Nutcracker
701 North Tryon Street, Charlotte, NC
December 8-23, Tickets on sale now!, see website for schedule
Summary:Experience true wonder with your loved ones during the holiday season with our most beloved classic, Nutcracker! Glittering snowfall, jumping candy canes and the magnificent Land of Sweets – the holidays have never felt so magical. Performed at the elegant Belk Theater in the heart of Uptown Charlotte, there’s no better tradition than experiencing Jean-Pierre Bonnefoux’s choreography with Tchaikovsky’s classic score performed live by the celebrated Charlotte Symphony Orchestra.
The Polar Express
1 Samuel Spencer Dr., Spencer NC
See website for schedule and prices
Summary: Set to the sounds of the motion picture soundtrack, families are sure to enjoy their trip to the North Pole, complete with hot chocolate and cookies served on board the train. Passengers are entertained by a reading of Chris Van Allsburg’s classic, The Polar Express. Upon arrival at the North Pole, passengers deboard to watch Santa present the first gift of Christmas. Before exiting the train at Candy Cane Lane, all passengers who BELIEVE will receive their own sleigh bell.
Blumenthal Performing Arts
130 North Tryon Street, Charlotte, NC
See website for schedule and ticket prices
Summary: We present the largest Broadway season in the Carolinas, hosting more than 18 weeks of Broadway shows annually, along with a large array of special attractions and festivals, from concerts to comedy to dance to the Charlotte Jazz Festival and much more.
We manage six theaters in the center city where the curtain goes up on more than 1,000 events annually, including performances by our 16 resident companies. More than 7.9 million people attended events in our theaters during our first 25 seasons.
We inspire kids. More than 150,000 students participate annually in our student-focused programs ranging from internships to specially priced show tickets to The Blumey Awards, which celebrates excellence in high school musical theater in our region.
Birkdale on Ice
Birkdale Village – The Plaza
See website for schedule and prices
Summary:Tis’ the season to lace up your skates and glide into the holiday spirit at Birkdale on Ice!
For the second year, Birkdale Village will have an ice skating rink and we can’t wait to lace up our skates with you. Guests will need to book ice skating reservations in advance to ensure a skating time slot. Walk-ups are also welcome, but we cannot guarantee you will be able to skate at that time.
Light the Knights Festival
Truist Field
324 S. Mint Street, Charlotte, NC
November 22-January 1, See website for schedule and prices
Summary:The 4th Annual Light the Knights Festival, together with Truist, is now open at Truist Field. Enjoy ice skating, snow tubing, shopping, holiday treats, tens of thousands of lights, decor, and more this year! It’s everything you need for a fun-filled family day out.
Gingerbread Lane
Ballantyne Hotel
10000 Ballantyne Commons Parkway, Charlotte, NC
December 11-24, 9am-6:30pm, See website for schedule and prices
Summary: The 14th season of the Southeast’s largest drive-through holiday light show, Speedway Christmas presented by Atrium Health features more than five million lights on a four-mile course that includes the legendary oval, pit road and infield road course. The show is open 6-10 p.m. rain or shine and features synchronized lights-to-music on 101.3 FM plus drive-in movies on the gigantic Speedway TV every Thursday through Sunday night until Christmas.
Speedway Christmas
Charlotte Motor Speedway
Concord, NC
November 17-January 7, See website for schedule and prices
Summary: The 14th season of the Southeast’s largest drive-through holiday light show, Speedway Christmas presented by Atrium Health features more than five million lights on a four-mile course that includes the legendary oval, pit road and infield road course. The show is open 6-10 p.m. rain or shine and features synchronized lights-to-music on 101.3 FM plus drive-in movies on the gigantic Speedway TV every Thursday through Sunday night until Christmas.
McAdenville Christmas Town USA
McAdenville, NC
December 1-26, See website for schedule
Summary: Walk or drive through our downtown area to view the frosty majesty of the winter landscape. Green, red and white lights will shine from 5:30 PM to 10:00 PM each night. Arrive early to enjoy dinner at Terra Mia Ristorante, a craft beer or glass of wine at 115 Craft, and shop at Mona’s Boutique and Gifts, The Modest Market and Revolver Records. An evening in Christmas Town U.S.A.® is like a magical trip back in time.
Carolina Holiday Light Spectacular
Ballantyne’s Backyard
11611 N. Community House Road, Charlotte, NC
December 7-30, See website for schedule
Summary: Over a million lights, larger than life holiday scenes, music, The Alpine Avalanche Snow Tube Slide, food trucks, children’s activities, face painting, moon bounce, live Santa EVERY NIGHT through 12/23 and more.
Discovery Place Science
301 N. Tryon Street, Charlotte, NC
See website for schedule, tickets must be purchased in advance online
Summary: Discovery Place Science is an innovative, hands-on Museum that encourages scientific exploration and creativity. Don’t forget to check out the new IMAX experience, IMAX® with Laser technology—a next-generation laser projection system and 12-channel sound system exclusive to IMAX theaters—is immersive by design. Developed from the ground up to deliver crystal clear, lifelike images and precision sound for a moviegoing experience unlike anything else.
Discovery Place Nature
1658 Sterling Road, Charlotte, NC
See website for schedule, tickets must be purchased in advance online
Summary: Discovery Place Nature offers visitors the chance to get close to wildlife and experience nature through hands-on programming, exhibits and classes.
Discovery Place Kids
105 Gilead Road, Huntersville, NC
See website for schedule, tickets must be purchased in advance online
Summary: Discovery Place Kids is a regional children’s museum featuring developmentally-appropriate experiences that encourage interactive learning through imagination and fun, with locations in Huntersville and Rockingham.
South End Gallery Crawl
Historic South End
Summary: South End is home to a vast array of art in all forms: fine art galleries offering everything from the realist to the experimental, colorful public murals, larger-than-life installations on the Rail Trail and dozens of studio spaces where artists and artisans dream and create. Take in the local art scene on South End First Friday–an evening when galleries and shops offer extended hours, special receptions, live painting and music. Build in a visit to any of the neighborhood’s restaurants and breweries, and it’s a whole night out!
South End Market at Atherton Mill
2140 South Blvd, Charlotte, NC
Every Saturday, 8am-1pm, Free
Summary: You can find everything from local produce to fresh fish to handmade pasta, and so much more! With live music on one end and a string of local farmers and creatives along the trail, this hub boasts the vibrant energy that we all long for to kick off our weekend. Plus, you can make a day of it by exploring all that Atherton Mill has to offer! There is free parking for shoppers at the Atherton Mill garage, or take the light rail to East/West Blvd Station!
Kids Skate Free
Kate’s Skate – Indian Trial
14500 E. Independence Blvd, Indian Trail, NC
See website for schedule
Summary: Sign up your kids to skate during Kate’s Skating Rink Kids Skate Free, offered on select days/times during the week.
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.
