Charlotte Holiday Activity Guide

If you’re like me then you’ve already started to think about the holiday season and what activities you want to do with your kids. I started doing some research and got really overwhelmed by all of the information online. There’s a lot of info out there but I couldn’t find one website that had things listed out in an easy to follow and comprehensive way. Well, that is a big reason why I decided to put this list together of all the holiday activities taking place in Charlotte and I really hope it will make things easier for you in this busy season.

I’ve organized the list in two major categories: Ongoing Activities and Special Events. Most of the ongoing activities start at the end of Nov. and run through Christmas Day. The special events mostly just take place once like the many tree lighting ceremonies around town. Each activity title is clickable and will take you to their main website.

While I’ve done a ton of research there is certainly a chance that I’ve missed something so please reach out if you know of something that would be good to add. I’ve mostly focused on activities with a Charlotte address just to keep the list manageable and not too long. However, I have included many of the larger and more popular activities that are outside of CLT like the Polar Express and McAdenville.

As always, thanks for stopping by and Happy Holidays!

Ongoing Activities:

Singing Bears at Founders Hall

Animatronic musicians, under the inspired direction of Maestro Leonard Bearstein, put on a 45 minute long set, including their interpretation of holiday songs like “Jingle Bells,” “Feliz Navidad,” “We Wish You A Merry Christmas,” and “Have a Holly Jolly Christmas.”

I haven’t done this before but have heard it’s super cute and worth a visit. I’d probably plan to get lunch somewhere uptown or visit the Christmas Village to make a morning or afternoon out of it.

Where: Founders Hall Uptown

When: December 2nd – 27th

Time: Monday-Friday 10am-8pm with performances each hour on the hour, Saturday: 10-12pm, Sunday: 10-8pm. Link to full schedule.

Price: Free

Speedway Christmas Lights

A drive-through light show featuring more than 4 million lights that includes most of the oval speedway as well as the infield.

The family-friendly Christmas Village includes an all-new 100 ft Slide, Carousel, and the 50 ft Ferris wheel is coming back in addition to family favorites like Bethlehem village, photos with Santa, fun foods, games, fire pits for s’mores roasting and more.

Lines can get long for this one so it’s probably best to get up there early and be first in line.

Where: Charlotte Motor Speedway

When: Nov. 22nd – Jan. 5th

Time: Monday-Friday 6:00pm – 10:00pm, Christmas Village only open Thursday-Sunday

Price: $20-$25 per car (depending on day of week) and $40-$50 per van (depending on day of week). Check out their website for more pricing.

Polar Express at NC Transportation Museum

Inspired by the movie and book this is a train ride at the NC Transportation Museum in Spencer (about 45 minutes from CLT) to the north pole complete with hot chocolate and cookies, songs, and Santa giving the first gift of Christmas.

We did this last year and I thought it was super cute especially when you have a child that loves trains and the polar express book. In my opinion the best ages for this are around 2-7 yrs because after that I think many kids might find it to be too cheesy.

I would recommend doing one of the earlier trains with younger kids since the whole process takes a while and then you have the 45 min drive home. We did 6:15pm last year and it was a little too late. This year we are doing 4:45pm. *FYI tickets need to be booked well in advance.

Where: NC Transportation Museum in Spencer, NC

When: Nov. 15th – Dec. 22nd

Time: Trains run from 4pm – 8:30pm most days but check website for all the details

Price: Tickets start at $37 per child age 2+ and adults $43 and go up from there if you choose premium seating (seating with a table which we didn’t find necessary)

Charlotte Christmas Village

A quaint European-inspired Christmas Market uptown with specialty foods including strudels and bratwurst and drinks like mulled wine and cider.

We’ve done this the past two years and it’s a cute little outing to walk around. Not the most kid-friendly in terms of activities but Santa visits most Saturday and Sundays.

Where: They have relocated this year to 406 N. Tryon Street (NE Corner of N. Tryon and 7th Street near 7th Street Market). Visit their website for parking information.

When: Nov. 22nd – Dec. 24th, Opens daily at 11am but closed on Mondays

Price: Free

Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden Lights

Stroll through the garden and view their amazing Christmas light displays set to festive music. They also offer hot chocolate, wine/beer, fire pits, live music, and several children’s activities onsite. Santa makes a few visits and you can find those dates and times on their website.

We did this two years ago and really liked it. With all of the lights being outside it’s probably best for a night that isn’t terribly cold but some of the activities and food are indoors.

Where: Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden about 30 minutes from uptown near Belmont, NC

When: Nov. 29th – Jan.5th

Price: Tickets range from $15 -$19 for adults and $7-$10 for children depending on the night of the week. You get a discount for purchasing tickets online in advance. Kids under 2 are free.

Carowinds Winterfest

Carowinds theme park is transformed into a winter wonderland with all the sights, sounds, food and experiences of the holiday season. There are also live shows, ice skating, and strolling performers plus holiday activities for the kids. A selection of rides are also open.

New this year they will have a nightly Wonderland Parade (9pm nightly) which showcases lights, floats, performers, and Santa Claus.

Where: Carowinds Theme Park

When: Nov. 24th – Dec. 31st on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays (plus Thursdays the three weeks around Christmas). Hours are 5-10pm Fridays, 2-10pm Saturdays, and Sundays 4-10pm.

Price: Free for season pass holders or $26/$26 for Adults/Kids. Admission

Gingerbread Lane at Ballantyne Hotel

The Ballantyne Hotel holds a Gingerbread house contest each year where artists create their best work of art that are then on display at the hotel. The public is allowed to come and view their work and vote for your favorite. Hot Cocoa is available to purchase.

