Happy Wednesday Smarties! Get ready to do some planning because it is a busy weekend. Good luck trying to narrow down the list. Nutcracker to the Singing Christmas Tree, with Happy Holidays and Mistletoe Magic thrown in to spice things up. Get out and Enjoy!
“Happy Holidays!”
CPCC, Halton Theater
December 10, 11:00am and 3:00pm
Jami Master’s School of Dance proudly presents Happy Holidays, an original dance production that captures the hearts of audiences of all ages! Set to your favorite holiday music, the family friendly show features a variety of dance styles and offers a new twist on traditional holiday entertainment. Cost is $8-$18. Tickets are on sale now at the CPCC box office 704-330-6534 or online at http://tix.cpcc.edu/tickets
The Nutcracker Ballet by the Harris YMCA
Dana Auditorium, Queens University of Charlotte
December 10-11, noon, 3:00pm
This family-friendly holiday classic will be presented by the Harris YMCA School of Dance Performing Company and Elite Dance students. Tickets can be purchased at www.seatyourself.biz/ymcacharlotteor at the Harris YMCA front desk. Cost is $12.
Mistletoe Magic @ Morrison
Morrison Shopping Center in SouthPark
December 10, noon-5:00pm
Check out all the fun activities – pony rides, carriage rides, cookie-decorating, choir, stilt elves, carolers, jugglers, and yes, there is even a REAL baby tiger and kangaroo.
Pictures with Santa at EarthFare
December 8, 4:00pm-8:00pm
Pictures with Santa, FREE meals for the kids, and a fun holiday craft! Can’t wait to see how cute your kids look in their holiday outfits.
Santa’s Bag at FABO
FABO Café on Selwyn
December 10, noon-5:00pm
Please bring your children to FABO Cafe on Selwyn for Santa’s Bag Event this Saturday, Dec. 10th anytime from 12-5. Kids will work with local artist to paint a surprise picture and have it framed and
wrapped to give to their parents for Christmas. $30.00 per child…$5.00 goes to a local charity your child chooses, from a preselected list of 4, Would love to have your children particpate!!
A Christmas Carol
Theatre Charlotte
December 9-11, Fri., 7:00pm; Sat., 2:30pm and 7:00pm; Sun., 2:30pm
Theatre Charlotte’s holiday tradition is back for the 5th consecutive year. This version captures the magic and mystique of the Dickens original. At the opening, Charles Dickens is presenting a reading of his popular “A Christmas Carol.” As he begins the story unfolds on stage around him: the classic tale of hard-hearted Ebenezer Scrooge who is visited by the ghost of his late partner Jacob Marley and the ghosts of Christmas Past, Present and Future. These spirits gradually warm old Scrooge’s heart, as well as ours. Cost is $8-$24.
Babes in Toyland
Matthews Community Center
December 9-11, Fri., 7:30pm; Sat., 2:00pm and 7:30pm; Sun., 2:00pm
The story begins in Mother Goose village where the town is in danger of foreclosure. Watch as the fairy tale characters venture off to Toyland to seek help from the master toymaker. The music includes many well-known holiday favorites including ” Babes in Toyland” and the “March of the Wooden Soldiers”. Our large cast and beautiful score is a wonderful entrance into the holiday season. Cost is $9-$10.
A Huntersville Christmas
Downtown Huntersville
December 10, 5:00pm-8:00pm
Join in the festive celebrations for all ages including pony rides, a clown bounce, carousel, ferris wheel, train rides, rapid slide, swing ride, and a hay ride. For older children and teens there will be a rock climbing wall and bonfire at the Caboose / Huntersville Market. Crafts, Santa, Mrs. Claus, a magic show, snow slide and more.
The Singing Christmas Tree for Kids
Ovens Auditorium, 2700 East Independence Blvd
December 10, 11:00am and 3:00pm
The magic of the holidays comes alive in the Singing Christmas Tree for KIDS. Favorite children’s Christmas carols, sing-a-longs, a special story starring the Grey Seal Puppets and a ho-ho-hoing Santa all promise to delight the young and the young at heart! Perfect for kid’s age 3 to 8! Special Event: Lunch with Santa will be held after the 11am performance. It’s one of our most popular events all season, but tickets are limited and cost is an additional $7! Cost is $10-$18.
