Today’s Smarty Scoop is proudly sponsored by our friends at Charlotte Ballet – featuring Nutcracker!
Feel the magic in the air as the Charlotte Ballet celebrates its return to the Belk Theater for Nutcracker this December after a year hiatus due to COVID-19! Reserve your seats now to see costumes that sparkle, fairies that twirl in the Land of Sweets, and the party that you can’t miss!
Ice Skating at the White Water Center
5000 Whitewater Center Parkway, Charlotte, NC
November 15-mid February, See website for schedule and costs
Summary: The Whitewater Center’s ice rink has grown to over 24,000 sq. ft. this year and includes four distinct skating areas, including two ice trails and two free skate zones. The new trail addition extends access further into the Upper Pond towards the pump house and provides a brand new experience for guests. Centered in the converted pond is an on-ice Airstream serving hot and cold beverages when guests need a skate break.
Holidays At The Hall
NASCAR Hall of Fame
November-January, See website for schedule
400 East Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd, Charlotte, NC
Summary: The annual Holidays at the Hall celebration is back at the NASCAR Hall of Fame with a full lineup of high-octane fun. Guests are invited to snap a picture in front of the 32-foot Christmas tree glimmering with thousands of LED lights, stroll through the twinkling trees in the Ceremonial Plaza, browse gifts for NASCAR fans in the Gear Shop and enjoy family fun during the annual Undeck the Hall event.
WinterFest at Carowinds
300 Carowinds Blvd, Charlotte, NC
November 13-January 9, See website for schedule
Summary: Gather the whole family to make lifelong memories at Carowinds’ WinterFest, the area’s most immersive holiday attraction with a sleigh-full of fun things to do for Christmas. Listen to favorite tunes crooned by carolers and smell the sweet aromas of freshly baked treats. Find unique gifts at our specialty shops, play holiday-themed games, and catch the season’s best live shows.
Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas
Belk Theater at Blumenthal Performing Arts Center
130 N. Tryon Street, Charlotte, NC
Summary: Max the Dog narrates as the mean and scheming Grinch, whose heart is “two sizes too small,” decides to steal Christmas away from the Holiday loving Whos. Magnificent sets (John Lee Beatty) and costumes (Robert Morgan) inspired by Dr. Seuss’ original illustrations help transport audiences to the whimsical world of Whoville, while the Music and Book of Mel Marvin and Timothy Mason breathe new life into this timeless story of the true meaning of Christmas. The production is directed by Matt August and choreographed by Bob Richard based on the original choreography by John DeLuca and originally created by 3-time Tony Award® winning director, Jack O’Brien.
Christmas Town USA
McAdenville
December 1-26, See website for schedule, Free
Summary: McAdenville is nicknamed Christmas Town USA for a good reason. Every winter, this small town in North Carolina transforms into a festive, twinkling wonderland, dotted with thousands of lights, dramatic displays and a spirited Main Street. Hundreds of thousands of visitors come to Christmas Town USA every December to drive through the 1.3-mile-long route through breathtaking holiday displays – a tradition that dates back to the ‘50s.
ChristmasVille
155 Johnston Street, Rock Hill, SC
December 3-24, See website for schedule
Summary: The main festival is the first weekend in December and we are going to run our in-person ChristmasVille Winter Market every weekend from 3 – 18 December. This will provide lots of time for folks to enjoy Old Town Rock Hill dressed in its holiday best. To keep the fun going all month, there will be events sponsored by local businesses to add to the fun and festivities.
Gingerbread Lane
The Ballantyne (Hotel)
10000 Ballantyne Commons Parkway, Charlotte, NC
December 3-26, 11am-7pm daily, Free
Summary: Visit The Ballantyne to view an enchanting display of gingerbread creations. Gingerbread Lane will be held in the Carolina Room. Attendees may vote on their favorite entries with $1 minimum donation per vote. All proceeds will benefit Atrium Health Levine Children’s Hospital (LCH), dedicated to caring for the physical and emotional needs of children and their families.
