Holiday guide: 26 festive things to do in Charlotte this winter

• Be sure to check with individual events and venues on their latest hours of operation.

Shop for gifts at the Southern Christmas Show

What to expect: The 58th annual holiday market is back with over 400 vendors and 11 football fields worth of holiday magic — including gifts, treats, décor and entertainment.

If you go: The Southern Christmas Show runs from Nov. 13-23 at Park Expo & Conference Center at 800 Briar Creek Road.

• Adult tickets online are $22 on weekdays and $25 for the weekend. Kids' tickets are $12 (five and under are free).

Go ice skating at Camp North Pole

What to expect: Camp North End will have a pop-up outdoor skating rink, which you can join in on, or watch the action in a cozy warming station while you sip on seasonal drinks.

If you go: It runs Nov. 20 – Jan. 4 at the Ford Factory in Camp North End.

• Tickets are $18 for general admission and $15 for children 10 and under. Prices include skate rentals.

Check out UCity Lights Festival in University City

What to expect: The third annual winter celebration will have live painting, ornament decorating, tree lighting, train rides, and a special visit from Santa and Mrs. Claus.

If you go: It's free to attend Saturday, Nov. 22, at The Shoppes at University Place from 4-8pm. Tree lighting starts at 7pm.

Admire the Carolina Holiday Light Spectacular in Ballantyne

What to expect: View more than a million lights on display along a half-mile walking trail. Expect music, oversized snow globes, a holiday village shop, rides, a visit from Santa and performances. 

If you go: It runs Nov. 28-Dec. 30 at Ballantyne's Backyard.

• Tickets start at $12 for general admission Monday through Thursday from 8-10pm and range from $18-$24 Friday through Sunday.
• VIP tickets are $47 and include a souvenir hot chocolate mug for bottomless hot chocolate, access to a VIP Lodge and Bar, VIP washrooms, and a separate entrance.
• Winter Wonderland Carnival Rides are $20 and include four attraction tickets. Parking is free.

Go ice skating at the Whitewater Center

What to expect: Ice skating starts Nov. 14 and runs through mid-February. It costs $25 to skate along 24,000 square feet of ice. Or try cask curling this year.

• Experience Canyon at Night — with an activity pass, you can use suspension bridges, ziplines and rope bridges to explore the canyon that’s illuminated with Christmas lights. You can explore the night trail for free. 

Go deeper: Year-round yoga, outdoor hockey and adventure dining are coming to the U.S. National Whitewater Center this winter

Go to Carowinds' Winterfest

What to expect: Catch dazzling light displays and live shows, or do a hands-on activity like cookie decorating.

If you go: It's open weekends from Nov. 28 through Jan. 3 at 300 Carowinds Blvd.

• Tickets start at $32.99. Add-on experiences like cookie decorating are $22.99 and an igloo rental starts at $189.

Take a family photo with Santa

Santa Claus is coming to town, and he’s making stops at several local malls, including:

• SouthPark starting Nov. 7.
• Concord Mills starting Nov. 21.
• Carolina Place starting Nov. 21
• Northlake starting Nov. 21
• Charlotte Premium Outlets starting Nov. 29.

If you go: Santa will be available for photo ops at each location until Dec. 24.

• Photo packages range from $39.99-$49.99.

Board The Polar Express at the N.C. Transportation Museum

What to expect: The trip is set to the sounds of the movie and includes hot chocolate and cookies, plus a story reading of "The Polar Express."

Zoom in: Tickets start at $40.25 for a standard seat and $54.25 for a deluxe coach seat.

Go deeper: The Polar Express is the hottest ticket in North Carolina

Shop locally for your holiday gifts 

'Tis the season for holiday pop-up shops. Be sure to check out Mistletoe Market at Camp North End on Dec. 6, 13 and 20 from 2-7pm.

