Happy December everyone! I am worn out looking at all the great activities to participate in this weekend. The lights are on in McAdenville and we also have parades, singing Christmas trees and a great shopping event. My kids will hopefully be in bed early Sunday after I wear them out with all the holiday festivities and the best part – we still have 2 ½ weeks to look forward to. Be prepared for all that follows!
Ballantyne Shopping Event
Ballantyne Resort (Ballantyne AB Ballroom)
December 4, 6:30pm – 9:00pm
Just in time for the holidays, you are invited to come out and support local mom entrepreneurs on a night of shopping and fun. Make it a girl’s night out and check those holiday gifts off your list while enjoying a complimentary glass of wine at the Ballantyne Resort. Also enter to win hundreds of dollars worth of free products that will be raffled off every 10 minutes. You and your friends do not want to miss out on the unique products, generous discounts and endless giveaways that you will find at this exclusive Charlotte event!
“A Christmas Carol”
Theatre Charlotte, 501 Queens Road
December 4-7, Thu.-Fri., 7:00pm; Sat.-Sun., 2:30pm and 7:00pm
An inventive retelling of the holiday classic about the life of Ebenezer Scrooge, and the Christmas Spirits warm his heart. Tickets are $10-$20.
“Magic of Christmas”
Belk Theater, 130 North Tryon St.
December 5-7: Fri., 8:00pm; Sat., 2:30pm and 8:00pm; Sun., 2:30pm
Share the enchantment of a musical wonderland as the Charlotte Symphony, caroling choirs, and special guests make the season bright. Tickets are $22-$70.
“The Best Christmas Pageant Ever”
ImaginOn: The Joe & Joan Martin Center
December 5-7: Fri., 7:30; Sat., 1:00pm and 4:00pm; Sun., 2:00pm
The Herdman kids are probably the meanest, nastiest, most inventively awful kids in the history of the world and when they are cast in the church Christmas pagent, you won’t believe the mayhem and fun. Ages 5 and up. Tickets are $18-$24.
Christmas at the Library
The Billy Graham Library
Running from December 1-23 , Mon.-Sat., 9:30am-9:00pm
Experience horse-drawn carriage rides, Christmas stories read aloud, carolers, seasonal treats, bake goods and a gingerbread house. Cost is free.
Children’s Teddy Bear Tea
The Billy Graham Library
December 6, 3:00pm-4:00pm
Sip Christmas tea and enjoy traditional holiday treats and activities in the Graham Brothers Dairy Bar. Each child will receive a new best friend; a special Library edition teddy bear to keep. Ages 5-12. Cost is $10.
Christmas is Davidson
Downtown Davidson
December 4-6, 6:00pm-9:00pm
The town of historic Davidson presents its 20th anniversary celebration of Christmas in Davidson, which draws crowds of more than 20,000 visitors over three nights. Music, carolers, petting zoo, food and more. Cost is free.
Santa’s Bag
Children’s Theatre of Charlotte@ImaginOn
December 3-5, 9:30am-Noon & 4:30pm-7:30pm, Saturday, Dec. 6: 9:30am – 4:30pm
As much a community service project as a fundraising event, Santa’s Bag offers children under the age of 12 the opportunity to purchase inexpensive, pre-wrapped gifts. Children are escorted by helpful “Elves,” while adult friends enjoy shopping at the ENCORE! Boutique. Admission is free and the event is open to the public.
Cookies & Cocoa With Santa
December 5-6, 12-13, 5:00pm, 6:00pm, 7:00pm and 8:00pm each night
Take a 25-minute evening train ride to the Roundhouse to share hot cocoa and cookies with Santa. After the train ride hear one of Santa’s elves read Christmas tales, while you color and have fun. Cost is $10 per person; Children who are younger than 3 and will sit on a guardian’s lap for the length of the train ride are free, and do not need a ticket to ride the train. Limited space and advance tickets are on sale now.
