CLT Winter Activities '25

Winter Activities Guide

Check out these 75+ winter activities happening in the Charlotte area! There is a variety of fun things to enjoy this winter - ice skating, snow tubing, holiday lights, gingerbread houses, winter markets, and so much more!

🗓️ Winter Activities

November 7 - December 23 (select dates): The magic returns this season during The Polar Express Train Ride at the NC Transportation Museum.

November 8: Downtown Kannapolis is hosting their Fall Fest - enjoy cozy seasonal fun and small business shopping!

November 8: Join Historic Rosedale for Drinks Through the Decades - step into the past with an immersive tasting event that celebrates the evolution of iconic drinks!

November 8: Kick off the holiday season at the Merry Market happening at the Grand Hall in Mount Holly!

November 8: Celebrate with Young Affiliates of the Mint during their Sneaker Fall Ball 2025! This year’s theme is Kicks & Kocktails.

November 9: It’s the last Charlotte Bride Guide show of the year! Discover every wedding vendor you need at Divine Barrel Brewing.

November 10: Join Rosemont for a 5-course wine pairing dinner in the Rosemont dining room during their Orin Swift Wine Dinner.

November 13 - 22 (select dates): Outdoor college hockey returns during the 704 Outdoor Faceoff happening at Truist Field!

November 13 - 23: Attend the largest Southern Christmas Show for holiday decor, apparel, food, jewelry, toys, and more!

November 14: Spend your afternoon at The Crunkleton during their Spirited Luncheon Featuring Old Forester.

November 14: Relive the magic of George Michael with The Life & Music of George Michael - a concert-style show that chronicles his remarkable musical journey and deep connection with fans.

November 15: Sip & shop your way through Ballantyne Village at their monthly Pop-Up Market - Holiday Edition!

November 15: Rev your engines and get ready for the Furrst Class Cars Show - partnering with Village of Marvin!

November 15: Get ready for an afternoon with Dr. Macie P. Smith at Dementia Speaks LIVE as she shares empowering tips for dementia caregivers hosted by celebrity comedian, “GRIFF.”

November 15: Attend the Langtree Lake Norman Tree Lighting - you can expect a visit with Santa, a live DJ, music, food & drink, crafts, and even a North Pole Post Office!

November 16 - December 30: Experience the festive atmosphere of Christmas during the Celebration of Lights at Village Park in Kannapolis, featuring hundreds of thousands of twinkling lights!

November 18: Cheer on 6 bands as they face off for the chance to perform a set at Goldie’s during Battle of the Bands. 

November 18: Ring in the holiday season with the Carolina Panthers & Charlotte FC during the Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony & Festival at Bank of America Stadium.

November 20 - January 4: Lace up your ice skates during Camp North Pole! Grab your seasonal drink, warm up by the fire pits, and get ready for ice skating shows + activities!

November 21: The 28th Annual Concord Christmas Tree Lighting will have food trucks, a kids zone, and even an appearance from Santa & Mrs. Claus!

November 21: Christmas magic returns to Kings Mountain this holiday season during the Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony!

November 21: Prepare for the holiday season at the Town of Weddington’s Tree Lighting & Holiday Celebration!

November 21 - January 4: The Southeast’s largest drive-thru holiday light show is back during Speedway Christmas at Charlotte Motor Speedway.

November 22: Mooresville Arts will be hosting an indoor one-day fine arts festival at the Charles Mack Citizen Center.

November 22: The University City Lights Festival returns for another year of fetive fun! Meet Santa and Mrs. Claus, create your own ornaments, sip hot cocoa, & embark on a thrilling ride aboard the Polar Express.

November 22: Get excited for the 97th Concord Christmas Parade!

November 22: The Cotswold Village Tree Lighting returns this year with a 100% chance of snow and a visit from Santa! Get there early for free hot cocoa and free totes for the first 200 attendees.

November 22: Come out for the lighting of Downtown Waxhaw - all visitors are encouraged to head downtown after for shopping & dining with all the beautiful lights!

November 22: Experience holiday joy during Holiday Magic at Rea Farms! 

November 22: Meet Santa and Mrs. Claus, create your own ornaments, sip yummy hot cocoa, and embark on a thrilling ride aboard the Polar Express at the UCity Lights Festival!

November 22: Join Young Runners Learning Academy for their Fall Festival & Fundraiser!

November 22: Get in the holiday spirit with festive music, holiday performances, & activities for the whole family at The Lighting of Birkdale Village!

November 22: Blakeney Town Center is hosting their All is Bright Christmas Tree Lighting! Enjoy a visit from Santa, hot cocoa, face painting, balloon artists, + special performances.

November 22 - January 4: Watch The Bowl at Ballantyne transform into a winter wonderland with their very first outdoor ice skating rink happening at The Amp!

November 22 - January 18: ‘Tis the season for Birkdale On Ice! For the second year, Birkdale Village will have an ice skating rink.

November 22 - December 30: There’s nothing finer than Christmas at the Carolina Theatre - get ready for a month-long celebration with classic Christmas movies, live Christmas music, and two world-premiere productions.

November 22 - February 1: Step into a glowing, snow-dusted wonderland with the debut of Snow Days happening at Discovery Place Science!

