The ultimate guide to every holiday activity and event happening in Charlotte this season
Pause Netflix and live a real-life Hallmark movie around Charlotte. Outdoor ice rinks, glittering trees and Christmas markets speckle the city with holiday cheer. Catch a show or sip a hot cocoa to get into the spirit of the season.
Outdoor activities
Winter Wonderland
An outdoor ice rink, Santa’s Pub, and Broomball add fun to holiday shopping at SouthPark Mall.
Where: 4400 Sharon Road
When: November 17 – January 7. Times vary (see website)
Price: Free admission; $17 for skating (includes rental); $99 pre-season pass special/$149 regular
Speedway Christmas
Drive through a 3.75 mile course featuring over 3.5 million lights while listening to holiday tunes at the Charlotte Motor Speedway.
Where: 5555 Concord Pkwy. S.
When: November 18 – December 31. 6 – 10 p.m.
Price: $20+ per car
Winterfest
Five million shimmering lights, a 70-foot tree, holiday snacks and live performances decorate Carowinds in seasonal cheer.
Where: 300 Carowinds Blvd., Fort Mill
When: November 18 – December 31
Price: $26+ per ticket
[Related: 14 winter date ideas for every kind of couple, from hockey games to holiday markets]
Historic Homes
The Holiday Home Tour is sold out, but don’t fret — the Fourth Ward Victorian homes remain illuminated for external viewing during the holiday season. Walk the historic neighborhood then dine in an old home at Poplar or McNinch House Restaurant.
Where: Historic Fourth Ward neighborhood
When: throughout the holiday season
Price: free
[Related: 15 free outdoor fall and winter activities in Charlotte, from hitting the trails to holiday markets]
Holidays at The Garden
Catch “A Mile of A Million Lights”, a musical topiary display, and seasonal culinary delights at Daniel Stowe Botanical Gardens.
Where: 6500 S. New Hope Road
When: November 23 – January 6. 5 – 9 p.m.
Price: $12.95+ per ticket
[Related: Merry everything: Here’s where you can get into the holiday spirit in Charlotte this season]
Larger-than-life decor
Pose for a photo near oversized ornaments in Uptown Charlotte.
Where: Red ornament — located outside the Mint Museum Uptown; Golden Trio – located outside of Mimosa Grill
When: throughout the holiday season
Price: free
Christmas Town USA
Drive (or stroll) through the town of McAdenville, which features over 160 decorated homes, 500,000 lights and 265 evergreen trees.
Where: McAdenville
When: November 30 – December 26
Price: free
[Related: 12 things to know about visiting McAdenville (aka Christmas Town USA]
Holiday on Ice
Ice skate (or give it your best shot) under market lights and a glittering tree at the NASCAR Hall of Fame throughout the holiday season.
Where: 400 E Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
When: November 16 – December 17. 5 – 10 p.m. weekdays, 10 a.m. – 10 p.m. Saturday, times vary Sunday (see calendar)
Price: $16/person (includes skate rental); $40 season pass
Horse-Drawn Carriage Rides
Live your holiday movie dreams in a horse-drawn carriage ride around the Billy Graham Library grounds.
Where: 4330 Westmont Drive
When: November 29 – December 22. 5 – 9 p.m. Monday – Thursday, 5 – 10 pm. Friday, 2 – 10 p.m. Saturday
Price: $8 for adults; $4 for children under 12
Holiday Races
Get in Christmas-cookie shape at one of Charlotte’s annual races. The faster you run, the more cookies you deserve. Upcoming races:
Santa Run 8k and Snowman Dash
Where: 300 S. Church St.
When: December 15. 9 a.m.
Price: $25 – $45
Plaza Midwood’s Running of the Balls 5k
Where: Resident Culture Brewing (2101 Central Ave.)
When: December 14. 7 – 8 p.m.
Price: free (or $20 for race entry + shirt)
RiRa 5k Santa Run
Where: 208 N. Tryon St.
When: December 16. 3 p.m.
Price: $40 pre-registration; $45 day-of registration (all proceeds benefit the local Patriot Family Military Foundation)
Allstate Hot Chocolate 15k/5k
Where: TBA
When: January 1. 5k at 7:45 a.m.; 15k at 8:05 a.m.