Santa Train
North Carolina Transportation Museum, 411 S. Salisbury Ave., Spencer
December 6-7, 13-14, 20-21, Saturday Train rides begin at 10:00am, Sunday at 1:30pm
Meet Santa Claus as he trades in his sleigh for a locomotive! Take a 25-minute train ride with Santa and his elves, as Santa hands out oranges and candy canes, a Southern Railway tradition. Children will hear classic Christmas tales and have fun making holiday ornaments in the Roundhouse. Santa Train tickets sold only on day of event. $7 per person, Children who are younger than 3 and will sit on a guardian’s lap for the length of the train ride are free, and do not need a ticket to ride the train. $6 per person with donation of an unwrapped gift for needy children. If you want to receive this donation discount, you must purchase your tickets in person at the museum, either in advance or on the day of the event.
McAdenville Christmas Lights
McAdenville, Exit 22 from I-85, west of Charlotte, east of Gastonia
Mon.-Fri., 5:30pm-9:30pm; Sat.-Sun., 5:30pm-11pm
The small town of McAdenville transforms into Christmas Town USA each holiday season. See Christmas lights and decorated trees and listen to caroling be local residents. Cost is free.
A Candlelight Christmas
Historic Latta Plantation
December 06, 9:00am-5:00pm
Celebrate an 1860s Christmas by candlelight. Walk the plantation house, kitchen, cabin, and grounds by candlelight as Christmas is celebrated as in days of old. The plantation will decorated for the season. Cost is $6/person, ages 5 and under/free.
Santa’s Workshop
Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden
December 06, 3:00-5:00
Spend some special time with Santa. He will read a story and his elves will help children make a gift for someone on their list, then enjoy holiday treats and music as he takes requests and poses for photos. Cost is $12-$15.
The Singing Christmas Tree
Ovens Auditorium
December 6-7, Sat., 11:00am, 3:00pm and 7:00pm; Sun., 3:00pm
The show features a 32-foot Christmas tree filled with the Main Stage Choir of Carolina Voices, a group of talented volunteer singers. Surrounding the tree is a show of puppets, dancers and more. A special kid’s show (ages 3-7) will be held at the Saturday, 11:00am performance, starring Carolina Voices’ NoteAbility choir, kids (and parents) will enjoy an action-packed holiday program, complete with the Grey Seal Puppet’s most popular Christmas characters and followed by lunch with Santa. Cost is $18-$30, kids are ½ price.
www.carolinavoices.org
KinderMourn’s 10th Annual Holiday Memorial Service for Children and Teens
December 7, 2:30pm
Holy Comforter Episcopal Church, 2701 Park Road
This is a special memorial service for children, teenagers, and their family members to honor the lives of loved ones who have died. The afternoon will include a memorial art project, a candle lighting ceremony, and a reception with desserts and refreshments. For more information, please call KinderMourn at 704-376-2580 or e-mail: Judith@kindermourn.org
Enjoy the season everyone. If you have an event you would like us to include please email me at Courtenay@charlottesmartypants.com.
4 comments
This guy is a friend of a friend and is South Charlotte’s own version of Clark Griswold. I don’t personally know him, but it looks like he has put forth quite an effort into his family’s Christmas lighting. Anyway, thought some of you smarty moms might enjoy driving by his display. You can find out more information here… http://www.c3inet.com.
On Sunday, December 7, there’s a Tea with Mrs. Claus from 2-4 pm at the Ballantyne Resort. You’ll need to make reservations by calling 704-248-4055.You can check out all the other activities at Ballantyne (a cupcake and cookie challenge on Saturday the 6th? Yummy!) at this site:http://www.ballantyneresort.com/documents/holiday2008.pdf
Santa’s Bag is great! The only drawback is the line. We waited about an hour, but it was so worth it to see the kids shopping for their grandparents, siblings, etc. and getting so excited about giving, rather than receiving.
It is yet another Roller Derby weekend!!!The 2 teams of Charlotte Rollergirls are pulling a double header ThisSaturday at Cricket arena!! Doors at 5:30- game at 6- come on out andcheer! It’s the last game of the season.Tix at the Common Market 10.00