The Singing Christmas Tree
Ovens Auditorium
December 10-11, Sat., 7:30pm; Sun., 3:00pm
One of Charlotte’s most beloved and spectacular presentations returns with a brand new show! You’ll experience the soaring voices of the MainStage Choir, directed by guest conductor Pete Leo, as they fill the 32-foot twinkling “singing tree” to perform everyone’s seasonal favorites. Some of Charlotte’s most exciting regional talent join the Tree, including country sensation Caroline Keller, the nationally acclaimed Grey Seal Puppets, Carolina Voices’ own jazz ensemble, Impromptu, step dancers from Rince na h’ Eireann, School of Traditional Irish Dance and and the always energetic and creative, Eddie Mabry Dancers. It’s fun-filled holiday entertainment for the whole family. Cost is $19-$31.
The Velveteen Rabbit
Children’s Theatre of Charlotte
December 9-11, Fri., 7:30pm; Sat., 11:00am, 1:00pm; Sun., 2:00pm
All the other toys in the nursery snub the Velveteen Rabbit for being boring, old-fashioned and stuffed with sawdust. But when the Boy discovers the little rabbit under his tree on Christmas morning, they become instant friends. As their friendship grows, the Velveteen Rabbit learns what it means to be truly loved – and the smiles and tears that come from being “real”. Adapted from the classic book by Margery Williams, this poignant story has charmed generations of families and continues to be loved by audiences today. Cost is $14-$18.
Junie B. in Jingle Bells, Batman Smells!
Children’s Theatre of Charlotte
December 9-11, Fri., 7:30pm; Sat., 11:00am, 2:00pm; Sun, 2:00pm
First grader Junie B. Jones can’t decide how she feels about the holidays. On the one hand, she couldn’t be more excited about her school’s holiday gift shop, especially the super-amazing Squeeze-a-Burp toy. On the other hand, her tattletale classmate May just might ruin the entire Holiday Sing-Along. When Junie B. draws May’s name for Secret Santa, she hatches a plan to give her nemesis a lump of coal while snagging the Squeeze-a-Burp for herself. Cost is $18-$24.
Carolina Christmas at Charlotte Motor Speedway
Charlotte Motor Speedway
Ongoing, 6:00pm-11:00pm
*Carolina Christmas to Feature Drive-In Movie Night This Friday With “Polar Express” on the World’s Largest HDTV. Included in your admission price.
Charlotte Motor Speedway is excited to bring the holidays to life this winter season with the return of Carolina Christmas, a spectacular drive-through Christmas light park and village located at the legendary superspeedway. Carolina Christmas is one of the largest holiday light shows in the United States, featuring more than 600 LED light displays boasting 3 million lights. Carolina Christmas also offers a Christmas Village with a realistic Bethlehem-themed village, a Festival of Trees, photos with Santa and areas with food and music. Carolina Christmas will expand to be bigger and better in 2011. Visitors will love the extended route filled with Christmas lights and displays. Carolina Christmas goers will enter the light park at zMAX Dragway, pass by The Dirt Track at Charlotte and into Charlotte Motor Speedway where a drive on the 1.5-mile superspeedway is part of the holiday fun. The light show is open 7 days a week, while the Christmas village is open Thursday through Sunday. Cost is $20 per car.
Christmas at the Billy Graham Library
Billy Graham Library
December 1-23, 5:00pm-10:00pm
Enjoy horse-drawn carriage rides through beautiful lights, a live Nativity, carolers and festive music, story time for children, exquisite decorations, seasonal treats and shopping. Pet the animals from noon-2 pm. Carriage photos have been added this year. Additional cost for carriage rides.
Mummies of the World
Discovery Place
Ongoing
Mummies of the World, the largest exhibition of mummies and related artifacts ever assembled, presents a never-before-seen collection of naturally and intentionally preserved mummies. This compelling collection, presented with reverence and dignity, includes ancient mummies and important artifacts from Asia, Oceania, South America, Europe, as well as ancient Egypt, dating as far back as 6,500 years.
Zootastic Park of Lake Norman
December 9-11, 6:00pm-10:00pm
Join us for our largest annual event. Drive through 2 miles of forest and enjoy over 1.2 million lights. Santa joins us each night, we also have concessions with hot cocoa, pony rides, petting zoos and much more. Cost is $5 per person.