November 23, December 7 & 21: Join Taco Boy for their FREE LoSo Makers Market Holiday Series filled with unique creations from local artists!

November 24 - December 5: Get excited for the 4Ever Young Black Friday Sale. This is their biggest sale of the year, so don’t miss out!

November 25: The 81st Annual Mooresville Christmas Parade will be held along Main Street in Downtown Mooresville.

November 26: Join Novant Health for their 79th Annual Thanksgiving Eve Parade!

November 26 - January 4: The 6th Annual Light the Knights Festival is back at Truist Field for another year of ice skating, snow tubing, holiday, tens of thousands of lights, decor, and more!

November 28 - 29: Listen to Home Alone in Concert by the Charlotte Symphony Orchestra at the Belk Theater!

November 28 - December 14: Chickadee Hill Farms is holding their 6th Annual Tree Festival! Meet their miniature rescue ponies and get the chance to win one of their 60 fully decorated trees.

November 28 - January 3: WinterFest returns to Carowinds - this year they are changing their hours from 11am-7pm giving families more time to take in the holiday festivities!

November 28 - December 27: Step into a sparkling wonderland where millions of lights glisten along every Garden path during Holidays at the Garden happening at the Daniel Stowe Conservancy.

November 28 - December 30: Immerse yourself in a half-mile magical holiday experience of over 1 million twinkling lights, music, mystical snow globes, rides, and more during the NC Holiday Lights Spectacular.

November 28 - 30, December 5-7, 12-14, 19-21: It’s the most wonderful time of the year at the Olde Mecklenburg Brewery’s Christmas Market - they are celebrating with four festive weekends at both locations!

November 29: Shop Small Saturday returns to South End! This shopping event has been a South End tradition for 12 years now.

November 29: Gather in gratitude with MyOutdoorJoy during their Thankful After Thanksgiving Hike!

November 29 - February 28: The Chutes Winter Tubing is an annual holiday event that features three 200-ft lanes of high adrenaline tubing, winter lights, and fun!

Mid November - December 31: Explore various holiday pop-up bars in and around the Charlotte area!

December 1 - 23: Celebrate the holiday season during Christmas at the Billy Graham Library.

December 1 - 26: Visit Christmas Town USA in McAdenville - expect a dazzling Christmas light display, tree lighting ceremony, & Yule Log parade throughout the month.

December 1 - 30: Experience a winter wonderland during the Festival of Trees in Downtown Belmont.

December 4: The Charlotte Invitational at the Spectrum Center is the Queen City’s premier tennis event featuring four big stars from the tennis world: Venus Williams, Madison Keys, Frances Tiafoe, & Taylor Fritz.

December 4 - 6: Sip & stroll during the Fourth Ward Holiday Sip & Stroll & Home Tour.

December 5 - 7: Experience the magic of “The Nutcracker performed by the Charlotte Youth Ballet.

December 5 - 21: Watch the Charlotte Ballet perform “The Nutcracker” at Belk Theater.

December 6: Head to the Kings Mountain Christmas Celebration presented by Caromont Health!

December 6: Watch the ACC Football Championship at Bank of America Stadium!

December 6: Shop the day away at the monthly Ballantyne Village Pop-Up Market Holiday Spectacular!

December 6, 13, & 20: Mistletoe Market returns to Camp North End the first three Saturdays of December - expect Mount Jolly, Candy Keswick Lane, Tower of Lights, Kinship Winter Village, + much more!

December 7: Get ready for a day of festive fun at the farm! Join Shop Local QC, Pleasant Grove Farm, & the Charlotte Regional Fire Foundation for a Holiday Family Festival like no other.

December 10: Shop & celebrate the season at A Very Merry Uptown Market at The Market at 7th Street!

December 13: Head to Downtown Kannapolis for Merry Mingle - shop their vendor market and stay for later to watch the annual City of Kannapolis Christmas Parade.

December 13 - 14, 20-21: Santa is coming to the Dunhill Hotel! Meet and greet with Santa as you enjoy a family-friendly breakfast from The Asbury’s culinary team.

December 14-28: Walk through Gingerbread Lane at the Ballantyne Hotel!

December 14: Join Birkdale Village and Chabad of Lake Norman for a Chanukah celebration - guests are invited to the Parkway to celebrate Chanukah with a traditional Menorah lighting ceremony, children's crafts, donuts, latkes gelt and more.

December 15: Celebrate the season with an evening of great music at the Tosco Music Holiday Party happening at Knight Theater!

December 17: Charlotte Knights Charities presents Food & Film - watch “Elf” on the big screen in the ballpark!

December 18: Celebrate the joy of Hanukkah during the Festival of Lights performed by the Charlotte Symphony Orchestra!

December 22: The Vienna Light Orchestra Christmas Tour is coming to the Knight Theater - this global concert experience will be an evening you won’t forget!

All Winter:

Spend the day supporting local at a Charlotte area farmers market. 

Support the Charlotte Checkers during their hockey season.

Take a photo with Santa at various events around the city.

Cheer on Carolina Ascent FC. 

Attend a Charlotte Hornets game.

Pack Bank of America Stadium and help cheer on the Carolina Panthers to victory.