A 2023 Guide to Holiday Events in Charlotte

NOV. 9-19
Southern Christmas Show
The festive showcase returns to Charlotte on Thursday, November 9, and will run through Sunday, November 19. More than 400 vendors will be there for you to browse and shop as you take in the seasonal sights all around you. $16-$18 (kids 6-12, $8).

NOV. 22
Novant Health Thanksgiving Parade
This year, the free Novant Health Thanksgiving Eve Parade marks its 77th anniversary and its third year as a nighttime event. Wednesday, Nov. 22, 6 p.m. Tryon Street, uptown. 

NOV. 17-JAN. 6
Speedway Christmas
Drive through nearly four miles of Christmas lights with synchronized music on the Charlotte Motor Speedway. Then hop out for photos with Santa, a live nativity scene, rides, s’mores making, and gift vendors. Drive-in movies on select nights. Charlotte Motor Speedway. $45 per car.

NOV. 17-JAN. 1
Carowinds WinterFest
Explore millions of lights, ice skating, family activities, live entertainment, food and drink, holiday gift shops, games, and rides. Carowinds. Tickets start at $32.99.

NOV. 22-JAN. 1
Light the Knights
Truist Field hosts ice skating, snow tubing,lights, shopping, and more as part of this year’s Light the Knights festivities. Tickets start at $10-$40.

NOV. 24-DEC. 23
Holidays at the Garden
Winter will glisten with dazzling lights, sparkling fountains, and holiday décor throughout Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden this season. Tuesday-Sunday, 5 p.m.-10 p.m.  Adults: $25; kids: $15.

DANIEL STOWE BOTANICAL GARDEN

DEC. 1
University City Partners’ UCity Lights
University City Partners is excited to bring a night of joy, fun and festivities to kick off the holiday season. Guests of all ages are invited where there will be face painting, a holiday train, a festive photo booth, ornament decorating stations, stilt walkers, Santa and Mrs. Claus and the city’s first 22-foot tree lighting at 7 p.m.. They are also accepting new, unwrapped toys for their Toys for Tots drive. The event will take place at The Shoppes at University Place from 5 p.m. – 9 p.m.. Tickets are FREE here.

DEC. 1-2
Jazz Room Holiday Edition: Preservation Hall All-Stars, New Orleans Christmas
The Preservation Hall All-Stars return to the Charlotte stage, giving the holiday season a New Orleans spin.  Booth Playhouse. Tickets start at $30-$40.

DEC. 1-3
Handel’s Messiah
“Handel’s stunning masterpiece is back by popular demand.” Times vary. Knight Theater. $18 and up.

DEC. 7-10
Clara’s Trip: A Cirque And Dance Nutcracker Story
After stumbling at a Christmas party, Clara LeBlanc makes a trip to the hospital and learns she has a broken ankle. That night, friends and characters invade her dreams. Tims vary. Booth Playhouse. $30 and up.

DEC. 8
Soulful Christmas
“Experience the soulful roots of the holiday season through this special program of Black-centered Christmas music.” Knight Theater. 7:30 p.m. $22 and up.

DEC. 8-17
A Christmas Carol
“Celebrating its 17th year as Theatre Charlotte’s holiday tradition with a few new surprises!” Times vary; $30.

DEC. 8-22
Charlotte Ballet’s The Nutcracker
Tchaikovsky’s holiday classic. Belk Theater. Tickets start at $30.

DEC. 9
Trans-Siberian Orchestra: The Ghosts of Christmas Eve
3 and 7:30 p.m. Spectrum Center. Tickets start at $39.

DEC. 11-24
Gingerbread Lane
Stroll through an enchanting display of gingerbread creations by professionals and amateurs alike. 9 a.m.-7 p.m. The Ballantyne Hotel. Free.

DEC. 16
Noel & Maria: Home Again for the Holidays
This beloved show returns, with contemporary holiday tunes and classics alike. Booth Playhouse. 8 p.m. $39.50 and up.

DEC. 20-22
Charlotte Symphony: Cirque de Noël
The circus meets the symphony in a show that combines holiday music and acrobatics. 7:30 p.m. Knight Theater. Tickets start at $10.

