Table Of Content

Charlotte dazzles with miles of twinkling lights, festive performances and jubilant festivals that create warm memories and cherished traditions. Celebrate the spirit of the season with these holiday events and activities in Charlotte. But when the holiday season arrives, the Whitewater Center transforms into a magical realm. The upper pond becomes a grand ice skating rink, welcoming participants of all ages and skill levels. With two ice trails and two free skate zones adorned with twinkling lights, this wintery wonderland is open from mid-November through mid-February, promising seasonal joy for all. Christmas in North Carolina really begins with the North Carolina Holiday Flotilla, which is usually held at the end of November.

New Year's Eve Activities
Forest City is one of the best Christmas towns in North Carolina. In fact, Forest City was voted the #1 place to see Christmas lights in the western part of North Carolina and the #1 Christmas town in the greater Asheville area. If you want to truly experience what Christmas in North Carolina is like, be sure to visit Forest City this year.Hot chocolate, cider, and Christmas lights, oh my!
FREE Holiday Events
📌 What is Charlotte known for? It’s a holiday treat that promises enchantment and delight at The Ballantyne Hotel. Gingerbread Lane will be open daily, December 11th – 24th, 2023, from 11 am to 7 pm. The US National Whitewater Center stands as one of Charlotte’s most cherished destinations, attracting countless visitors each year. This outdoor haven boasts an array of over 30 recreational activities, including 50 miles of hiking trails, whitewater rafting, climbing, deep water solo, mountain biking, and much more. Winterfest is open on select nights starting November 17th, 2023, until January 1st, 2024.
A Classic Christmas in Mooresville December 8
The event welcomes visitors from December 8th to December 30th, ensuring plenty of opportunities to bask in the holiday glow. Admission starts at just $15 during the weekdays. Only 25 minutes from Charlotte, McAdenville is renowned for its enchanting holiday transformation.
Take a drive up to Christmas Town USA
Holidays At The Garden happens from November 24th through December 23rd. DEC. 1Miracle on Main StreetTree lighting, caroling, live music, food trucks, vendors, and more. The holidays get a tropical twist at The Royal Tot, Charlotte’s location for the Sippin’ Santa pop-up bar. Enjoy tiki-style cocktails inside the decorated bar or by one of the rooftop firepits overlooking Uptown. You’ll almost forget it’s winter when you’re drinking a frozen cocktail from a mermaid-shaped cup. Explore the Mistletoe Market Saturdays at Camp North End.

Charlotte Christmas Village is quaint, European-inspired. Christmas Market in Uptown Charlotte.Charlotte Christmas Village is an outdoor, European-inspired traditional German Christmas market featuring German food and beverages. Souvenir gluhwein mugs, Christmas ornaments, crafts vendors, food vendors, Christmas decor and gift items either handmade or with a European feel. DEC. 2Winter Fest & Tree LightingFriday, Dec. 2. A tree lighting, plus pictures with Santa, holiday inflatables, s’mores making, a sledding hill, and more.
Light the Knights Festival & Charlotte Christmas Village November 24, 2023 – January 1, 2024
This event is held at night, which makes it super special. You’ll see the floats glowing with lights, local performers, floats decked out in tinsel and lights, and so much holiday joy! The parade will be held on December 9th, 2023 at 6 pm near City Hall. Truist Field, home to the Charlotte Knights, transforms into a winter wonderland.
The town continues the tradition of having over one million Christmas lights light up the historic Main Street each year. 1Carowinds WinterFestExplore millions of lights, ice skating, family activities, live entertainment, food and drink, holiday gift shops, games, and rides. DEC. 1University City Partners’ UCity LightsUniversity City Partners is excited to bring a night of joy, fun and festivities to kick off the holiday season. 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. An Asheville Christmas wouldn’t be complete without visiting the stunning Biltmore estate.
Southern Christmas Show
Enjoy Holiday Afternoon Tea in the lobby at The Ballantyne throughout December. It’s not the Plaza … but something better. We visited the 2023 Concord Christmas Parade, and this wholesome, family event was the perfect way to kick off the holidays. There was a plane flyover at the beginning of the parade which had our kids giggling with excitement. DEC. 4Christmas in the CitySunday, Dec. 4. A parade, tree lighting, vendor market, and more.
Mount Holly Community Garden. 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. DEC. 9Enchantment in the GardenStroll through a community garden filled with luminaries and holiday music.
Celebrate in good cheer at these Charlotte restaurants open for Christmas meals - Charlotte Observer
Celebrate in good cheer at these Charlotte restaurants open for Christmas meals.
Posted: Mon, 04 Dec 2023 08:00:00 GMT [source]
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.
Explore the array of aquatic wildlife at the aquarium before the balloon drop, complete with a sparkling juice toast at noon. Shop 90-plus vintage and handmade brands as VTGCLT takes over Camp North End for six consecutive weekends. Retro apparel and accessories, as well as other one-of-a-kind items, make the perfect gifts for everyone on your holiday list. With countless vendors, the venue becomes a winter wonderland, featuring everything from collectibles, home goods, and exquisite jewelry to captivating art pieces. Over forty local artists will display, demonstrate, and sell their handmade items as part of the Tina Ross Afternoon in the Park. The event will honor the late Commissioner Tina Ross, as well as her love for the arts and the Town of Mint Hill.
Perfectly situated, you’re just minutes away from Charlotte’s parks, the NASCAR Hall of Fame, the Discovery Place, and more. They also have a full bar and restaurant, continental breakfast, a fitness center, and convenient 24-hour room service. 📍JW Marriott Charlotte – Discover the beauty of the JW Marriott, an exquisite hotel nestled in uptown Charlotte.
European gifts and holiday decorations are plentiful in the village so you will have plenty of shopping opportunities when you visit. You have a lot of options for Christmas activities in North Carolina; one activity that is full of fun for people of all ages is visiting Greenboro’s Downtown in December. Every year in December, the town of Greensboro holds Downtown in December. The streets are decorated beautifully, and there is so much to see and do. The first light weekend, called Light The Night is always a blast, and the streets are filled with onlookers excited to see the lights for the first time.
11 places to get a Christmas tree including local lots and mountain tree farms - Axios
11 places to get a Christmas tree including local lots and mountain tree farms.
Posted: Wed, 15 Nov 2023 08:00:00 GMT [source]
8Speedway ChristmasDrive 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. 2Christmas in DavidsonHoliday light shows, entertainment, live nativity scene, music, food, shopping, and more. 6Speedway ChristmasDrive through nearly four miles of Christmas lights with synchronized music on the Charlotte Motor Speedway.
Come out for Día, is a celebration of children, families and reading that culminates in the "finale" at ImaginOn this Saturday. Each year, the Ballantyne Hotel creates a beautiful display of gingerbread houses. It is open to the public and completely free! However, you have the option to vote on your favorite gingerbread house for $1/vote – proceeds go to Atrium Health Levine Children’s Hospital.