Weekday Planner: 29 fun & festive things to do in Charlotte this week

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MONDAY, DECEMBER 13

VTGCLT Pop

The Metropolitan | Daily from 10am to 7pm, through Dec. 22 | Free | Details 

Why you should go: Shop a selection of handmade and vintage items from more than 90 local and regional vendors.

McAdenville Christmastown

McAdenville | Now through Dec. 26; 5:30-10pm | Free | Details 

Why you should go: Drive or walk along the 1.3 mile-long route and peruse the town’s local vendors and restaurants while enjoying the light displays.

Speedway Christmas

Charlotte Motor Speedway | Now through Jan. 2; 6-10pm. | $30+ | Details 

Why you should go: Pull up to the Speedway to see four million lights illuminate this four-mile course. Expect hundreds of creative light displays synchronized to Christmas-themed music that you can listen to from your car’s radio.

Hand Embroidered Ornaments

Online (SkillPop) | 7-8:30pm | $24 | Details 

Why you should go: Embroidery artist Valerie Evans of Plaid Love Threads will show you how to create your own personalized holiday keepsake to hand on your tree.

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 14

Tree Cookie Workshop

Birdsong Brewing Co. | 4pm | $5 | Details 

Why you should go: Use paint, beads and ribbons to decorate your “tree cookie” ornament. All supplies will be provided.

Coat and Toy Drive

QC Pourhouse | 6-8pm | Free | Details 

Why you should go: Bring gently used coats and toys to be donated to the Charlotte Rescue Mission.

Tipsy Terrarium Tuesday

PlantHouse | 6:30-8pm | $22 | Details 

Why you should go: Build a one-of-a-kind terrarium using succulents and decor provided by the PlantHouse crew. Stop by the in-house bar before class to grab a glass of wine, local beer, or a non-alcoholic beverage.

Middle Earth Dinner

Lower Left Brewing Co. | 6:30pm | $120 | Details 

Why you should go: Join Lower Left Brewing for a Nordic-inspired eight-course feast. Each course will be paired with a Lower Left beer including two new brews released just for this event.

Open Air: An Artist Conversation

Online | 7pm | Free | Details 

Why you should go: Join the Gantt Center virtually for a conversation with artists Carla Aaron-Lopez and Dimeji Onafuwa.

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 15

Holidays at the Garden

Daniel Stowe Garden | 5-9pm | $14.95 for adults, $12.95 for seniors 60+, $7.95 for children 2-12, free for children under 2 | Details 

Why you should go: Walk along the trail and take in the dazzling light displays, then stop by one of the food trucks for a quick bite or a warm beverage.

Winterfest

Carowinds | 5-10pm |  $24.99 | Details 

Why you should go: Catch dazzling light displays and live shows or do a hands-on activity like cookie decorating. Winterfest is jam-packed with fun and immersive holiday festivities that the entire family can enjoy.

Open Mic Night

Jambox (707 East Hebron St.) | 6:30-10pm | Free | Details 

Why you should go: Take to the stage to perform and connect with other local musicians. Sign-ups start at 6pm, show starts at 6:30pm.

Candle Making Workshop

Red Clay Ciderworks | 6:30-8pm | $35 | Details 

Why you should go: A variety of scented oils will be provided for you to hand mix and pour your very own candle.

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 16

Yule Log Parade

McAdenville | 5pm | Free | Details 

Why you should go: This annual community celebration commences with a parade covering two blocks and is capped off with the lighting of the Yule Log at 6pm.

Charlotte Christmas Village

Truist Field | 5-10pm | $5 | Details 

Why you should go: Head to the ballpark to see how it’s transformed into a European-inspired Christmas market with handcrafted gifts and specialty foods like Austrian strudels, bratwurst and sauerkraut.

Singles Night Mixer

Skiptown | 6-8pm | Free | Details 

Why you should go: Head to Skiptown for another singles mixer where you can meet people who love dogs as much as you do. Bring your pup along to be your (wing)man’s-best-friend.

Clara’s Trip: A Cirque & Dance Nutcracker Story

Booth Playhouse | 7pm | $20-$45 | Details 

Why you should go: See a new take on a holiday classic as imagined by local aerial dance company, Caroline Calouche & Co.

A Christmas Carol

The Halton Theatre at CPCC | 7:30pm | $14-$28 | Details 

Why you should go: This show transports the audience to the streets of London to experience the classic tale of cold-hearted Ebenezer Scrooge.

Nutcracker Belk Theater

Blumenthal Performing Arts Center | Through Dec. 26; 7:30pm | $25-$114 | Details 

Why you should go: One of the best holiday traditions in the city is still on stage at the Belk Theater. The Charlotte Symphony Orchestra accompanies the Charlotte Ballet with musical selections composed by Tchaikovsky like the well-known ‘Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy.’

Drag Queen Game Night

Summit Seltzer | 7:30pm | $5 | Details 

Why you should go: Test your trivia knowledge with the Queens of The Vanity House and enjoy drag performances in-between game rounds.

Rap Van Gogh

Camp North End (Ford Building) | 8pm | $15 | Details 

Why you should go: This Van Gogh-inspired rap battle will allow the audience to interact and choose a winner.

Night of 1000 Mariahs

Billy Sunday | 8pm | $10 | Details

Why you should go: Sing Mariah Carey Christmas tunes and dance with the divas for a good cause. Proceeds from ticket sales will be donated to the Levine Children’s Hospital.

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 17

OMB Christmas Market: Weekend 4

Olde Mecklenburg Brewery & Biergarten | Dec. 17-19; times vary by day | Free | Details 

Why you should go: If you haven’t been yet, head to OMB for the fourth and final weekend of its German Christmas Village. A lineup of more than 40 vendors will be set up in the biergarten, plus enjoy holiday music, lights, seasonal drinks like spiced wine and hot cocoa, and of course delicious German fare.

Botiwalla’s First Anniversary Mela

Optimist Hall | 5:30-10pm | Free | Details 

Why you should go: Guests will be able to purchase tickets at the counter and visit food and drink stations serving up Pani Puri, Kebabs, Butter Chicken, Saag Paneer, Hot Chai, Mango Lassi, and other delicious dishes. There will also be a henna tattoo artist on-site offering traditional henna tattoos.

Mistletoe + Glow Yoga

Awaken Space (360 Crompton St.) | 7-9pm | $20, or a item for donation | Details

Why you should go: Wind down your evening with a holiday edition of glow drop sound yoga.

Homemade Brioche Doughnuts

Online (SkillPop) | 7-8:30pm | $24 | Details 

Why you should go: Just when you thought doughnuts couldn’t get any tastier, your instructor Emily Trotochaud will show you how to make raised brioche doughnuts with icings such as classic and chocolate glazed.

Charlotte Symphony Magic of Christmas

Knight Theater | 7:30-8:30pm | $19+ | Details 

Why you should go: Entertainer Tony DeSare returns to Charlotte to help spread holiday cheer with performances of holiday classics and even a special rendition of “Christmastime in Charlotte.”

Movie Night: National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation

Free Range Brewing | 8-11pm | Free | Details 

Why you should go: Bring your friends and family out for a special holiday screening of “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation.” There will be free popcorn and pizza from Benny Pennello’s to enjoy.

Yule, Y’all

Neighborhood Theater | 8pm | $25 | Details 

Why you should go: This annual holiday-themed drag show is packed with comedy, Christmas classics and parodies.

Check out more upcoming events on our Event Board. Hosting an event? Reach more Charlotteans through an Event Listing, which includes placement on our Event Board and in our weekday newsletter. Have a scoop about a cool event? Email [email protected].

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