Amanda's fave
Maiden Christmas Parade
Maiden- Sat, Nov 28 · 3–5 PM
- East Maiden Baptist Church to Maiden Middle School, Main St
- Free spectators
- Hosted by Town of Maiden Parks and Recreation
Catawba County
Holiday happenings across Maiden, Hickory, Newton and Conover — parades, tree lightings, light displays, theater, downtown nights and holiday bars.
All Catawba County events
Every verified 2026 holiday event across Catawba County, grouped by what to do — parades & tree lightings, lights & house displays, markets & shopping, shows & theater, kids & family, and food & nightlife. Prefer a single city? Jump to its page below.
Parades & tree lightings
7 verified events for 2026.
Parade
LRU Christmas Tree Lighting
Hickory- Wed, Nov 18 · 6 PM
- Grace Chapel Lawn, Lenoir-Rhyne University
- Free
- Hosted by City of Hickory
Amanda's fave
Lowes Foods Christmas Parade & Tree Lighting
Hickory- Fri, Nov 20, 2026 · 5:45–8:30 PM
- Downtown Hickory / Union Square
- Free
- Hosted by City of Hickory (sponsored by Lowes Foods)
Light Up the Town
Newton- Fri, Dec 4, 2026 · 5:30–8:30 PM
- Downtown Newton / 1924 Courthouse Square
- Free / not listed
- Hosted by Downtown Newton Development Association
Christmas in the Park (tree lighting & Santa)
Conover- Tue, Dec 1, 2026 · 5:30–7:00 PM
- City of Conover park (confirm address)
- Free / not listed
- Hosted by City of Conover
Claremont Christmas Parade
Claremont- Sat, Dec 5, 2026
- Downtown Claremont
- Free spectators (assumed)
Source link to be confirmed
Small Town Tree Lighting
Catawba- Sat, Dec 5, 2026
- Town of Catawba
- Free / not listed
Source link to be confirmed
Lights & house displays
3 verified events for 2026.
Lake Hickory Bridge 2 Bridge Lighted Boat Parade
Hickory- Sat, Dec 12, 2026 · 5:45–7:00 PM
- Lake Hickory Pub & Marina
- Free spectators
- Hosted by Lake Hickory Pub & Marina
- Lighted boat parade on Lake Hickory.
Lights on 13th Street
Newton- Nov 20, 2026 – Jan 3, 2027 · Sun–Thu 5:30–10:00 PM; Fri–Sat 5:30–11:00 PM
- 319 W 13th St, Newton, NC 28658
- Free (donations to Samaritan's Purse Operation Christmas Child)
- Hosted by Lights on 13th Street
- Tune to radio 93.9 FM.
The Biggest Little Christmas Display in the World
Maiden- Early November – December 2026
- 106 N Main Ave, Maiden, NC 28650
- Free
- Hosted by ChristmasPrism
- Amanda & Tanner's house. Facebook page: The Biggest Little Holiday Display in the World. Season per FB bio: early November through December.
Markets & shopping
25 verified events for 2026.
Holidaypalooza: Santa, Story Time & Holiday Market
Hickory- Sat, Nov 21
- Union Square
- Free
- Hosted by City of Hickory
Holiday Extravaganza & Atomic Wonderland Aluminum Christmas Tree Show
Hickory- Sat, Nov 14, 2026 · 10 AM
- 451 11th St NW
- Cost: check link
2026 Merry Market
Hickory- Sat, Nov 21, 2026 · 9 AM
- 2304 Springs Rd NE
- Cost: check link
Merry & Bright – Snowman Swing Paint & Sip
Hickory- Sat, Nov 28, 2026 · 7 PM
- 1366 US Hwy 321 NW
- Cost: check link
Handmade Holidays: Leather Garland
Hickory- Mon, Nov 16, 2026 · 6:00–7:30 PM
- Patrick Beaver Memorial Library
- Free
- Hosted by Hickory Public Library
- Registration required (opens 2026-10-26).
Handmade Holidays: Leather Garland
Hickory- Tue, Nov 17, 2026 · 10:00–11:30 AM
- Patrick Beaver Memorial Library
- Free
- Hosted by Hickory Public Library
- Registration required (opens 2026-10-27).
Holidays and Seniors: The Impact of Loneliness and Social Isolation
Hickory- Thu, Nov 19, 2026 · 2:00–3:00 PM
- Patrick Beaver Memorial Library
- Free
- Hosted by Hickory Public Library
- No registration / drop-in.
