Holiday and Christmas events

This is a growing list of free and cheap Charlotte Christmas and holiday events. It will absolutely be added to throughout the holiday season so please bookmark it and keep checking back. If you know of anything that should be added, please email me at cheapskate@charlotteonthecheap.com and I will see about putting them on the list. Here’s what we have so far:

Friday, November 16^th

• Concord Tree Lighting: Tree lighting, fireworks, art walk, and film. Free.

Saturday, November 17^th

• Concord Christmas Parade
• Kids’ Craft at Lakeshore Learning: Turkey Collage

Monday, November 19^th

• Speedway Christmas – Christmas light display, activities and ice skating  at Charlotte Motor Speedway.
• Bass Pro Shops Winter Wonderland: Free pictures with Santa, games, crafts and activities.

Tuesday, November 20^th

• Speedway Christmas – Christmas light display, activities and ice skating  at Charlotte Motor Speedway.
• Bass Pro Shops Winter Wonderland: Free pictures with Santa, games, crafts and activities.

Wednesday, November 21^st

• Speedway Christmas – Christmas light display, activities and ice skating  at Charlotte Motor Speedway.
• Bass Pro Shops Winter Wonderland: Free pictures with Santa, games, crafts and activities.

Thursday, November 22^nd

• Speedway Christmas – Christmas light display, activities and ice skating  at Charlotte Motor Speedway.
• Belk Carolinas’ Carrousel Parade: Charlotte’s Thanksgiving Day Parade
• Bass Pro Shops Winter Wonderland: Free pictures with Santa, games, crafts and activities.

Friday, November 23^rd

• Speedway Christmas – Christmas light display, activities and ice skating  at Charlotte Motor Speedway.
• Walk off the turkey hike: Enjoy a morning or afternoon hike starting at Reedy Creek Nature Center. Free.
• Holiday festival of lights in Waxhaw: Christmas lights, games, music, free carriage rides, more. Free.
• Souvenir and race ticket blowout at Charlotte Motor Speedway: NASCAR souvenirs are deeply discounted at this big sale.
• A Plantation Christmas: Experience an 1800′s Christmas at Historic Latta Plantation.
• Bass Pro Shops Winter Wonderland: Free pictures with Santa, games, crafts and activities.

Saturday, November 24th

• Speedway Christmas – Christmas light display, activities and ice skating  at Charlotte Motor Speedway.
• A Plantation Christmas - Experience an 1800′s Christmas at Historic Latta Plantation.
• Bass Pro Shops Winter Wonderland: Free pictures with Santa, games, crafts and activities.
• South End Tree Lighting: South End’s first ever tree lighting. Festivities include United House of Prayer’s Shout Band, jugglers, free cupcakes and more.

Sunday, November 25th

• Speedway Christmas – Christmas light display, activities and ice skating  at Charlotte Motor Speedway.
• Bass Pro Shops Winter Wonderland: Free pictures with Santa, games, crafts and activities.

Monday, November 26th

• Speedway Christmas – Christmas light display, activities and ice skating  at Charlotte Motor Speedway.

Tuesday, November 27th

• Handbell concert: Queen City Ringers perform in Salisbury. Free
• Speedway Christmas – Christmas light display, activities and ice skating  at Charlotte Motor Speedway.
• Bass Pro Shops Winter Wonderland: Free pictures with Santa, games, crafts and activities.

Wednesday, November 28th

• Children’s Theatre of Charlotte’s Santa’s Bag: Kids can shop for inexpensive gifts, with the help of elves, and meet Santa. Free.
• Speedway Christmas – Christmas light display, activities and ice skating  at Charlotte Motor Speedway.
• Bass Pro Shops Winter Wonderland: Free pictures with Santa, games, crafts and activities.

Thursday, November 29th

• Children’s Theatre of Charlotte’s Santa’s Bag: Kids can shop for inexpensive gifts, with the help of elves, and meet Santa. Free.
• Christmas in Davidson: Festival in downtown Davidson. Santa, music, hayrides, carriage rides, more. Free.
• Speedway Christmas – Christmas light display, activities and ice skating  at Charlotte Motor Speedway.
• Charlotte Warehouse Sale Liquidation Sale: Women’s and children’s fashion at 70% to 90% off, further marked down each day.
• Bass Pro Shops Winter Wonderland: Free pictures with Santa, games, crafts and activities.

Friday, November 30^th

• McAdenville Tree Lighting Ceremony: Be there when the big switch lights up Christmas Town USA.
• St. Nick’s Sack Toy Consignment Sale: at Assurance United Methodist Church. Toys, video games, DVDs, more.
• Charlotte Warehouse Sale Liquidation Sale: Women’s and children’s fashion at 70% to 90% off, further marked down each day.
• Piedmont Town Center Tree Lighting: Electronic train rides, horse-drawn carriage rides, visits with Santa, a balloon artist and hot chocolate. Donations to Toys for Tots.
• Children’s Theatre of Charlotte’s Santa’s Bag: Kids can shop for inexpensive gifts, with the help of elves, and meet Santa. Free.
• Speedway Christmas – Christmas light display, activities and ice skating  at Charlotte Motor Speedway.
• Christmas in Davidson: Festival in downtown Davidson. Santa, music, hayrides, carriage rides, more. Free.
• Bass Pro Shops Winter Wonderland: Free pictures with Santa, games, crafts and activities.

