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2026 season · Updated Thursday, November 5

Holiday events in Charlotte 2026

Parades, tree lightings, holiday markets, shows and ice skating in Charlotte and the towns around it, with dates, times and prices checked against each organizer's own site.

Parades and tree lightings

Holiday markets and festivals

  • Southern Christmas Show

    The Park Expo and Conference Center, Charlotte

    Coming up

    The 59th Southern Christmas Show: about 400 vendors selling gifts, decor, clothing and food at the Park Expo, November 11–22.

    Dates
    Nov 11–22, daily
    Time
    10 AM–9 PM Thu–Sat and Nov 11; 10 AM–6 PM Sun–Wed
    Price
    Adults $20–$25, kids $12

    Details and directionsTickets

  • Christmas in Davidson

    Davidson Town Green, Davidson

    Coming up

    A three-night downtown festival with a light show, live nativity scenes, an artisan village and a children's craft area. Santa arrives Thursday at 6.

    Dates
    Dec 3–5
    Time
    6 PM – 9 PM
    Price
    Price not listed

    Details and directions

  • Holidays in Huntersville

    Veterans Park, Huntersville

    Coming up

    An afternoon festival at Veterans Park with more than 50 local gift vendors, free children's rides, ice sculptures, stage shows and Santa.

    Dates
    Sat, Dec 5
    Time
    3 PM – 8 PM
    Price
    Free

    Details and directions

  • Mistletoe Market

    Ford Factory, Camp North End, Charlotte

    Coming up

    A holiday vendor market inside Camp North End's Ford Factory on three December Saturdays.

    Dates
    Dec 5, Dec 12, Dec 19
    Time
    2 PM – 7 PM
    Price
    Price not listed

    Details and directions

Holiday shows

  • How the Grinch Stole Christmas! The Musical

    McColl Family Theatre, ImaginOn, Charlotte

    Coming up

    Children's Theatre of Charlotte's first production of the Grinch musical: one act, about 75 minutes, for all ages, November 21 to December 23.

    Dates
    Nov 21–22, Nov 27–29, Dec 5–6, Dec 12–13, Dec 18–20, Dec 22–23
    Time
    Most days 11 AM plus a 2 or 3 PM show; times vary by date
    Price
    Price not listed

    Details and directionsTickets

  • The Nutcracker by Matthews Ballet and Dance

    Fullwood Theater, Matthews Community Center, Matthews

    Coming up

    A community Nutcracker danced by Matthews children and teens at the Fullwood Theater: two 45-minute acts, $8 a seat.

    Dates
    Nov 28–29, Dec 5–6
    Time
    Sat 2 PM and 7 PM; Sun 3 PM
    Price
    $8 plus fee

    Details and directionsTickets

  • Charlotte Ballet's The Nutcracker

    Belk Theater, Blumenthal Arts Center, Charlotte

    Coming up

    Jean-Pierre Bonnefoux's Nutcracker with the Charlotte Symphony playing live: 19 performances at the Belk Theater, December 4–23.

    Dates
    Dec 4–6, Dec 11–13, Dec 17–20, Dec 22–23
    Time
    Thu–Fri 7:30 PM; Sat, Sun and Dec 22–23 at 2 PM and 7 PM
    Price
    From $35

    Details and directionsTickets

  • The Best Christmas Pageant Ever

    Matthews Playhouse, Matthews

    Coming up

    Barbara Robinson's comedy about unruly kids taking over a church Christmas pageant, at Matthews Playhouse December 11–20. About 2 hours, all ages.

    Dates
    Dec 11–13, Dec 17–20
    Time
    Thu–Fri 7:30 PM; Sat 2 and 7:30 PM; Sun 2 PM
    Price
    $20–$32

    Details and directionsTickets

  • Theatre Charlotte's A Christmas Carol

    Theatre Charlotte, Charlotte

    Coming up

    Theatre Charlotte's annual Dickens adaptation by Julius Arthur Leonard, in its 20th year, December 11–20.

    Dates
    Dec 11–13, Dec 16–20
    Time
    Wed–Fri 7:30 PM; Sat 2:30 and 7:30 PM; Sun 2:30 PM
    Price
    $24–$39.50

    Details and directionsTickets

  • Charlotte Symphony Holiday Pops

    Knight Theater, Levine Center for the Arts, Charlotte

    Coming up

    The Charlotte Symphony's holiday concert of carols and standards, with a visit from Santa, at the Knight Theater December 18–20.

    Dates
    Dec 18–20
    Time
    From 7:30 PM
    Price
    $37–$141

    Details and directionsTickets

  • The Hip Hop Nutcracker

    Knight Theater, Levine Center for the Arts, Charlotte

    Coming up

    A hip-hop dance version of The Nutcracker with MC Kurtis Blow, at the Knight Theater December 29 to January 3.