Holiday Lights at The Garden
Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden
Ongoing, Sun.-Thurs.; 5:00pm-9:00pm; Fri. and Sat., 5:00pm-10:00pm
Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden will present Holiday Lights at The Garden featuring the theme, “A Vintage Christmas.” Holiday lights will showcase about a half million lights, a Christmas tree created with hundreds of orchids, carriage rides, live entertainment, a custom-designed model railroad and even a visit from Santa. Cost is $12 for adults, $11 for seniors 60-plus, and $6 children 4-12.
WBT Holiday on Ice
Corner of MLK Boulevard and Brevard on The NASCAR Hall of Fame Plaza
Ongoing, Wed-Fri, 5-10pm; Sat., 10am-10pm; Sun., 11am-7pm
WBT Holiday on Ice is back for the 2011 holiday season! As you feel the air get colder, you will feel the chill in the air from the ice rink….in a NEW LOCATION, now located at the corner of MLK Blvd and Brevard on The NASCAR Hall of Fame Plaza. And we are more than 30% larger. That means more skating room for you to cut up the ice! Heck yeah! Holiday on Ice will continue it’s tradition bringing Charlotte the coolest surface in the city, an outdoor ice skating rink in the heart of Uptown. It’s a holiday tradition for us to continue with you, your friends, and family. And we hope to see you there! Cost is $9; skate rental $3.
Leonard Bearstein Symphony Orchestra
Founders Hall, Bank of America Corporate Center
Mon.-Fri., 10:00am-2:00pm, 5:00pm, 6:00pm; Sat.-Sun., hourly from 8:00am-6:00pm
One of Charlotte’s favorite family traditions is returning to Founders Hall this holiday season – Leonard Bearstein and his animatronic orchestra. The 45-minute program features holiday favorites, including: “The Most Wonderful Time of the Year,” “Let it Snow, Let it Snow, Let it Snow,” “Frosty the Snowman,” “Rudolph the Red-nosed Reindeer,” “Santa Claus is Coming to Town” and many more!
NC Dance Theatre presents Nutcracker
Blumenthal Performing Arts Center
December 9-11, Fri., 7:30pm; Sat. 2:00pm and 7:00pm; Sun., 2:00pm
The holidays aren’t complete without seeing Nutcracker, Charlotte’s favorite holiday tradition. Bring your family and friends along for this holiday spectacular featuring choreography by Jean-Pierre Bonnefoux, live music from the Charlotte Symphony and over 100 performers. Be there as the Nutcracker Prince triumphs over the evil Mouse King and as the Sugar Plum Fairy entertains Clara, her Nutcracker Prince, and the audience with dazzling dancing sweets. Cost is $25-$79.
Santa’s Little Helpers Holiday Art Workshop
Small Hands Big Art
December 9, 6:00pm
Inspired by the little elves who report to the big boss at the ‘Pole, kids age 4+ will design a keepsake Elf on a Shelf that will become a cherished part of your holiday tradition, or a “Mini Me” Elf (the resemblance to your child will be uncanny!)l! Hot cocoa & cookie included. Drop off, age 4+. 10% of the registration fee will be donated to the new Ronald McDonald House of Charlotte! Cost is $35, $15 for additional family members.
iCelebra! Bilingual Holiday Concert by Criss Cross Mangosauce
Providence Day School – Main Auditorium
Dec ember 10, 3:00pm-4:00pm
This vibrant bilingual family concert celebrates culture and music with a powerful message of hope, reconciliation and peace. Criss Cross Mangosauce and their group of seven musicians will bring alive the most popular holiday songs, “villancicos” (traditional Latin American Christmas Carols) and stories taking you on a virtual trip around Latin America, the US and the World. Their unique interactive performance will make kids and adults move and sing in both English and Spanish. Cost is $5-$10.
Children’s Holiday Cookie Decorating Workshop
Small Hands Big Art
December 10, 4:00pm-5:30pm
Price: $35 / $15 additional family member
This festive workshop will sugar & spice and everything nice! Children age 4+ will decorate 10 large sugar cookies with colorful confections, and then embellish a one-of-a-kind gable-handled cookie box to transport their tasty treats! Don’t forget to save a few for Santa! Drop off, age 4+. 10% of the registration fee will be donated to the new Ronald McDonald House of Charlotte. Cost is $35, $15 per additional family member.
