LRU Christmas Tree Lighting
- Wed, Nov 18 · 6 PM
- Grace Chapel Lawn, Lenoir-Rhyne University
- Free
- Hosted by City of Hickory
Hickory, Catawba County
2026 Christmas events in Hickory, North Carolina.
Hickory holiday events
Hickory is the festive heart of Catawba County: Holidaypalooza brings Santa and a holiday market to Union Square, the Lowes Foods Christmas Parade & Tree Lighting lights up downtown, Hickory Community Theatre stages FROZEN, and two holiday pop-up bars pour seasonal cocktails through the new year.
Parades & tree lightings
2 verified events for 2026.
Tree Lighting
Amanda's fave
Lowes Foods Christmas Parade & Tree Lighting
- Fri, Nov 20, 2026 · 5:45–8:30 PM
- Downtown Hickory / Union Square
- Free
- Hosted by City of Hickory (sponsored by Lowes Foods)
Lights & house displays
1 verified event for 2026.
Lake Hickory Bridge 2 Bridge Lighted Boat Parade
- 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.
Markets & shopping
14 verified events for 2026.
Holidaypalooza: Santa, Story Time & Holiday Market
- Sat, Nov 21
- Union Square
- Free
- Hosted by City of Hickory
Holiday Extravaganza & Atomic Wonderland Aluminum Christmas Tree Show
- Sat, Nov 14, 2026 · 10 AM
- 451 11th St NW
- Cost: check link
2026 Merry Market
- Sat, Nov 21, 2026 · 9 AM
- 2304 Springs Rd NE
- Cost: check link
Merry & Bright – Snowman Swing Paint & Sip
- Sat, Nov 28, 2026 · 7 PM
- 1366 US Hwy 321 NW
- Cost: check link
Handmade Holidays: Leather Garland
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- Thu, Dec 17, 2026 · 6:00–7:00 PM
- Ridgeview Branch Library
- Free
- Hosted by Hickory Public Library
- Registration required (opens 2026-11-26).
Shows & theater
1 verified event for 2026.
FROZEN — Hickory Community Theatre
- Nov 27 – Dec 12
- 30 Third St NW
- Adults $18 / Youth $12
- Hosted by Hickory Community Theatre
Kids & family
6 verified events for 2026.
Pictures with Santa
- Sat, Dec 19 · 10 AM–12 PM
- Highland Recreation Center
- Cost: check link
- Hosted by City of Hickory
Christmas Craziness
- Sat, Dec 12, 2026 · 10 AM
- Hickory, NC
- Cost: check link
Friday StoryTime with Santa
- Fri, Dec 18, 2026 · 9 AM
- 232 Union Square
- Cost: check link
Holidaypalooza
- 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
- 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
- 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).
Food & nightlife
2 verified events for 2026.
Miracle on City Walk (holiday pop-up bar)
- 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)
- Nov 18 – Dec 31
- Dive Bar Hickory
- Not listed