Christmas Event Guide2026 · Amanda Moncrieff

Mecklenburg County·

Huntersville Cornelius Davidson

Charlotte, Mecklenburg County

2026 Christmas events in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Charlotte holiday events

Uptown Charlotte is the region's stage for big holiday shows — A Motown Christmas, Jim Brickman, Ricky Skaggs & Kentucky Thunder, the Trans-Siberian Orchestra, Holiday Pops, and The Hip Hop Nutcracker — plus the Naughty List Bar Crawl for a festive night out.

Parades & tree lightings

3 verified events for 2026.

Amanda's fave

Novant Health Thanksgiving Eve Parade (Charlotte)

Parade

Wed, Nov 25, 2026 · 5:30 PM step-off (live on WCCB at 6:00 PM)

Uptown Charlotte along Tryon Street (9th Street → Good Samaritan Way)

Free for spectators

Hosted by Novant Health Thanksgiving Eve Parade

The major Charlotte holiday parade, held Thanksgiving Eve (not Christmas Day).

Carolina Panthers and Charlotte FC Tree Lighting presented by Belk

Tree Lighting

Tue, Nov 17, 2026 · Gates 5:30 PM; ceremony 6:30 PM; tree lighting 7:00 PM; concourse festival 7:00–9:00 PM ET

Bank of America Stadium. Check in at the Mint Street security screening near Lot 1 and the Residence Inn, 410 S. Mint St.

Free; mobile tickets required for entry

Hosted by Carolina Panthers and Charlotte FC (presented by Belk)

13th annual. 50-foot Norway spruce.

UCity Lights Festival / University City Lights Winter Celebration

Tree Lighting

Sat, Nov 21, 2026 · 4:00–8:00 PM ET; tree lighting 7:00 PM

The Shoppes at University Place, 8929 JK Keynes Drive

Free

Hosted by University City Partners

Second-annual celebration — entirely free and open to everyone. Tree lighting by the lake.

Lights & house displays

2 verified events for 2026.

Light the Knights Festival

Light Display

Nov 25, 2026 – Jan 3, 2027 (28 selected dates) · Varies by date — check official ticket calendar

Truist Field, 324 S Mint St

Admission-only $14.37; admission + skating + tubing $44.40 (reported prices; verify live ticket total); ages 3 and under free per official FAQ

Hosted by Charlotte Knights

Advance tickets encouraged; limited All Activities capacity; valid selected date during its hours, no reentry. Includes lights and Truist Field Holiday Vendor Market. Ice skating and tubing require All Activities. Main entrance at S Mint/W MLK Blvd. Preferred paid parking at Mint Street Garage 410 S Mint, purchasable with tickets; nearby hourly parking varies. Cashless concessions. Closed Thanksgiving, Nov 30–Dec 2, Dec 7–9, 14–16, 24–25 — check the official calendar for updates.

Carolina Holiday Light Spectacular

Light Display

Select nights Nov 27–Dec 30, 2026 (27 nights; not nightly) · Gates 5:30 PM; last ticket 9:00 PM; close 9:30 PM ET. Christmas Eve: last ticket 7:30 PM, close 8:00 PM.

Ballantyne's Backyard, 11611 N. Community House Rd (Wells Fargo building entrance only — no entrance from the Ballantyne Bowl side)

General admission from $20; Twilight tickets from $10 on select nights after 8 PM; VIP from $49; Family Pack $99 (4 GA tickets). Children 2 and under free. Prices + taxes & fees; gate prices higher.

Hosted by Carolina Holiday Light Spectacular

Closed Nov 30, Dec 1–2, Dec 7–9, Dec 25, and Dec 31. Open Thu–Sun the first two weeks, then nightly through Dec 30 except Christmas Day. Parking always free. Select nights only — not nightly Nov 27–Dec 30; check the official calendar for updates.

Markets & shopping

5 verified events for 2026.