Handmade Holidays: Patchwork Potholder
Hickory- Mon, Nov 23, 2026 · 6:00–7:00 PM
- Ridgeview Branch Library
- Free
- Hosted by Hickory Public Library
- Registration required (opens 2026-11-02).
Handmade Holidays: Glass Gem Magnets
Hickory- Tue, Dec 1, 2026 · 6:00–7:00 PM
- Patrick Beaver Memorial Library
- Free
- Hosted by Hickory Public Library
- Registration required (opens 2026-11-10).
Handmade Holidays: Make Your Own Book Tote Bag
Hickory- Wed, Dec 2, 2026 · 6:00–7:30 PM
- Patrick Beaver Memorial Library
- Free
- Hosted by Hickory Public Library
- Registration required (opens 2026-11-11).
Handmade Holidays: Charms Workshop
Hickory- Sat, Dec 5, 2026 · 3:00–4:00 PM
- Ridgeview Branch Library
- Free
- Hosted by Hickory Public Library
- Registration required (opens 2026-11-14).
Handmade Holidays: Holiday Memories Journal
Hickory- Tue, Dec 8, 2026 · 6:00–7:00 PM
- Patrick Beaver Memorial Library
- Free
- Hosted by Hickory Public Library
- Registration required (opens 2026-11-17).
Handmade Holidays: Pulp Painting & Papermaking
Hickory- Mon, Dec 14, 2026 · 6:00–7:00 PM
- Ridgeview Branch Library
- Free
- Hosted by Hickory Public Library
- Registration required (opens 2026-11-23).
Handmade Holidays: Crochet Air Plant Holder
Hickory- Thu, Dec 17, 2026 · 6:00–7:00 PM
- Ridgeview Branch Library
- Free
- Hosted by Hickory Public Library
- Registration required (opens 2026-11-26).
Christmas Open House
Newton- Fri, Nov 6, 2026
- 112 E 1st St
- Cost: check link
Dana's Twinkle & Trinkets Christmas Open House
Newton- Fri, Nov 6, 2026
- 108 N Main Ave
- Cost: check link
- Hosted by Dana's Twinkle & Trinkets
Kringle, Jingle & Mingle Holiday Open House @ 2 Pink Magnolias
Newton- Fri, Nov 6, 2026 · 10 AM
- 211 N College Ave
- Cost: check link
- Hosted by 2 Pink Magnolias
Catawba Valley Christmas Show
Newton- Sat, Dec 5, 2026 · 9 AM
- 1670 Southwest Blvd
- Cost: check link
Shoppes on Main Holiday Kickoff
Conover- Sat, Nov 7, 2026 · 10 AM
- 111 1st Ave S
- Cost: check link
Snag and Swag Boutique Giving Tree Event
Conover- Tue, Nov 10, 2026 · 4 PM
- 213 1st Ave S
- Cost: check link
- Hosted by Snag and Swag Boutique
Glass Christmas Tree Event at Snag and Swag Boutique
Conover- Thu, Nov 12, 2026 · 6 PM
- 213 1st Ave S
- Cost: check link
- Hosted by Snag and Swag Boutique
Christmas Market in Conover
Conover- Sat, Nov 21, 2026 · 10 AM
- 201 1st St E
- Cost: check link
15th Annual Winter Workshop
Conover- Sat, Dec 5, 2026 · 9 AM
- 6175 St Peters Church Rd
- Cost: check link
Amanda's fave
Christmas Comes to Conover
Conover- Sat, Nov 21, 2026 · About 10:00 AM–2:00 PM
- Downtown Conover, NC
- Free per Visit Hickory; one FB snippet said $7 — confirm
- Hosted by Conover Community Partners
- Holiday market and shopping, vendors, Santa's Workshop photos, kids zone, food trucks, and local downtown businesses.
Christmas Craft Bazaar
Sherrills Ford- Sat, Nov 28, 2026 · 10 AM
- Camp Dogwood
- Cost: check link
Shows & theater
3 verified events for 2026.
FROZEN — Hickory Community Theatre
Hickory- Nov 27 – Dec 12
- 30 Third St NW
- Adults $18 / Youth $12
- Hosted by Hickory Community Theatre
The Best Christmas Pageant Ever — Green Room Community Theatre
Newton- Nov 20 – Dec 6
- Newton
- Check venue
- Hosted by Catawba County
Hickory Rings! 15th Annual Christmas Concerts
Conover- Thu, Nov 12, 2026 · 7 PM
- Conover / Corinth Reformed Church
- Cost: check link
Kids & family
13 verified events for 2026.
