50+ things to do in Charlotte, Dec. 22, 2025, to Jan. 4, 2026
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Finish 2025 and kick off your 2026 with more than 50 fun things to do in Charlotte.
Monday, Dec. 22
🎄 "Soulful Noel" is the Christmas show for people who don't like Christmas shows, with a splash of funk, R&B and soul. The OnQ production is at Booth Playhouse through Dec. 23. | $50.30+| 7pm | Details
🎁 Get your last-minute gifts at Wiloe Home & Gift in Plaza Midwood — beer and taco trucks will be on site. | Free entry | 5-8pm | Details
🤣 Take the mic at Triple C's Heckle Open Mic, where comics get five minutes to win over the crowd and survive their heckles. | Free | 7pm (signups) 7:30pm (show) | Details
🥂 Yes, and: This is the final week for many of Charlotte's holiday pop-up bars. Check out our full guide to 15 festive spots here.
Tuesday, Dec. 23
🏀 Cheer on the Charlotte Hornets as they battle the Washington Wizards at Spectrum Center. | $25+ | 7pm | Details
🎅 Santa will be at The Goodyear House from 5-7pm. Kids eat free here on Tuesday nights. Bring a new, unwrapped toy to donate to OurBRIDGE for Kids. | Prices vary | 5-7pm | Details
🏃🏽♀️ Beat the chill with a two-mile run with Mad Miles in Camp North End. | Free | 6:30pm | Details
💨 Get high on fun and friendly competition with bingo at The Happy Camper Cannabis Dispensary and Lounge in NoDa. | 7pm | Details
Wednesday, Dec. 24
🎁 Make sure the Grinch doesn't steal Christmas at Belk Theater with "Dr. Seuss' How The Grinch Stole Christmas! The Musical." The show is here through Dec. 28. | $52.77 | 2pm | Details
🍝 Dig into pastas, sandwiches, entrees, pastries and more at L'Ostrica's holiday brunch. | $105/person | 11am-2:30pm (reservations recommended) | Details
🥘 Feast on a chef-curated Christmas Dinner at the Gallery Restaurant inside The Ballantyne Hotel. | $105/person | 4pm-10pm (reservations recommended | Details
🍿 Catch a Christmas Eve screening of It's a Wonderful Life at Independent Picture House. | 2:30pm (plus an additional 3:10pm showing on Christmas Day) | Details
✨ Take a Christmas Eve tour of holiday lights in and around the city — here are 16 displays to check out.
Go deeper: What to eat, see and do in Ballantyne
Thursday, Dec. 25
⛸️ Lace up and hit the ice at Camp North End. | Open 11am-10pm | $18 (GA) | Details
🎄 Didn't make a holiday lights tour on Christmas Eve? McAdenville, aka Christmastown USA, will still be shining bright until 10pm through Dec. 26. | Details
🍺 Common Market Plaza Midwood will be open on Christmas Day, serving up its usual Thursday special: $5 pints. | Details
Friday, Dec. 26
🏒 Join for a "Heated Rivalry" finale watch party at Platform Sports with Trope Bookshop. | 7:30pm | Details (RSVP required)
🍾 Sip your way through a bubbles tasting party at Frenchy's to find the perfect bottle for NYE. Free | 5pm | Details
🎨 Explore, play and create in the Lewis Family Gallery at The Mint Museum Uptown — included with museum admission. | $15 (adults) | Open 11am–4pm (The Mint is open until 9pm) | Details
Saturday, Dec. 27
🎸 Catch Congress the Band at The Fillmore. | $35+ | 8pm | Details
🐶 Bring your pup for a day of fun at Skiptown's New Year's Pawty. | Free for members; fee for non-members | noon-6pm | Details
☕️ Sip on a cafecito or aqua Fresca and find your next romance read at Cariño Cafe's pop-up at Trope Bookshop. | Prices vary | 9:30am | Details
🎶 Hear the best of Billy Joel with "The Stranger," a tribute band at Carolina Theatre. | $28.40 | 8pm | Details
Sunday, Dec. 28
