Day-by-day guide to holiday events happening in Charlotte
There’s no shortage of fun stuff to do this holiday season. Don’t believe us? Just scroll through this list below from Jody Mace and Charlotte on the Cheap. Know of a holiday event we missed? Email us at charlottefive@charlottefive.com. And bookmark this story as we’ll be updating it regularly as we learn about more events.
Monday, December 5
- Speedway Christmas
- Christmas at Billy Graham Library
- Santa’s Wonderland at Bass Pro Shops
- Holiday at the Garden–Daniel Stowe Botanical Gardens
- McAdenville–Christmas Town USA lights display
- Campus Christmas Party at Davidson College
- Kannapolis Celebration of Lights & Winterland Express
- Leonard Bearstein’s Animatronic Orchestra at Founder’s Hall
- Free concert by North Mecklenburg Community Chorus at First Baptist Church in Huntersville
Tuesday, December 6
- Speedway Christmas
- Christmas at Billy Graham Library
- Santa’s Wonderland at Bass Pro Shops
- Charlotte Christmas Market at Romare Bearden Park
- Holiday at the Garden–Daniel Stowe Botanical Gardens
- McAdenville–Christmas Town USA lights display
- Messiah Sing-a-long at Davidson College
- Kannapolis Celebration of Lights & Winterland Express
- Leonard Bearstein’s Animatronic Orchestra at Founder’s Hall
- History program on Christmas Carols, followed by Christmas Tea
Wednesday, December 7
- Speedway Christmas
- Christmas at Billy Graham Library
- Santa’s Wonderland at Bass Pro Shops
- Charlotte Christmas Market at Romare Bearden Park
- Holiday at the Garden–Daniel Stowe Botanical Gardens
- McAdenville–Christmas Town USA lights display
- Outdoor skating Uptown: Holiday on Ice
- Kannapolis Celebration of Lights & Winterland Express
- Leonard Bearstein’s Animatronic Orchestra at Founder’s Hall
Thursday, December 8
- Speedway Christmas
- Christmas at Billy Graham Library
- Santa’s Wonderland at Bass Pro Shops
- Charlotte Christmas Market at Romare Bearden Park
- Holiday at the Garden–Daniel Stowe Botanical Gardens
- McAdenville–Christmas Town USA lights display
- Outdoor skating Uptown: Holiday on Ice
- Kannapolis Celebration of Lights & Winterland Express
- Leonard Bearstein’s Animatronic Orchestra at Founder’s Hall
- Gingerbread Lane at Ballantyne Hotel
- Winter Wonderland Light Show at Phillips Place
- Westend Winter Wonderland
Friday, December 9
- Speedway Christmas
- Christmas at Billy Graham Library
- Santa’s Wonderland at Bass Pro Shops
- Holiday at the Garden–Daniel Stowe Botanical Gardens
- Charlotte Christmas Market at Romare Bearden Park
- McAdenville–Christmas Town USA lights display
- Outdoor skating Uptown: Holiday on Ice
- Train to Christmas Town
- Kannapolis Celebration of Lights & Winterland Express
- Leonard Bearstein’s Animatronic Orchestra at Founder’s Hall
- Gingerbread Lane at Ballantyne Hotel
- Weihnachtsmarkt at Olde Mecklenburg Brewery
Saturday, December 10
- Speedway Christmas
- Christmas at Billy Graham Library
- Santa’s Wonderland at Bass Pro Shops
- Charlotte Christmas Market at Romare Bearden Park
- Holiday at the Garden–Daniel Stowe Botanical Gardens
- McAdenville–Christmas Town USA lights display
- Outdoor skating Uptown: Holiday on Ice
- Train to Christmas Town
- Private visits with Santa at Historic Latta Plantation
- Kannapolis Christmas Parade
- Kannapolis Celebration of Lights & Winterland Express
- Leonard Bearstein’s Animatronic Orchestra at Founder’s Hall
