The ultimate Charlotte holiday checklist: What to do this season
From sipping Glühwein at Olde Mecklenburg Brewery to snow tubing at Truist Field, Charlotte has officially transformed into a winter wonderland.
December may be half over, but there’s still plenty of time to visit a drive-thru light show, catch a classic holiday film or treat yourself to a night at the symphony.
Here’s a list of holiday events happening in Charlotte the rest of this month.
Santa Brunch at Dilworth Tasting Room
When: Dec. 14
Where: Dilworth Tasting Room, 1413 Central Ave., Charlotte, NC 28205
Cost: Varies. Reserve your spot on Resy.
Santa is heading back to DTR Plaza Midwood for a holiday-themed brunch weekend packed with festive fun, photo ops and family-friendly favorites. On Sunday, the celebration continues with the Merry Midwood Market from 12-4:30 p.m., featuring local vendors, and wraps up with the Plaza Midwood Tree Lighting at 5:30 p.m.
Waxhaw Christmas Parade
When: Dec. 14, 3 p.m.
Where: Downtown Waxhaw
Cost: Free
The Waxhaw Christmas Parade will showcase local school marching bands, floats and entries from 70 businesses and community groups, and a special appearance from Santa.
Gingerbread Lane and Cocoa House at The Ballantyne
When: Dec. 14-28 (not open Dec. 25)
Where: The Ballantyne, 10000 Ballantyne Commons Pkwy, Charlotte, NC 28277
Cost: Free
This December, The Ballantyne transforms into a holiday wonderland with Gingerbread Lane, featuring stunning gingerbread creations and a life-size Cocoa House serving festive drinks. Visitors can vote for their favorite masterpieces while supporting Atrium Health Levine Children’s Hospital.
Holidays with Charlotte Symphony Orchestra
When: Dec. 14, 18 and 19-21
Where: Knight Theater, 430 S. Tryon St., Charlotte, NC 28202
Cost: $49.06-$218.77. Buy tickets.
The Charlotte Symphony Orchestra is rolling out a full slate of holiday performances, from the classic power of “Handel’s Messiah” and the homespun charm of “A Carolina Christmas” to a joyful Festival of Lights Hanukkah concert created with local Jewish communities. The season wraps with “Cirque de Noël,” where acrobats and aerialists perform jaw-dropping feats alongside live holiday music for a show that’s become a family favorite.
Olde Mecklenburg Brewery Christmas Market
When: Dec. 14, 19-21
Where: Olde Mecklenburg Brewery, 4150 Yancey Rd, Charlotte, NC 28217
Where: Olde Mecklenburg Brewery, 15025 Bowl St., Charlotte, NC 28277
Cost: Free
Spend three festive weekends at both locations of Olde Mecklenburg Brewery Christmas Market browsing 50+ local vendors, enjoying seasonal drinks like Gluhwein, cozying up by fire pits and soaking in holiday lights.
Mistletoe Market at Camp North End
When: Dec. 20
Where: Camp North End, 300 Camp Rd., Charlotte, NC 28206
Cost: Admission is free, and tickets for ice skating range from $16-$20. Buy tickets.
Mistletoe Market returns to Camp North End this December with 25 vendor huts, festive food and drinks, live entertainment and family-friendly activities across three Saturdays. Highlights include the Reindog Parade, the Hunnid Dollar Art Fair and plenty of cozy photo spots.
Photos with Santa at Blakeney
When: Now through Dec. 20
Where: Blakeney Town Center, 9870 Rea Rd., Charlotte, NC 28277
Cost: Free, but donations are accepted
Snap holiday memories with Santa at Blakeney Town Center on select Fridays and Saturdays in December. Bring your camera, enjoy the festive fun and consider a $10 donation to their charity for each session.
Nutcracker
When: Now through Dec. 21
Where: Belk Theater, 130 N Tryon St, Charlotte, NC 28202
Cost: Tickets start at $35.
