enchanting collection of gingerbread houses throughout the holiday season. Attendees may vote on their favorite gingerbread house with $1 minimum donation per vote. All proceeds will benefit Levine Children’s Hospital. 9 a.m. The Ballantyne Hotel & Lodge, 10000 Ballantyne Commons Parkway, Charlotte. 704-248-4000. www.theballantynehotel.com.

Puppies for Patients:

Donate blood with the Community Blood Center of the Carolinas and sign a tag that will be attached to a stuffed animal puppy and delivered to children in local hospitals and care facilities during the holidays. 10 a.m. Community Blood Center of the Carolinas, 4447 South Blvd., Charlotte. 704-972-4700. www.cbcc.us.

Story Time Monday:

Chick-fil-A Cotswold and Books-A-Million have teamed for Story Time on Monday mornings at Chick-fil-A Cotswold. Recommended for children 18 months to 4 years of age. 10:30 a.m. Free. Chick-fil-A Cotswold, 4431 Randolph Road, Charlotte. 704-366-0073. www.cfarestaurant.com.

Christmas Celebration At Forest Hill:

4 p.m. Free. Forest Hill Church, 7224 Park Road, Charlotte.

Christmas Eve services at Harrison UMC-Pineville:

Traditional Christmas Eve Candlelight Communion services at 4 p.m., 7 p.m., 9 p.m. and 11 p.m. in the Sanctuary, and our Children’s Christmas Musical at 5:30 p.m. in Hammill Hall. All services open to the public. 4 p.m. Free. Harrison United Methodist Church, 15008 Lancaster Highway, Pineville. 704-541-3463, ext. 212. www.harrisonumc.org.

Dec. 25

Gingerbread Lane:

Enjoy an enchanting collection of gingerbread houses throughout the holiday season. Attendees may vote on their favorite gingerbread house with $1 minimum donation per vote. All proceeds will benefit Levine Children’s Hospital. 9 a.m. The Ballantyne Hotel & Lodge, 10000 Ballantyne Commons Parkway, Charlotte. 704-248-4000. www.theballantynehotel.com.

Puppies for Patients:

Donate blood with the Community Blood Center of the Carolinas and sign a tag that will be attached to a stuffed animal puppy and delivered to children in local hospitals and care facilities during the holidays. 10 a.m. Community Blood Center of the Carolinas, 4447 South Blvd., Charlotte. 704-972-4700. www.cbcc.us.

Christmas Day Brunch:

The Ballantyne Hotel & Lodge will offer a festive holiday brunch in the Ballantyne Ballroom. The elaborate buffet will include a variety of salads, an assortment of cheese and seafood displays, breakfast items with omelet station, carving station and indigenous desserts. There will be live holiday music from 12:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. Private dining rooms are available; reservations required. 12 p.m. Cost is $59 per person, $29 for children ages 5-12, and complimentary for children ages 4 and younger (pricing does not include tax and gratuity). 704-248-4100. www.gallery-restaurant.com. The Ballantyne Hotel and Lodge, 10000 Ballantyne Commons Parkway, Charlotte. 704-248-4000. www.theballantynehotel.com.

Dec. 26

Free care-giving help during the holidays:

To help care-givers during the holidays, The Ivey memory care day center in SouthPark is offering a free four-hour visit from now through Dec. 28 for any senior with Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s or other chronic condition. Your relative will be well cared for while you take care of personal errands or do your shopping. Registration required: 704-909-2070. Limit one visit per family. 7:30 a.m. Free. The Ivey Adult Day Services, 6030 Park S Drive, Charlotte. 704-909-2070. www.theivey.com.

Puppies for Patients:

Donate blood with the Community Blood Center of the Carolinas and sign a tag that will be attached to a stuffed animal puppy and delivered to children in local hospitals and care facilities during the holidays. 10 a.m. Community Blood Center of the Carolinas, 4447 South Blvd., Charlotte. 704-972-4700. www.cbcc.us.

Charles Basham and Christopher Clamp:

Jerald Melberg Gallery presents two solo exhibitions for artists Charles Basham and Christopher Clamp. 10 a.m. Free. Jerald Melberg Gallery, 625 S. Sharon Amity Road, Charlotte. 704-365-3000. www.jeraldmelberg.com.