• VTGCLT's Pop will be in Elizabeth on weekends from Nov. 14 through Dec. 7 and daily Dec. 8-Dec. 23 from 10am-7pm.
• Celebrate the season at Phillips Place’s Holiday event on Dec. 4 from 4-7pm.
• Olde Mecklenburg Brewery is hosting its annual Christmas Market for four weekends Nov. 28-Dec. 21.
• Shop Small Saturdays in South End starts Nov. 29 at Atherton Mill, along Camden Road.
• Uptown Holiday Market from Dec. 3-6 at Legacy Union Plaza.

Drive through a holiday light display at Speedway Christmas

What to expect: This four-mile drive-thru display features five million lights synced with holiday music that you can listen to from your car radio.

• Every Thursday through Sunday, visitors can enjoy a bustling Christmas village and catch holiday movie classics like “How the Grinch Stole Christmas,” “Elf” and “Home Alone.”

If you go: The light show takes place Nov. 21 through Jan. 4 at 5555 Concord Pkwy.

• Tickets start at $46.41 per car Monday-Wednesday and $57.93 per car Thursday-Sunday.

Go for a stroll through the Daniel Stowe Gardens

What to expect: Walk along the trail and take in the dazzling light displays, then stop by one of the food trucks for a quick bite or warm drink.

If you go: "Holidays at the Garden" runs Nov. 28 through Dec. 27 at 6500 S. New Hope Road., Belmont.

• Tickets are $28 for adults, $25 for seniors 60+, $20 for children 2-12, and free for children under 2.

Ice skate and snow tube at Light the Knights

What to expect: The ballpark will be illuminated with tens of thousands of lights, festive holiday displays and maybe even a bit of snow this holiday season. Expect ice skating, snow tubing, shopping and holiday treats.

If you go: Runs Nov. 26 through Jan. 4 at Truist Field (324 South Mint St.).

• Tickets are $14.37 for admission, $44.40 for admission + activities (ice skating and snow tubing) and $134 for a season package.

Watch the Thanksgiving eve Parade in Uptown

What to expect: The 79th annual Novant Health Thanksgiving Parade will take place on Wednesday, Nov. 26, in Uptown at 5:45pm.

• Floats, performers and large inflatables will parade down Tryon Street from 9th Street to Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard.
• If you’re too busy prepping the turkey for the next day, you can watch the parade on WCCB starting at 6pm.

If you go: General admission is free. VIP tickets, which guarantee seating between Tryon Street from Levine Avenue to Brooklyn Village Avenue, are $40.

• For $25 you can also decorate cookies and take photos with Santa at The Market at 7th Street from 3-5pm.

Experience holiday magic at Festival of Trees in Belmont, N.C.

What to expect: The festivities kick off on Dec. 1 with a Christmas tree lighting ceremony, caroling and other fun holiday activities throughout the evening in downtown Belmont.

If you go: It's free to attend Dec. 1-30 at Stowe Park (24 South Main St.).

Take a trip to Christmas Town USA

What to expect: McAdenville in Gaston County is known for its spectacular light displays that have garnered national attention.

• Visitors can drive or walk along the 1.3-mile route and peruse the town’s local vendors and restaurants while taking in the dazzling displays and twinkling lights.

If you go: It's free to attend Dec. 1-26 in downtown McAdenville (212 Wesleyan Dr.) with light displays daily from 5:30-10pm.

• The tree lighting ceremony will take place on Dec. 1 at 5:30pm and the Yule Log parade is Dec. 11 at 5:30pm.

See beautiful holiday home displays at the Fourth Ward Sip and Stroll

What to expect: This self-guided, porch-crawl-style tour lets guests stroll through the Historic Fourth Ward and peek inside historic homes. There will be holiday music, plus food and cocktail tastings along the way.

If you go: Runs Dec. 4-6 at Historic Fourth Ward from 5-9pm. Tickets are $30-$60.

Vote for the best gingerbread house in the country at the Grove Park Inn in Asheville

What to expect: The 33rd Annual National Gingerbread House Competition returns this season, following the cancellation of last year's event following the Hurricane Helene devastation.

If you go: View gingerbread displays for free Nov. 18 through Jan. 4.

• Guests not staying at the resort can view the display after 6pm on Sundays or anytime Monday-Thursday. 