Price: $49 for 5k; $69 for 15k
Shopping
Peppermint Forest
Ornaments, collectibles and a trail of holiday trees make the Peppermint Forest Christmas Shop a must-see holiday shopping destination.
Where: 11729 Carolina Place Pkwy.
When: Now – January
Price: Depends on how magical you want your holiday season to feel
Girl Tribe Holiday Pop-Up
Stuff stockings with a little girl power this year with goodies from local women-owned brands while enjoying brews and snacks at the Girl Tribe Lab.
Where: 1800 Camden Road Suite 102
When: December 15 – 16. 12 – 5 p.m.
Price: Free general admission; VIP tickets are $20 advance and $25 day-of
[Related: Find holiday gifts under $40 at these 20 spots in Charlotte]
Charlotte Christmas Village
Enjoy live performances, Glühwein and specialty foods while shopping for loved ones at Charlotte’s annual Christmas Village.
Where: Corner of 7th and N. Tryon streets
When: November 22 – December 24, 11 a.m. – 7 p.m. Tuesday-Wednesday, 11 a.m. – 9 p.m. Thursday – Saturday, 11 a.m. – 6 p.m. Sunday
Price: Free
Weihnachtsmarkt
Shop local vendors’ goods while enjoying a seasonal beer or Gluhwein at The Olde Mecklenburg Brewery’s German-themed holiday market.
Where: 4150 Yancey Road
When: November 30 – December 15. 2 – 9 p.m.
Price: Free
[Related: Shop local at these 25 can’t-miss holiday markets, now through December]
Holiday Trees
Gather inspiration for your Christmas tree around Charlotte, where towering pines shimmer with holiday cheer. A few of our favorites: Historic South End tree near Atherton Mill, the NASCAR Hall of Fame tree near the outdoor ice rink, and the glimmering red and silver tree in the Wells Fargo atrium.
Shows
The Magic of Christmas
Listen to tunes from the Nutcracker and The Polar Express during the Charlotte Symphony’s riveting holiday performance at the Knight Theater.
Where: 430 S Tryon St.
When: December 14 – 23. Times vary (see performance schedule here)
Price: $19 – $195
The Nutcracker
Catch the sugar plum fairy in action at Charlotte Ballet’s rendition of the Nutcracker at the Belk Theater.
Where: 130 N Tryon St.
When: December 7 – 23
Price: $35 – $100
The 64th Annual Singing Christmas Tree
Listen to an all-new production of the Carolina Voices’ Singing Christmas Tree, featuring incredible arrangements of favorite holiday classics highlighting the MainStage Choir, Miller Street Dance Academy and special guests.
Where: 430 S Tryon St.
When: December 8 – 9. Times vary (see performance schedule here)
Price: $26 – $45
The Best Christmas Pageant Ever: The Musical
Back by popular demand, the Children’s Theatre of Charlotte School of Theatre Training will perform a family-friendly holiday show adapted from Barbara Robinson’s classic story.
Where: 300 E. 7th St.
When: November 24 – December 28
Price: $15+
Leonard Bearstein Symphony Orchestra
Founded in 1997 by Spintastic Sounds Inc., the Leonard Bearstein Symphony Orchestra of audio-animatronic bears brings Christmas cheer to Founders Hall throughout the holiday season.
Where: 100 N. Tryon St.
When: November 26 – December 27. View performance schedule here.
Price: free
A Christmas Story, The Musical
Follow Ralphie on his quest to get his Christmas wish at Ovens Auditorium in a musical version of the 1983 classic A Christmas Story.
Where: 2700 E. Independence Blvd.
When: December 4 – 9. Times vary (see performance schedule here)
Price: $25+
Trans-Siberian Orchestra
Join the Trans-Siberian Orchestra as they perform A Ghost of Christmas Past at Spectrum Center this month.
Where: 333 E. Trade St.
When: December 8. 3 p.m. and 7 p.m.
Price: $47.50+
This story was originally published December 10, 2018 at 12:00 AM.
