
Ice Skating at the Whitewater Center. Photo: Symphony Webber/Axios
MONDAY, DECEMBER 20
ChristmasVille
Old Town Rock Hill (201 E. Main St.) | All-day | Free | Details
Why you should go: Every day this week leading up to Christmas, you can find fun and festive activities to do like horse-drawn carriage rides, historic tours, carolers, and ice skating.
Festival of Trees
Downtown Belmont (Stowe Park) | All-day | Free | Details
Why you should go: See an assortment of beautifully decorated Christmas trees during Belmont’s 4th annual Festival of Trees.
VTGCLT Pop
The Metropolitan | Daily from 10am to 7pm, through Dec. 22 | Free | Details
Why you should go: There are five days until Christmas, but only two more to shop VTGCLT’S selection of more than 90 local and regional vendors.
Gingerbread Lane
The Ballantyne Hotel | Daily through Dec. 26; 11am to 7pm | Free | Details
Why you should go: Browse an assortment of beautifully decorated gingerbread houses and cast your vote for your favorite one. There is a $1 minimum per vote and all proceeds will benefit the Atrium Health Levine Children’s Hospital.
Charlotte Christmas Village
Truist Field | Noon to 8pm | $5 | Details
Why you should go: Head to the ballpark to see how it’s transformed into a European-inspired Christmas market with handcrafted gifts and specialty foods like Austrian strudels, bratwurst and sauerkraut.
Winterfest
Carowinds | 5-10pm | $24.99 | Details
Why you should go: Catch dazzling light displays and live shows or do a hands-on activity like cookie decorating with Mrs. Clause.
McAdenville Christmastown
McAdenville | Now through Dec. 26; 5:30-10pm | Free | Details
Why you should go: Drive or walk along the 1.3 mile-long route and peruse the town’s local vendors and restaurants while enjoying the light displays.
Speedway Christmas
Charlotte Motor Speedway | Now through Jan. 2; 6-10pm | $30+ | Details
Why you should go: Pull up to the Speedway to see four million lights illuminate this four-mile course. Expect hundreds of creative light displays synchronized to Christmas-themed music that you can listen to from your car’s radio.
Cookie Exchange Party
Chef Alyssa’s Kitchen | 6-8pm | $65 | Details
Why you should go: Groups of four will create a different cookie to be exchanged with the five other tables at the end of class. Participants will also be making a seasonal Prosecco cocktail.
Holiday Cheeseboard Creation
SkillPop Online | 7-8:15pm | $24 | Details
Why you should go: Grab your favorite meats and cheeses and join cheese enthusiast and caterer, Tori Tippin to learn tips for food placement, cutting, board size and pairings just in time for all of your holiday entertaining.
Tosco Music Holiday Party
Knight Theater | 7:30pm | $18.50-$52.50 | Details
Why you should go: Spend an evening singing along to holiday classics with a lineup of more than a dozen performers.
Ice Skating
Whitewater Center | Now through mid-February; 10am to 10pm | $25 Day Pass, $6 parking | Details
Why you should go: Whether you’re holding on to the railing for dear life (me) or zipping across the ice, the Whitewater Center’s ice skating rink is fun anyone can enjoy.
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 21
Soulful Noel
The Blumenthal (Booth Playhouse)| Dec. 21 & 22; 7:30pm | $25 | Details
Why you should go: This show by local theater group, OnQ tells the age-old story of the reason for the season. Tap your foot along to holiday classics like “Little Drummer Boy” and “Christmas Time is Here.”
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 22
Holiday Party
Billy Sunday | 5-10pm | Free | Details
Why you should go: Enjoy festivities like cookie decorating, holiday music, an ugly sweater contest and holiday cocktails.
Gingerbread House Making
Free Range Brewing | 5-7pm | $35 | Details
Why you should go: Reserve a gingerbread house kit online and join Thoughtful Baking co. to piece it together with others. Kit includes gingerbread house pieces, royal icing and an assortment of candy for decorating.
Holidays at the Garden
Daniel Stowe Garden | 5-9pm | $14.95 for adults, $12.95 for seniors 60+, $7.95 for children 2-12, free for children under 2 | Details
Why you should go: Walk along the trail and take in the dazzling light displays, then stop by one of the food trucks for a quick bite or a warm beverage.
Cookie Decorating Essentials
SkillPop Online | 7-8:30pm | $24 | Details
Why you should go: Perfect your cooking decorating skills before Santa comes down the chimney. Your instructor, Taylor Whitworth will teach you her step-by-step process for beautifully decorated sugar cookies.
“Oh My Sleigh” Xmas Party
Oh My Soul Vegan | 7-10pm | $10 | Details
Why you should go: Event highlights include Live Band Karaoke, an ugly Christmas sweater contest and specialty cocktails.
A Very Thorgy Christmas
Knight Theater | 7:30pm | $10-$99 | Details
Why you should go: You may know Thorgy Thor from Ru Paul’s Drag race, but tonight she’ll be serenading the audience with her skills on the violin.
Nutcracker Belk Theater
Blumenthal Performing Arts Center | Through Dec. 26; 7:30pm | $25-$114 | Details
Why you should go: The Charlotte Symphony Orchestra accompanies the Charlotte Ballet with musical selections composed by Tchaikovsky like the well-known ‘Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy.’
SlamCharlotte Poetry Slam
Camp North End (Ford Building) | 8pm | Free, donations appreciated | Details
Why you should go: Feed your soul with a full lineup of talented local poets.
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 23
Jingle City Pop-Up Christmas Bar
The Tavern | 5pm to midnight | $15 for adults, $5 for kids | Details
Why you should go: This gaudy Christmas pop-up bar has Christmas-themed cocktails, ugly sweater contests, igloos and activities that the whole family can participate in. The venue will be kid-friendly through 8pm. Open Christmas Eve from 5pm to 2am.
Brewers Box Office
Brewers at 4001 Yancey | 6:30pm | Free | Details
Why you should go: Catch a screening of Elf under the stars and enjoy popcorn, pints and $3 tacos.
A Time to Heal
Knight Theater | 8pm | $50-$80 | Details
Why you should go: This old-school, traditional gospel show uses music and prayer as a form of therapy.
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 24
CHRISTMAS EVE
Holiday Tea
The Ballantyne Hotel | 1-4pm | $60 for adults, $25 for children under 12 | Details
Why you should go: Relax in the lobby and enjoy a variety of seasonal loose leaf tea blends, a selection of savory tea sandwiches, holiday treats and live entertainment.
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