    Dates
    Dec 29–31, Jan 2–3
    Time
    Dec 29–30 at 7 PM; Dec 31 at 2 PM; Jan 2 at 2 and 7 PM; Jan 3 at 1:30 PM
    Price
    $40–$90

    Details and directionsTickets

Ice skating

  • Birkdale on Ice

    Birkdale Village, Huntersville

    Coming up

    An outdoor rink on the Birkdale Village plaza in Huntersville with 75-minute sessions, daily from November 21 to January 10.

    Dates
    Nov 21–Jan 10, daily
    Time
    Weekdays 3–10 PM, Sat 10 AM–10 PM, Sun noon–7 PM; longer over the holidays
    Price
    $18, kids $14, skates included

    Details and directionsTickets

  • Ice Skating at Camp North Pole

    Ford Factory, Camp North End, Charlotte

    Coming up

    An outdoor rink at Camp North End with one-hour sessions, open daily from November 21 to January 10.

    Dates
    Nov 21–Jan 10, daily
    Time
    Mon–Thu 4–9 PM, Fri 4–10 PM, Sat 11 AM–10 PM, Sun 11 AM–9 PM; longer over the holidays
    Price
    $18, kids $15, skates included

    Details and directionsTickets

  • Light the Knights

    Truist Field, Charlotte

    Coming up

    Holiday lights, a Tunnel of Lights and a holiday market at Truist Field, plus an ice rink and snow tubing hill on the ballpark field.

    Dates
    Nov 25, Nov 27–29, Dec 3–6, Dec 10–13, Dec 17–23, Dec 26–30, Jan 1–3
    Time
    Weeknights 5–10 PM; weekends and holiday-week days from 2 PM (Sundays until 9 PM)
    Price
    $12 plus fees; skating and tubing $40

    Details and directionsTickets

Good to know

  • Parades close streets for several hours. Check the organizer's page for road closures and parking before you go.
  • Holiday shows on December weekends often sell out, so buy tickets early or look for weeknight performances.
  • Town tree lightings are usually free and short, so they pair well with dinner nearby.

FAQ

When is the Charlotte Thanksgiving parade?

Novant Health Thanksgiving Eve Parade: Wed, Nov 25, starting at 5:30 PM. Uptown's 80th annual parade moves to the night before Thanksgiving this year, with balloons, floats and bands along Tryon Street.

Where are the Christmas tree lightings around Charlotte?

Tree Lighting at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte (Tue, Nov 17); Concord Tree Lighting Ceremony in Concord (Fri, Nov 20); Light Up Cornelius in Cornelius (Sat, Nov 28); Fort Mill Christmas Village and Lighting of the Tree in Fort Mill (Thu, Dec 3); Huntersville Town Tree Lighting in Huntersville (Fri, Dec 4); Pineville Tree Lighting in Pineville (Fri, Dec 4); Winter Wonderlights in Matthews (Sat, Dec 5).

Are there holiday markets in Charlotte?

Yes: Southern Christmas Show in Charlotte (Nov 11–22, daily); Christmas in Davidson in Davidson (Dec 3–5); Holidays in Huntersville in Huntersville (Sat, Dec 5); Mistletoe Market in Charlotte (Dec 5, Dec 12, Dec 19).

What holiday shows are on in Charlotte?

How the Grinch Stole Christmas! The Musical in Charlotte (Nov 21–22, Nov 27–29, Dec 5–6, Dec 12–13, Dec 18–20, Dec 22–23); The Nutcracker by Matthews Ballet and Dance in Matthews (Nov 28–29, Dec 5–6); Charlotte Ballet's The Nutcracker in Charlotte (Dec 4–6, Dec 11–13, Dec 17–20, Dec 22–23); The Best Christmas Pageant Ever in Matthews (Dec 11–13, Dec 17–20); Theatre Charlotte's A Christmas Carol in Charlotte (Dec 11–13, Dec 16–20); Charlotte Symphony Holiday Pops in Charlotte (Dec 18–20); The Hip Hop Nutcracker in Charlotte (Dec 29–31, Jan 2–3).

Where can I go ice skating in Charlotte this winter?

Birkdale on Ice in Huntersville (Nov 21–Jan 10, daily); Ice Skating at Camp North Pole in Charlotte (Nov 21–Jan 10, daily); Light the Knights in Charlotte (Nov 25, Nov 27–29, Dec 3–6, Dec 10–13, Dec 17–23, Dec 26–30, Jan 1–3).

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