Get your home decorated for Christmas by shopping from hundreds of holiday vendors. | Photo via Yellow Duck Marketing
It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas.
The 57th annual Southern Christmas Show, the largest holiday show in North America, makes a yuletide return to The Park Expo and Conference Center from Thursday, Nov. 14, through Sunday, Nov. 24. Tickets are now available.
Get ready to have an unparalleled holiday shopping experience browsing more than 400 holiday vendors from the Charlotte area and around the country.
Hours and tickets
10 a.m. to 6 p.m. — Sunday through Wednesday 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. — Thursday through Saturday
$20 tickets for adults $10 tickets for children ages 6 to 12
All new for 2024
Remember the line, “every time a bell rings an angel gets his wings?” Karolyn Grimes, who played Zuzu Bailey in the 1946 holiday classic “It’s a Wonderful Life,” will make her Southern Christmas Show debut from Nov. 22 to 24 to meet fans and sell her cookbook.
Tuesday, Nov. 12 Blind Flight Night | 4-10 p.m. | Dilworth Tasting Room | Cost of purchase | Put your senses to the test tasting a unique collection of wines while blindfolded.
Wednesday, Nov. 13 A Toast to 95 Years | 5-7 p.m. | The Dunhill Hotel | Free | Celebrate the 95th anniversary of Uptown’s Dunhill Hotel with a complimentary sparkling wine toast.
The African Children’s Choir | 7:30 p.m. | Arlington Baptist Church | Free, donations appreciated | Enjoy an evening of traditional songs benefiting children throughout Africa.
Thursday, Nov. 14 Panel Discussion: More Than 250 | 6-8 p.m. | The Charlotte Museum of History | Free | Join a conversation on the history of the Catawba Nation in the Carolina Piedmont.
A blood transfusion occurs every two seconds in the US. | Photos by The Blood Connection
Did you know? One blood donation has the potential to save up to three lives — but although 60% of the US population is eligible to donate, only 3% do. We can help improve this statistic.
This holiday season, you can join The Blood Connection to give back in three ways:
FEMA is extending its application deadline for North Carolina counties affected by Hurricane Helene. Over $213 million has gone to more than 126,000 households statewide. Residents have until Jan. 7, 2025 to apply for disaster relief. (WCNC)
Number
74. That’s how many families successfully moved from tents to campers thanks to Operation Helo — a relief mission in WNC responding to Helene. Operation Helo is actively seeking donations to continue helping more displaced families find housing.
Community
CLT members of theNorth Carolina-based Changing Lives Together Foundation started an adopt-a-family program to support WNC families during the holiday season. It takes $2,000 to adopt a family. The deadline to help a family in need is this Friday. (WCNC)
Legacy
NASCAR fans are remembering Bobby Allison. The founder of racing’s “Alabama Gang” and NASCAR Hall of Famer died at his Mooresville home on Saturday at the age of 86. Allison was inducted into NASCAR’s second Hall of Fame class in 2011 and was a three-time Daytona 500 champion. (WCNC)
Closing
Charlotte bakery Wentworth & Fenn announced its upcoming closure at Camp North End. The bakery’s post cited lack of consistent foot traffic to be a partial reason. Pastries will continue to be served until January.
Biz
PNC Bank is eyeing Charlotte as a key market in a national expansion plan. The Pittsburgh-based bank plans to add 25 branches across Charlotte in the next five years. PNC is currently the Queen City’s eighth-largest bank based on local deposits of nearly $1.9 billion. (Charlotte Business Journal)
Show
Don’t Lose Ur Head. Blumenthal Arts will welcome the return of “Six: The Musical.” The ladies of the British musical comedy take the stage at Belk Theater in November 2025. Sign up for priority on upcoming ticket sales.
Shop
SouthPark Mall will debut two new tenants. Scent company Aroma 360 and fine art shop Romero Britto plan to open by the end of the year. Fashion retailer Zara and Tommy Bahama’s Marlin Bar restaurant are slated to open in early 2025. (Charlotte Business Journal)
Feel Good
A Providence Day School kindergartener has a new kidney, thanks to a mother whose children also attend Providence Day. Caroline Dudley offered to help five-year-old Carter Wilson after his kidneys began to fail. Both Wilson and Dudley spoke to WCNC’s Michelle Boudin to spread awareness about how to become a kidney donor. (WCNC)
Drink
Salisbury-based Cheerwine and NoDa Brewing Company have brought back “Cheerwine Holiday Punch.” The seasonal favorite ale is made with Cheerwine, ginger ale, and pineapple juice + reaches 5.2% ABV. Thirsty? Order now. (WBTV)
Sports
Can the Munich momentum last for the Panthers? Go beyond the field for the biggest stories on the Carolina Pantherswith Locked On’s daily, team-focused podcasts.
Real Estate
Ready to move? Now through Saturday, Nov. 30, you can lock in a 4.99% 30-year fixed-rate mortgage on a new Empire Communities home or townhome. Homes are available in Gastonia, Mint Hill, and near Indian Trail, with townhomes in Charlotte’s NoDa and University areas. Explore homes for sale.*
Travel
Direct flights from Charlotte/Concord to Lakeland, FL are now available on Avelo, offering easy access to Central Florida’s unique attractions, local flavors, and outdoor adventures — all minutes from Orlando’s family-friendly theme parks. Plan your trip.*
Pets
Furniture gets scratched, shoes get chewed, toys go missing. These are regular occurrences in life with pets. But a $10,000 emergency surgery? That’s a whole other ball game. Fetch Pet Insurance could help you offset some of these nightmare scenarios by providing comprehensive coverage and up to 90% reimbursement.*
Category
Arts
Honoring Dr. Jane Goodall in Charlotte
“Becoming Jane” celebrates the life and work of renowned primatologist, Dr. Jane Goodall. | Photo by Michael Nichols, National Geographic via Discovery Place Science
Ever dreamed of exploring the jungles of East Africa or interacting with a chimpanzee? Discovery Place Science will debut an immersive exhibition on the legacy of world-renowned primatologist Dr. Jane Goodall.
Produced in partnership with the National Geographic Society and the Jane Goodall Institute, visitors will follow Dr. Goodall’s life from a young scientist researching chimpanzees in Tanzania to her present role as a conservationist.
“Dr. Goodall has made tremendous strides in understanding wildlife and this exhibition offers visitors the opportunity to learn about her innovative research techniques and passion for nature,” said Emily Dunham, chief campus and experiences officer at the National Geographic Society.
“Becoming Jane” will be open through Sunday, April 20, 2025 + is included with general admission.
A one-year Costco membership — because for a limited time, you can get a $45 Digital Costco Shop Card when you sign up. Snag the deal and get ready to load up your cart with Kirkland’s finest.
I’m an avid National Geographic fan and I’ve long followed Dr. Jane Goodall’s life and work surrounding chimpanzees and wildlife conservation. Stay tuned for our trip to see “Becoming Jane” at Discovery Place Science on Instagram.