See the world through young Clara’s eyes at the annual Charlotte Ballet performance of Nutcracker. You’ll visit the Land of Sweets and see the Sugar Plum Fairy. Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker is performed live by Charlotte Symphony Orchestra, with Jean-Pierre Bonnefoux’s choreography.
Upcycle Arts Holiday Pop-up Market
When: Now through Dec. 23
Where: Next Door, 3046B Eastway Dr., Charlotte, NC 28205
Cost: Free
Visit Upcycle Arts’ Holiday Pop-Up Shop, where you’ll find finished craft kits, gift baskets and unique handmade items from more than 20 local Charlotte artists.
VTGCLT Pop
When: Now through Dec. 23
Where: Elizabeth on Seventh, N Caswell Rd &, 1942 E 7th St #103, Charlotte, NC 28204
Cost: Free entry
VTGCLT’s annual vintage popup shop is back for the 11th year. This year, the shop is in Elizabeth at the Elizabeth on 7th complex. It’s a great place to pick up jewelry, clothing, candles, coffee mugs — and gifts full of nostalgia. Check out our TikTok to see details about what you can expect to find this year.
Christmas at the Carolina
When: Now through Dec. 23
Where: Carolina Theater, 230 N Tryon St, Charlotte, NC 28202
Cost: Varies. Buy tickets.
This holiday season, the newly restored Carolina Theatre is decked out for a month of festive fun, showing Christmas movies like “It’s a Wonderful Life” and “Elf” and also live music and two world-premiere productions, including “Franklin Presents: My Christmas” and “A Sainted Christmas Carol: Iced Scrooge.”
Photos with Santa at Bass Pro Shops
When: Now through Dec. 24
Where: Bass Pro Shops, 8181 Concord Mills Boulevard, Concord, NC 28027
Where: Bass Pro Shops, 1000 Cabelas Dr., Fort Mill, SC 29708
Cost: Photo packages range from $20-$25. Reserve your spot.
Santa’s Wonderland at Bass Pro Shops is back, offering families a festive holiday experience with photos with Santa, interactive games and seasonal activities for kids of all ages. Guests can also enjoy crafts, holiday treats and themed displays throughout the store.
Photos with Santa at Concord Mills
When: Now through Dec. 24
Where: Concord Mills, 8111 Concord Mills Boulevard, Concord, NC 28027
Cost: Packages range from $19.99-$59.99. Reserve your spot.
Concord Mills is kicking off the season with its Simon Photo Experience, where families can meet Santa starting Nov. 21 through Christmas Eve, with reservations encouraged. Shoppers can also enjoy a Santa arrival party, live holiday entertainment and a special sensory-friendly “Caring Santa” event for children with special needs.
McAdenville: ChristmasTown USA
When: Now through Dec. 26
Where: Main Street, McAdenville, NC 28101
Cost: Free
Make sure to allow yourself plenty of time to wait in line in your car for this holiday tradition. Every holiday season, the town of McAdenville transforms into ChristamasTown USA. It kicks off with a tree lighting on Dec. 1, and there are events throughout the month. This year, look out for two new shops in town: Boinco and McAdenville Christmas Shop.
Holidays at the Garden
When: Now through Dec. 27
Where: Daniel Stowe Conservancy, 6500 S New Hope Rd, Belmont, NC 28012
Cost: Adult tickets begin at $24; children aged 2-12 are $18, children under 2 are free.
Daniel Stowe Conservancy’s Holidays at the Garden is a holiday tradition around Charlotte. Tickets are on sale now for the dazzling display featuring millions of lights. Take your family holiday photo in front of the Christmas tree, warm yourself by the fire or shop for presents at the gift shop. The holiday trackless train will be running on Saturdays from 6-8 p.m. until Dec. 20. Visits with Santa will be on Fridays and Saturdays from 5:30-7:30 p.m. until Dec. 20. Live music and food trucks will be on site on select days — and don’t miss the adults-only speakeasy with holiday cocktails!
Kannapolis Celebration of Lights
When: Now through Dec. 30
Where: Village Park, 700 W. C St, Kannapolis, NC 28081
Cost: Free, but there is a fee for the train ride and carousel. Buy tickets.