OMB Christmas Market 2026 — LoSo

Other

Nov 27–29; Dec 4–6, 11–13, 18–20, 2026 · Nov 27 Fri 11 AM–9 PM; other Fridays noon–9 PM; Saturdays noon–9 PM; Sundays noon–7 PM ET

The Olde Mecklenburg Brewery — LoSo, 4150 Yancey Road

Free admission; purchases extra

Hosted by The Olde Mecklenburg Brewery

Santa visits both locations Saturdays Nov 28, Dec 5, 12, 19, 2–5 PM; bring a camera. All ages welcome. Parking fees not published — check the venue before going.

OMB Christmas Market 2026 — Ballantyne

Other

Nov 27–29; Dec 4–6, 11–13, 18–20, 2026 · Nov 27 Fri 11 AM–9 PM; other Fridays noon–9 PM; Saturdays noon–9 PM; Sundays noon–7 PM ET

The Olde Mecklenburg Brewery — Ballantyne, 15025 Bowl Street

Free admission; purchases extra

Hosted by The Olde Mecklenburg Brewery

Santa visits both locations Saturdays Nov 28, Dec 5, 12, 19, 2–5 PM; bring a camera. All ages welcome. Parking fees not published — check the venue before going.

Mistletoe Market at Camp North End

Other

Dec 5, 12, 19, 2026 · 2:00–7:00 PM ET

Ford Factory, 400 Camp Rd, Camp North End

Cost: check link

Hosted by Camp North End / VTGCLT

25 vendors inside Ford Factory. Free ADA surface parking at 1776 Statesville Ave and 1801 N Graham St; garage 120 Razades Way — first 2 hours free, then $4/additional hour. Admission price not listed — check before going. Reindog Parade Dec 12 at 4 PM in Keswick District, free for spectators.

Southern Christmas Show

Other

Nov 11–22, 2026 · Wed, Nov 11 (Veterans Day) 10:00 AM–9:00 PM; Thu–Sat 10:00 AM–9:00 PM; Sun–Wed 10:00 AM–6:00 PM ET. Early Bird VIP Sat, Nov 14, 8:00–10:00 AM.

The Park Expo and Conference Center, 800 Briar Creek Road

Adult weekday (ages 13+) $22 ($20 online through Nov 10); Adult weekend $25 ($23 online through Nov 10; weekend tickets may be used on any general-admission show day); Child ages 6–12 $12; ages 5 and under free on general admission weekday and weekend tickets. Early Bird VIP (Nov 14, 8–10 AM, includes that day's general admission) $28, all ages. $1 service fee per ticket. A valid admission ticket is required for everyone on Nov 11.

Hosted by Marketplace Events / Southern Christmas Show

Official ticket site: southernchristmasshowcharlotte.mpetickets.com. A valid admission ticket is required for everyone on Nov 11.

View details Tickets

VTGCLT Pop (Vintage Charlotte)

Other

Opens Nov 13, 2026; through Dec 23, 2026 · Nov 13–Dec 8: Fri–Sun 10:00 AM–7:00 PM ET (closed Mon–Thu). Dec 9–23: daily 10:00 AM–7:00 PM ET.

Camp North End, 1701 N Graham, Suite 110 (next to You Vs Yourself and Glitch Tattoo, across from the food stalls)

Cost: check link

Hosted by VTGCLT

Now located at Camp North End — not Elizabeth on Seventh. Distinct from Mistletoe Market at the Ford Factory (Dec 5, 12, 19 only). Admission is not priced on the official page; check before going.

Shows & theater

12 verified events for 2026.