The Winter Wonderland Shop
Children’s Theatre of Charlotte
300 E. 7th Street, Charlotte, NC
December 2-4, See website for schedule
Summary: The Winter Wonderland Shop, benefiting Children’s Theatre of Charlotte, carries Charlotte’s longstanding tradition as our community’s leading family-centric shopping event. ImaginOn will be full of magic, snowflakes, and a snow-kissed stage. Children up to 12 years old are invited to shop on the Wells Fargo Playhouse stage for pre-wrapped gifts at low-cost to give to their loved ones.
Speedway Christmas
Charlotte Motor Speedway
5555 Concord Pkwy. S., Concord, NC
November 19-January 16, See website for schedule
Summary: Four million lights strung up along a 4-mile course, synchronized to Christmas music. Don’t miss the holiday movie nights.
Charlotte Christmas Village
Uptown Charlotte
406 N. Tryon Street, Charlotte, NC
November 24-December 23, Free admission.
Summary: A German-inspired Christmas market that includes traditional German foods, homemade crafts and gifts and local musical performances. Discover thousands of lights, trees and displays as you walk through the snowtastic winter wonderland. Santa will be in the village every day! See website for a full schedule.
Holidays at the Garden
Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden
6500 New Hope Road, Belmont, NC
November 26-January 2, See website for schedule
Summary: Sing along to holiday tunes as you stroll among lighted topiary displays, rolling lights and twinkling cherry trees. Food trucks serve up festive food and drink.
Markets at 11 in Ballantyne
Ballantyne’s Backyard
11611 N. Community House Rd, Charlotte, NC
Summary: Join us on the second Saturday of each month for Markets at 11!
Local businesses are bringing their craft to the South Charlotte community to shop and enjoy! Browse specialty beauty, health and home products on Ballantyne’s former golf course. Grab bites and brews from local food and drink vendors. Post up on your picnic blanket and get your groove on with musical artists all day long!
Children’s Theater at ImaginOn
300 E. 7th St. Charlotte, NC
Summary: We are excited to welcome audiences back to ImaginOn for in-person shows. Tickets and Choose-Your-Own Subscriptions now on sale. Click here for upcoming events. Children’s Theatre of Charlotte also offers a variety of programs for your child to enter the world of theatre. Our award-winning classes will help your child discover their creative spirit in the classroom and in life!
Fall Fun!
Cotton Hills Farm – The Market in Lowrys
2575 Lowrys Hwy, Chester, SC
Monday-Saturday weather permitting, 9AM-7PM, $2.25/lb, bring your own container or purchase for $1 each
Summary: Come make some sweet family memories on the farm! Our u-pick strawberry patch is open Monday – Saturday, 9AM to 7PM. No reservations required, No pets allowed. After picking, cool off with a scoop or two of hand-dipped ice cream. Kids can enjoy our tractor play-set and sand pile.
Carolina Panthers
Bank of America Stadium
800 S Mint St, Charlotte, NC
Click here for 2021 schedule
Charlotte Hornets
Spectrum Center
333 East Trade Street, Charlotte, NC
Discovery Place Science
301 N. Tryon Street, Charlotte, NC
See website for schedule, reservations required
Discovery Place Nature
1658 Sterling Road, Charlotte, NC
See website for schedule, reservations required
Discovery Place Kids
105 Gilead Road, Huntersville, NC
See website for schedule, reservations required
The Schiele Museum of Natural History
1500 East Garrison Blvd, Gastonia, NC
Summary: The Schiele Museum of Natural History is now open! The museum is committed to inspiring curiosity and understanding of science and the natural world through exceptional educational programs, exhibits, and research. To see a list of events and plan your visit, click here.
Mecklenburg County Library Virtual Events
Free Virtual Events
Summary: Join Charlotte Mecklenburg Library every week for a wide range of virtual programming for children, teens and adults. Daily appointments for Reading Buddies and Tutoring and Enrichment for school-age children can be accessed by clicking here.
