Smarty Scoop is proudly sponsored by Discovery Place, Discovery Place KIDS – Huntersville and The Charlotte Nature Museum.
Charlotte Youth Ballet’s Nutcracker
Halton Theater
1206 Elizabeth Ave., Charlotte, NC
December 2-4, See website for times and ticket prices, All ages
The story opens as the Stahlbaum family welcomes friends and family to their annual Christmas gala. Their grand home is adorned with festive decorations, at the center of which is a spectacular Christmas tree. When the mysterious Dr. Drosselmeyer arrives baring gifts, all the children are enchanted by the mechanical Nutcracker that he gives to young Clara.
The Best Christmas Pageant Ever: The Musical
Children’s Theatre of Charlotte
300 E. 7th Street, Charlotte, NC
December 2-23, See website for times, All ages, $12 and up
Summary: What happens when the worst kids in the history of the world find out there are free snacks at Sunday school?
A Christmas Carol
The Eloise Macdonald Playhouse
501 Queens Road, Charlotte, NC
December 2-11, See website for times, $27
Summary: Theatre Charlotte’s holiday tradition is back for its 10th Anniversary Season! It is 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. We once again meet such beloved characters as Fezziwig, Bob Cratchit, Tiny Tim and nephew Fred. The spirits gradually warm old Scrooge’s heart as well as ours.
Nutcracker
Belk Theater
130 N. Tryon Street, Charlotte, NC
December 3-23, See website for times, $40 and up.
Summary: Nutcracker as you’ve never seen it! Thanks to a generous gift from the McColl family in honor of Jane Spratt McColl, Choreographer Jean-Pierre Bonnefoux is collaborating with a world-renowned design team to re-imagine his Nutcracker production with all new sets and costumes. Complete with live music from the Charlotte Symphony, your holidays are made even more special with the magic of Nutcracker!
Santa’s Bag
Children’s Theatre of Charlotte
300 E. 7th Street, Charlotte, NC
November 30 – December 3, See website for times, Ages 12 and under, Free
Summary: Santa’s Bag offers children under the age of 12 the opportunity to purchase inexpensive, pre-wrapped gifts for their family and friends. Gifts are priced between $.50 and $5. Children are escorted by helpful “elves” through the experience.
Leonard Bearstein Symphony Orchestra
Founders Hall
100 N. Tryon Street, Charlotte, NC
November 28 – December 25, See website for times, Free
Summary: Leonard Bearstein Symphony Orchestra is back for the holidays! A Charlotte tradition, Leonard and his animatronic orchestra give free daily performances Nov. 28 – Dec. 26.
Christmas at the Library
The Billy Graham Library
4330 Westmont Drive, Charlotte, NC
December 1-23, See website for times, All ages, Free
Summary: Celebrate the Christmas season with fun family activities at the Billy Graham Library. Enjoy the light displays and Christ-centered festivities with families from across the Southeast who have made this an annual tradition. Highlights include a live nativity display, horse-drawn carriage rides, Christmas carolers, story time for children, holiday food and drinks for purchase, and Christmas shopping at Ruth’s Attic bookstore.
A Huntersville Christmas
Downtown Huntersville
105 Gilead Road, Huntersville, NC
December 2-4, See website for times, All ages, Free
Summary: This exciting three day event will feature entertainment, rides, food, ice skating, holiday characters, and more!
Christmas In Davidson
Downtown Davidson, Main street
December 1-3, 6:00pm – 9:00pm, All ages, Free
Summary: An annual tradition since 1988, Christmas in Davidson is a fun time for people of all ages.
Fort Mill Christmas Parade
Tom Hall and Unity Street
December 3, 11:00am, All ages, Free
Summary: See website for brief video about this wonderful celebration.
Matthews Hometown Holiday and Tree Lighting
Town Hall
232 Matthews Street Station, Matthews, NC
December 3, 3:00pm – 6:00pm, All ages, Free
Summary: Includes crafts for kids, carriage rides, entertainment, caricature artists, food vendors, interactive displays, photos, and more! Santa arrives in Matthews and the lighting of the tree comes complete with pyrotechnics. Admission is free.
Breakfast with Santa
NASCAR Hall of Fame
400 E. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Charlotte, NC
December 3, 8:00am – 11:00am, See website for times, $13-$20
Summary: Santa Claus is coming to town and he’s making a pit stop at the NASCAR Hall of Fame for the second annual Breakfast with Santa. The NASCAR Hall of Fame lights up with holiday excitement on Saturday, December 3.
Holidays at the Garden
Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden
6500 S. New Hope Road, Belmont, NC
November 18 – January 1, See website for schedule and ticket prices
Summary: The Garden glows with holiday spirit from the twinkling trees to the sparkling fountains and is transformed into a natural winter wonderland filled with unique festive décor including a towering tree of orchids, more than 600,000 lights, and illuminated displays. Holidays at the Garden is a must-see annual tradition.
Holiday on Ice
NASCAR Hall of Fame
400 E. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Charlotte, NC
November 18 – January 8, See website for schedule, $10 admission, $3 skate rental
Summary: The WBT outdoor ice skating rink returns to the heart of Uptown on the NASCAR Hall of Fame Plaza. Perfect for families, romantic dates or fun outings with friends, WBT Holiday on Ice has become a beloved holiday tradition in Charlotte. Lace up those skates to glide along more than 7,000 square feet of ice with an incredible view of the city skyline.
