A 2024 Guide to Holiday Events in Charlotte
A roundup of holiday lights, shows, shopping, and experiences.
Holidays For Heroes
November 11 – December 14
NASCAR Hall of Fame, 400 E. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
Support active-duty and veteran military familes when you help “Trim the Toyota” at the NASCAR Hall of Fame.
The Polar Express Train Ride
Tickets have sold out for 2024
WinterFest
Select Nights November 15 – January 4
Carowinds, 14523 Carowinds Blvd.
See Carowinds transformed into a winter wonderland with spectacular holiday experiences that include live shows, holiday-themed games, thousands of lights and a nightly parade (9 p.m.).
The Best Christmas Pageant Ever: The Musical
November 22 – December 22
Children’s Theatre of Charlotte
Charlotte Children’s Theatre’s rendition of Barbara Robinson’s famous book and musical is the most popular show in the theater’s history.
Speedway Christmas
November 22 – January 5, 6-10 p.m.
Charlotte Motor Speedway, 5555 Concord Pkwy. S., Concord.
Four million lights strung up along a 4-mile course, synchronized to Christmas music and a festive Christmas Village. Ticket prices vary by date and start at $35 per car.
Christmas Wonderland of Lights
November 22 – January 1
Zootastic Park, 448 Pilch Road, Troutman
Drive through more than four million Christmas lights, say hi to Santa, then take a photo with him and a baby kangaroo. Check out the animal feedings, carousel rides and train rides.
A Kannapolis Christmas
November 16 – December 30
700 West C Street, Kannapolis
Christmas kicks off in Kannapolis’ Village Park with the annual Tree Lighting and Festival of Lights on Nov. 16 (6 p.m.) and continues through December 30 with Winterland Express train rides (tickets required) and a visit from Santa. The popular nighttime parade returns on Dec. 14 (6 p.m.).
UCity Lights Winter Celebration
November 23, 4– 8 p.m.
The Shoppes at University Place, 8929 JK Keynes Drive
Meet Santa and Mrs. Claus, create your own ornaments, sip yummy hot cocoa, and embark on a thrilling ride aboard the Polar Express. Tree lighting at 7 p.m.
Panthers x Charlotte FC Tree Lighting
November 26, 6 – 8 p.m.
Bank of America Stadium, at the corner of Mint and Graham Streets.
Free, but tickets are required. Get in the holiday spirit with appearances by Sir Purr, the Carolina TopCats and Santa. Fun family activities include letter writing, a holiday movie, a fleece-making station and a snow globe station. Free hot cocoa, plus additional food and beverage options available for purchase.
Light the Knights Festival
November 27 – January 3
Truist Field
Enjoy ice skating, snow tubing, shopping, holiday treats, tens of thousands of lights, decor, and more. Purchase tickets in advance to avoid capacity or activity cutoffs.
The Muppet Christmas Carol in Concert
November 29 – 30
Ovens Auditorium
Experience Charles Dickens’ classic holiday tale with a little help from the Muppets. The Charlotte Symphony will perform the memorable score while this delightful family film plays on the big screen.
Holidays at the Garden
November 29 – December 29 (closed Mondays) 5 – 9 p.m.
Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden, 6500 New Hope Road, Belmont.
Sing along to holiday tunes as you stroll among lighted topiary displays and rolling lights, and take your picture in front of the Orchid Tree.
New for 2024:
- Rides on our holiday trackless train every Friday in December through December 20
- Visits with Santa on Saturdays and Sundays after December 1 through December 22
- An adults-only speakeasy with exclusive holiday cocktails ($5 cover charge)
Snowland at Great Wolf Lodge
November 25 – January 6
Great Wolf Lodge, 10175 Weddington Road, Concord.
Baby, it’s cold outside, but you don’t need cocoa to keep you warm (unless you want to) inside the warm and cozy Great Wolf Lodge. See it turned into a magical winter wonderland, complete with twinkling lights, crafts, games daily snowfall in the lobby and visits from Santa.
Charlotte Symphony Orchestra’s Holiday Performances
Majestic Brass & Organ
Sunday, Dec. 1, 7:30 p.m.First Presbyterian Church of Charlotte. Tickets start at $35.
Cody Fry Christmas: A Holiday Pops Special
Dec. 5-7, 7:30 p.m. Knight Theater. Tickets start at $15.
Holiday Pops: Family Concert
Saturday, Dec. 7, 11 a.m. Knight Theater. Tickets start at $15.
Handel’s Messiah
Dec. 13-14, 7:30 p.m. & Dec. 15, 3 p.m. Knight Theater. Tickets start at $11.
Dianne Reeves: Christmas Time Is Here
Wednesday, Dec. 18, 7:30 p.m.Knight Theater. Tickets start at $11.
Cirque de Noël
Dec. 19-21, 7:30 p.m. & Dec. 21-22, 3 p.m. Knight Theater. Tickets start at $29.
Dudley’s Place Holidaze Drag Brunch
Sunday, Dec. 1, 11 a.m. & 1:30 p.m.
Letty’s on Shamrock
The third annual Holidaze Drag Brunch at Letty’s on Shamrock features a brunch buffet and performances from Karen Affection, Mink Shoals, Nova Stella, Lolita Chanel, and Lilli Serena Frost. Proceeds go to Dudley’s Place, a Huntersville-based nonprofit that supports people living with HIV and AIDS.
