Smarty Scoop is proudly sponsored by Discovery Place, Discovery Place KIDS – Huntersville and The Charlotte Nature Museum.
Carolina Panthers
Bank of America Stadium
800 South Mint Street, Charlotte, NC
Charlotte Hornets
Time Warner Cable Arena
333 East Trade Street, Charlotte, NC
Carolina Renaissance Festival and Artisan Marketplace
16445 Poplar Tent Road, Huntersville, NC
October 1 – November 20, 10:00am – 5:30pm, All ages, $13 and up
Summary: History comes alive with non-stop, day long entertainments, arts and crafts, games and rides, jousting knights on horseback, feasting and so much more Time travel to the greatest party since Camelot! Huzzah!
Concord Tree Lighting Ceremony
Historic Downtown Concord
November 18, 5:30pm-9:30pm, All ages, Free
Summary: The holidays begin in Concord with the Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony. Music, children’s amusements, horse-drawn wagon rides and trolley rides, and of course Santa Claus! The event is highlighted by a fireworks display. All in Downtown Concord!
Concord Christmas Parade
Downtown Concord
November 19, 2:30pm – 5:30pm, All ages, Free
Summary: A long standing-holiday tradition, the Concord Christmas Parade draws hundreds of entries and thousands of spectators to Historic Downtown Concord.
South End Tree Lighting
Atherton Mill
2000 South Blvd., Charlotte, NC
November 19, 5:30pm – 7:00pm, All ages, Free
Summary: This family-friendly event will include hot chocolate and coffee and holiday performances. Santa Claus himself may even stop by.
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!
Piedmont Town Center Tree Lighting
Piedmont Town Center
4725 Piedmont Row Drive, Charlotte, NC
November 18, 6:00pm – 9:00pm, All ages, Free
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.
Holiday On Ice
NASCAR Hall of Fame
400 E. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Charlotte, NC
November 18 – January 8, See website for schedule, All ages, $10 plus $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.
2016 Charlotte International Auto Show
Charlotte Convention Center
501 S. College Street, Charlotte, NC
November 17 – 20, See website for schedule, All ages
Summary: Hundreds of vehicles…, nearly 6 football fields in display area! Experience the latest in automotive technology! Take a Ride and Drive in one of the vehicles! Fun for the whole family- kids under 12 are FREE, $10 adults
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.
U.S. National Whitewater Center
5000 Whitewater Center Parkway, Charlotte, NC
Summary: The U.S. National Whitewater Center is proud to present a new addition in 2016, the Whitewater Film Series. Featuring a variety of outdoor industry features from across the globe, viewers will have a chance to experience the active, outdoor lifestyle in a whole new way. The Whitewater Film Series will take place on Friday evenings in April, May, September, and October.
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