Amanda's fave
Merry Maiden Christmas Celebration
Maiden- Thu, Dec 10, 2026 · 5:30–8:30 PM
- Town Hall / downtown Maiden, 19 N Main Ave, Maiden, NC 28650
- Free, open to the public
- Hosted by Town of Maiden
- Dec 10 confirmed. Organizer: Town of Maiden. Photos with Santa, community groups, carols and music, food trucks, craft vendors, late-open small businesses (based on prior-year write-ups; times may change).
Luminary Service
Maiden- Sun, Dec 13 · At dusk
- Maiden
- Not listed
Winter Wonderland / Blessing Room Reveal (Malorie's Place)
Maiden- Sat, Nov 21, 2026 · 5:00–9:00 PM (Blessing Room Reveal 5:30–7:30 PM)
- 446 S Main Ave, Maiden, NC
- Cost: check link
- Hosted by Malorie's Place
Pictures with Santa
Hickory- Sat, Dec 19 · 10 AM–12 PM
- Highland Recreation Center
- Cost: check link
- Hosted by City of Hickory
Christmas Craziness
Hickory- Sat, Dec 12, 2026 · 10 AM
- Hickory, NC
- Cost: check link
Friday StoryTime with Santa
Hickory- Fri, Dec 18, 2026 · 9 AM
- 232 Union Square
- Cost: check link
Holidaypalooza
Hickory- Sat, Nov 21, 2026 · 11:00 AM–1:30 PM
- Union Square / CommScope Stage (Hickory Public Library offsite)
- Free / not listed
- Hosted by Hickory Public Library
- No registration / drop-in.
Handmade Holidays: Drop-In Gift Making
Hickory- Thu, Dec 10, 2026 · 5:00–7:00 PM
- Patrick Beaver Memorial Library
- Free
- Hosted by Hickory Public Library
- No registration / drop-in.
Handmade Holidays: Kid Culinary
Hickory- Sat, Dec 19, 2026 · 11:00 AM–12:30 PM
- Patrick Beaver Memorial Library
- Free
- Hosted by Hickory Public Library
- Registration required (opens 2026-11-28).
Holiday Hop & Choo Choo & Snowman Too!
Newton- 2026 date TBA
- Downtown Newton
- Cost: check link
- Hosted by Downtown Newton Development Association
Annual Holiday Pajama Party
Newton- Sat, Nov 7, 2026 · 5 PM
- 19 N College Ave
- Cost: check link
Newton Christmas Festival
Newton- Sat, Dec 5, 2026 · 12 PM
- 1549 Southwest Blvd
- Cost: check link
Elsa & Anna's Enchanted Holiday Ball
Newton- Sat, Dec 12, 2026 · 11 AM
- 60 W 6th St
- Cost: check link
Food & nightlife
4 verified events for 2026.
Cookies of Compassion Christmas Cookie Exchange Fundraiser (Malorie's Place)
Maiden- Fri, Dec 11, 2026 · 7:00–9:00 PM
- Malorie's Place Gathering Room, 446 S. Main Ave., Maiden, NC
- $5 entry fee (fundraiser)
- Hosted by Malorie's Place
- Bring 4 dozen cookies (3 dozen to exchange, 1/2 dozen taste test, 1 dozen for Blessing Room giveaway). Christmas music, sparkling juice, cocoa bar; festive attire; pictures.
Miracle on City Walk (holiday pop-up bar)
Hickory- Nov 14 – Jan 3
- No Entry Cocktail Lounge at City Walk
- Cocktails à la carte; small-group Resy available
- Hosted by Visit Hickory
The Dive Before Christmas (holiday pop-up bar)
Hickory- Nov 18 – Dec 31
- Dive Bar Hickory
- Not listed
SantaCon 2026
Newton- Sat, Dec 12, 2026 · 5:00–11:00 PM
- Downtown Newton-Conover / Newton, NC
- Not listed
- Hosted by SantaCon Newton, NC
- Discretion Underground; businesses contact Jeff@DiscretionUnderground.com. Holiday crawl-style fun throughout downtown Newton-Conover; fundraising for a local charity (details forthcoming). Businesses in Newton and Conover are invited to be official stops — deadline Nov 15 via Jeff@DiscretionUnderground.com.