Gingerbread Lane
The Ballantyne Hotel (The Carolina Room) | Now through Dec. 26; 11am to 7pm | Free, $1 to vote | Details
Why you should go: Get some inspo for your next gingerbread house and vote for your favorite one at this gingerbread house display. There is a $1 minimum per vote and all proceeds will benefit the Atrium Health Levine Children’s Hospital.
Sip & Stretch
Billy Sunday | 4-6pm | $25 | Details
Why you should go: Join fitness instructor Sydney Duarte for an early evening yoga class followed by light bites and warm cocktails. Ticket also includes a free yoga mat to take home after class.
McAdenville Christmastown
McAdenville, NC | Now through Dec. 26; 5:30-10pm | Free | Details
Why you should go: McAdenville, NC, also known as “Christmas Town USA” is officially open for the holiday season. Visitors can drive or walk along the 1.3 mile-long route and peruse the town’s local vendors and restaurants while enjoying the light displays.
Speedway Christmas
Charlotte Motor Speedway | Now through January 2; 6-10pm. | $30+ | Details
Why you should go: Pull up to the Speedway to see a display of four million lights illuminate this four-mile course. Expect hundreds of creative light displays synchronized to Christmas-themed music that you can listen to from your car’s radio.
December Bourbon Tasting
The Manchester | 6:30-8pm | $60 | Details
Why you should go: Experience a premium bourbon tasting and light food pairing hosted by The Manchester and Room 1812.
Holiday Tour
Historic Rosedale | 1-2pm | $18 | Details
Why you should go: Experience a holiday-inspired walk through one of the oldest and most historic homes in Charlotte. Rooms in the house will be decorated for the holiday season, and light refreshments will be provided at the end of the tour.
Winter Wonder Bar
BOCADO | 11:30am to 2:30pm & 4:30-10pm | Prices vary | Details
Why you should go: This holiday pop-up bar concept has a creative drink menu that would even get approval from the Grinch. Happening now through New Year’s Eve.
[Related story: 4 Christmas pop-up bars coming to Charlotte in 2021]
Wreath-Making Workshop
Birdsong Brewing Co. | 4-9pm | $10 | Details
Why you should go: Get in the holiday spirit by making your own signature wreath out of upcycled materials. Ticket includes supplies.
Holidays at the Garden
Daniel Stowe Garden | 5-9pm | $14.95 for adults, $12.95 for seniors 60+, $7.95 for children 2-12, free for children under 2. | Details
Why you should go: Walk along the trail and take in the dazzling light displays, then stop by one of the food trucks for a quick bite or a warm beverage.
Wednesday Night Live
The Bechtler Museum of Modern Art | 5-9pm | Free | Details
Why you should go: Gain free admission to The Bechtler, The Mint, Knight Theater and Harvey B. Gantt Center every Wednesday from 5-9pm and enjoy live entertainment or programming at one of the four venues each week.
Yule Log Making
Chef Alyssa’s Kitchen | 6-9pm | $70 | Details
Why you should go: Learn how to make a traditional Yule log cake with chocolate buttercream and Christmas time garnishes. Then take it home to enjoy for the season.
French Wine Tasting
The Artisan’s Palate | 6:30-8pm | $85 | Details
Why you should go: Enjoy a chef-curated tasting menu featuring ingredients reminiscent of French cuisine paired with five carefully selected wines.
Paint Your Pet: Holiday Style
Armored Cow Brewing | 7-9pm | $20 | Details
Why you should go: Create a personalized pet ornament with instruction by local artist Aimee-Rose Wilson.
Holiday Pies from Scratch
SkillPop | 7-8:30pm | $24 | Details
Why you should go: Keia Mastrianni, owner of Milk Glass Pie, will walk you through the process of making several seasonal recipes including a holiday quiche and eggnog custard pie with gingersnap crust.
35th Annual Good Friends Luncheon
Charlotte Convention Center (Crown Ballroom) | 11:30am to 1pm | Free | Details
Why you should go: Join in-person or virtually for the 35th annual “Gather & Give” Luncheon.
Birdsong Brewing 10 Year Anniversary Weekend
Birdsong Brewing | 3-10pm | Free | Details
Why you should go: In honor of turning 10 years old, Birdsong Brewing is throwing a four-day extravaganza with beer releases, limited edition merch, live music and even a holiday market.
Jingle City Pop-Up Bar: Karaoke Night
The Tavern | 5pm to midnight | $15+ | Details
Why you should go: This gaudy Christmas pop-up bar has Christmas-themed cocktails, ugly sweater contests, igloos and activities that the whole family can participate in. The venue will be kid-friendly through 8pm.
ChristmasVille
Old Town Rock Hill | All-day | Free | Details
Why you should go: ChristmasVille has a lineup of more than 70 events including horse-drawn carriage rides, historic tours, carolers, a gingerbread house contest and an ice skating rink.
VTGCLT Pop
The Metropolitan | Select dates and times now through December 22; 10am to 7pm | Free | Details
Why you should go: Shop a selection of handmade and vintage items from more than 90 local and regional vendors.
OMB Christmas Market: Weekend 3
Olde Mecklenburg Brewery & Biergarten | Dec. 10-12; 3-11pm | Free | Details
Why you should go: Head to the Biergarten for weekend 3 of OMB’s German Christmas Village. Expect a lineup of more than 40 vendors, holiday music, tons of lights, seasonal drinks like spiced wine and hot cocoa, and of course delicious German fare.
Winterfest
Carowinds | 3-11pm | $24.99 | Details
Why you should go: Catch dazzling light displays and live shows or do a hands-on activity like cookie decorating. Winterfest is jam-packed with fun and immersive holiday festivities that the entire family can enjoy.
Charlotte Christmas Village
Truist Field | 5-10pm | $5 | Details
Why you should go: The ballpark has turned into a European-inspired Christmas market where you can find handcrafted gifts and specialty foods like Austrian strudels, Bratwurst and Sauerkraut.
Winter Juried Show Opening Reception
Charlotte Art League | 6-9pm | Free | Details
Why you should go: Explore the artist studios and peruse the gallery walls. All artwork is for sale and makes for a great opportunity to do some holiday shopping.
Courtyard Cinema
Optimist Hall | 6-9pm | Free | Details
Why you should go: Bring your own blanket and curl up by the fire pits for a screening of holiday classic, Elf. Honeysuckle S’mores kits will be available for purchase plus spirited beverages from the Spindle Bar truck.
Checkers vs. Syracuse Crunch
Bojangles Coliseum | 7-9pm | $21.50+ | Details
Why you should go: Root for the Checkers as they go head-to-head with the Syracuse Crunch (amazing team name, btw).
Nutcracker Belk Theater
Blumenthal Performing Arts Center | December 3-26; 7:30pm | $25-$114 | Details
Why you should go: One of the best holiday traditions in the city is back on stage at the Belk Theater. The Charlotte Symphony Orchestra accompanies the Charlotte Ballet with musical selections composed by Tchaikovsky like the well-known ‘Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy.’
Check out more upcoming events on our Event Board. Hosting an event? Reach more Charlotteans through an Event Listing, which includes placement on our Event Board and in our weekday newsletter. Have a scoop about a cool event? Email symphony.webber@axios.com.
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