We are getting in the holiday spirit over here at Genevieve Williams Real Estate and invite you to celebrate the season with us. From ice skating and tree lightings to gingerbread houses and musical performances, we have rounded up some of our favorite holiday events across Charlotte this year.
For more information on each event, click on the event name.
Parades
Novant Health Thanksgiving Parade
November 23 at 5:30pm on Tryon Street in Uptown Charlotte
The 76th year of the Charlotte Thanksgiving Parade is planned for Thanksgiving Eve this year. The anticipated 100,000+ spectators will be treated to floats, larger-than-life balloons, marching bands, and performers.
Large-Scale Light Displays
November 18 – January 8 at Charlotte Motor Speedway
Drive through four million lights strung up along a 4-mile course, all synchronized to Christmas music.
Speedway Christmas
November 25 – December 31 at Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden
This gorgeous garden just outside of Charlotte in Belmont, NC becomes an enchanting winter wonderland with dramatic displays and thousands of lights illuminating the trees, topiaries, and flora.
Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden
December 1-26 at McAdenville, NC
Visit the town that has been voted as having on of the best light displays in the country and enjoy the 1.3-mile route along Main Street with dozens of residences covered in lights, a tradition that dates back to the 1950s.
Christmas Town USA
Experiences and Markets
November 10-20 at The Park Expo & Conference Center
This popular seasonal market is the biggest in the city with 400 vendor booths, countless holiday morsels and sweet treats, a Christmas Tree Lane featuring dozens of fresh Fraser firs decorated by designers in varied styles, and Santa himself.
Southern Christmas Show
Mid-November – Mid-February at the Whitewater Center
The Whitewater Center’s beloved open-air ice rink is back for its fourth year! The ice rink consists of over 24,000 square feet of skating space split into four distinct areas including two ice trails and two free stake zones.
The Whitewater Center
November 11 – December 23 at the North Carolina Transporation Museum
Inspired by The Polar Express book and movie, the North Carolina Transporation Museum, which is located about an hour north of Charlotte, invites passengers to board a train bound for the North Pole.
N.C. Transportation Museum The Polar Express
November 21 – January 1 at Carowinds
Carowinds gets into the holiday spirit in a big way thanks to live shows, holiday-themed games, ice skating, cookie decorating, and a nightly parade. Plus, your favorite rides are still a sleigh full of fun!
Carowinds WinterFest
Charlotte Christmas Village and Light the Knights
November 23 – December 23 at Truist Field
This German-inspired Christmas market is coming back to Uptown Charlotte with schnitzel, strudel, hot cider, homemade crafts, local gifts, and music performances. This year, Light the Knights is expanding their offerings with an ice rink and 6-lane snow tubing slope located right on the baseball field!
Charlotte Christmas Village and Light the Knights
December 1-26 at The Ballantyne Hotel & Lodge
One of Charlotte’s most luxurious hotels holds an annual gingerbread house contest for professionals, amateurs, and kids. The creations are on display for all to see and you can vote on your favorite throughout the month.
The Ballantyne Gingerbread Lane
Performances
Charlotte Ballet’s The Nutcracker
December 9-26 at Belk Theater
An annual tradition by the Charlotte Ballet that tells the unforgettable tale of a young girl who enters a magical wonderful of toy soldiers, sugar plum fairies, and, of course, nutcrackers.
Charlotte Ballet’s The Nutcracker | Photo by Peter Zay
Trans-Siberian Orchestra: The Ghosts of Christmas Eve
December 10 at Spectrum Center
This award-winning, nationally-touring concert rolls back into Charlotte to treat fans to their unique style and rock opera renditions of Christmas music.
Trans-Siberian Orchestra
Clara’s Trip: A Cirque & Dance Nutcracker Story
December 15-20 at Booth Playhouse
A contemporary twist on the holiday classic “The Nutcracker” filled with visually stunning dance and aerobatics presented by Caroline Calouche & Co.
Clara’s Trip: A Cirque & Dance Nutcracker Story
Charlotte Symphony: Holiday Pops
December 16-18 at Knight Theater
The Charlotte Symphony makes the magic of the season come to life with classic holiday favorites, sing-alongs, special guest artists, and even snow falling in the Knight Theater!
Charlotte Symphony Holiday Pops
What holiday events do you have on your calendar this year? Let us know in the comments below so we can add to our list!