Charlotte Christmas Village and Christkindlmarkt
Romare Bearden Park
300 S. Church Street, Charlotte, NC
November 24 – December 24, See website for schedule, Free
Summary: Charlotte Christmas Village | Christkindlmarkt presented by Coca Cola Consolidated, your local Coke bottler will transform Uptown’s Romare Bearden Park in to a romantic European-inspired Christmas Market featuring juried Christmas, European and local merchandise and arts & crafts.
The Nutcracker: Presented by Matthews Ballet
Matthews Community Center
100 McDowell Street, Matthews, NC
November 26 – December 4, See website for schedule, All ages, $3-$5
Downtown Mooresville Light Spectacular
Downtown Mooresville
413 N. Main Street, Mooresville, NC
November 27 – December 31, See website for schedule, All ages, Free
Summary: An orchestrated light show that includes over 115,000 lights set to music. Begins November 27 and runs nightly through late December. On the lawn at Town Hall – 413 N. Main St. Free!
Speedway Christmas
Charlotte Motor Speedway
5555 Concord Mills Pkwy. South, Concord, NC
November 19 – December 30, See website for schedule, All ages, $25-$30 per car
Summary: Speedway Christmas is returning to Charlotte Motor Speedway and once again the Egg Nog Jog 5k is kicking things off on November 19th. The Christmas light show is even bigger and better in its seventh year. Speedway Christmas will have over 3,000,000 lights with a new and greatly improved lights-to-music drive-thru section along the 3.5-mile course!
The Polar Express Train Ride
North Carolina Transportation Museum
411 S. Salisbury Ave., Spencer, NC
November 18 – 27, See website for schedule and pricing
Summary: Inspired by the run-away hit movie, this holiday favorite comes to life as you and your family take a ride on The Polar Express.
Food Truck Fridays at Plaza Midwood
Central Avenue (Behind the Light Factory)
1817 Central Ave, Charlotte, NC
Every Friday, 5:00pm, All ages, Free
Summary: We are thrilled to announce that Food Truck Friday’s new location will be behind The Light Factory, 1817 Central Ave, Charlotte, NC 28205, in Plaza-Midwood. This is right across the street from the Harris Teeter, a perfect location for the many residents of the area who love to stroll through the neighborhood. Family friendly, this location is sure to become a favorite Friday night destination for Charlotteans.
Carolina Panthers
Bank of America Stadium
800 South Mint Street, Charlotte, NC
Charlotte Hornets
Time Warner Cable Arena
333 East Trade Street, Charlotte, NC
Discovery Place
301 N. Tryon Street, Charlotte, NC (704) 372-6261
Summary: Step into a world where science is brought to life through interactive exhibits and explosive experiments during daily programs. Connect with the past and visit the future with groundbreaking exhibitions, larger-than-life IMAX Dome films and hands on activities that let you explore more. Plan your visit today. Click on the links below for detailed information on special events, featured exhibitions, featured shows and IMAX.
Featured Exhibitions: For information on all exhibitions click here.
Featured Shows: For information on all featured shows click here.
IMAX: For information on all featured movies and showtimes click here.
Discovery Place Kids – Huntersville
105 Gilead Road, Huntersville, NC (704) 372-6261
Summary: Explore the theme of I CAN at Discovery Place KIDS-Huntersville. The children’s museum features developmentally-appropriate experiences that encourage imagination and offer the opportunity to build confidence while testing skills by trying new things. The exhibits, themed around a small town, allow children to learn through play.
Theme Areas: For a complete description of all nine theme areas click here.
Featured Shows: For a complete listing of all featured shows click here.
Current and Upcoming Events: For all current and upcoming events click here.
Charlotte Nature Museum
1658 Sterling Road, Charlotte, NC (704) 372-6261
Summary: Bring little ones for just an hour or the whole day and experience wildlife through live animal exhibits and interactive education programs. The Museum is easy to navigate with fun surprises around every corner. Kids can roam The Great Hall and visit Beginnings, an area filled with young animals and information on their lifecycles.
Featured Exhibitions: For complete details on exhibitions and exhibits click here.
Featured Shows: For a complete schedule of show times click here.
Carolina Raptor Center
6000 Sample Road, Huntersville, NC (704) 875-6521
Summary: Carolina Raptor Center is dedicated to environmental stewardship and the conservation of birds of prey through education, research, and the rehabilitation of injured and orphaned raptors. As a charitable 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, CRC relies on public financial support to fulfill our mission. Supporters can release a raptor, adopt a bird, make a charitable donation, purchase a membership or sponsor a capital improvement project. CRC’s environmental education programs reach approximately 40,000 students each year. Our Raptor Trail hosts more than 35,000 visitors a year. Visit our calendar page for event times or just come and enjoy our nicely maintained trails and see all the amazing birds of prey.
The Schiele Museum of Natural History
1500 East Garrison Blvd, Gastonia, NC (704) 866-6900
Summary: The natural wonders of North America and North Carolina coupled with the rich history of our region are all reflected in The Schiele’s exceptional exhibitions and diverse programming. Whether you’re indoors or out, with the kids or your colleagues, by bringing you a lot closer to nature, The Schiele will bring you a little closer to yourself.
Featured Exhibits: For a complete listing click here
Planetarium: For a complete schedule click here
Events Calendar: For all events click here