Kids Craft Wednesday:

Join us for free crafts for young children. Every week we will make a new craft. 10:30 a.m. Free. Chick-fil-A Cotswold, 4431 Randolph Road, Charlotte. 704-366-0073. www.cfarestaurant.com.

Holiday Afternoon Tea:

Join The Ballantyne Hotel & Lodge for Holiday Afternoon Tea in the main lobby throughout December. Reservations required. 1 p.m. The cost is $30 for adults and $15 for children ages 5-12, and complimentary for children ages 4 and younger (plus tax and gratuity). 704-248-4100. The Ballantyne Hotel & Lodge, 10000 Ballantyne Commons Parkway, Charlotte. 704-248-4000. www.theballantynehotel.com.

Dec. 27

Free care-giving help during the holidays:

To help care-givers during the holidays, The Ivey memory care day center in SouthPark is offering a free four-hour visit from now through Dec. 28 for any senior with Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s or other chronic condition. Your relative will be well cared for while you take care of personal errands or do your shopping. Registration required: 704-909-2070. Limit one visit per family. 7:30 a.m. Free. The Ivey Adult Day Services, 6030 Park S Drive, Charlotte. 704-909-2070. www.theivey.com.

Charles Basham and Christopher Clamp:

Jerald Melberg Gallery presents two solo exhibitions for artists Charles Basham and Christopher Clamp. 10 a.m. Free. Jerald Melberg Gallery, 625 S. Sharon Amity Road, Charlotte. 704-365-3000. www.jeraldmelberg.com.

Holiday Afternoon Tea:

Join The Ballantyne Hotel & Lodge for Holiday Afternoon Tea in the main lobby throughout December. Reservations required. 1 p.m. The cost is $30 for adults and $15 for children ages 5-12, and complimentary for children ages 4 and younger (plus tax and gratuity). 704-248-4100. The Ballantyne Hotel & Lodge, 10000 Ballantyne Commons Parkway, Charlotte. 704-248-4000. www.theballantynehotel.com.

Alzheimer’s support group:

Elmcroft hosts a support group for those who have a loved one dealing with Alzheimer’s or other dementia, held the last Thursday of each month. 6 p.m. Free. Elmcroft of Little Avenue, 7745 Little Ave., Charlotte. 704-541-9333. www.elmcroftal.com.

Dec. 28

Free care-giving help during the holidays:

To help care-givers during the holidays, The Ivey memory care day center in SouthPark is offering a free four-hour visit from now through Dec. 28 for any senior with Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s or other chronic condition. Your relative will be well cared for while you take care of personal errands or do your shopping. Registration required: 704-909-2070. Limit one visit per family. 7:30 a.m. Free. The Ivey Adult Day Services, 6030 Park S Drive, Charlotte. 704-909-2070. www.theivey.com.

Charles Basham and Christopher Clamp:

Jerald Melberg Gallery presents two solo exhibitions for artists Charles Basham and Christopher Clamp. 10 a.m. Free. Jerald Melberg Gallery, 625 S. Sharon Amity Road, Charlotte. 704-365-3000. www.jeraldmelberg.com.

Holiday Afternoon Tea:

Join The Ballantyne Hotel & Lodge for Holiday Afternoon Tea in the main lobby throughout December. Reservations required. 1 p.m. The cost is $30 for adults and $15 for children ages 5-12, and complimentary for children ages 4 and younger (plus tax and gratuity). 704-248-4100. The Ballantyne Hotel & Lodge, 10000 Ballantyne Commons Parkway, Charlotte. 704-248-4000. www.theballantynehotel.com.

Drama Kids:

Enthusiastic students age 6-11 who learn to speak out clearly and relate confidently with others will have an inside track to lifetime success. Our specialty is using a wide range of unique drama activities to focus the bold, outspoken child and to draw out the quiet child or the inarticulate child. 5 p.m. Check for promotions. 704-612-1441. dramakids.com. Sports Connection, 11611 Ardrey Kell Road, Charlotte. www.sportsconnectionnc.com.