Bonus: If you’re already in Asheville, pop over to the Biltmore Estate to view America’s largest home decorated for Christmas from now until Jan. 4, 2026.

• There are two ticket options: the daytime celebration starts at $130, and the candlelight Christmas evenings start at $150.

Watch Charlotte Ballet's Nutcracker.

What to expect: The Charlotte Symphony Orchestra accompanies the Charlotte Ballet with musical selections composed by Tchaikovsky, like the well-known “Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy.”

If you go: Runs Dec. 5-21 at Belk Theater at the Blumenthal Performing Arts Center. Showtimes vary.

• Tickets start at $45.

Dine outside by the fire

With the weather cooling down, there are a few restaurants with heaters or fireplaces to keep you warm while you dine outside.

• Ruru’s (15 Providence Road) – This Myers Park taco spot has string lights and heaters on its patio.
• Charlotte Beer Garden (1300 S. Tryon St.) – The three-story beer garden has space to spread out and both heaters and fire pits outside.
• Artisan's Palate (1218-A E. 36th St.) - The NoDa restaurant's garden has fire pits, heaters and blankets.

Go deeper: 19 Charlotte restaurants with heated outdoor dining

Cut down your own Christmas tree in the mountains.

There are several choose-and-cut farms within driving distance of Charlotte. Some include Circle C Tree Farms in Boone, C & J Christmas Trees in Boone and Appalachian Evergreens in Blowing Rock.

Some local lot options:

• St. Gabriel Catholic Church — 3016 Providence Road.
• Mrs. Ruth’s Christmas Trees — 2206 Charlotte Hwy., Mooresville.

Go deeper: 12 best Christmas tree farms from Charlotte to the Blue Ridge Mountains

Tree Lighting Festival at Bank of America Stadium

What to expect: Charlotte FC and the Carolina Panthers are inviting all fans and their families to the Tree Lighting Festival on Tuesday, Nov. 18, at Bank of America Stadium.

If you go: The festival returns to the corner of Mint and Graham streets outside Bank of America Stadium and will begin with the lighting at 6:30pm.

• The event is free, but tickets are required to attend.

Sip on festive drinks from local holiday pop-up bars

• Sippin' Santa at The Royal Tot takes place Nov. 17-Dec. 31.
• Miracle at Backstage Lounge will be open Nov. 19-Dec. 28.
• Bah Humbug at Humbug runs from Dec. 2-30. 

Go deeper: 9 holiday pop-up bars coming to Charlotte in 2025

Take a horse-drawn carriage ride at the Billy Graham Library

What to expect: During the day, explore the grounds while sipping on hot chocolate, stop by the petting zoo and grab a bite to eat. 

• At night, the Billy Graham Library grounds are transformed into a festive celebration, complete with horse-drawn carriage rides, carolers, a live nativity scene, story time for kids and shopping at Ruth’s Attic bookstore.

If you go: It runs Dec. 1-23 at 4330 Westmont Dr.

• Both admission and parking are free. Reservations are required.
• Horse-drawn carriage rides are $12 for adults and $6 for kids under 12.

Christmas in Davidson

What to expect: Holiday light shows, a live nativity, live music, great food and holiday shopping in downtown of Davidson.

If you go: It's free to attend Dec. 4-6 from 6-9pm.

Holiday happenings at Optimist Hall

What to expect: The holiday season kicks off Saturday, Dec. 13, at Optimist Hall with Santa Claus and hot cocoa from 10am-12pm.

If you go: Free to attend at 1115 N Brevard St.

Go deeper: Everything you need to know about Optimist Hall

Check out The Bowl's new ice skating rink

This holiday season, The Bowl at Ballantyne will transform into a winter wonderland with its first outdoor ice skating rink.

• Stick around to grab a cup of cocoa or donate to the Ballantyne Families Helping Neighbors in Need next to the skate check-in trailer.

If you go: It runs Nov. 22 through Jan. 4 within The Amp Ballantyne. Tickets are $12-$20. Parking for three hours is free in nearby garages.

Editor's note: This guide was last updated Nov. 13, 2025.