Belmont Festival of Trees
December 2 – 30
Stowe Park, Belmont
Watch the city’s tree lighting ceremony, then take a jaunt through the Festival of Trees, which will be up through the month of December.
Christmas Town USA
December 2 – 26
McAdenville. 5:30-10 p.m. nightly. Free.
Visit the town that USA Today named as one of the best light displays in the nation; last year, McAdenville ranked No. 4. Thousands of lights and dramatic displays dot the 1.3-mile route along Main Street, a tradition that dates back to the ’50s.
The Winter Wonderland Shop
December 4 – 7
Children’s Theatre of Charlotte, 300 E. 7th St.
Free admission. The Winter Wonderland Shop exhibits the spirit of kindness: Children up to 12 years old can shop on the Wells Fargo Playhouse stage for low-cost, pre-wrapped gifts to give their loved ones, amid a wintery scene filled with snowflakes. Plus, Meet the Grinch on Dec 7th.
McColl Center’s Winter Art Market
December 5, 6 – 9 p.m.
McColl Center
In addition to exhibitions, open studios, and original works for sale, McColl Center’s curated holiday market also has live music, hands-on activities, and food trucks.
Carolina Holiday Light Spectacular
December 5 – 29
Ballantyne’s Backyard
The third annual Carolina Holiday Light Spectacular uses more than a million lights to illuminate a half-mile walking trail through Ballantyne’s Backyard. It also has a snow-tube slide, oversized snow globes, a holiday village with food and retail vendors, kids activities, live performances, Santa, and more. Tickets required.
Christmas in Davidson
December 5 – 7
Downtown Davidson. 6-9 p.m.
Enjoy holiday light shows, roving entertainment, a live nativity, holiday shopping, great food and more.
Christmasville in Rock Hill
ChristmasVille
December 5 – 8
Throughout Rock Hill
Welcome the holidays with horse-drawn carriage rides, ice skating, festive holiday decorations, strolling Dickens carolers and a special exhibit to celebrate the artwork of Vernon Grant.
Theatre Charlotte’s A Christmas Carol
December 6 – 15
Theatre Charlotte
This is the 18th consecutive year that Theatre Charlotte has brought the Charles Dickens novel to life on stage.
Jingle Bowl
December 6, 5 – 8 p.m.
The Bowl at Ballantyne
Selfies with Santa, S’mores Station, Hot Cocoa Bar, Cookie Decorating, Live DJ, Meet and take photos with special princess guests from Frozen, and Christmas Market at OMB.
Twinkling Tides at Sea Life
December 6 – January 5
Concord Mills Mall
Experience the holidays underwater at SEA Life Aquarium, home to Sea of Lights—the aquarium’s habitats will be adorned with festival holiday lights. There are also more than 35 decorated trees throughout the aquarium.
Charlotte Ballet: Nutcracker
December 6 – 22
Belk Theater at Blumenthal Performing Arts Center
Tickets start at $30. Jean-Pierre Bonnefoux’s Nutcracker is full of lavish sets and costumes, Tchaikovsky’s timeless music and snowfall on the stage.
Festive Family Farm Day
December 7, 9 a.m. – 12 p.m
Crandall Bowles Children’s Farm, 1046 Horse Road, Fort Mill
Snap photos with the Children’s Farm’s friendly residents—alpacas, horses, cattle, goats, chickens, ducks, and pigs—dressed up for the winter and holiday season. Enjoy a hot chocolate bar and a variety of snacks from on-site vendors. The festivities will run from 9:00am to 12:00pm, but you can continue exploring the Children’s Farm with a self-guided tour until 3:00pm.
Jingle Jam
December 7, Noon-6 p.m.
Heist Brewery and Barrel Arts
Elevate Local Shops and Heist Brewery and Barrel Arts hosts this festive day of music, food, drinks, and shopping.
Lindsey Stirling’s The Snow Waltz Tour
Wednesday, Dec. 11, 8 p.m.
Ovens Auditorium
Electronic violinist and dancer Lindsey Stirling stops in Charlotte on her holiday-themed tour.
Charlotte Children’s Theatre’s Doggie on My Doorstep: A Holiday Tail
December 12-22
Wells Fargo Playhouse
See the story of a mischievous stray dog who shows up on a grumpy old man’s porch around the holidays. This show features physical comedy and puppetry and is geared toward young children.
Celebrate the Holidays at Wildwoods
December 14, 1 – 6 p.m.
Whitewater Center
Explore the lighted treehouse village, ride illuminated balance bikes throughout the course, enjoy ornament making, a family scavenger hunt & a festive sweater contest. Adults can enjoy cider and beer on draft. Bring chairs and blankets for the holiday movie screening at dusk.
Holiday Bazaar
December 14-15, 1-5 p.m.
Urban District Market
BossUp Events and Urban District Market bring a holiday pop-up market to NoDa.
Reindog Parade
December 14, 3 – 5pm
Camp North End
A fun-filled holiday event that celebrates the furry friends in your life! The parade invites attendees to dress their pups in creative holiday attire and join in a merry procession through the heart of Camp North End.
