Weekday Planner: 25 things to do in Charlotte this week of Christmas

ChristmasVille

Old Town Rock Hill (201 E. Main St.) | All-day | Free | Details 

Why you should go: Every day this week leading up to Christmas, you can find fun and festive activities to do like horse-drawn carriage rides, historic tours, carolers, and ice skating.

Festival of Trees

Downtown Belmont (Stowe Park) | All-day | Free | Details 

Why you should go: See an assortment of beautifully decorated Christmas trees during Belmont’s 4th annual Festival of Trees.

VTGCLT Pop

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

Why you should go: There are five days until Christmas, but only two more to shop VTGCLT’S selection of more than 90 local and regional vendors.

Gingerbread Lane

The Ballantyne Hotel | Daily through Dec. 26; 11am to 7pm | Free | Details 

Why you should go: Browse an assortment of beautifully decorated gingerbread houses and cast your vote for your favorite one. There is a $1 minimum per vote and all proceeds will benefit the Atrium Health Levine Children’s Hospital.

Charlotte Christmas Village

Truist Field | Noon to 8pm | $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.

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 with Mrs. Clause.

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.

Cookie Exchange Party

 Chef Alyssa’s Kitchen | 6-8pm | $65 | Details 

Why you should go: Groups of four will create a different cookie to be exchanged with the five other tables at the end of class. Participants will also be making a seasonal Prosecco cocktail.

Holiday Cheeseboard Creation

SkillPop Online | 7-8:15pm | $24 | Details 

Why you should go: Grab your favorite meats and cheeses and join cheese enthusiast and caterer, Tori Tippin to learn tips for food placement, cutting, board size and pairings just in time for all of your holiday entertaining.

Tosco Music Holiday Party

Knight Theater | 7:30pm | $18.50-$52.50 | Details 

Why you should go: Spend an evening singing along to holiday classics with a lineup of more than a dozen performers.

Ice Skating

Whitewater Center | Now through mid-February; 10am to 10pm | $25 Day Pass, $6 parking | Details 

Why you should go: Whether you’re holding on to the railing for dear life (me) or zipping across the ice, the Whitewater Center’s ice skating rink is fun anyone can enjoy.

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 21

Soulful Noel

The Blumenthal (Booth Playhouse)| Dec. 21 & 22; 7:30pm | $25 | Details 

Why you should go: This show by local theater group, OnQ tells the age-old story of the reason for the season. Tap your foot along to holiday classics like “Little Drummer Boy” and “Christmas Time is Here.”

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 22

Holiday Party

Billy Sunday | 5-10pm | Free | Details 

Why you should go: Enjoy festivities like cookie decorating, holiday music, an ugly sweater contest and holiday cocktails.

Gingerbread House Making

Free Range Brewing | 5-7pm | $35 | Details 

Why you should go: Reserve a gingerbread house kit online and join Thoughtful Baking co. to piece it together with others. Kit includes gingerbread house pieces, royal icing and an assortment of candy for decorating.

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.

Cookie Decorating Essentials

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

Why you should go: Perfect your cooking decorating skills before Santa comes down the chimney. Your instructor, Taylor Whitworth will teach you her step-by-step process for beautifully decorated sugar cookies.

“Oh My Sleigh” Xmas Party

Oh My Soul Vegan | 7-10pm | $10 | Details 

Why you should go: Event highlights include Live Band Karaoke, an ugly Christmas sweater contest and specialty cocktails.

A Very Thorgy Christmas

Knight Theater | 7:30pm | $10-$99 | Details 

Why you should go: You may know Thorgy Thor from Ru Paul’s Drag race, but tonight she’ll be serenading the audience with her skills on the violin.

Nutcracker Belk Theater

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

Why you should go: The Charlotte Symphony Orchestra accompanies the Charlotte Ballet with musical selections composed by Tchaikovsky like the well-known ‘Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy.’

SlamCharlotte Poetry Slam

Camp North End (Ford Building) | 8pm | Free, donations appreciated | Details 

Why you should go: Feed your soul with a full lineup of talented local poets.

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 23

Jingle City Pop-Up Christmas Bar

The Tavern | 5pm to midnight | $15 for adults, $5 for kids | Details 

Why you should go: This gaudy Christmas pop-up bar has Christmas-themed cocktails, ugly sweater contests, igloos and activities that the whole family can participate in. The venue will be kid-friendly through 8pm. Open Christmas Eve from 5pm to 2am.

Brewers Box Office

Brewers at 4001 Yancey | 6:30pm | Free | Details 

Why you should go: Catch a screening of Elf under the stars and enjoy popcorn, pints and $3 tacos.

A Time to Heal

Knight Theater | 8pm | $50-$80 | Details 

Why you should go: This old-school, traditional gospel show uses music and prayer as a form of therapy.

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 24

CHRISTMAS EVE

Holiday Tea

The Ballantyne Hotel | 1-4pm | $60 for adults, $25 for children under 12 | Details 

Why you should go: Relax in the lobby and enjoy a variety of seasonal loose leaf tea blends, a selection of savory tea sandwiches, holiday treats and live entertainment.

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].

Axios Charlotte thanks our partners for supporting our content. Sponsorship does not influence editorial content.