Weekday Planner: 56 things to do in Charlotte through New Year’s Day
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The Light the Knights Festival is back for another year and bigger than ever. Expect ice skating, snow tubing, a walk-through tunnel of lights, a holiday market, photos with Santa and more. Get tickets.
Monday, December 18
Countdown to Christmas
The Union at Station West | 10am-2pm | Free | Details
Why you should go: A week of free family-friendly events leading up to Christmas. Monday kicks off the festivities with a craft day from 10am-2pm.
Comedy Open Mic: Krampus Edition
Triple C Brewing | 7:30pm | Free | Details
Why you should go: It’s a crowd work open mic where the audience is encouraged to engage with comics while they’re on stage.
Tinseltown at Billy Sunday
Billy Sunday | Now through Dec. 31 | Free | Details
Why you should go: Billy Sunday has transformed into a holiday pop-up called Tinseltown. It’s open Monday-Thursday 5pm-10pm, Friday 4pm-midnight, Saturday noon-midnight, Sunday noon-10pm.
Go deeper: 9 Christmas pop-up bars coming to Charlotte in 2023
Speedway Christmas
Charlotte Motor Speedway | 6-10pm through Jan. 7 | $35+ | Details
Why you should go: This four-mile drive-thru display features five million lights synched with holiday music that you can listen to on your car radio. Pro tip: Go on a weeknight for quicker entry.
Winter at Whitewater
Whitewater Center | Times vary | Prices Vary | Details
Why you should go: Winter at Whitewater is now open for the season with activities such as ice skating, pond hockey, winter races and a Christmas tree lot. Check details for times and pricing for each activity.
Ice Skating at Camp North Pole
Camp North End | 12-10pm through Jan. 7 | $10-$15 | Details
Why you should go: Camp North End’s new ice skating rink will run through the winter. Hours vary depending on the day, so double-check before you visit.
Go deeper: Holiday guide: 26 festive things to do in Charlotte this winter
Tuesday, December 19
Hand Embroidered Ornaments Class and Mixer by SkillPop and DishCourse
Madison Perk Coffee Bar | 5:30 | $60 | Details
Why you should go: Two events in one — start with a DishCourse mixer to meet six new friends, then head to a festive embroidered ornament class with SkillPop.
Wine Social
The Bottle Tree | 6pm | $45 | Details
Why you should go: Enjoy 3oz tastings of four wines paired with an hors d’oeuvre and a brief education about the wines.
Holiday Movie Night
Broken Promises | 8pm | Free | Details
Why you should go: Broken Promises in South End is playing Christmas movies every Tuesday night during the month of December.
Mad Miles Run Club
YVY Training (Camp North End) | 6:30pm | Free | Details
Why you should go: Mad Miles is open to people of all ages and paces. The free club meets every Tuesday, regardless of the weather. There’s no registration required; just show up ready to move and groove (every run turns into a dance party afterward).
Go deeper: I hate running but I’ll exercise with Mad Miles Run Club
Wednesday, December 20
Skateboard Painting Workshop
Monday Night Brewing | 6-8pm | $20 | Details
Why you should go: For $20, you’ll get a blank wooden skateboard to paint (with an instructor) and a pint of your choice.
Ugly Sweater Party
Wooden Robot The Chamber | 7pm | Free | Details
Why you should go: Grab a cold one and craft some Christmas ornaments (in your tackiest sweater, of course).
Books on The House Giving Tree
Urban District Market | 4-10pm | Free | Details
Why you should go: Pick an ornament off the giving tree that’ll list a book you can donate to Books on the House, a nonprofit and mobile book collective.
Cirque de Noel
Knight Theatre | 7:30pm | $10+ | Details
Why you should go: The circus meets the symphony in this acrobatic holiday show. Performances run through December 23.
Thursday, December 21
The Night of the Cat 50th Anniversary Screening
Independent Picture House | 7pm | $5| Details
Why you should go: The 1973 Charlotte film returns for a one-night-only screening to celebrate its 50th anniversary.
Weekly Trivia with Fat Burrito Food Truck
Pilot Brewing | 7pm | Free | Details
Why you should go: It’s free trivia with eats from the Fat Burrito food truck, raffles and prizes up for grabs.
A Charlie Brown Christmas: Jazz Edition
Middle C Jazz | 5pm | $40-$50 | Details
Why you should go: Celebrate the holidays with live Jazz interpretations of A Charlie Brown Christmas favorites including “Linus and Lucy” and “Christmastime is Here.”