KANNAPOLIS

NOV. 18-DEC. 30
Celebration of Lights
Christmas lights, community group performances, a holiday market, the Winterland Express train, a double-decker carousel, and more. Sunday-Thursday, 6-9 p.m. and Friday-Saturday, 6-10 p.m. Village Park. Free.

DEC. 9
Kannapolis Christmas Parade
Saturday, Dec. 9, 6 p.m. Downtown Kannapolis. Free.

MCADENVILLE

McAdenville has been known as “Christmas Town USA” since it hosted its first holiday light display in 1956. Over the years, the town’s Christmas festivities have been featured on television and in magazines, including Good Morning America and Southern Living.

DEC. 1
Tree Lighting Ceremony
Thursday, Dec. 1, 5:30 p.m. Dynamo 31 Building, 102 Main St. Free.

DEC. 1-26
Christmas Light Display
5:30-10 p.m. Downtown.

DEC. 15
Yule Log Parade
5:30 p.m. 100 Main St. Free.

MOUNT HOLLY

DEC. 1
Miracle on Main Street
Tree lighting, caroling, live music, food trucks, vendors, and more. 6-9 p.m. Downtown. Free.

DEC. 4-13
Christmas Carriage Rides
6-9 p.m. Downtown, in front of First Presbyterian Church. Tickets start at $25.

DEC. 9
Enchantment in the Garden
Stroll through a community garden filled with luminaries and holiday music. 5-9 p.m. Mount Holly Community Garden. Free.

DEC. 16
Christmas Electric Parade: A Festival of Lights
Friday, Dec. 16, 6 p.m. Downtown. Free.

INDIAN TRAIL

DEC. 1
Winter Fest & Tree Lighting
Friday, Dec. 1. A tree lighting, plus pictures with Santa, holiday inflatables, s’mores making, a sledding hill, and more. 6-9 p.m. Chestnut Square Park. Free.

DEC. 3
Christmas Parade 
Sunday, Dec. 3, 4 p.m. Downtown. Free.

ROCK HILL

Nov. 30-Dec. 3
ChristmasVille
Carriage rides, ice skating, historic tours, caroling, workshops, performances, a gingerbread house contest, and more. Downtown. Free.

DEC. 1
Rock Hill Christmas Parade
Friday, Dec. 1, 6:30 p.m. Downtown. Free.

FORT MILL

DEC. 2
Christmas Parade
Saturday, Dec. 2, 11 a.m. Downtown. Free.

HUNTERSVILLE

DEC. 1
Town Tree Lighting
Friday, Dec. 1, 6-9 p.m. Free.

DEC. 2
Christmas in Huntersville
Saturday, Dec. 2. Carolers, ice sculptures, children’s rides, performances, face painting, holiday characters, letters and pictures with Santa, local vendors, and more. 2-8 p.m. Downtown. Free.

LAKE NORMAN

NOV. 18
Lighting of Birkdale Village
Saturday, Dec. 18, 2 p.m.-7:30 p.m. Free.

NOV. 18-JAN. 28
Birkdale on Ice
“Tis the season to lace up your skates and glide into the holiday spirit at Birkdale on Ice! For the second year, Birkdale Village will have an ice skating rink!”

DEC. 16
Lake Norman Christmas Lighted Boat Parade
Saturday, Dec. 16, 5:30-7 p.m. Viewing sites: Blythe Landing, Ramsey Creek Park, and Duke Energy Explorium. Free.

GASTONIA

DEC. 3
Christmas in the City
Sunday, Dec. 3. A parade, tree lighting, vendor market, and more. 3-6:30 p.m. Downtown Gastonia. Free.

DAVIDSON

NOV. 30-DEC. 2
Christmas in Davidson
Holiday light shows, entertainment, live nativity scene, music, food, shopping, and more. 6-9 p.m. Downtown. Free.

LAKE WYLIE

DEC. 16
Lake Wylie Boat Parade
Saturday, Dec. 16. Viewing site: Papa Doc’s Shore Club. Free.