🏈 Cheer on the Carolina Panthers as they take on the Seattle Seahawks at Bank of America Stadium. | $77.44+ | 1pm | Details
🤘 Rock out with Hardwired, a Metallica tribute, at The Underground. | $42 | 8pm | Details
🪩 See EDM duo Bonnie X Clyde live at Trio. | $15 (GA) | 9pm | Details
😂 See comedian Timmy No Brakes at The Comedy Zone, with shows through Dec. 28. | $36+ | Times vary | Details
Monday, Dec. 29
🏀 Catch the Hornets vs. the Milwaukee Bucks at Spectrum Center. | $28+ | 7pm | Details
🎺 Head to Petra's in Plaza Midwood for the The Bill Hanna Legacy Jazz Session. | $7+ | 7:30pm | Details
Tuesday, Dec. 30
🏃♀️ Join for Rally's Walk/Run club (choose between a 1.5 or 3-mile walk/run), then stick around for complimentary s'mores around the fire pit. | Free | 6:30pm | Details
✨ It's the final night to catch the lights at Ballantyne's Backyard's Carolina Holiday Light Spectacular. | $10+ | 5:30-10pm | Details
🧩 Compete for bragging rights in a speed puzzle competition at Pilot Brewing. | Free | 7-9pm | Details
Wednesday Dec. 31
🏀 Catch the Hornets vs. the Golden State Warriors at Spectrum Center. | $89.60+ | 1pm | Details
🏃🏽♀️ Finish 2025 with a 5K in the Noon Year's Eve 5K. | $45 | Noon | Details
🎆 Take the whole family to ring in the New Year at CLT NYE in Truist Field, featuring a fireworks show at midnight. | $16+ | 8pm | Details
🎉 Yes, and: We've rounded up 25+ ways to celebrate New Year's Eve in our guide — check it out here.
Go deeper: The ultimate guide to New Year's Eve 2026 in Charlotte
Thursday, Jan. 1
🥬 Enjoy a Southern traditional New Year's Day buffet at The Goodyear House. | $30 (kids under 10 are free) | 9am-4pm | Details
🧊 Kick off the New Year with a Polar Plunge at Sauna House and stay after for matcha. | 9am | Prices vary | Details (book a slot online)
🏃🏽♀️ Hit the ground running with University City's New Year 5K. | $45 (adults) $14 (kids) | 10am-2pm | Details
🍜 Celebrate Free Soup Day at Free Range Brewing, as 20+ local chefs serve up free soup, bread, and sweet treats to the Charlotte community. | 11am | Details
Friday, Jan. 2
🏈 Wake Forest will play Mississippi State in the Duke's Mayo Bowl at Bank of America Stadium | $62.01+ | 8pm | Details
🎶 Transport yourself to the disco era at The New York Bee Gee's Tribute Show at Knight Theater. $39.76 | 8pm | Details
🎙️ Jam out to Landslide with a tribute to Fleetwood Mac at Middle C Jazz in Uptown. | $41.45+ | Times vary | Details
Saturday, Jan. 3
🧘♀️ Practice yoga and experience live performances at The New Year Same Blume: Self-Care Mini Festival at Blume Studios. | $37.17+ | 10am | Details
🛻 See Hot Wheels Monster Trucks Live at Spectrum Center through Jan. 4. | $36.55| Times vary | Details
🎹 Lean into a night of musical nostalgia with a tribute concert to Billy Joel and Elton John at Knight Theater. | $39.43+ | 8pm | Details
🧘♀️ Take a free yoga class during Feel Better Yoga's South End Grand Opening (through Jan. 4). | Free | Times vary | Details
Sunday, Jan. 4
🥂 Treat yourself to half-off mimosas at Mimosa Sunday at Free Range Brewing (Camp North End). | Prices vary | 11am-6pm | Details
🎤 Cure your Sunday Scaries with a standup show from Zach Johnson (Comedy Central) at The Comedy Club at Duckworths. | $20+ | 6pm | Details
🎶 Round up the friend group for Sunday karaoke at Snug Harbor. | Free | 6pm-2am | Details
🎙️ Jam out at Middle C Jazz's Gospel Sunday with singer Courtney Montgomery. | $28.85+ | 6pm | Details
⛸️ It's the final night to ice skate, snow tube and catch the holiday lights at Truist Field's Light the Knights. | $14–$44 | 2-9pm | Details