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In This Issue...

Four outdoor ice skating rinks in Charlotte area this winter
Photo: Depositphotos

For a place where the average high temperature is 62 degrees in November and 53 degrees in December, Charlotte sure does like outdoor ice skating. This year there are four places in the Charlotte region where you can ice skate outside. Two in Charlotte, one in Huntersville, and one in Rock Hill, South Carolina.

Check out...

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Free and cheap things to do in Charlotte this weekend

Looking for things to do in Charlotte this weekend? You came to the right place! This list contains free and cheap things to do from Friday to Sunday (or Monday if it’s a holiday weekend.)

You’ll find festivals, live music and dance, kids’ activities, organized hikes, seasonal activities, learning opportunities and so much...

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Your guide to Duke’s Mayo Bowl in Charlotte 12/30 (including hotel discounts)

Duke’s Mayo Bowl will take place on on Friday, December 30th, 2022, at 12 p.m., at Bank of America Stadium, 800 S. Mint Street, Charlotte.

The game will pit the University of Maryland Terrapins against the North Carolina State Wolfpack.

This game marks the 21st anniversary of this bowl game in Charlotte, although the name has evolved...

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Hot Glass Alley Open Demo, including holiday giveaway Dec 16


Hot Glass Alley is Charlotte’s first hot glass art studio. It’s at 438 Atando Avenue, which is north of Uptown, between Graham Street and N. Tryon Street. It’s around the corner from NoDa Brewing.

It’s owned by artist Jake Pfeifer, a young artist who has been blowing glass since he was 14 years old.

Hot Glass...

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Holidays at the Hall at NASCAR Hall of Fame — plan a visit and save

Celebrate the holiday season with magical events and festive fun as the NASCAR Hall of Fame lights up with holiday entertainment for the entire family.

Parents and kids alike can participate winter break programming that celebrates 75 years of NASCAR. Highlights include exploring tracks from generations past and building 3-D paper replica...

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30+ Charlotte area restaurants open for Christmas 2022 (including takeout and delivery)


Diners in the Charlotte area can cross a stress-free Christmas dinner off their holiday wish list. A number of restaurants serve a special Christmas Eve or Christmas Day menu. And others are open with their regular menu.

Most restaurants on this list offer take-out and/or delivery.

We are including restaurants at various price points, but...

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See & Save with the Explore Charlotte Marketplace

Want the best way to experience the Queen City without breaking your budget? Shop the Explore Charlotte Marketplace for a pass that fits your interests with savings at popular spots.

Ready for a brewery crawl paired with special discounts? The Charlotte Brew Badge has your next round covered.

Need a blast of inspiration at some of the...

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8th Annual NoDa Krampus Krawl Dec. 17
Image: Depositphotos

Krampus is a not-so-beloved figure in Central European literature. You could say he’s Santa’s enforcer, or the evil side of Santa. He’s not that nice of a guy.

Check out our huge day-by-day list of holiday events in the Charlotte area! We update it every day!

He’s going to be in NoDa during the ...

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Light the Knights Festival 2022, including ice rink, snow tubing slope, and Charlotte Christmas Village

Light the Knights Festival, at Truist Field, 324 S Mint Street, Charlotte, NC, along with Charlotte Christmas Village, has significantly expanded its offerings for the 2022 holiday season.

It features a regulation size ice rink on the field and a 6-lane snow tubing slope in the outfield. You’ll need to sign a waiver to tube or skate.

...

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Where to get a free picture with Santa around Charlotte–a huge day-by-day list


Would you like your child to get a chance to meet Santa without having to pay for an expensive photo package? Here are a few opportunities in the Charlotte area for the 2022 Christmas season. Make sure to bring your camera. At most of these, you take your own pictures, but at some, professional photographers take the pictures.

Note: A few of...

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Big discounts for Bret Michaels, Barry Manilow, Foreigner, Monster Truckz and more

Don’t pay full price for concerts if you don’t have to! We will update this page as frequently as we can, but there will still be times when you events on this page have sold out, or the discount is no longer available, or the event is over.

We also include tickets for sports events, when there’s a discount.

Please note...

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FIFA World Cup Watch Parties in Charlotte

The FIFA Men’s World Cup is taking place in November and December of 2022. It starts on Sunday, November 20th, with the final match taking place December 18th, 2022.

In all, 32 teams will compete in a total of 64 games in Qatar. This is the first time that a country in the Middle East is hosting the World Cup. You can see the team...

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Gravitate — Dance Party at Morehead Tavern

Gravitate is bringing a night of house music, dance and live percussion to Morehead Tavern, 300 E Morehead Street, Charlotte, North Carolina, on Saturday, December 17th, 2022, from 9 p.m. to 2 a.m.

Tickets are $20. Age 18+. Purchase tickets here.

