Get your fuzzy socks and hot cocoa ready, Charlotte. From light displays and holiday performances to festive parties and winter wonderlands, this is by far the coziest season in the Queen City.
Gather the family and friends to celebrate what makes the holiday season special with this guide featuring 30+ winter events happening between December and February.
🎄 Light displays + holiday markets
UCity Lights | Saturday, Nov. 23 | 4-8 p.m. | The Shoppes at University Place | Free | Meet Santa and Mrs. Claus, create ornaments, sip hot cocoa, and watch the Christmas tree illuminate at 7:10 p.m.
Speedway Christmas | Friday, Nov. 22- Sunday, Jan. 5 | 6-10 p.m. | Charlotte Motor Speedway | $35-$45 per vehicle | Cruise the speedway marveling at 5+ million lights on display + shop the market or slide down the 250-ft tubing hill.
Shop Small Saturday | Saturday, Nov. 30 | 8 a.m.-5 p.m. South End | Cost of purchase | Kick off the holiday season by shopping 120+ local vendors in the heart of South End.
Southern Christmas Show | Thursday, Nov. 14-Sunday, Nov. 24 | Times vary | The Park Expo and Conference Center | $10-$20 | Shop from 400+ holiday vendors in the country’s largest holiday show.
Tree Lighting Festival | Tuesday, Nov. 26 | 6–8 p.m. | Bank of America Stadium | Free, but tickets required | The Carolina Panthers and Charlotte FC will host the 11th annual festival + Asheville-based vendors will be showcased along the concourse in wake of Helene.
Holidays at the Hall | Monday, Nov. 11-Monday, Dec. 30 | 10 a.m.-5 p.m. | NASCAR Hall of Fame | $20-$27 | Visit the NASCAR Hall of Fame for a picture in front of the 30-ft Christmas tree + explore the museum and find gifts for your favorite NASCAR fans.
Christmas Town USA | Monday, Dec. 2- Thursday, Dec. 26 | 5:30-10 p.m. | Dynamo 31, McAdenville | Free | A Charlottean tradition — walk or drive through the downtown area experiencing a winter wonderland.
Carolina Holiday Light Spectacular | Thursday, Dec. 5-Sunday, Dec. 29 | 5:30–10 p.m. | Ballantyne’s Backyard | $15-$40 | Walk a half-mile trail adorned with over a million lights + get adventurous on the Snow Tube Slide or shop local in the holiday village.
🩰 Holiday performances
A Christmas Carol | Tuesday, Nov. 26 | 8 p.m. | Booth Playhouse | $30+ | Watch the story of Ebenezer Scrooge performed live on stage.
The Muppet Christmas Carol in Concert | Friday, Nov. 29 + Saturday, Nov. 30 | 7:30 p.m. + 3 p.m. | Ovens Auditorium | $18-$160+ | Join Kermit and Miss Piggy as the Charlotte Symphony Orchestra plays live.
The Nutcracker | Friday, Dec. 6-Sunday, Dec. 22 | Times vary | Belk Theater | Become mesmerized as the Charlotte Ballet dances this classic tale to Tchaikovsky’s music.
Holiday Pops! | Saturday, Dec. 7 | 11 a.m. | Knight Theater | $14-$126 | Enjoy special surprises by Santa as the Charlotte Symphony Orchestra plays timeless carols and festive favorites.
Cirque de Noël | Thursday, Dec. 19-Sunday, Dec. 22 | Times vary | Knight Theater | $35-$170 | Experience jaw-dropping feats when aerialists soar high above the orchestra, alongside awe-inspiring acrobatics set to your favorite holiday music.
Breakfast with Santa | Saturday, Dec. 14 + Sunday, Dec. 15 | 9-11 a.m. | The Dunhill | $30-$45 | Visit The Dunhill for a buffet breakfast and a visit from Santa.
The Christmas Extravaganza | Sunday, Dec. 1 | 7 p.m. | Dale F. Halton Theater | $36-$40 | Ring in the holiday season as the Charlotte Civic Orchestra performs this exciting show with Charlotte’s Youth Ballet and holiday singers.
Elf | Thursday, Dec. 26-Friday, Dec. 27 | Times vary | Belk Theater | $35+ | Based on the blockbuster film, watch Buddy the Elf travel to the Big Apple to find his father (and save Christmas).
