Things to Do This Holiday Season in Charlotte North Carolina
Charlotte takes the holidays seriously. From a tiny mill town that becomes one of America's most famous Christmas destinations to millions of lights wrapped around a NASCAR speedway, the season here comes with traditions you will not find anywhere else.
Here are the best things to do this holiday season in and around Charlotte.
The Legendary Light Displays
Start with the icon. Christmas Town USA in McAdenville, a small town just west of Charlotte, transforms itself every December into one of the country's most beloved light displays, with hundreds of thousands of lights, glowing trees ringing the town lake, and a drive-through or walk-through experience that has been a regional tradition for generations. It is free, it is magical, and the weeknight lines are worth planning around.
The other giant is Speedway Christmas at Charlotte Motor Speedway, where millions of lights turn the track into a miles-long drive-through show, complete with themed displays and a Christmas village. Between those two anchors, neighborhood displays across the region fill in the map all season.
Holidays in Uptown
Uptown Charlotte dresses up for the season with its tree lighting, decorated plazas, and holiday performances. The city's theaters and performance halls run seasonal productions, from ballet classics to holiday concerts, making an evening of dinner and a show one of the best date nights of the year.
Bundle up and walk it. The skyline, the lights, and the storefronts give Uptown a big-city holiday feel, and the restaurants and rooftop bars keep the evening going after the show.
Family Traditions and Ice Skating
Seasonal ice rinks pop up around the region each winter, giving families a skating tradition without a mountain drive. Add holiday train rides, visits with Santa at venues across the metro, and light-filled evenings at local gardens, Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden's holiday display in Belmont is a standout, and the calendar fills itself.
For sports families, winter also means Charlotte Checkers hockey and the heart of the Hornets season, both easy, affordable outings when the weather pushes everyone indoors.
Holiday Markets and Shopping
Charlotte's holiday markets bring local makers, food, and gifts together in festive settings across the city, and they are the antidote to another year of shipped gift cards. Neighborhood districts like South End, NoDa, and Plaza Midwood host seasonal market events, while SouthPark anchors the traditional shopping side of the season in style.
Pair a market morning with a food hall lunch at a spot like Optimist Hall and you have a full Charlotte holiday Saturday without touching a highway.
Don’t take our word for it
See what our clients say:
We’re Social! Lets Connect:
Find out how much your home's worth
Use our home value estimator to get a free, instant home-value estimate.
Enter your address
Is this the correct address?
Who should we send the report to?
We're pulling comps for your home right now. Let us know where to send your personalized analysis.
Where should we send your custom report?
We'll email a detailed CMA and comparable sales analysis.
You're all set, friend!
* This is a rough estimate of your home's value. We'll be in touch shortly to gather a few more details so we can provide a more in-depth and accurate equity evaluation in today's market.
Thinking About Moving
to Charlotte?
Make your move easier with our Free Charlotte Relocation Guide. Get insider details on neighborhoods, schools, commute times, cost of living, local hotspots, and more — all in one helpful guide.
Click below to access your free relocation guide and start exploring Charlotte like a local.
Download NowHome for the Holidays in Charlotte
The holidays are when a city shows you who it is, and Charlotte shows up warm, festive, and full of tradition. Event dates shift a little each year, so check schedules before you go, but the season here never disappoints.
If this is the year you decide Charlotte should be home, or the year to find a home with room for the whole family next December, reach out to The Finigan Group. And if you are curious what your current home is worth heading into the new year, the home value tool on this page will tell you in minutes.
Let’s Connect Today!
Phone:
704-200-9833
Email:
info@thefinigangroup.com
Visit Us:
3440 Toringdon Way, ste 205
Charlotte NC 28277