- Gingerbread Lane at Ballantyne Hotel
- Santa Saturday at Black Lion Charlotte
- Winter Wonderland at Wise Acres Organic Farm
- Holiday story time at James K. Polk Historic Site
- Weihnachtsmarkt at Olde Mecklenburg Brewery
- NoDa Krampus Crawl
- Free concert by North Mecklenburg Community Chorus at Community in Christ Lutheran Church in Cornelius
Sunday, December 11
- Speedway Christmas
- Santa’s Wonderland at Bass Pro Shops
- Holiday at the Garden–Daniel Stowe Botanical Gardens
- Charlotte Christmas Market at Romare Bearden Park
- Outdoor skating Uptown: Holiday on Ice
- Train to Christmas Town
- Old-Fashioned Christmas Tea at Historic Latta Plantation
- Menorah workshop for kids at Home Depot in Ballantyne
- Kannapolis Celebration of Lights & Winterland Express
- Leonard Bearstein’s Animatronic Orchestra at Founder’s Hall
- Moscow Ballet’s “Great Russian Nutcracker” at Ovens Auditorium
- NoDa Christmas Tree Lighting Celebration
- Gingerbread Lane at Ballantyne Hotel
- Waxhaw Christmas Parade
- Starving Artist Pop Up Market at Charlotte Art League
- Sing-along with Santa at Charlotte Academy of Music
- Santa Sunday at Black Lion Huntersville
- Winter Wonderland at Wise Acres Organic Farm
Monday, December 12
- Speedway Christmas
- Christmas at Billy Graham Library
- Santa’s Wonderland at Bass Pro Shops
- Holiday at the Garden–Daniel Stowe Botanical Gardens
- McAdenville–Christmas Town USA lights display
- Kannapolis Celebration of Lights & Winterland Express
- Leonard Bearstein’s Animatronic Orchestra at Founder’s Hall
- Gingerbread Lane at Ballantyne Hotel
- Carmel Presbyterian’s Drive-Thru Christmas
- Free concert by North Mecklenburg Community Church at Huntersville United Methodist Church
Tuesday, December 13
- Speedway Christmas
- Christmas at Billy Graham Library
- Santa’s Wonderland at Bass Pro Shops
- Charlotte Christmas Market at Romare Bearden Park
- Holiday at the Garden–Daniel Stowe Botanical Gardens
- McAdenville–Christmas Town USA lights display
- Kannapolis Celebration of Lights & Winterland Express
- Leonard Bearstein’s Animatronic Orchestra at Founder’s Hall
- Gingerbread Lane at Ballantyne Hotel
Wednesday, December 14
- Speedway Christmas
- Christmas at Billy Graham Library
- Santa’s Wonderland at Bass Pro Shops
- Holiday at the Garden–Daniel Stowe Botanical Gardens
- Charlotte Christmas Market at Romare Bearden Park
- McAdenville–Christmas Town USA lights display
- Outdoor skating Uptown: Holiday on Ice
- Train to Christmas Town
- Kannapolis Celebration of Lights & Winterland Express
- Leonard Bearstein’s Animatronic Orchestra at Founder’s Hall
- Gingerbread Lane at Ballantyne Hotel
- Carmel Presbyterian’s Drive-Thru Christmas
- 5th Annual Acoustic Christmas Tour at Puckett’s Farm Equipment
Thursday, December 15
- Speedway Christmas
- Christmas at Billy Graham Library
- Santa’s Wonderland at Bass Pro Shops
- Charlotte Christmas Market at Romare Bearden Park
- Holiday at the Garden–Daniel Stowe Botanical Gardens
- McAdenville–Christmas Town USA lights display
- Outdoor skating Uptown: Holiday on Ice
- Train to Christmas Town
- Kannapolis Celebration of Lights & Winterland Express
- Leonard Bearstein’s Animatronic Orchestra at Founder’s Hall
- Gingerbread Lane at Ballantyne Hotel
- Winter Wonderland Light Show at Phillips Place
Friday, December 16
- Speedway Christmas