Bring your drums, percussion and your dancing shoes. There are multiple bars, including an...

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Get a fully cooked Christmas dinner to go in 2022 — order your holiday meal in advance
Image: Depositphotos

If you prefer to leave the cooking to someone else, and focus on family (or maybe on pie), consider ordering your Christmas dinners from a grocery store, caterer, or restaurant.

We’ve put together a list of businesses in the Charlotte where you can order a fully-cooked Christmas dinner, with sides, in advance.

In...

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Lake Norman Christmas Lighted Boat Parade Dec 17


Christmas parades aren’t limited to the land! Here are several lighted boat parades in the Charlotte area.

Check out our huge day-by-day list of holiday events in the Charlotte area! We update it every day!

12th Annual Lake Norman Yacht Club Christmas Flotilla and Parade

12th Annual Lake Norman Yacht Club Christmas Flotilla and...

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Charlotte Metro Bike Giveaway Dec 17

Mount Zion Greensboro is hosting a bike giveaway for children in Concord, NC, on Saturday, December 17th, 2022, at 11:30 a.m.

This is a time of year when many families could use a little bit of help, and this is a chance to get a free bike for your child!

Find all the best (and cheapest) kids’ activities on our list of upcoming...

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Yule Log Parade in McAdenville — Christmas Town USA


McAdenville Christmas is a treasured tradition in the Charlotte area. McAdenville is Christmas Town USA, and for good reason. For more than 60 years the Christmas lights display has drawn visitors to this small town west of Charlotte and east of Gastonia. Hundreds of thousands of lights set the scene for holiday displays.

Check out our ...

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Free and cheap things to do in Charlotte this week

What is there to do this week in Charlotte? A lot! This list includes things to do in Charlotte, and surrounding areas, this week, from Monday to Sunday.

You’ll find festivals, live music and dance, kids’ activities, organized hikes, seasonal activities, learning opportunities and so much more.

We focus on free and cheap events,...

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Winner announced for Carolina Holiday Light Spectacular, but discount available to everyone!

The 1st Annual Carolina Holiday Light Spectacular is bringing holiday magic to Ballantyne’s Backyard, 11611 N. Community House Road, Charlotte, NC, this Christmas season.

UPDATE: The winner of the 4 tickets have been announced! Amanda Yarab, it’s you! Check your email! Everyone else, keep reading for a 20% discount!

Check out our ...

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Sippin’ Santa: The Royal Tot transforms into a Christmas bar
The Royal Tot – Sippin Santa – Plaid Penguin – LunahZon Photography

The Royal Tot, a tiki bar at 933 Louise Avenue, Charlotte, North Carolina (in Plaza Midwood) is catching the Christmas spirit. It will hosting Sippin’ Santa through much of November and December, 2022.

Check out our huge day-by-day list of holiday...

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CLT New Year’s Eve includes fireworks, live music, food trucks, more…
Photo by Patrick Schneider for Charlotte Center City Partners

CLT NYE presented by Ally, Charlotte’s Uptown New Year’s Eve celebration, is back! Say goodbye to 2022 and hello to 2023 at this party at Tryon Street and Levine Avenue of the Arts.

This is a free event and if you’re looking for fireworks near you, this is the...

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Huge day by day guide to holiday and Christmas events around Charlotte 2022


This is a growing list of 2022 holiday events in the Charlotte area. This day by day guide will include events celebrating everything from Thanksgiving to New Year’s.

Please scroll down for a (soon to be) massive day-by-day list.

Make sure to bookmark this page, as it will be frequently updated.

And make sure to follow the links to get...

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Kwanzaa celebrations in Charlotte 2022
Photo: Depositphotos


There will be several opportunities in 2022 to learn about and to celebrate Kwanzaa in the Charlotte area. All of these are free, family-friendly events, unless otherwise specified.

Kwanzaa is an African American celebration of family, community, and culture. Established in 1966 by Dr. Maulana Karenga, this series of...

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Belmont Movies in the Park Double Feature: How The Grinch Stole Christmas Dec 16

Movies in the Park are returning to Stowe Park, 24 S. Main Street, Belmont. On select Fridays and Saturdays, watch some classic fall and holiday movies.

These events are free to attend. They’re presented by Belmont Main Street / Downtown Belmont Development Association and Aurora Star Lit Cinema.

The movies will be shown on a jumbo...

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Free: Tuba (and Trombone) Christmas concert (low brass players: opportunity to perform)
Photo: Depositphotos

On Saturday, December 17th, 2022, at 1 p.m., stop by Northlake Mall to listen to a free tuba Christmas concert. This concert is part of the annual TubaChristmas, in which tuba players all around the world gather to play Christmas songs.

The name of the concert this year is A Merry Tuba Christmas and a Happy Trombone New...

