12 Best Holiday Events In And Around Charlotte, North Carolina

The most wonderful time of the year is here, and Charlotte has plenty of festive Christmas events to get you into the holiday spirit. Whether you're looking to entertain out-of-town guests or need a kid-friendly outing, the Queen City is a winter wonderland for every type of Christmas activity. From shopping extravaganzas and twinkling light displays to Polar Express adventures and ice skating, here are a few of the city’s can’t-miss happenings that are sure to make the season bright.

Stroll Through Holidays at the Garden

Wander through the thirty-acre Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden as you take in the dazzling light displays and festive holiday decor. It’s an enchanting evening for family members of all ages. Tickets are $25 for adults, $23 for seniors, $15 for kids between 2 and 12, and free for kids under 2. Holidays At The Garden happens from November 24th through December 23rd.

Cruise the Speedway Christmas Lights

Even if you don’t have the lead foot required to make it as a NASCAR driver, during Speedway Christmas, anyone can take the track at the famed Charlotte Motor Speedway. The popular race venue turns into a four-mile course decked out with four million twinkling Christmas lights. The displays are synced up to your favorite holiday music to make for an ultra-festive experience.

Hop Aboard the Polar Express

The beloved children’s book comes to life during the magical Polar Express ride at the North Carolina Transportation Museum. Kids can sport their favorite Christmas jammies as the whole family rides the Polar Express bound for the North Pole. During your journey, enjoy a reading of the classic holiday story as you munch on cookies and sip hot chocolate. Surprises and Santa Claus await when you arrive. The event books up quickly, so grab your tickets ASAP.

Get Swept Away by Charlotte Ballet’s Performance of The Nutcracker

Is it even the holidays if you don’t see The Nutcracker? The beloved show returns to the Charlotte Ballet December 8th through 23rd. You’ll savor the magic of the holiday season as you feast your eyes on the shimmering winter wonderland set to Tchaikovsky’s classic score. It’s an experience the whole family will remember. Tickets start at $30.

Enjoy a Holiday-Themed Tea at the Ballantyne Hotel

You’ll feel like a member of the royal family when you enjoy an elegant holiday tea at the Ballantyne Hotel. On Thursdays through Sundays in December, sip tea and sample pastries around a breathtaking 25-foot Christmas tree. Tickets are $70 per adult and $35 for children under 12. Reservations are required.

While you’re visiting the hotel, make sure to check out Gingerbread Lane, where you’ll discover deliciously decorated gingerbread creations. Pay $1 and cast a vote for your favorite. Proceeds go to the Levine Children’s Hospital.

Gingerbread Lane is open from December 11th through 24th from 9 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Can’t get enough gingerbread? Check out the life-sized gingerbread hut in the hotel’s Great Room, on display from December 11th through 24th from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. When you come to enjoy the hotels’ festivities, consider bringing a new, unwrapped toy to donate to their toy drive, happening November 30th through December 15th.

Shop ‘Til You Drop at the Southern Christmas Show

Not sure what to get the loved ones on your list this year? If you can’t find it at the Southern Christmas Show, they probably don’t need it! Browse the equivalent of 11 football fields worth of decor, jewelry, apparel, and more at the largest holiday show in North America, which returns for its 56th year on November 9th through 19th. You’ll find more than 400 merchants, artisans, and vendors from around the country, plus food and entertainment. Tickets are $13 for people over 13 and $8 for kids.

Check Out Light The Knights

Truist Field, home of the Triple-A Charlotte Knights, has been named one of the best ballparks in the minor leagues. Starting on November 22nd, the gorgeous venue transforms into a winter wonderland during Light The Knights. Check out Snow Tube Hill, with ten lanes of tubing, go ice skating on the park’s infield, and explore the Tunnel of Lights, a 300-foot-long inflatable path covered with twinkling lights and designs. Don’t forget to stop by and say hello to Santa!

Go Ice Skating at the U.S. National Whitewater Center

The U.S. National Whitewater Center is an outdoor activity haven. From mid-November through mid-February, the facility’s upper pond turns into a massive skating rink, offering over 24,000 square feet of space, including two ice trails and two free skate zones. Bring your own skates or rent a pair there. When it’s time to warm up, stop by the on-ice Airstream trailer and grab a cup of something hot. Activity passes are $25 and include skate rental fees.

Visit Christmas Town, USA

There’s a reason they call McAdenville, North Carolina “Christmas Town, USA!" Now in its 68th year, McAdenville lights up to welcome the holiday season. It’s free to drive or walk through the adorable town, which feels like a postcard brought to life.  Don’t miss the annual tree lighting and yule log ceremonies. In the center of town, marvel at more than 250 evergreens decked out in half a million twinkling lights. The festivities happen December 1st through 26th.

Check Off Your Holiday Shopping at the Girl Tribe Pop Up

If you’re not sure what to get your impossible-to-buy-for daughter, best friend, sister, or niece, the Girl Tribe Pop Up at Birkdale Village has you covered. The market features a rotating selection of women-led small businesses selling home goods, jewelry, beauty products, and more. The holiday pop-up runs from November 29th through December 23rd from noon to 6 p.m. at Birkdale Village in Huntersville. Admission is free.

Enjoy Breakfast with Santa

The man in red arrives at the historic Dunhill Hotel in Uptown Charlotte on Saturday, December 9th, and he’s ready to meet and greet all the good girls and boys. Enjoy a family-friendly breakfast and pictures by the fireplace. Tickets are $35 for adults and $25 for kids under 12.

See a Live Nativity Scene at the Billy Graham Library

From December 1st through 23rd, the Billy Graham Library hosts Christmas At The Library, which includes a live nativity scene, storytime, horse-drawn carriage rides, carols, and a Christmas dinner. Admission and parking are free, though some activities have a cost.

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