Your ultimate holiday guide for the rest of the season in Charlotte

Did December sneak up on you? Are you having trouble getting in the holiday spirit? Whether you like to celebrate the holidays by staying active, indulging, or staying cozy with friends inside, Charlotte has plenty of events to help you celebrate the season.

Going on now

(1) Carowinds Winterfest

14523 Carowinds Blvd.

Select nights through Dec. 31.

Tickets start at $26.

During Carowinds Winterfest, the beloved theme park is decked out with over 5 million lights, a 70-ft tree and other displays. In addition to sparkly spectacles, there will also be live shows, performers and a nightly Wonderland Parade.

(2) Gingerbread Lane

10000 Ballantyne Commons Pkwy.

Through Dec. 26.

Free admission

Wander through Gingerbread Lane and vote for your favorite creation at the Ballantyne Hotel. All donation proceeds benefit the Levine Children’s Hospital. Hot chocolate is available for purchase.

(3) Snowland at Great Wolf Lodge

10175 Weddington Rd., Concord.

Through Jan. 5.

Admission starts at $40.

Be transported to a winter wonderland at Great Wolf Lodge’s Snowland. Experience daily snow showers, visits from Santa, an interactive Frosty Fest Family Dance Party, a hot cocoa bar and more festive surprises. Guests can also take a break from the frosty weather in the Lodge’s heated waterpark.

(4) Speedway Christmas

5555 Concord Pkwy.

Through Jan. 5.

$30/car

Drive through 4 million lights at the 20th annual Speedway Christmas at the Charlotte Motor Speedway. After your drive through the Santa’s Safari-themed Christmas Lights Show, check out the Christmas Village featuring a 100-foot LED Tunnel, Drive In Movies and fun rides like a Ferris wheel, carousel and 50-foot slide.

(5) The Great American Trailer Park Christmas Musical

2211 Wellesley Ave.

Through Dec. 22.

$30

This Christmas musical tells the story of the misadventures of the Armadillo Acres trailer park residents as they prepare for a holiday contest. in This show is recommended for ages 16 and up due to mature humor.

(6) The Nutcracker

130 N. Tryon St.

Through Dec. 23.

Tickets start at $25.

Don’t miss the chance to see for yourself why the Charlotte Ballet’s rendition of Tchaikovsky’s classic ballet is one of Charlotte’s favorite annual holiday traditions.

Dec. 12

(7) Christmas Movie Trivia at NoDa Brewing

2921 N. Tryon St.

Dec. 12, 6 p.m.

Free admission

Re-watch all your favorite Christmas classics before heading over to NoDa Brewing’s festive twist on its weekly pub trivia.

Dec. 13

(8) The Olde Mecklenburg Brewery Christmas Market

4150 Yancey Rd.

Dec. 13-15, 20-22.

Free admission

For three weekends in December, the Olde Mecklenburg Brewery is transformed into a German-style Christmas Village full of shopping from over 40 vendors, lights, German beers and festive foods.

(9) Watercolor Ornament Cookie Cooking Class

380 S. College St.

Dec. 13, 6-9 p.m.

$70

Learn to make and decorate a dozen ornament cookies from the experts at Amelie’s French Bakery. Students will make dough and icing from scratch, then cut, bake and embellish their cookies.

Dec. 14

(10) Funky Festivus

800 Grandin Rd.

Dec. 14, 7-11 p.m.

Suggested donation of $5, a toy or children’s book to benefit Turn around Toys.

Seinfeld fans won’t want to miss the Funky Festivus celebration at Town Brewing. Festivities include live funk music, an arm wrestling and stein hoist competition with prizes, a special Festivus menu and an airing of grievances wall.

(11) Gingerbread House Decorating Class

10000 Ballantyne Commons Pkwy.

Dec. 14-15, 10 a.m.-noon

$60 per house

Learn how to make a beautiful gingerbread house at this class at The Ballantyne Hotel. They provide the gingerbread, icing and candy and will guide you and up to three friends through the process of building and embellishing your own gingerbread house. Reservations are required.

(12) Holiday Pet Portraits

3000 S. Tryon St.

Dec. 14, Noon-5 p.m.

Free admission, 2 digital images for $25 or 3 images for $30.

Bring your favorite animal friends for perfectly posed holiday pet portraits from B5 Photography. Check out offerings from vendors and play with some pups from a local shelter. Proceeds from Lenny Boy Brewing and the portraits benefit North Mecklenburg Animal Rescue.

(13) Teddy Bear Tea

601 S. College St.

Dec. 14-15, 21-22, 10 a.m.-3 p.m.

$52 for adults or $60, including bottomless mimosas; $28 for kids under 12 years old, free for children 2 and under.