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Christmas at the Library at Billy Graham Library 2022 — live nativity, carriage rides, story time, more…

Billy Graham Library, at 4330 Westmont Drive, again presents its popular Christmas at the Library. This year, it will run from November 28th to December 23rd, 2022.

  • Mondays through Thursdays, from 5 to 9 p.m.
  • Friday and Saturday, from 5 to 10 p.m.
  • Closed Sundays.

Reservations for Christmas at the Library are open now.

Christmas activities...

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Electric Christmas Parade in Mount Holly

Mount Holly has announced their first ever “Yule Love Mount Holly” calendar of holiday events. This announcement was made on Mount Holly’s Facebook page.

Check out our huge day-by-day list of holiday events in the Charlotte area! We update it every day!

Check there (and here!) for details as they’re announced. We...

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Best Christmas light displays in the Charlotte area for 2022 — updated
House in Berewick

Looking for the biggest, best Christmas lights in the Charlotte area for the 2022 Christmas season? You’ve come to the right place.

This list includes professional displays, town events, and private homes.

We will have a Google map with all the light on this page, and more! To see the map, just scroll down past the...

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Five free handbell concerts by Queen City Ringers

Queen City Ringers is a handbell ensemble in Charlotte, North Carolina. They are presenting several free concerts this holiday season, which are listed on their Facebook page.

There’s no better way to celebrate the holidays than with music. Check out this list of free holiday concerts in the Charlotte area!

At each of these concerts...

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20+ free events for kids during Winter Break at Charlotte Mecklenburg Library

Charlotte Mecklenburg Library is presenting tons of free activities during Winter Break 2022/2023, for all age groups. They include films, crafts, holiday celebrations and much more. To see them all, visit the Charlotte Mecklenburg Library website.


Here are just a few. This is not a complete list. Also, make sure to check out our big list of ...

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Chanukah Wonderland with Ballantyne Jewish Center (registration required)

Ballantyne Jewish Center is presenting Chanukah Wonderland for kids age two and older. It will take place at 15105 John J Delaney Drive, Charlotte, NC.

Hanukkah begins the evening of Sunday, December 18th, 2022, and the final evening is Sunday, December 25th. Learn about all the Hanukkah celebrations in the Charlotte area!

It takes place:...

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Olde Mecklenburg Brewery’s 11th Annual‎ Christmas Market, including Santa visits


For four weekends in November and December, Olde Mecklenburg Brewery will transform into a German-inspired Christmas Market, known as Weihnachtsmarkt. OMB Christmas Market features vendors selling gifts and baked goods from open-air booths.

2022 marks the 11th anniversary of OMB’s Christmas Market, and it’s become a popular...

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11 Hanukkah Celebrations in Charlotte 2022
Photo: Depositphotos


Every year, several organizations present Hanukkah celebrations for the community in the Charlotte area. These events are family friendly and most are free.

Events include Menorah lightings, concerts, parties, and even a Menorah Car Parade. We are waiting to hear back about some events that take place most years.

Some...

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8 Christmas Trains in North Carolina – updated for 2022
Photo used with permission from Tweetsie Railroad

We’ve put together a list of several Christmas Trains you can take the kids to this holiday season around the state of North Carolina.

For each, we’ve indicated the number of miles it is from the center of Charlotte, and we’ve organized the list with the trains closer to...

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New Year’s Eve at Papa Doc’s Shore Club

Papa Doc’s Shore Club, at 3990 Charlotte Hwy, Lake Wylie, South Carolina, is hosting a New Year’s Eve party.

It’ll take place Saturday, December 31st, 2022, starting at 8 p.m. Tickets are $25 and are available on Eventbrite.

Check out our big list of New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day events in Charlotte!

Greg...

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Lunch with Santa at Papa Doc’s Shore Club

Santa is visiting Papa Doc’s Shore Club, 3990 Charlotte Hwy, Lake Wylie, South Carolina, on Saturday, December 17th, 2022, from 1 to 5 p.m.

We have put together a huge list of places in the Charlotte area to get free pictures with Santa!

Enjoy your lunch with a view on the lake, and meet Santa too. The only cost is your lunch.

The...

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Three Kings Day and Twelfth Night in Charlotte 2023 — including where to buy Rosca de Reyes


Even after Christmas and New Year’s Day pass, holiday celebrations continue in Charlotte with Three Kings Day (Día de Reyes) and Twelfth Night.

These traditional celebrations are expressions of Epiphany, which marks when, according to the nativity story, three wise men visited baby Jesus, bearing gifts.

In modern times, especially in...

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Big list of things (many free!) for kids to do during winter break 2022/2023
ImaginOn

Wondering what to do with the kids over winter break 2022/2023? Look no further. Here’s a list of some cheap and free things that will be fun for kids during Christmas Break. Included are special holiday activities to do the first few days of break, plus some Charlotte area activities that are always free or cheap.

