Ho, Ho, Ho Smarties. Hold on to your Santa hats, it is a busy weekend!. I am exhausted just looking at all the activities. This is not the weekend to say there is nothing to do. There are Nutcrackers galore, a parade, plenty of Santa’s, bears, gift wrapping, plays and Nativities. What more is there to say except, get out and ENJOY!
“Happy Holidays”
Halton Theatre on CPCC Campus
December 12, 11:00am and 3:00pm
Experience the beauty of ballet, lyrical and modern dance as an angel’s earthly journey comes to an end when she finds the true meaning of the holiday season. Presented by Jami Masters’ School of Dance Ltd. Cost is $12, purchase through the Halton Theatre Box Office (704)333-6534.
Cookies for Kids’ Cancer Bake Sale
Reid’s Fine Foods, 225 E. 7th St.; and Blackhawk Hardware, Park Road Shopping Center, Park and Woodlawn Roads
December 13, 1:00pm-5:00pm
Reid’s Fine Foods at 225 E. 7th Street in Uptown and Blackhawk Hardware at Park Rd. Shopping Center. There will be sweet treats and breads from everyone’s favorite bakeries, including Amelie’s French Bakery, Polka Dots Bake Shop, Edible Art, Tizzert’s and Suarez Bakery, just to name a few. We have over 20 bakeries and bread makers donating treats in honor of Grier Christenbury.
Glad’s Glad to Give Program will be matching the proceeds from any Cookies for Kids’ Cancer Bake Sale held in the months of November and December and Glad has chosen Charlotte’s bake sale to spotlight nationally!!
Cookies for Kids’ Cancer is a non-profit organization committed to raising funds to support research for new and improved therapies for pediatric cancers. Through local bake sales, Cookies for Kids’ Cancer provides the inspiration and support for individuals, communities, and businesses to help fight cancer.
Reflections by Rhiannon Portrait Boutique
December 11-13
This weekend only Reflections by Rhiannon is offering 50% off for those who call to book a December session. Call 980-355-1785 to book your session!
Thunder Road Marathon, ½ Marathon and Jingle Jog 5K
December 12, 7:50am, Thunder Road Marathon Star, Amica Insurance Half Marathon Start; 8:20am, The Presbyterian Hospital Jingle Jog 5K start
Charlotte’s Thunder Road Marathon unites the excitement of road racing, music, family-friendly entertainment and the Charlotte region’s rich heritage of stock car racing. From the time the green flag drops on race day until the checkered flag falls on the final finisher, you will experience the race of a lifetime while enjoying the sounds of music along one of the Southeast’s most scenic courses. Feel the thrill of the rumbling engines from some of the world’s fastest race cars as the marathon makes its return to Charlotte. With a race for every age group and ability, Thunder Road is the one event you won’t want to miss! The Thunder Road Marathon also features a Amica Insurance Half Marathon. Both courses are certified.
Girls on the Run is participating in this race – come out, cheer on these girls and their leaders who have been working so hard!
OH Deer! Animal Tales
McDowell Nature Preserve
December 11, 10:00am-10:45am
Join us with your preschooler as we read a fabulous animal tale and then enjoy crafts and activities related to deer. For ages 3-5.
“Tis the Season”
Wachovia Playhouse at ImaginOn
December 11-23
This holiday play whisks you through seasonal celebrations around the world. New this year is a Hanukkah story. There’s also plenty of opportunities to sing along. For preschool and elementary ages. Cost is $14-$18.
“If You Take A Mouse to the Movies”
McColl Family Theatre at ImaginOn
December 4-29
This regional premiere is a larger-than-life production based on Laura Joffe Numeroff’s holiday-themed tale. It’s Christmas Eve and the famously bossy Mouse simply cannot wait to go to the movies. But if you take a mouse to the movies, well, who knows what will happen next? For preschool and elementary ages. Cost is $18-$24.
North Carolina Dance Theatre’s Nutcracker
Belk Theater, 130 N. Tryon St.
December 11-13 and 18-30, 7:00pm all dates; plus 2:00pm on Dec. 12, 13, 19 and 20
Jean-Pierre Bonnefoux’s Nutcracker takes audiences on an adventure each holiday season. Cost is $20 and up.
“The Real Christmas Story”
NarroWay Theatre, 3346 U.S. 21/Carowinds Blvd.
December 10-20, check website for times
This live theater and dinner tradition unfolds the biblical Christmas story. There’s also snowfall at every performance, favorite Christmas songs and even a visit from St. Nicholas. Cost is $9.95-$29.95.
Christmas Concert 2009
First United Methodist Church, 501 N. Tryon St.
December 11, 7:30pm
Choirs from The Choir School at St. Peter’s mix traditional carols, classic anthems and holiday favorites to create a joyful program that has become a holiday tradition with Charlotte audiences. Cost is $5 – $15.
Gingerbread Lane
Ballantyne Hotel & Lodge
December 1-26
Enjoy a magical collection of gingerbread houses throughout the holiday season. Attendees may vote on their favorite gingerbread house with $1 minimum donation per vote. All proceeds will benefit Levine Children’s Hospital.
Leonard Bearstein Symphony Orchestra
Founders Hall
December 1-31, Mon.-Fri., 10:00 and 11:00am, noon, 1:00, 2:00, 5:00 and 6:00pm; Sat. and Sun., hourly from 8:00am to 6:00pm. Times subject to change; please call hot line(704-716-8649).
One of Charlotte’s favorite family traditions is returning to Founders Hall – Leonard Bearstein and his animatronic orchestra. The show offers a compilation of time-honored holiday classics, including. Cost is free.