- Christmas at Billy Graham Library
- Santa’s Wonderland at Bass Pro Shops
- Charlotte Christmas Market at Romare Bearden Park
- Holiday at the Garden–Daniel Stowe Botanical Gardens
- McAdenville–Christmas Town USA lights display
- Yule Log Festival and Parade in McAdenville
- Outdoor skating Uptown: Holiday on Ice
- Train to Christmas Town
- Kannapolis Celebration of Lights & Winterland Express
- Leonard Bearstein’s Animatronic Orchestra at Founder’s Hall
- Holiday Revue at Visulite Theater. Bands: Time Sawyer & Josh Daniel/Mark Schimick Project
- Gingerbread Lane at Ballantyne Hotel
- Weihnachtsmarkt at Olde Mecklenburg Brewery
Saturday, December 17
- Speedway Christmas
- Christmas at Billy Graham Library
- Santa’s Wonderland at Bass Pro Shops
- Charlotte Christmas Market at Romare Bearden Park
- Holiday at the Garden–Daniel Stowe Botanical Gardens
- McAdenville–Christmas Town USA lights display
- Outdoor skating Uptown: Holiday on Ice
- Train to Christmas Town
- Kannapolis Celebration of Lights & Winterland Express
- Leonard Bearstein’s Animatronic Orchestra at Founder’s Hall
- Gingerbread Lane at Ballantyne Hotel
- American Made Market at Atherton Mill & Market, with free concert by Caleb Caudle
- Santa Saturday at Black Lion Charlotte
- Crafts at President James K. Polk State Historic Site
- Weihnachtsmarkt at Olde Mecklenburg Brewery
- Free Store Christmas Party–free to attend and includes free pictures with Santa and more
- Kwanzaa Workshop at Harvey B. Gantt Center
Sunday, December 18
- Speedway Christmas
- Santa’s Wonderland at Bass Pro Shops
- Holiday at the Garden–Daniel Stowe Botanical Gardens
- Charlotte Christmas Market at Romare Bearden Park
- McAdenville–Christmas Town USA lights display
- Outdoor skating Uptown: Holiday on Ice
- Kannapolis Celebration of Lights & Winterland Express
- Leonard Bearstein’s Animatronic Orchestra at Founder’s Hall
- Gingerbread Lane at Ballantyne Hotel
- American Made Market at Atherton Mill & Market
- Charlotte Pride Band Winter Concert
Monday, December 19
- Speedway Christmas
- Christmas at Billy Graham Library
- Santa’s Wonderland at Bass Pro Shops
- Holiday at the Garden–Daniel Stowe Botanical Gardens
- McAdenville–Christmas Town USA lights display
- Outdoor skating Uptown: Holiday on Ice
- Kannapolis Celebration of Lights & Winterland Express
- Leonard Bearstein’s Animatronic Orchestra at Founder’s Hall
- Gingerbread Lane at Ballantyne Hotel
Tuesday, December 20
- Speedway Christmas
- Christmas at Billy Graham Library
- Santa’s Wonderland at Bass Pro Shops
- Charlotte Christmas Market at Romare Bearden Park
- Holiday at the Garden–Daniel Stowe Botanical Gardens
- McAdenville–Christmas Town USA lights display
- Outdoor skating Uptown: Holiday on Ice
- Kannapolis Celebration of Lights & Winterland Express
- Leonard Bearstein’s Animatronic Orchestra at Founder’s Hall
- Gingerbread Lane at Ballantyne Hotel
Wednesday, December 21
- Speedway Christmas
- Christmas at Billy Graham Library
- Santa’s Wonderland at Bass Pro Shops
- Charlotte Christmas Market at Romare Bearden Park
- Holiday at the Garden–Daniel Stowe Botanical Gardens
- McAdenville–Christmas Town USA lights display
- Outdoor skating Uptown: Holiday on Ice
- Train to Christmas Town
- Kannapolis Celebration of Lights & Winterland Express
- Leonard Bearstein’s Animatronic Orchestra at Founder’s Hall
- Gingerbread Lane at Ballantyne Hotel