Bring the whole family to a holiday-themed Teddy Bear Tea. Each child gets to stuff a teddy bear, take photos with Santa and decorate an ornament while adults can enjoy bottomless mimosas and an artisanal tea menu. Refreshments include a hot chocolate station, scones and tea sandwiches, a child-friendly menu and more. A portion of proceeds from this event will benefit the Hospitality House of Charlotte.

(14) We Believe - Santa 5k Trail Race and Dog Jog

5000 Whitewater Center Pkwy.

Dec. 14, 11 a.m.

$30 if registered online through Dec. 12, $37 same-day registration.

Bring your pup and best Santa costume to jog through the White Water Center trails in a festive 5k. Awards will be given to the fastest and best dressed humans and pups.

Dec. 17

(15) Holiday Wreath Workshop

2000 South Blvd., Suite 190

Dec. 17, 6 p.m.

$60

Make your own festive and fresh-cut holiday wreath at a workshop with Bookout Blooms in Atherton Mill. All materials are provided.

(16) Music Bingo - Christmas Songs

610 Anderson Rd.

Dec. 17, 7:30-8:30 p.m.

Free admission

Test your knowledge of your favorite Christmas Carols at Bold Missy Brewing’s Christmas-themed music bingo. There will be several games, so you can drop in throughout the evening for festive bingo fun.

Dec. 19

(17) Drinks and Dreidels 3.0

222 S. Church St.

Dec. 19, 7:30-10:30 p.m.

$25 for a single ticket, $46 for two tickets.

Celebrate Hanuakkah with a grand dreidel tournament, open bar, doughnut bar and Menorah lighting at this cocktail party hosted by the Uptown Chabad.

Dec. 20

(18) Running of the Balls 5K

2101 Central Ave.

Dec. 20, 7:15 p.m.

$20

Run though the Christmas decoration of historic Plaza Midwood at the third annual Running of the Balls 5K. Run, walk or jog through the neighborhood on a course starting and ending at Resident Culture, where you’ll finish the night with a post-race celebration. Event proceeds benefit the Smith Family Wellness Center and Eastway Middle School.

Dec. 21

(19) Last Minute Market

2832 Griffith St.

Dec. 21, 11 a.m.-4 p.m.

Free admission.

Get last minute gifts at this pop-up vendor market at the Barrel Room at Triple C Brewing. The event will feature a shopping experience with over 30 vendors, food trucks, beer, wine and cider.

(20) Run Run Rudolph

10101 David Taylor Dr.

Dec. 21, 8-10 a.m.

$45 for 10k, $40 for 5k.

Run a holiday themed 5k or 10k in costume to have a chance at winning a $50 Charlotte Running Co. gift card. All participants will receive a holiday hoodie and festive gift bag.

(21) Santa Run 8K and Snowman Dash

300 S. Church St.

Dec. 21, 9 a.m.

$45 for 8K, $25 for Snowman Dash.

Dress up as a Santa, an elf, a reindeer or a snowman for this family-friendly fun event. Finish the 8K to win a finisher medal and a festive hat. All participants can enjoy the live DJ, refreshments from Natalie’s Juice, Olde Mecklenburg Brewery and free hot cocoa.

Dec. 22

(22) Southpark Dual Grand Menorah Lighting

4400 Sharon Rd.

Dec. 22, 5-8 p.m.

Free admission

Join Chabad of Charlotte in lighting two giant Menorahs at Southpark Mall. A Grand Laffy Taffy Menorah will be lit in Circle Court at 5pm, followed by the lighting of a Giant Graffiti Menorah outside of Dicks Sporting Goods.

Dec. 23

(23) Stonecrest Lego Menorah Lighting

7800 Rea Rd.

Dec. 23, 5:30 p.m.

Free admission

Join the Ballantyne Jewish Center in lighting a 9-foot tall lego Menorah at StoneCrest. Stick around afterward for fun kids activities, latkes, donuts and fun.

Dec. 28

(24) Cirque du Noel

130 N. Tryon St.

Dec. 28, 7:30-9:30 p.m.

Tickets start at $66.

See your favorite holiday songs illustrated with a dazzling display of circus arts including aerial dance, contortion, juggling and acrobatics at this one-night only showcase.

Jan. 4

(25) Twelfth Night

3500 Shamrock Dr.

Jan. 4, 5:30-8:30 p.m.

Free admission, cash bar

Party like a colonial North Carolinian at Twelfth Night, a traditional 18th century celebration held on the twelfth night after Christmas. Gather at the 1774 Alexander Rock House for a party with bonfires, hot cider, games and live music with the Charlotte Museum of History.