Presented by Speedway Christmas at Charlotte Motor Speedway with Atrium Health, now through January 8. Experience four million lights along a 3.75-mile course synchronized to Christmas-themed music, plus a Christmas village. Buy tickets.

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FRIDAY, December 9

59°. 70% chance of rain.

Museum of Illusions Charlotte Opening Weekend at Museum of Illusions Charlotte: Take friends and family to enjoy exhibits and immersive rooms that will play with your brain and put your senses to the test. $20-$24. Times vary. Details

A Christmas Carol at Theatre Charlotte: Celebrate the theater’s 16th year of this holiday tradition, featuring the tale of hard-hearted Ebenezer Scrooge, haunted by his old partner Jacob Marley and the Ghosts of Christmas past, present, and future. $15-$30. Times vary. Details

Million Dollar Quartet Christmas at Knight Theater: Ring in the sounds of the season with holiday hits by Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins and Elvis Presley. Tickets start at $25. Times vary. Details

68th Annual Singing Christmas Tree at Central Piedmont Community College Halton Theatre: Enjoy the warm sounds of the MainStage Choir singing various holiday songs. The night will also be filled with dancing, magical tricks and a puppet show. $13-$50. Times vary. Details

Secret Santa Stout Tasting at Pilot Brewing: Taste seven different beers, appetizers from YaFo and an early bottle release. $43. 6-8:30pm. Details

11 Year Anniversary Celebration at Birdsong Brewing: Celebrate beer and friends with new merchandise, a double can drop, live music, a garage-style live screen print shop, a holiday market and multiple barrel-aged draft releases. Free. 3-10pm. Details

Love Again at John Emily Alterations: Shop for the wedding gown of your dreams during this two-week event. Free. 11am-6pm. Details

Duke Ellington’s Nutcracker Swing at Booth Playhouse: Vibe to jazz versions of holiday classics paired with dancers. $15-$50. 6:30-9pm. Details

Speedway Christmas at Charlotte Motor Speedway: Get in the holiday spirit as you drive through Christmas lights across the four-mile course of the Speedway. Prices vary. 6-10pm. Details

Happy Camper Scavenger Hunt at Multiple Locations: Participate in a community scavenger hunt for a chance to win gift cards to places like Happy Camper, Fahrenheit and Mac Tabby Cat Cafe. $5. Times vary. Details

Sea of Lights at SEA LIFE Charlotte-Concord: Dive into the holidays with an interactive aquarium experience featuring thousands of holiday lights and 35+ Christmas trees. $17.99. Times vary. Details

Charlotte Hornets vs. New York Knicks at Spectrum Center: Cheer on the Hornets as they play the New York Knicks. $22-$495. 7pm. Details

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SATURDAY, December 10

58°. Mostly cloudy. 10% chance of rain.

Funky Festivus at Town Brewing: Join in on the third year of a fully funky experience with live music and a beer release. Free. 12pm-11pm. Details

Shop Small Saturdays at Atherton Mill: Shop from over 40 vendors ahead of the holidays and the South End Farmers Market. Free. 8am-1pm. Details

Shop Small Saturdays at Camden Road: Search for the perfect holiday gift at the Camden Festival located along East/West Blvd Station to the Park Ave., with more than 80 local vendors. Free. 10am-5pm. Details

Shop Small Saturdays at Winnifred Street: Head to the street festival at The Winnifred to shop from more than 40 local vendors. Free. 10am-5pm. Details

Uptown Farmers Market at 300 S Davidson St: Start your morning shopping from over 50 vendors before relaxing at a café table and enjoying live music by local musicians. Free. 8am-12:30pm. Details

Metropolitan Market at Metropolitan: Shop the open-air market featuring local businesses with one-of-a-kind products ranging from home decor to jewelry. Free. 10am-4pm. Details

Holiday Girl Tribe Pop-Up at Charlotte Convention Center: Purchase holiday gifts from over 100 women-led businesses selling clothes, jewelry and art. $5-$25. 10am-5pm. Details

Annual Nonprofit Holiday Gala & Toy Drive at Champagne Manor: Make a grand entrance with formal attire by helicopter for a night of live bands, dinner and drinks while giving back to the community. $129-$144. 6-11pm. Details

Trans-Siberian Orchestra at Spectrum Center: Enjoy music from the progressive rock group during its tour stop in Charlotte. $49.50-$115. Times vary. Details

Mistletoe Market at Camp North End: Enjoy an evening of shopping from vendors, listen to live music, sip on warm drinks and take photos in front of holiday decor and igloos. Free. 4-8pm. Details

Cookies with Santa at Optimist Hall: Greet Santa and snap a picture as you tell him what’s on your wishlist before decorating cookies and sipping on hot cocoa from Spindle Bar. Free. 10am-2pm. Details

Ugly Sweater Bar Crawl at Multiple Locations: Rock your ugliest sweater with tons of other partygoers, games, contests, plus food and drink specials. $20-$25. 4-11:30pm. Details

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SUNDAY, December 11

56°. Mostly cloudy. 30% chance of rain.

Holiday Market at Dupp & Swat: Shop from holiday items filled with local flavor during the entire month of December. Free. 12-3pm. Details

Fashion Reimagined: Themes Variations, 1760-NOW at the Mint Museum: Explore centuries of fashion in this 50th-anniversary celebration of the fashion collection’s founding by the Mint Museum Auxiliary. Free. 10am-6pm. Details

Ice Skating at The U.S. White Water Center: Grab the ice skate and a few friends to skate across one of two ice trails or free skate zones before taking a break to enjoy hot and cold beverages. Prices vary. 5-10pm. Details

Light the Knights Festival at Truist Field: Expect ice skating, tubing, Santa visits, a light show, live entertainment and holiday cheer. $10-$99. Noon-10pm. Details

WinterFest at Carowinds: Gather the whole family to make holiday memories through immersive holiday attractions. $32.99+. 5-10pm. Details

CLT Black Owned Holiday Market at 222 West Blvd Suite 112: Shop from over 30 local black-owned businesses with clothing, skincare items, jewelry and candles to make stocking stuffers all weekend long. Free. Times vary. Details

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Check out more upcoming events on our Event Board. Hosting an event? Reach more Charlotteans through an Event Listing, which includes placement on our Event Board and in our weekday newsletter. Have a scoop about a cool event? Email [email protected].