Your 5-minute guide to the best things to do in Charlotte | Nov. 30-Dec. 6
Friday
▪ Carowinds transforms into a holiday haven for Winterfest, which adds Christmas-themed shows, Santa and his elves, reindeer-themed restaurants, a 70-foot tree, horse-drawn carriages, igloos, ice skating, and actual falling snow to its thrilling coasters, nostalgic carousels and spinning teacups. New this year are the North Pole Excursion and Tinsel Town. 5-10 p.m. Fridays and Sundays, 2-10 p.m. Saturdays. $26-$47.
▪ As temperatures drop, winter cheer kicks into full gear at the NASCAR Hall of Fame’s Holidays at the Hall, which includes Holiday on Ice — an outdoor ice-skating rink housed in the Hall’s tree-filled Plaza — along with a 39-foot tree and a festively decorated Ceremonial Garden. If you can’t skate fast enough to stay warm, visitors can grab a cup of cocoa from the snack bar. 5-10 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Saturday, 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Sunday. $12 to skate; $16 if you need to rent a pair.
▪ Goodyear Arts’ October/November Residency Showcase is its last of the year and last until its next residency begins in March. The show features mixed media drawings and paintings on paper by Jason Watson and Barbara Schreiber and poetry by Justin Evans, who will lead performances of his bold work at 7:15 and 8:15 p.m. November research resident Chad Cartwright shares a series of collages and photographs that explore textures and patterns of language. Food and beer available. 6-9 p.m. Camp North End. Free.
▪ Charlotte Symphony aims for the stratosphere with its performance of English composer Gustav Holst’s influential early-1900s seven-movement orchestra The Planets. It’s paired with Grammy-winning composer Eric Whitacre’s Deep Field score, inspired by the Hubble Space Telescope’s discovery of 3,000 previously unseen galaxies. 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 3 p.m. Sunday, Belk Theater. $33-$148.
▪ Iranian-American comedian/actor/author Maz Jobrani has appeared in films like “Friday After Next”) and TV shows like CBS’s “Superior Donuts,” sometimes in stereotypical Middle Eastern roles. It’s one of the subjects he delves into in his standup, sharing experiences of living in America post 9/11 and — more recently — under President Trump. 7:30 and 10 p.m. Friday and 7 and 9:45 p.m. Saturday. The Comedy Zone. $30-$50.
▪ Holidays at the Garden features a million lights twinkling in the trees and lining the paths of Daniel Stowe Botanical Gardens. In addition to the towering orchid, Children’s Discovery Trail, model train exhibits, photo opps with Santa or Mrs. Claus, marshmallow roasting, and wintry food and drink, this year welcomes an illuminated prairie garden, a musically-orchestrated topiary display, and new holiday displays. $12.95-$16.95 adults, with discounts for kids and seniors. 5-9 p.m. nightly, with live music from 6-8 p.m.
Saturday
▪ Downtown Huntersville celebrates the season with its annual A Huntersville Christmas festival. Following Friday evening’s Town Center Tree Lighting (6-9 p.m.), the party continues Saturday with more than 55 vendors, rides, bounce houses, live performances, artisan ice sculptures, carolers, carriage rides, airbrush tattoos, Santa at the fire station, and story time with Mrs. Claus. Food trucks and local craft beer vendors will be on site. 2-8 p.m. Free.
▪ Eighties’ Stray Cat-turned-Grammy-winning big band leader Brian Setzer and his 19-piece orchestra celebrate the 15th anniversary of the Brian Setzer Orchestra Christmas Rocks Tour with its return to Ovens Auditorium, having just released its “Christmas Rocks Live” DVD. The group will perform numbers from its four holiday albums as well as Setzer’s biggest solo and Stray Cats’ hits. 8 p.m. Ovens Auditorium. $49.50-$69.50.
Monday
▪ It’s a bird. It’s a plane. It’s the superhero franchise that started it all back in 1978. Christopher Reeves stars as “Superman” in Richard Donner’s classic big-screen introduction to Clark Kent and his secret Kryptonian alter-ego. Celebrate the film’s 40th Anniversary with this final theatrical screening. 7 p.m. Regal Stonecrest at Piper Glen 22, AMC Concord Mills 24, and Tinseltown in Salisbury. $13.40.
Tuesday
▪ “A Christmas Story, The Musical” gives the holiday classic a Broadway makeover without losing the magic of the original film. A fresh twist on an old favorite that’s become as much of a holiday tradition as mistletoe and Santa Claus, the Tony-nominated musical retains all the funniest and sweetest moments and adds music by the songwriting team from “La La Land” and “Dear Evan Hansen.” 8 p.m. Tuesday-Friday, 2 and 8 p.m. Saturday and 1:30 and 7 p.m. Sunday. Ovens Auditorium. $25-$84.50 ($104.50 for VIP).