Ice Skating and Lights
U.S. National Whitewater Center
5000 Whitewater Center Pkwy, Charlotte, NC
November 19-December 31, See website for schedule and prices, All ages
Summary: Experience one of the largest outdoor ice skating surfaces in the country and enjoy a half-mile walking trail through a series of immersive light installations featuring honeycombs, vines, crystals, and other natural features integrated into the forest.
Santa’s Wonderland At Cabela’s
Cabela’s
1000 Cabelas Drive, Fort Mill, SC
November 16-December 24, 9:00am-9:00pm, All ages, Free
Summary: Enjoy this enchanting Christmas village offering free 4×6 photos with Santa and family holiday activities. Guests can reserve their free visit and photo with Santa by visiting the Bass Pass Ticket Depot located at the entrance of Santa’s Wonderland or by registering online for a digital Bass Pass.
Green Jeans Consignment Sale-Mooresville
Merino’s Home Furnishings Warehouse
500 S. Main Street, Mooresville, NC
November 19-24, See website for schedule, Free admission
Summary: Don’t miss the most talked about semi-annual consignment sales for women and teenage girls in Charlotte. Green Jeans shoppers have come to expect a huge selection of new and gently worn brand name, boutique and designer clothing, shoes, handbags, jewelry and accessories from petite to plus sizes, including maternity. Fashionistas of all styles and budgets enjoy this hugely popular and well-organized shopping event.
2019 Charlotte International Auto Show
Charlotte Convention Center
November 21-24, See website for schedule, All ages, $10, children ages 12 and younger free
501 S. College Street, Charlotte, NC
Summary: Families are welcome every day at the Auto Show, but Saturday & Sunday will have special entertainment for kids of all ages!
2019 Tree Lighting and Santa Arrival
Blakeney Shopping Centers
9839 Rea Road, Charlotte, NC
November 23, 4:00pm-9:00pm, All ages, Free
Summary: Get ready to deck the halls at Blakeney Shopping Center! Welcome Santa with our Tree Lighting Celebration. See website for schedule of activities. Arrive early to eat, drink and mingle with friends and family and to enjoy special offers from select Blakeney restaurants and retailers.
2019 Vintage Charlotte Winter Market
The Fillmore
820 Hamilton Street, Charlotte, NC
November 24, 11:00am-5:00pm, All ages, Free
Summary: VTGCLT is popping up at The Fillmore Charlotte for the eighth annual Winter Market! Come out and spend the day shopping with 60+ of the region’s best vintage & handmade vendors.
Southern Christmas Show
The Park Expo and Conference Center
800 Briar Creek Road, Charlotte, NC
November 14-24, See website for schedule, All ages, $4-$15, children ages 5 and younger free
Summary: Experience charming shops, festive music, crafts, food, holiday decor, local wines, Santa and more than 450 holiday merchants with gifts for all ages.
The Polar Express Train Ride
North Carolina Transportation Museum
1 Samuel Spencer Drive, Spencer, NC
November 15-December 22, See website for schedule, All ages, $32-$325
Summary: The Polar Express Train Ride, inspired by the run-away hit movie, features a train ride to the North Pole with dancing chefs, cookies, hot chocolate and a presentation of the first gift of Christmas. The event combines the train ride with theatrical performances, along with Reindeer Games and entertainment before the ride, s’mores, photos with Santa in the Gift Station, and the post-ride children’s play area, “Candy Cane Lane.”
Holiday On Ice
NASCAR Hall Of Fame
400 E. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd, Charlotte, NC
November 15-January 5, See website for schedule, All ages, $12-$16
Summary: Uptown Charlotte’s outdoor ice rink returns to the NASCAR Hall of Fame Plaza. Skaters and non-skaters alike will want to have their pictures taken with the giant polar bear, under the tree or in the Ceremonial Garden decorated with thousands of glimmering holiday lights. And guests won’t want to miss holiday-themed merchandise from the ice rink souvenir stand and snacks and hot cocoa from the concessions hut.
Winter Wonderland Skating Rink
Symphony Park At SouthPark Mall
4400 Sharon Road, Charlotte, NC
November 15-January 20, See website for schedule, All ages, $12-$17
Summary: We’re excited to announce that Winter Wonderland will be return to our seasonal home at SouthPark Mall starting November 2019! This year will be packed with tons of fun including Santa’s Pub, a Christmas Tree Farm, Live Music and Concerts, appearances from Santa and other familiar characters, and (of course) the best open air ice skating in Charlotte!
Carolina Renaissance Festival
16445 Poplar Tent Road, Huntersvlle, NC
October 5-November 24, See website for schedule, All ages, $25 adults, $15 for kids 5-12, under 5 free
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!
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.
YMCA of Greater Charlotte Event Calendar
19 Locations throughout the Greater Charlotte Area
Summary: Most people know their neighborhood “Y” because of its incredible sports, camps and fitness programs but the “Y” has so much more to offer. Spend some time (it will take a while) on the website and learn about all the opportunities the “Y” provides. I promise, you will be amazed.
Free Wednesday Evenings At The Mint Museum
The Mint Museum – Randolph
2730 Randolph Road, Charlotte, NC
The Mint Museum – Uptown
500 S. Tryon Street, Charlotte, NC
Every Wednesday from 5:00pm – 9:00pm, All ages
Summary:Enjoy free access to both Mint Museum locations every Wednesday night.
Bank of America’s Museums On Us Day
Various locations around Charlotte
The first Sunday and Saturday of every month, All ages, Free
Summary: Now in its 20th year, this distinctive program offers Bank of America and Merrill Lynch credit and debit card holders the opportunity to visit more than 150 of the most popular cultural institutions in the United States free of charge on the first full weekend of every month.
ImaginON: The Joe & Joan Martin Center
300 E. 7th Street, Charlotte, NC (704) 416-4630
See website for hours of operation
Summary: This collaborative effort between the Charlotte Mecklenburg Library and Children’s Theatre of Charlotte is a 102,000-square-foot facility recently ranked by Livability.com as the No. 1 children’s library in the United States. ImaginOn features two state-of-the-art theaters, a dedicated library space for kids 11 and under, four multi-use classrooms, a teen-only library, a multimedia production studio, and interactive exhibit space.
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