A Magical Cirque Christmas

Other

Sun, Nov 22, 2026 · 3:00 PM

Uptown Charlotte

Cost: check link

A Motown Christmas

Concert

Fri, Nov 27, 2026 · 7:30 PM

Uptown Charlotte

Cost: check link

A Christmas Carol" Evening Show

Play

Sat, Nov 28, 2026 · 8:00 PM

Uptown Charlotte

Cost: check link

Jim Brickman: A Christmas Celebration

Concert

Thu, Dec 3, 2026 · 7:30 PM

Uptown Charlotte

Cost: check link

Ricky Skaggs & Kentucky Thunder Christmas

Concert

Sat, Dec 5, 2026 · 8:00 PM

Downtown Charlotte

Cost: check link

Noel & Maria: Christmas in a New Key

Concert

Sun, Dec 6, 2026 · 6:00 PM

Uptown Charlotte

Cost: check link

Trans-Siberian Orchestra: Ghosts of Christmas Eve Tour

Concert

Sat, Dec 12, 2026 · 9:30 PM

Uptown Charlotte

Cost: check link

Tosco Music Holiday Party

Concert

Mon, Dec 14, 2026 · 7:30 PM

Uptown Charlotte

Cost: check link

Holiday Pops

Concert

Fri, Dec 18, 2026 · 7:30 PM

Uptown Charlotte

Cost: check link

The Hip Hop Nutcracker

Other

Tue, Dec 29, 2026 · 7:00 PM

Uptown Charlotte

Cost: check link

Charlotte Ballet: Nutcracker

Musical

Dec 4–23, 2026 (19 performances; not daily) · Varies by date — 2:00 PM, 7:00 PM, or 7:30 PM ET. Dec 4 7:30 PM; Dec 5 2 PM & 7 PM; Dec 6 2 PM; Dec 11 7:30 PM; Dec 12 2 PM & 7 PM; Dec 13 2 PM & 7 PM; Dec 17 7:30 PM; Dec 18 7:30 PM; Dec 19 2 PM & 7 PM; Dec 20 2 PM & 7 PM; Dec 22 2 PM & 7 PM; Dec 23 2 PM & 7 PM. Check the official calendar for the latest schedule.

Belk Theater at Blumenthal Arts Center, 130 N. Tryon St

Tickets starting at $35 (Blumenthal Arts official event page)

Hosted by Charlotte Ballet (live orchestra: Charlotte Symphony Orchestra)

Distinct from The Hip Hop Nutcracker (Dec 29). VIP add-on on select performances only.

Christmas at the Carolina

Other

Series, not a daily festival: Nov 28; Dec 5, 13, 18, 19, 20 and 23, 2026 · Varies by performance (official: Nov 28, 8 PM; Dec 5, 8 PM; Dec 13, 7 PM; Dec 18, 7 PM; Dec 19, 8 PM; Dec 20, 6 PM; Dec 23, 7 PM ET)

Carolina Theatre at Belk Place, 230 N. Tryon St

Cost: check link

Hosted by Carolina Theatre

Lineup: Duke Ellington's Nutcracker Suite (Nov 28); Ricky Skaggs & Kentucky Thunder Christmas (Dec 5); It's a Wonderful Life (Dec 13); The Holiday (Dec 18); Sainted Trap Choir Presents: This Christmas (Dec 19); Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas (Dec 20); Elf (Dec 23). Tickets via Ticketmaster; cost not yet published — check the official page.

Kids & family

10 verified events for 2026.

A Charlie Brown Christmas" featuring Lovell Bradford and Tyra Scott

Concert

Wed, Dec 16, 2026 · 6:00 PM

Uptown Charlotte

Cost: check link

Jingle Jazz Tour featuring BK Jackson, Amaye Love & Gino Rosaria

Concert

Sat, Dec 19, 2026 · 6:00 PM

Uptown Charlotte

Cost: check link

Soulful Noel 2026!

Concert

Tue, Dec 22, 2026 · 7:00 PM

Uptown Charlotte

Cost: check link

Kwanzaa Charlotte Family Workshop

Workshop

Sat, Dec 5, 2026 · 10:30 AM–12:00 PM ET

Allegra Westbrooks Regional

Free

Hosted by Charlotte Mecklenburg Library

Check event page.

Allegra Westbrooks Community Christmas Celebration

Other

Sun, Dec 13, 2026 · 1:30 PM–4:00 PM ET

Allegra Westbrooks Regional

Free

Hosted by Charlotte Mecklenburg Library

Free / open to the public.

Camp North Pole Ice Skating

Other

Nov 21, 2026 – Jan 10, 2027 · Mon–Thu 4–9 PM; Fri 4–10 PM; Sat 11 AM–10 PM; Sun 11 AM–9 PM ET. Thanksgiving break (Nov 25–27): 12 PM–10 PM daily. Winter break (Dec 20–Jan 2): 12 PM–10 PM Mon–Fri, 11 AM–10 PM Sat–Sun. Christmas Eve: 12–6 PM. Christmas Day: 3–10 PM.

