5 events to check out this week, including an ‘Elf’ showing at a Christmas drive-in: Dec. 11 - 17

The temperature dropped down enough this weekend that we actually had a chance of snow. You know what that means: we can finally all start wearing our holiday sweaters and bundling up like the little snow bunnies we’ve wanted to be since the first cold spell of the season back in November.

Whether you still need a little more to get you into the holiday spirit or your halls have been decked since the day after Halloween, here are a few fun, festive events that you don’t want to miss this week.

(1) Run as Santa, an elf, a reindeer or a snowman at the annual Santa Run 8K & Snowman Dash.

Saturday Dec. 16, 9 a.m. Tickets start at $25. Romare Bearden Park, 300 S. Church St.

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Show off how fast and festive you are this Saturday. Registration for this festive race includes a shirt and a Santa hat, Elf hat, Snowman hat or Reindeer antlers to get you into the holiday spirit. Run the Santa 8K or the one-mile Snowman Dash, then stick around to explore the Charlotte Christmas Village at Romare Bearden Park after you’ve finished the race. More information here, or sign up for the race here.

(2) Watch Elf drive-in style under the twinkling lights at Speedway Christmas.

Thursday Dec. 14 through Sunday Dec. 17, 6:30 p.m. $25 per car on Thursday and Sunday, $30 per car on Friday and Saturday. Charlotte Motor Speedway, 5555 Concord Pkwy S. Concord, NC.

In addition to experiencing the spectacular drive-through light show featuring more than three million Christmas lights at Speedway Christmas, you can also watch Elf on Speedway TV at the massive, Christmas-themed drive-in theatre! The first showing of the movie begins at 6:30 p.m. Thursday through Sunday, with a second showing immediately after.

If you’re looking for more reasons to visit, you can also check out the Christmas Village for a petting zoo, Bethlehem village, photos with Santa, festive foods and more. Get your tickets here.

(3) Sip, shop and eat at the Sycamore Brewing & Vintage Charlotte 2017 Christmas Market.

Friday Dec. 15, 5 – 10 p.m. Free admission. Sycamore Brewing, 2161 Hawkins St.

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Shop more than 30 local vendors while enjoying seasonal beer and hot cider releases at this very merry market hosted by Sycamore Brewing and Vintage Charlotte. There will be live Christmas music from The Clydes, food trucks and even a visit from Santa. Learn more here.

Need another reason to feel good about attending? They’ll also be hosting the 2nd Annual ’12 Brews of Christmas’ Toy Drive during the market, benefitting Levine Children’s Hospital and the Down Syndrome Association of Greater Charlotte. To participate, just bring a new, unwrapped toy or donate cash money to the cause(s). Find out more here.

(4) Compete for holiday glory at The Wacky, Tacky, Cackalacky Ugly Sweater Party at Carowinds.

Friday Dec. 15, 5 – 10 p.m. $20, if you wear an ugly sweater. Carowinds, 300 S. Carowinds Blvd.

To celebrate National Ugly Sweater Day, Carowinds will be hosting The Wacky, Tacky, Cackalacky Ugly Sweater Party. Anyone who shows up in an ugly sweater can get into Carowinds’ WinterFest for just $20, and if you think your sweater is the tackiest of all, you can enter the Ugly Sweater Contest for a chance to win four 2018 Gold Season Passes. More information here.

(5) Chow down on unlimited chili at the 4th Annual Chili Cook Off at Unknown Brewing.

Saturday Dec. 16, 2 – 6 p.m. $10. Unknown Brewing, 1327 S. Mint St.

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Join dozens of amateur chili cooks in the Queen City as they compete for the title of Charlotte Chili Cookoff Champion 2017. Help determine who will win this year’s competition by showing up and tasting unlimited chili samples for $10, then voting on your favorite chili after you’ve tasted them all. Learn more here.

This story was originally published December 9, 2017 at 8:00 PM with the headline "5 events to check out this week, including an ‘Elf’ showing at a Christmas drive-in: Dec. 11 - 17."