CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The spirit of the holiday season is upon us, and the Queen City has plenty of fun activities, events and shows you can partake in. Here's what's happening!
McAdenville Christmastown
Dec. 1-26
Bring the whole family to one of the most anticipated holiday light displays in the Carolinas: McAdenville Christmastown! Open from 5:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. each night. Find more information here.
UCity Lights Winter Celebration
Dec. 1
Make your way to the University City area to kick off the holidays with a winter celebration and tree lighting. Attendees can also enjoy a ride aboard the Polar Express. The festivities begin at 5 p.m. Find more information here.
Mistletoe Market @ Camp North End
Dec. 2, 9 and 16
The Mistletoe Market returns to Camp North End, complete with holiday pop-ups, ice skating and fun activities for all ages. Find more information here.
Soulful Christmas @ Knight Theater
Dec. 8
Hear the soulful sounds of the holiday season as the Charlotte Symphony plays the best of Black-centered Christmas music. Happening at the Knight Theater beginning at 7:30 p.m. Find more information here.
Speedway Christmas @ Charlotte Motor Speedway
Now through Jan. 7, 2024
Witness brilliant holiday displays featuring over 4 million lights and more at Speedway Christmas at Charlotte Motor Speedway. Find more information here.
Light the Knights Festival @ Truist Field
Nov. 22 - Jan. 1
Get in on the holiday fun in the heart of Uptown at the Light the Knights Festival, complete with light shows, live entertainment, holiday treats, Christmas trees, shopping, Santa, snow, and more. Find more information here.
Ice skating @ Whitewater Center
Now through mid-February
Lace up your skates because ice skating returns to the Whitewater Center! the ice rink consists of over 24,000 sq. ft. of unique skating space split into four distinct skating areas, including two ice trails and two free skate zones. Find more information here.
Kwanzaa Charlotte celebration @ Movement School
Dec. 26- Jan. 1
Join Kwanzaa Charlotte in its celebration with fun activities and educational programs, as well as an African Marketplace at the Movement School. Daily program celebrations are happening from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. See a full list of events below:
- 12/26 - Umoja (Unity) - A Sign of the Times
- 12/27 - Kujichagulia - The Jzar Family
- 12/28 - Ujima (Collective Work & Responsibility)
- 12/29 - Ujamaa (Cooperative Economics)
- 12/30 - Nia (Purpose)
- 12/31 - Kuumba (Creativity) African Marketplace Charlotte Drum & Dance Collective -
- 1/01 Imani (Faith) - No Marketplace today- Day of Reflection and Contemplation A Sign of the Times
CLT NYE in Uptown
Dec. 31, 2023
Ring in the new year at CLT NYE, the Queen City's free, annual tradition. It will feature a DJ, live music, the lighting of the Queen City crown and the only fireworks display you'll see in Uptown, starting at midnight. More information can be found here.
Carowinds New Year's Eve festivities
If you want to leave 2023 with some high-speed roller-coaster fun, Carowinds will open at 5 p.m. on New Year's Eve for the last night of WinterFest, something the park has dubbed the only New Year's Eve celebration on the state line! The NYE festivities begin at 10 p.m., and guests can join a countdown to midnight before fireworks go off in the sky!
The park promises plenty to do for the family, with music at both Harmony Hall Patio and the Plaza Stage, festive food and drink, and Charlie Brown's New Year's Eve Celebration for younger kids at Camp Snoopy Fountain! The Charlie Brown countdown happens twice: at 11 p.m. and midnight.