Head to Kannapolis’ Celebration of Lights at Village Park to enjoy festive lights, meet Santa and make holiday crafts. On weekends, shop local artisans, grab bites from food trucks, or toast s’mores by the fire pit.
Carolina Holiday Light Spectacular
When: Now through Dec. 30. Closing early Christmas Eve and closed on Christmas Day
Where: Ballantyne’s Backyard, 11611 N Community House Rd, Charlotte, NC 28277
Cost: General admission tickets begin at $10. Check website for details.
Carolina Holiday Light Spectacular features over a million lights, music and snow globes at Ballantyne’s Backyard. Explore the trail with interactive scenes, ride the Ferris Wheel and more.
Forest City, NC
When: Now through Jan. 1
Where: Main Street, Forest City
Cost: Free
Forest City, North Carolina is a small town just 60 miles west of Charlotte. Take a drive through Main Street to see over one million Christmas lights, though the experience is even better if you decide to get out and walk. While you’re there, you can take a carriage or hayride, visit with Santa, go ice skating and more.
Buddy’s Cocktail Workshop
When: Now through Jan. 3
Where: Supperland, 1212 The Plaza, Charlotte, NC 28205
Cost: $175 per person. Buy tickets.
Now through January 3, take a break from the holiday rush with Buddy’s Cocktail Workshop: a four-course, Elf-inspired cocktail tasting featuring creative drinks and chef-driven dishes. Head mixologist and 2025 James Beard Nominee Colleen Hughes has crafted a playful, seasonal menu, and the Speakeasy will be decked out in festive decor to match the merry occasion.
Light The Knights Festival
When: Now through Jan. 4
Where: Truist Field, 324 S Mint Street, Charlotte, NC 28202
Cost: $14-$45. Buy tickets.
The Light the Knights Festival turns Truist Field into a winter wonderland, complete with tens of thousands of lights, a walk-through Christmas Village, ice skating and a 10-lane snow tubing hill. There’s also a festive market, visits with Santa and themed displays like Mrs. Claus’ Kitchen and a glowing tunnel of lights.
Speedway Christmas
When: Now through Jan. 4
Where: Charlotte Motor Speedway, 5555 Concord Pkwy S, Concord, NC 28027
Cost: $57.93 per vehicle. Buy tickets.
Speedway Christmas is back at Charlotte Motor Speedway, with more than five million lights, a new four-mile drive-thru course and plenty of festive extras like the Christmas Village, holiday movies and photos with Santa. Visitors can also try the 250-foot tubing hill, join a record-breaking caroling event on opening night or pick up a season pass for unlimited trips through the lights.
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New Year’s Eve dinner at Fahrenheit
When: Dec. 31, 4-8 p.m.; New Year’s Eve Party from 10 p.m.-2 a.m.
Where: Fahrenheit Charlotte,
Cost: $125++ for dinner; add $80 for NYE party, or $110 for the NYE party without dinner. Call for reservations or scan the code on Fahrenheit’s website.
Make a whole night out of the last day of 2025 by starting with a four-course prix fixe meal at Fahrenheit, featuring sea bass, filet and king crab, stuff lobster and more. Dinner will be followed by a 1980s glow party, where you can welcome in 2026 on the restaurant’s rooftop. A live DJ, open bar, party favors and a champagne toast are included. Must be 21+ for the New Year’s Eve party.
New Year’s Eve part at The Ballantyne
When: Dec. 31 9:30 p.m.-12:30 a.m.
Where: The Ballantyne, 10000 Ballantyne Commons Pkwy, Charlotte, NC 28277
Cost: A hotel room; the party is exclusively for guests of The Ballantyne
Book a staycation at The Ballantyne if you want to welcome 2026 in close to home. The New Year’s Eve Party will include music, dancing and a cash bar.
Check out our full New Year’s Eve guide at CharlotteFive.com.
Evan Moore, Melissa Oyler and Adam Bell contributed.
This story was originally published November 14, 2025 at 6:00 AM.