‘Twas the Night Before... by Cirque du Soleil | Friday, Dec. 20-Saturday, Jan. 4 | Times vary | Ovens Auditorium | $54+ | Recite the lines of the classic poem while watching thrilling acrobatics with original music + holiday classics.
⛸️ Outdoor ice rinks + activities
The Polar Express Train Rides | Weekends in November + December | Times vary | NC Transportation Museum, Spencer | $30+ | Board the Polar Express for a magical trip to the North Pole — complete with hot cocoa.
WinterFest | Select nights Friday, Nov. 15- Saturday, Jan. 4 | 5-10 p.m. | Carowinds | $20-$33 | Experience holiday thrills with light displays, ice skating, live entertainment, and holiday-inspired comfort food.
Winter at Whitewater | Mid-November through mid-February | Times vary | US National Whitewater Center | Cost of purchase | Peruse the illuminated trails, skate on a 24,000-sqft ice rink, or try your hand at cask curling or pond hockey.
Birkdale on Ice | Saturday, Nov. 23-Sunday, Jan. 26 | Times vary | Birkdale Village, Huntersville | $16-$18 | Glide into the holiday on this outdoor ice rink before savoring a dinner nearby.
Camp North Pole | Friday, Nov. 22–Sunday, Jan. 5 | Camp North End | $10-$15 per person | Go ice skating at this outdoor rink before shopping the Mistletoe Market on select Saturdays.
Holidays at the Garden | Friday, Nov. 29-Sunday, Dec. 29 | 5-10 p.m. | Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden | $15-$25 | Wander the grounds at the garden covered with twinkling lights, savor s’mores and hot cocoa + shop for everyone on your list.
🎇 Celebrating the new year
The Avett Brothers | Tuesday, Dec. 31 | 8:30 p.m. | Bojangles Coliseum | $65-$130 | Sing and dance during the Avett Brothers’ 21st annual New Year’s Eve show.
Charlotte’s New Year’s Eve 2024 Affair | Tuesday, Dec. 31 | 9 p.m. | The Ritz-Carlton | $30-$1,100 | Dress to impress in this semi-formal celebration to kick off 2025.
Hestia NYE Euphoria | Tuesday, Dec. 31 | 7 p.m. | The Ritz-Carlton | $150-$300 | Savor a five-course meal with rooftop views before counting down the new year.
New Year’s Eve Dinner | Tuesday, Dec. 31 | 5 p.m. | La Belle Helene | $90-$130 | Savor a three-course prix-fixe menu + champagne with proceeds benefiting Levine Children’s Hospital.
🎉 January events
Hamilton | Tuesday, Jan.7-Sunday, Feb. 2 | Times vary | Belk Theater | $49+ | Sing along as the story of Alexander Hamilton ignites the stage.
Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey presents The Greatest Show On Earth | Friday, Jan. 17- Sunday, Jan. 19 | Times vary | Spectrum Center | $17 | The Spectrum Center will be transformed to the “ultimate playground” with trapeze swings, extreme BMX riders, and a spinning merry-go-round stage.
Kevin Hart: Acting my Age | Friday, Jan. 17- Sunday, Jan. 19 | Times vary | Ovens Auditorium | $104 | The award-winning comedian is bringing his humor to the Charlotte stage.
Randy Travis | Thursday, Jan. 23 | 7:30 p.m. | Ovens Auditorium | $54 | Sing along to Travis’ classics + guest vocalist James Dupré will join on stage.
Diana: The Musical | Friday, Jan. 31-Saturday, Feb. 1 | Times vary | Booth Playhouse | $18 | Learn the story of this iconic royal whose modern world view challenged the Royal Family’s legacy.
💘 February events
Mary J. Blige: The For My Fans Tour | Thursday, Feb. 6 | 7 p.m. | Spectrum Center | $59+ | Sing along as the Grammy winner performs her greatest hits + NE-YO and Mario join the tour.
Opera Carolina: Carmen | Thursday, Feb. 6- Sunday, Feb. 9 | Belk Theater | $23+ | This classic French opera comes to life as Carmen’s story unravels from passion to a fight for liberation.
Jo Koy: Just Being Koy Tour | Saturday, Feb. 8 | 8 p.m. | Bojangles Coliseum | $54+ | Fresh off of hosting the 81st Golden Globe Awards, laugh at this stand-up comedian’s newest tour.
Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons: The Last Encores | Saturday, Feb. 15 | 8 p.m. | Ovens Auditorium | $69+ | You’ll be singing and dancing like it’s “December, 1963.”
