Weekday Planner: 21 things happening this week in Charlotte, including holiday markets
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The third annual Carolina Holiday Light Spectacular will run Dec. 5-29 at Ballantyne's Backyard. Photo: Courtesy of Ballantyne's Backyard
Hello, December — and hello, holiday cheer! With festive happenings every day this week, it's time to put a serious dent in your holiday bucket list.
Monday, Dec. 2
🧠 Play trivia (for prizes) at Suffolk Punch Brewing South End. | 7pm | Free | Details
⛸ Enjoy holiday festivities — from ice skating to a winter market — at Winter at Whitewater. | Through mid-February | Prices vary | Details
🎅 Take photos with Santa at SouthPark Mall. | Times vary | Prices vary | Details
🎄 Head to downtown McAdenville for their annual tree lighting — marking the official start of Christmastown USA. | 5:30pm | Free | Details
🎁 Make a "purchase" at the Giving Machine, a vending machine with a philanthropic twist. at Promenade on Providence. | Happening through Dec. 8 | Prices vary | Details
Tuesday, Dec. 3
🍷 Test your wine knowledge, with "blind flight night" at DTR SouthPark, Tremont and Plaza Midwood. | Times vary | Prices vary | Details
⛸️ Lace up your ice skates and hit the outdoor skating rink at Camp North End. | Times vary (through Jan. 5) | Prices vary | Details
🏀 Cheer on the Hornets against the Philadelphia 76s at Spectrum Center. | 7pm | $9+ | Details
🏁 Enjoy more than 5 million lights on a four-mile course during Charlotte Motor Speedway's Speedway Christmas. | 6-10pm (through Jan. 5) | $35 | Details
Wednesday, Dec. 4
☕️ Grab a coffee and baked goods from Salted Melon's pop-up at Phillips Place. | 8am-6pm | Price | Details
🏃🏽♀️ Hit the pavement with Legion Brewing's run club in SouthPark. | 6:15pm | Free | Details
🛍 Shop two dozen local vendors and grab a seasonal treat during Uptown's holiday market on Levine Avenue of the Arts. | 1-6pm | Free | Details
✨ Cozy up by the fire, make a s'more, then stroll through thousands of shimmering lights during Holidays at the Garden at Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden. | 5-10pm | $24 (adults) | Details
💡 Admire more than a million lights on display along a half-mile walking trail at the Carolina Holiday Light Spectacular in Ballantyne. | 5:30-10pm through Dec. 29 | $10+ | Details
Thursday. Dec. 5
🎄 Ring in the holidays with South End's tree lighting in The Railyard (Santa will be there, too). | 4-6pm | Free | Details
🎅 Celebrate the season with seasonal vendors, photos with Santa and more at Phillips Place's holiday market. | 4-7pm | Free | Details
🏠 Take a festive outdoor stroll around Historic Fourth Ward with their holiday sip and stroll. | 5-9pm, through Dec. 7 | $30-60 | Details
🎤 See Kasey Musgraves on her "Deeper Well" tour at Spectrum Center. | 7:30pm | $60 | Details
Friday, Dec. 6
🥃 Enjoy a four-course whiskey dinner, hosted by the Whiskey Club at The Ballantyne Hotel. | 6:30pm | $100 | Details
🥳 Don your best (ugliest) holiday sweater for Goldies' ugly Christmas sweater party. | 9pm | Free | Details
🛍 Get into the holiday spirit with over 40 vendors and festive food and drinks at OMB's Christmas Market, taking place at both the LoSo and Ballantyne locations. | noon-9pm | Free | Details
🩰 It's the first night to experience the magic of "The Nutcracker" at Belk Theater. | 7:30pm | $32+ | Details
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? Submit your event.