Vintage Charlotte Pop-Up
201 Camp Road (Camp North End) | 10am-7pm | Free | Details
Why you should go: Knock out your holiday shopping with handmade and vintage retail from 90+ local and regional creatives. The pop-up is now open daily from 10am-7pm through Dec. 23.
Light the Knights Festival
Truist Field | noon-1opm; Through Jan. 1 | $10-$40 | Details
Why you should go: Expect ice skating, snow tubing, shopping and holiday treats at the ballpark. It’s open 5-10pm on Thursday, but hours vary depending on the day — double-check the schedule before you go.
Friday, December 22
Mau P at Trio
Trio Nightclub | 9pm (doors) | $55 | Details
Why you should go: You may be familiar with his debut single “Drugs from Amsterdam,” which has over 130 million streams on Spotify.
Ornament Workshop
PlantHouse Charlotte | 6:30pm |$26 | Details
Why you should go: Celebrate the season with an air plant ornament workshop.
Wednesday Night Music Bingo
Fonta Flora Brewery | 7-9pm | Free | Details
Why you should go: Head to Fonta Flora in Optimist Hall for free trivia hosted by DKO entertainment.
Free Day Passes at Skiptown
Skiptown | 1pm | Free | Details
Why you should go: Have guests (and their pups) in town? Skiptown is offering free day passes Friday through Sunday.
Saturday, December 23
Ralph Lauren Coffee Truck
Phillips Place | 9am-6pm | Varies | Details
Why you should go: Ralph’s Coffee Truck is serving its coffee blends, including Ralph’s Roast, decaf and espresso plus tea, pastries, and cookies in the Phillips Place courtyard for a limited time.
Charlotte Funny Bus Tour
The Market on 7th Street | 4pm | $35 | Details
Why you should go: You’ll go on a BYOB tour with live comedy, music and games through various Charlotte neighborhoods.
The Nutcracker
Belk Theatre | 2pm & 7pm | $97+ | Details
Why you should go: It’s the last night to experience the holiday classic performed by the Charlotte Ballet and Charlotte Symphony Orchestra. There will be two performances on Saturday: 2pm and 7pm.
Sunday, December 24
Cirque du Soleil: Bazzar
Charlotte Motor Speedway | 1pm | $204+ | Details
Why you should go: It’s a popular touring acrobatic show form the Cirque du Soleil team.
Bluegrass Jam Circle hosted by Charlotte Folk Society
Petty Thieves Brewing | 5pm | Free | Details
Why you should go: Bring your instrument and join the circle or just sit back and listen.
Carolina Holiday Lights Spectacular
Ballantyne’s Backyard | 5:30-8pm | Free | Details
Why you should go: Explore an outdoor walking trail jam-packed with Christmas magic, including over one million holiday lights, hundreds of Christmas trees, several larger-than-life installations and interactive elements.
Go deeper: 14 must-see holiday light displays in Charlotte
Monday, December 25
The Color Purple Movie Premiere
Cinergy Dine-In Cinemas | 7-10pm | $35-$50 | Details
Why you should go: Join for the debut screening of The Color Purple with guest appearances. Your ticket comes with food, swag and a photo opp on the purple carpet.
McAdenville’s Christmas Town USA
Downtown McAdenville | 5:30-10pm through Dec. 26 | Free | Details
Why you should go: 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.
Light the World Giving Machine
Promenade on Providence | Through Jan. 1 | Free | Details
Why you should go: The Giving Machine, a giving-focused vending machine, returns to Charlotte this year in support of three local charities.
Tuesday, December 26
A Very Tiki Christmas Pop-Up
El Thrifty Social | 11am-11pm | Free | Details
Why you should go: Hoping to stretch the holiday vibes? El Thrifty Optimist hall has turned into a tropical-inspired pop-up through the end of December.
Go deeper: 9 Christmas pop-up bars coming to Charlotte in 2023
Beetlejuice The Musical
Belk Theatre | 7:30pm | $35+ | Details
Why you should go: The popular musical runs at Belk Theatre through New Year’s Eve.
Ice Skating at Camp North Pole
Camp North End | 4-9pm through Jan. 7 | $10-$15 | Details
Why you should go: Camp North End’s new ice skating rink will run through the winter. Hours vary depending on the day, so double-check before you visit.
