Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer
Ovens Auditorium
2700 East Independence Boulevard , Charlotte, NC
December 19, 7:00pm, All ages, $52+
Summary: This classic tale teaches the importance of friendship and respect, whilst getting everyone very excited for Christmas in the process! This new production features a mixture of adult and young performers as all your favourite characters – there’s Bumble the Abominable Snowman, The Misfit Toys, Clarice and of course Rudolph himself.
Harry Potter Night At Founders Holiday Ice Rink
Founders Holiday Ice Rink
205 Saluda Street, Rock Hill, SC
December 20, 5:00pm-9:00pm, All ages, $10 per person, includes skates
Summary: Wizards and muggles alike are all invited to enjoy a magical night on the ice!
Cirque Dreams Holidaze
Ovens Auditorium
2700 Independence Blvd, Charlotte, NC
December 20-22, See website for schedule, All ages, $44+
Summary: Cirque Dreams Holidaze lights up the 2019 holiday season with its popular and electrifying stage spectacular The New York Daily News proclaims a “delicious confection of charm, sparkle and talent by the sleigh-load and so full of energy it could end our dependence on oil.
It’s A Wonderful Life
Matthews Playhouse
100 McDowell Street East, Matthews, NC
December 13-22, See website for schedule, All ages, $14-$16
Summary: George Bailey spends his entire life giving up his big dreams for the good of his town, Bedford Falls, as we see in flashback. But in the present, on Christmas Eve, he is broken and suicidal over the misplacing of an $8000 loan and the machinations of the evil millionaire Mr. Potter. His guardian angel, Clarence, falls to Earth, literally, and shows him how his town, family, and friends would have turned out if he had never been born. George meant so much to so many people; should he really throw it all away?
Mother Daughter Christmas Tea
The Duke Mansion
400 Hermitage Road, Charlotte, NC
December 21, 11:00am, All ages, See website for
Summary: You’re invited to celebrate the Christmas holiday with your favorite lady! Leave holiday stress behind and step away to enjoy delectable treats and fun activities designed to promote fun and bonding for mothers and daughters of all ages. Wear your favorite outfit too…coordination will be celebrated, and regal, yet comfortable attire is encouraged!
Charlotte Checkers vs. Lehigh Valley
Bojangles’ Coliseum
2700 E. Independence Blvd., Charlotte, NC
December 22, 1:00pm, All ages, $18.50
15th Annual Puppies For Patients
OneBlood Mobiles and Donors Centers
4447 South Blvd., Charlotte, NC
November 1-December 31, See website for schedule, Free
Summary: Give joy. Give life. This holiday season, give the gift that costs nothing but is priceless to patients in need: LIFESAVING BLOOD. With your help, OneBlood hopes to bring smiles to the faces of hundreds of children spending the holidays in our local hospitals this year. Our 15th annual Puppies for Patients kicks off Nov. 1 and runs through Dec. 31. Donate blood or platelets at OneBlood’s North Carolina donation centers and mobile drives and you will have the opportunity to send a message that will then be attached to an adorable stuffed puppy. OneBlood will deliver those puppies to children in area hospitals in an effort to brighten their holidays!
Charlotte Christmas Village
Uptown Charlotte
406 N. Tryon Street, Charlotte, NC
November 28-December 24, See website for schedule, All ages, Free
Summary: The aromas of specialty foods will drift across the village, from classic Austrian strudels, Bratwurst with Sauerkraut, and glazed nuts. Visitors can also enjoy hot mulled wine, cider, hot chocolate and alcoholic-free Glühwein in a souvenir village mug!
Nutcracker
Belk Theater
130 N. Tryon Street, Charlotte, NC
December 6-22, See website for schedule, All ages, $25-$112
Summary: The Nutcracker Story itself has a long and varied provenance, which began as a story written by E.T.A. Hoffmann in 1816. From its 19th–century origins to the 21st century, Nutcracker has evolved from a “scary fairy tale” into something synonymous with the holiday season. It is currently one of the most widely performed ballets in the world with a treasured score by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky.
Christmas Town USA
McAdenville, NC
December 2-26, 5:30pm-9:30pm M-Th, 5:30pm-11:00pm Sat-Sun, All ages, Free
Summary: A must see! 160 beautifully decorated homes. Each home is uniquely decorated by the homeowner. Drive thru or walk thru as many times as you like.
Leonard Bearstein Symphony Orchestra
Founders Hall
100 N. Tryon Street, Charlotte, NC
December 2-27, See website for schedule, All ages, Free
Summary: The 18-piece display of animatronic bears performs classic holiday songs. The 45-minute program starts on the hour. All performances are subject to cancellation so check the website for updates. No performances on Christmas Day.
The Best Christmas Pageant Ever: The Musical
McColl Family Theatre
300 E. 7th Street, Charlotte, NC
December 1-December 29, See website for schedule, All ages, $19+
Summary: The Herdmans are ready to wreak havoc! What happens when the “worst kids in the history of the world” find out about free food at Sunday school? And what happens when they decide to audition for the annual Christmas pageant? Will the show go on? This hilarious and heartfelt musical comedy, adapted from Barbara Robinson’s classic story, will have your family laughing and crying as we celebrate the holidays.
Gingerbread Lane At The Ballantyne
The Ballantyne
10000 Ballantyne Commons Pkwy, Charlotte, NC
December 4-26, See website for schedule, All ages, Free
Summary: Enjoy a stroll through Gingerbread Lane December 4-26. Cast your vote and donation for your favorite creation. Donations benefit Levine Children’s Hospital. Hot cocoa is available for purchase.
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.
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!
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