Thursday, December 22
- Speedway Christmas
- Santa’s Wonderland at Bass Pro Shops
- Charlotte Christmas Market at Romare Bearden Park
- Christmas at Billy Graham Library
- Holiday at the Garden–Daniel Stowe Botanical Gardens
- Outdoor skating Uptown: Holiday on Ice
- Train to Christmas Town
- Kannapolis Celebration of Lights & Winterland Express
- Leonard Bearstein’s Animatronic Orchestra at Founder’s Hall
- Gingerbread Lane at Ballantyne Hotel
- Winter Wonderland Light Show at Phillips Place
Friday, December 23
- Speedway Christmas
- Santa’s Wonderland at Bass Pro Shops
- Charlotte Christmas Market at Romare Bearden Park
- Christmas at Billy Graham Library
- Outdoor skating at Holiday on Ice
- Charlotte Christmas Market at Romare Bearden Park
- McAdenville–Christmas Town USA lights display
- Train to Christmas Town
- Kannapolis Celebration of Lights & Winterland Express
- Leonard Bearstein’s Animatronic Orchestra at Founder’s Hall
- Gingerbread Lane at Ballantyne Hotel
Saturday, December 24
- Speedway Christmas
- Holiday at the Garden–Daniel Stowe Botanical Gardens
- McAdenville–Christmas Town USA lights display
- Charlotte Christmas Market at Romare Bearden Park
- Outdoor skating Uptown: Holiday on Ice
- Leonard Bearstein’s Animatronic Orchestra at Founder’s Hall
- Gingerbread Lane at Ballantyne Hotel
Sunday, December 25
- Outdoor skating Uptown: Holiday on Ice
- Leonard Bearstein’s Animatronic Orchestra at Founder’s Hall
- Gingerbread Lane at Ballantyne Hotel
Monday, December 26
- Speedway Christmas
- Holiday at the Garden–Daniel Stowe Botanical Gardens
- Outdoor skating Uptown: Holiday on Ice
- Kannapolis Celebration of Lights & Winterland Express
- Menorah Lighting at Stonecrest
- Gingerbread Lane at Ballantyne Hotel
- Kwanzaa Celebration
Tuesday, December 27
- Speedway Christmas
- Holiday at the Garden–Daniel Stowe Botanical Gardens
- Outdoor skating Uptown: Holiday on Ice
- Kannapolis Celebration of Lights & Winterland Express
- Gingerbread Lane at Ballantyne Hotel
- Kwanzaa Celebration
Wednesday, December 28
- Speedway Christmas
- Outdoor skating Uptown: Holiday on Ice
- Kannapolis Celebration of Lights & Winterland Express
- Hanukkah carnival and Menorah lighting in downtown Waxhaw
- Gingerbread Lane at Ballantyne Hotel
- Kwanzaa Celebration
Thursday, December 29
- Speedway Christmas
- Outdoor skating at Holiday on Ice
- Holiday at the Garden–Daniel Stowe Botanical Gardens
- Outdoor skating Uptown: Holiday on Ice
- Kannapolis Celebration of Lights & Winterland Express
- Kwanzaa Celebration
Friday, December 30
- Holiday at the Garden–Daniel Stowe Botanical Gardens
- Speedway Christmas
- Outdoor skating Uptown: Holiday on Ice
- Kannapolis Celebration of Lights & Winterland Express
- Kwanzaa Celebration
Saturday, December 31
- Holiday at the Garden–Daniel Stowe Botanical Gardens
- Speedway Christmas
- Outdoor skating Uptown: Holiday on Ice
- Kwanzaa Celebration
- CLT New Year’s Eve
Sunday, January 1
- Holiday at the Garden–Daniel Stowe Botanical Gardens
- Outdoor skating Uptown: Holiday on Ice
- Kwanzaa Celebration
Sunday, January 2
Sunday, January 3
Sunday, January 4
Sunday, January 5
Sunday, January 6
Sunday, January 7
Sunday, January 8
Photo: David T. Foster III/Charlotte Observer
This story was originally published December 4, 2016 at 11:57 PM with the headline "Day-by-day guide to holiday events happening in Charlotte."