Scroll down...

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Save $5 at Speedway Christmas any night

Photo: Mace Publishing, LLC

Speedway Christmas is at Charlotte Motor Speedway for a 13th year in 2022. It’s included in our list of the best Christmas light displays in the Charlotte area.

Check out our huge day-by-day list of holiday events in the Charlotte area! We update it every day!

Read on for all the information you need,...

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Free pictures with Santa at Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s through Dec 24
Photo courtesy of Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s

Bass Pro Shops, at Concord Mills, and Cabela’s, at 1000 Cabela Drive, Fort Mill, SC, are hosting Santa’s Wonderland, with a FREE Santa experience from November 6th to December 24th, 2022. On November 5th, 2022, officially kick off the Santa’s Wonderland experience with...

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50 hikes and walks in Charlotte and beyond

Lace up your shoes because it’s time to start walking! We’ve put together photo guides for a wide variety of places to walk and hike in Charlotte, plus a few in other parts of North Carolina.

Each of these guides contains all the logistical information that you’ll need to plan your visit.

Whether you want to get away from it...

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Noon Year’s Eve Party in Birkdale

The Town of Huntersville is hosting a Noon Year’s Eve Party in Birkdale Village, 8712 Lindholm Drive, Huntersville. This early New Year’s Eve party for families take place Saturday, December 31st, 2022, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Check out more family-friendly New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day events around Charlotte.

...

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New Year’s Eve at the Bell Tower in Salisbury

Salisbury Parks and Recreation Department is presenting New Year’s Eve at the Bell Tower, at 120 South Church Street, Salisbury, North Carolina.

Check out our big list of New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day events in Charlotte!

This free event takes place Saturday, December 31st, 2022, at 9 p.m.

Welcome in the new year with...

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Light the World Giving Machine at Promenade on Providence

Light the World Mobile Giving Machine is a vending machine with a difference. When you swipe your credit card, instead of buying a candy bar you’re buying a goat for a family in a developing country or a pair of socks for a local family in need.

Check out our huge day-by-day list of holiday events in the Charlotte area! We update it...

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Free afternoon at Schiele Museum December 13 and 23

The Schiele Museum of Natural History, the excellent museum at 1500 E. Garrison Blvd. in Gastonia, is probably familiar to many kids, who visit it for school field trips. If your child hasn’t visited it yet (or if they have!) it’s more than worth the short trek to Gastonia.

Read on to see some pictures of the outdoor exhibits,...

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North Carolina Christmas Festival at Cabarrus Arena & Events Center, including free Santa pictures

Create Amazing LLC is presenting the North Carolina Christmas Festival on Saturday, December 17th, 2022, from 1 to 5 p.m., at Cabarrus Arena & Events Center, 4751 NC 49, Concord, North Carolina. It will take place in the Gold Hall.

Admission is free.

Check out our huge day-by-day list of holiday events in the Charlotte area! We update...

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Dunkin’ celebrates the holidays with 12 days of free donuts, plus free coffee on Winter Solstice

If you love Dunkin’ you came to the right place! We keep all the latest Dunkin’ deals right here.

Dunkin’ is making the darkest days of 2022 a little bit brighter, or at least a little bit sweeter, with 12 Days of Donuts.

Photo courtesy of Dunkin’

We have a big day-by-day list of food, drink and restaurant deals in...

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Gingerbread Lane at The Ballantyne Dec 1-26
Image: Mace Publishing, LLC

The Ballantyne, A Luxury Collection Hotel, 10000 Ballantyne Commons Parkway, is hosting the extremely popular Gingerbread Lane again this year.

Gingerbread artists are creating masterpieces that compete for top honors in three categories:

  • Professional
  • Amateur
  • Child

Check out our huge day-by-day list of holiday...

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Nature programs, hikes, animal encounters, crafts (and much more) at Mecklenburg County Nature Preserves

Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation maintains several nature centers, Reedy Creek, Quest at Latta Preserve, McDowell and Stevens Creek. The nature centers provide an excellent introduction to the wildlife and plant life of the area. In addition, they also host festivals, workshops, nature hikes, campfire and more events, many of which are...

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9 labyrinths to walk in the Charlotte area

Walking a labyrinth is an ancient practice from many faiths and traditions, with the goal of meditation, contemplation and prayer. It’s a practice that you can do right here in Charlotte, if you know where to look.

Many people like to walk a labyrinth on Winter or Summer Solstice.

A labyrinth is a a geometric pattern, similar to a maze,...

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Free holiday concerts around Charlotte 2022

Photo: Depositphotos

Celebrate the season by attending a free holiday concert in the Charlotte area in 2022. In this list you might find find traditional Christmas music, a tuba concert, community chorus concerts and more. This listed is growing every day, so please keep checking back.

These concerts take place all over the Charlotte...

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