Go deeper: Holiday guide: 26 festive things to do in Charlotte this winter
Wednesday, December 27
Winter at Whitewater
Whitewater Center | Times vary | Prices Vary | Details
Why you should go: Winter at Whitewater is now open for the season with activities such as ice skating, pond hockey, winter races and a Christmas tree lot. Check details for times and pricing for each activity.
The Hip Hop Nutcracker
Knight Theatre | 2pm & 7pm | $24.50 | Details
Why you should go: It’s a hip hop twist on the holiday classic with performances at 2pm and 7pm.
Duke’s Mayo Bowl
Bank of America Stadium | 5:30pm | $75 | Details
Why you should go: North Carolina and West Virginia will face off in the Duke’s Mayo Bowl at Bank of America Stadium.
Thursday, December 28
Bold and Beautiful Showcase
Protagonist Beer | 7pm | $5 | Details
Why you should go: Drink beer, eat pizza and enjoy a lineup of some of Charlotte’s top comics.
Birkdale on Ice
Where | When | Free | Details
Why you should go: Lace up your skates and hit the ice skating rink at Birkdale Village.
Carowinds’ Winterfest
Carowinds | 5-10pm | Free | Details
Why you should go: Catch dazzling light displays, live shows and hands-on activities like cookie decorating.
Board Game Night
Hi-Wire Brewing | 6:30pm | Free | Details
Why you should go: Meet people, make friends and have a good time at Hi Wire’s board game night, hosted with Making Friends is Hard Charlotte.
Friday, December 29
Cosmic Charlie: Grateful Dead Cover Band
Visualite Theatre | 7:30pm | $20 | Details
Why you should go: Expect acoustic and electric sets of Cosmic Charlie playing Grateful Dead favorites.
Miracle Bar Holiday Pop-Up
Backstage Lounge | 4pm-midnight | Free | Details
Why you should go: It’s a first-come, first-served holiday pop-up bar in Backstage Lounge behind SouthBound.
HOL! at Blackbox Theatre
Blackbox Theatre | 10pm | $17.50+ | Details
Why you should go: See French EDM artist HOL! live at Blackbox.
Bohdi Love Yoga Race
Resident Culture South End | 7pm | $5-$20 | Details
Why you should go: It’s a yoga flow that’ll feel like a rave with house music and body paint.
Saturday, December 30
Dueling Pianos at Tap and Vine
Tap and Vine Ballantyne | 9pm | $10 | Details
Why you should go: It’s an evening of piano duels for $10.
Trio’s NYE Weekend feat. Loud Luxury
Trio Charlotte | 9pm (Doors) | $45 | Details
Why you should go: Known for their hit single “Body,” the LA-based dance music duo is making a stop in Charlotte for Trio’s NYE Weekend lineup.
Rooftop Yoga with Habitual Roots
Devil’s Logic Brewing | 10:30am | $10 | Details
Why you should go: Your $10 ticket includes the class and a beer or kombucha of choice.
The Brewery Comedy Tour
The Barrel Room at Triple C | 7:30pm | $13-$20 | Details
Why you should go: It’s a night of comedy, wine, beer and good times.
Sunday, December 31
CLT NYE
Tryon Street at Levine Avenue of the Arts | 8pm | Free | Details
Why you should go: It’s a family-friendly NYE event with live music, a Queen City crown lighting and a huge firework display at midnight.
NYE Trail Race at Whitewater
Whitewater Center | 11:30pm | $37-$47 | Details
Why you should go: A race through the woods with two race options: a 5K or five mile run that will overlap with the year’s end and the beginning of the new year.
The Music Yard’s Disco Desert NYE
The Music Yard | 7pm-2am | $30+ | Details
Why you should go: Expect three stages with a mix of performances from bands and DJs. There’s champagne and a complimentary dinner buffet for VIPs and tables.
Monday, January 1
Free Soup Day
Free Range Brewing | 11am | Free | Details
Why you should go: Enjoy tons of free soups from chefs around Charlotte, plus breads and treats, all for free.
Vision Board Party
NoDa Brewing Company (North End) | 6:30-8:30pm | $15 | Details
Why you should go: Your $15 ticket comes with all supplies needed to create your own vision board for the new year.
New Year’s Day 5K
8956 J M Keynes Drive | 10am | $40 | Details
Why you should go: Start 2024 on the right food with a 5K presented by University City Partners that’ll also feature an 11am kid’s dash for $12.
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