Ford Factory at Camp North End, 400 Camp Road

General admission $18 per person; ages 10 and under $15; skate rental included

Hosted by Camp North End

Sessions are one hour, no re-entry. Distinct from Mistletoe Market and VTGCLT Pop at the same campus. Parking demand is especially high on Mistletoe Market Saturdays (Dec 5, 12, 19) — plan ahead.

Winter at Whitewater

Other

Confirm exact open date — official page says mid-November 2026 through mid-February · Hours vary by day; check link

U.S. National Whitewater Center, Charlotte

No ticket required to enter the property. Daily parking $13 per vehicle; oversized $25; annual parking pass $47 (Jan 1–Dec 31). Select activities require a pass — Cost: check link for activity prices. Official FAQ: the Winter Trail does not require an activity pass.

Hosted by U.S. National Whitewater Center

Confirm the exact open date (mid-November through mid-February). The rink is on the west side of the Whitewater Center. Free entry; the Winter Trail does not require an activity pass.

Christmas at the Library (Billy Graham Library)

Other

Dec 1–23, 2026 (closed Sundays) · Evening activities Mon–Thu 5:30–9:00 PM; Fri–Sat 5:30–10:00 PM ET. Regular Library hours Mon–Sat 9:30 AM–5:00 PM.

Billy Graham Library, 4330 Westmont Drive

Admission and parking free. Horse-drawn carriage rides: adults $12, children under 12 $6 (advance preferred)

Hosted by Billy Graham Library / Billy Graham Evangelistic Association

Regular Library hours Mon–Sat 9:30 AM–5 PM. Closed Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Check the official page for reservations and Christmas dinner seatings.

WinterFest at Carowinds

Other

Select dates Nov 27, 2026 – Jan 3, 2027 (not every day — check the official park calendar) · Select evenings; check link for hours

Carowinds, 14523 Carowinds Blvd

Live shows, light displays, select activities and most rides included with park admission; food, drink, merchandise and select holiday experiences require separate purchase

Hosted by Carowinds / Six Flags

The park straddles the NC/SC line; official address is Charlotte. Select dates only — check the official park calendar. Ticket price not published as of Nov 10, 2026; confirm before visiting.

Gingerbread Lane and Cocoa House at The Ballantyne

Other

Dec 13–27, 2026 (Cocoa House closed Dec 25) · Gingerbread Lane daily 9:00 AM–6:00 PM ET. Cocoa House Mon–Thu 10:00 AM–6:00 PM; Fri–Sun 9:00 AM–6:00 PM (excluding Dec 25).

The Ballantyne, a Luxury Collection Hotel, 10000 Ballantyne Commons Parkway

Cost: check link

Hosted by The Ballantyne

Admission not priced on the official page — check before going. Complimentary parking validation with a $1+ Gingerbread Lane voting donation benefiting Atrium Health Levine Children's Hospital. Distinct from the Omni Grove Park Inn gingerbread viewing in Asheville.

Food & nightlife

2 verified events for 2026.

The Naughty List Bar Crawl - Charlotte

Holiday Bar

Sat, Nov 28, 2026 · 2:00 PM

Downtown Charlotte

Cost: check link

Fourth Ward Holiday Sip & Stroll + Optional Holiday Home Tours

Holiday Bar

Dec 3, 4 and 5, 2026 · 5:00–9:00 PM ET each night, rain or shine

Historic Fourth Ward, Uptown Charlotte. Check in at the ticket booth, corner of W. 9th & N. Poplar Streets.

Sip & Stroll only: $40 day-specific or $55 flex. Sip & Stroll + Holiday Home Tour (interiors of 3 Victorian homes): $75 day-specific or $100 flex.

Hosted by Friends of Fourth Ward

50th anniversary. Tickets are non-refundable unless the organizer cancels. Children who cannot be carried require a ticket.

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