Where: The Ballantyne Hotel

When: December 4th – 26th

Price: Free but donations are appreciated which go to Levine Children’s Hospital

McAdenville “Christmas Town” Lights

For more than 60 years the Christmas lights display in this small town just west of Charlotte has drawn huge crowds. All of the houses in the town are decorated in lights as well as many other large light displays across the town. You can drive through to view the lights or park and walk through the town.

There can be really long lines to get into the town so going during the week is ideal or going as early as possible.

Where: McAdenville, NC

When: December 2nd-December 26th, Monday-Friday 5:30pm-9:30pm, Sat. and Sunday 5:30pm-11:00pm.

Ritz-Carlton Christmas Decor

The Ritz uptown has an impressive Christmas set up inside of their lobby and the public is welcome to go inside and check things out. The most popular display is a large gingerbread house that you can see in the photo above. A fun idea is to stop by Bar Cocoa, the hotel’s chocolate and dessert bar so you can bunch on something yummy while you walk around.

Where: Ritz Carlton Uptown

When: Month of December

Price: Free

Christmas at Billy Graham Library

During the Christmas season the library offers a live nativity with petting zoo, horse-drawn carriage rides, Storytime, and Christmas Carolers.

Where: Billy Graham Library – 4330 Westmont Drive Charlotte, NC

When: Dec. 2nd – Dec. 23rd, Monday-Thursday 9:30am-9pm, Fri and Sat. 9:30am-10pm. Christmas activities begin at 5pm

Price: Free

McGill Rose Garden Winter Wonderland

For the second year you can walk through the garden illuminated by lights and enjoy some s’mores and hot chocolate.

Where: McGill Rose Garden – 940 N. Davidson Street Charlotte, NC

When: Nov. 26th – Dec. 28th, Tuesday-Friday 4-10pm, Saturday 12pm – 11pm, Sun 12pm-7pm

Price: Free admission. Additional cost for beverages and snacks

Old Meck Brewery Christmas Market

A german inspired market with vendors, holiday music, hot cocoa, seasonal beer, and festive food.

Where: Old Meck Brewery

When: Dec 6th – 22nd Friday-Sundays only

Price: Free

Winter Wednesdays at Waverly

Waverly shopping center will be having a special holiday event each Wednesday night full of entertainment including music, shopping, sweet treats, and a visit from Santa. 106.5 will be on location and broadcasting live.

Where: The terrace at Waverly Center in South Charlotte

When: Dec. 5th, 12th, and 19th

Cost: Free

Ice Skating

There are several different options for ice skating in the area:

Charlotte Neighborhood Christmas Lights

Driving around to look at private home Christmas lights is always such a fun thing to do at the holidays. Below I’ve listed out some of the best homes and neighborhoods to visit. Most of these displays start shortly after Thanksgiving and offer opportunities to donate to a charity organization when you go see their lights.

A Sweitzers Christmas- 1001 Sunnyview Circle Matthews, NC
Harbin Family Christmas Lights – 10223 Summer House Ct. Charlotte, NC
Hillside Avenue in Myers Park
Sherwood Forest Drive (photo above) – 7323 Sherwood Forest Drive (Santa is frequently outside handing out candy canes)

Go Visit and Take Photos with Santa

Here are most of the options:

Cabelas
- Free photos, Starts Nov. 16th
Bass Pro Shop
- Free photos, Starts Nov. 16th
Southpark Mall
- Must purchase digital or hard photo copies, online reservations are recommended to not stand in line, Starts 11/1
Carolina Place Mall
- Must purchase digital or hard copies, online reservations recommended, Starts beginning of Nov.
Blacklion
- Free photos with your phone, Every Saturday starting 11/24
Charlotte Christmas Village
- Santa Visits every Saturday and Sunday plus Thanksgiving Day and Black Friday. It’s free.
Blakeney Shopping Center
- Every Saturday Nov. 23rd – Dec. 22nd 6-9pm

Special Events:

Nov. 22nd – Piedmont Town Center Tree Lighting
- 6-9pm, train rides, face painting, santa, hot cocoa
Nov. 23rd: Holiday Magic at Rea Farms
- 4-8pm, free photos with santa, cookie decorating, pop up shops, carriage rides, train rides, tree lighting, carolers, etc.
Nov. 23rd: Blakeney Tree Lighting and Santa Arrival
- 5:30pm-9:00pm
Nov. 30th: South End Tree Lighting
- 5:30pm-7:30pm at Atherton Mill, music, doughtnuts, santa
Dec. 1st Ballantyne Hotel Tree Lighting
- 4:30pm in lobby, carolers, hot cocoa, cookies
Dec. 3rd: Uptown Tree Lighting
- 5:30pm at Charlotte Christmas Village, santa, music, etc.
Dec. 5th and 7th: Winter Wonderland Lights Show at Phillips Place
- Two shows per night at 6:30pm and 7:30pm. Lights are illuminated on Hampton Inn and Suites
Dec. 7th and 14th: Queen City Christmas Festival (expo)
- 1-5pm, photos with santa, activities, ornament decoration, candycane hunt
Dec. 8th: Noda Tree Lighting
- 4:00pm-7:00 pm at Johnston YMCA, music, hot cocoa, crafts
Dec. 14th: Holiday at the Hill (Strawberry Hill)
- 1:00pm-4:00pm, train, face painting, santa, carriage rides, bounce house

To wrap things up I wanted to share a few of my favorite baby and toddler holiday outfits that would be perfect to dress your little ones in to attend these events. The photos are clickable and will take you directly to the site. All are on sale right now.