Breakfast with Santa
First United Methodist Church, 501 N. Tryon St.
December 12, 9:00am-11:00am
Enjoy a meal with the man in the red suit. Cost is free.
Breakfast with the Grinch
Joseph-Beth Booksellers
December 12, 9:00am
Join the Grinch for a breakfast better than any Who feast. Enjoy a reading of “The Grinch Who Stole Christmas” and dare to have your picture taken with “the mean one,” Mr. Grinch. Cost is $14.95 adults, $8.95 kids.
“Holiday Enchantment”
Matthews Community Center
December 12, 3:00pm and 7:00pm
See the Charlotte City Ballet Company’s holiday performance. Cost is $6-$8.
Tree Lighting at Freedom Park
Freedom Park
December 12, 3:00pm-6:00pm
Join Santa and his elves for holiday cheer. Enjoy a hay ride around the lake to look at the lights, arts and crafts with the elves. Mrs. Claus’ snack shop, holiday music and performers, visit with Santa and the countdown to the lighting of the trees at the bandshell.
The Singing Christmas Tree
Ovens Auditorium, 2700 E. Independence Blvd.
December 12-13, Sat., 11:00am, 3:00 and 7:30 pm; Sun., 3:00pm
This Charlotte holiday tradition is in its 55th year. The Saturday 11:00am performance is especially for kids 3-8 (kids, $10; adults, $17). This special hour long version features the popular Grey Seal Puppets’ Polar Bears in their search for snow, “comfort and joy” and the meaning of Christmas. Cost is $16-$26; kids half price.
Santa Train
NC Transportation Museum
December 12-13, Sat., 10, 10:45 and 11:30am, 1, 1:45, 2:30 and 3:15pm; Sun., 1:30, 2:15, 3 and 3:35pm
Meet Santa Claus as he trades 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. Tickets only available on the day of the event. Cost is $7, free for kids 2 and under on lap.
Cookies and Cocoa with Santa
NC Transportation Museum
December 12, 5:30pm, 6:30pm and 7:30pm
Take a 25-minute evening train ride to the Roundhouse to share hot cocoa and cookies with Santa. After kids have told Santa their fondest Christmas wishes, they can visit the storytelling and activity area to hear Santa’s elves read Christmas tales, with a coloring area and more. Must buy tickets in advance. Cost is $10, free for kids 2 and under on lap.
Visit with Santa
The Ballantyne Hotel and Lodge
December 12, 9:30am-4:30pm
Children will be able to get their photograph with Santa, receive a special gift from him and enjoy holiday refreshments.
Colonial Christmas & Candle Lighting
The Schiele Museum of Natural History
December 12, 2:00pm-6:00pm
Celebrate Christmas in 18th-century style. Join in the Yule log procession, the “hanging of the greens,” flaming the Christmas pudding and the annual candlelight service. Enjoy the sounds of early German settlers’ celebration in traditional German hymns and bilingual candlelight service. Cost is $7 adults, $6 ages 4-18.
Harrison United Methodist Church Live Nativity
Harrison UMC, 15008 Lancaster Highway, Pineville
December 12, 7:00pm-9:00pm
There are several 30-minute depictions of the manger scene, with music, free hot cocoa and coffee, and cookies for refreshment. Luminarias light the way to the manger where the scene of that first Christmas comes alive.
Charity Gift-wrap Donations
Center Court, SouthPark Mall
December 12-13, 10am-6pm (noon-6pm on Sundays)
Volunteers from the North Carolina Chapter of the United Nations Development Fund for Women and the Girl Scouts Hornets Nest Council will wrap presents to raise funds for their respective nonprofit organizations, as well as the Simon Youth Foundation. Cost is $3-$10.
Waxhaw Christmas Traditions Parade
December 13, 3:00pm
Join the holiday festivities in Historic Downtown Waxhaw.
P.S. THE SMARTY ELVES HAVE BEEN HARD AT WORK BRINGING YOU FABULOUS GIVEAWAYS THIS HOLIDAY SEASON!!
The 2nd annual Santa’s Smarty Swag Bag Giveaway has arrived and you won’t want to miss out on this incredible opportunity to win BIG! CSP is featuring $2,000 worth of giveaway products to ONE lucky CSP reader! CLICK HERE TO ENTER TO WIN THE SANTA’S SMARTY SWAG BAG GIVEAWAY, but first be sure you are a newsletter subscriber. (This is required for you to be eligible as a winner.) Our winner will be chosen at 11p on Sunday, December 13th by a random number search. We will contact you that day to let you know that you are our winner, and we’ll feature you as our Giveaway winner on CSP. Pass this blog along to your friends so that you can also be entered to win a free iPod! The more friends who register, the better your chances of winning!
Good luck and Happy Smartydays!
5 comments
Wow, what a super Smarty festive weekend it is! Thanks, Court for all that you do:-) I wait until Wednesday's scoop to plan my weekend every single weekend. You're the best!
Same here! I really do love coming on here ESPECIALLY to find out what goes on every weekend. Thank you guys!
does anyone have the addresses for houses that have awesome lights diplays. i thought last year someone posted them on here and i can't remeber. one house was near shouthpark mall. thanks so much!
You forgot to mention the Thunder Road Marathon, half and the Jingle Jog 5k. Over 8,000 runners will be on the streets Saturday morning, including about 1000 Girls on the Run participants!
I can't believe I forgot that – too much Santa! I am sorry, even more so because Jen P.'s daughter is running and several of my son's classmates. I will update the post ASAP and a big cheer to all running esp. GOTR!