Saturday, December 1^st

• Plaza Midwood Holiday Central: Christmas, Plaza Midwood style. The Art Tree will be lit, Santa will arrive in a red Cadillac and there will be plenty of entertainment for all.
• St. Nick’s Sack Toy Consignment Sale: at Assurance United Methodist Church. Toys, video games, DVDs, more.
• A Golden Christmas at Reed Gold Mine: Candelight tour of Reed Gold Mine. Also entertainment and refreshments.
• Children’s Theatre of Charlotte’s Santa’s Bag: Kids can shop for inexpensive gifts, with the help of elves, and meet Santa. Free.
• Charlotte Warehouse Sale Liquidation Sale: Women’s and children’s fashion at 70% to 90% off, further marked down each day.
• Leonard Bearstein Symphony Orchestra: Holiday music played by animatronic bears in Founders Hall. Free.
• Speedway Christmas – Christmas light display, activities and ice skating  at Charlotte Motor Speedway.
• Christmas in Davidson: Festival in downtown Davidson. Santa, music, hayrides, carriage rides, more. Free.
• Kwanzaa program at Beatties Ford Road Library: Kids learn about the seven principles of Kwanzaa. Free.
• Billy Graham Library’s Christmas at the Library: Enjoy carriage rides, music, stories and more.
• Bass Pro Shops Winter Wonderland: Free pictures with Santa, games, crafts and activities.

Sunday, December 2^nd

• Speedway Christmas – Christmas light display, activities and ice skating  at Charlotte Motor Speedway.
• Leonard Bearstein Symphony Orchestra: Holiday music played by animatronic bears in Founders Hall. Free.
• Providence Chamber Music Recital Series: At Providence United Methodist Church. Free.
• Bright Blessings’ Joy Jubilee: Enjoy family activities, crafts and games while you stuff stockings for local homeless children.
• Bass Pro Shops Winter Wonderland: Free pictures with Santa, games, crafts and activities.

Monday, December 3^rd

• Kwanzaa program at Beatties Ford Road Library: Kids learn about the seven principles of Kwanzaa. Free.
• Billy Graham Library’s Christmas at the Library: Enjoy carriage rides, music, stories and more.
• Leonard Bearstein Symphony Orchestra: Holiday music played by animatronic bears in Founders Hall. Free.
• Speedway Christmas – Christmas light display, activities and ice skating  at Charlotte Motor Speedway.
• Bass Pro Shops Winter Wonderland: Free pictures with Santa, games, crafts and activities.

Tuesday, December 4^th

• Leonard Bearstein Symphony Orchestra: Holiday music played by animatronic bears in Founders Hall. Free.
• Family movies at Neighborhood Theatre: Charlie Brown Christmas, Frosty the Snowman and How the Grinch Stole Christmas
• Billy Graham Library’s Christmas at the Library: Enjoy carriage rides, music, stories and more.
• Speedway Christmas – Christmas light display, activities and ice skating  at Charlotte Motor Speedway.
• Bechtler Museum Holiday Music – North Carolina Baroque Orchestra will perform Christmas in Venice on period instruments. Two performances.
• Bass Pro Shops Winter Wonderland: Free pictures with Santa, games, crafts and activities.

Wednesday, December 5th

• Leonard Bearstein Symphony Orchestra: Holiday music played by animatronic bears in Founders Hall. Free.
• Handbell concert: Queen City Ringers perform in Concord
• Speedway Christmas – Christmas light display, activities and ice skating  at Charlotte Motor Speedway.
• Billy Graham Library’s Christmas at the Library: Enjoy carriage rides, music, stories and more.
• Bass Pro Shops Winter Wonderland: Free pictures with Santa, games, crafts and activities.

Thursday, December 6^th

• Community Nativity Festival: Kids explore 400 nativity scenes, dress up in costumes and listen to live entertainment nightly. Free.
• Billy Graham Library’s Christmas at the Library: Enjoy carriage rides, music, stories and more.
• Leonard Bearstein Symphony Orchestra: Holiday music played by animatronic bears in Founders Hall. Free.
• Speedway Christmas – Christmas light display, activities and ice skating  at Charlotte Motor Speedway.
• Bass Pro Shops Winter Wonderland: Free pictures with Santa, games, crafts and activities.

Friday, December 7^th

• 3rd Annual Latke Festival at Atherton Market: The Pickleman will demonstrate variations of Hanukkah Latkes. There will be free tastings.
• Community Nativity Festival: Kids explore 400 nativity scenes, dress up in costumes and listen to live entertainment nightly. Free.
• A Dickens of a Christmas in Waxhaw: Scenes from A Christmas Carol are acted out in storefront windows. Plenty of holiday music and entertainment, as well as free carriage rides.
• Leonard Bearstein Symphony Orchestra: Holiday music played by animatronic bears in Founders Hall. Free.
• 4 tickets to Christmas: Broadway-style music at Pritchard Memorial Baptist Church. Free.
• Billy Graham Library’s Christmas at the Library: Enjoy carriage rides, music, stories and more.
• All Arts Market: Shop for handmade gifts and enjoy live entertainment at Neighborhood Theatre.
• Speedway Christmas – Christmas light display, activities and ice skating  at Charlotte Motor Speedway.
• Bass Pro Shops Winter Wonderland: Free pictures with Santa, games, crafts and activities.

Saturday, December 8^th

• Community Nativity Festival: Kids explore 400 nativity scenes, dress up in costumes and listen to live entertainment nightly. Free.
• Leonard Bearstein Symphony Orchestra: Holiday music played by animatronic bears in Founders Hall. Free.
• 4 tickets to Christmas: Broadway-style music at Pritchard Memorial Baptist Church. Free.
• Billy Graham Library’s Christmas at the Library: Enjoy carriage rides, music, stories and more.
• Mistletoe Magic at Morrison: Morrison in Southpark’s holiday event. Santa, pony rides, train rides, live entertainment, more. Free.
• Huntersville Christmas:  Community event in downtown Huntersville will include festive celebrations like pony rides, magic shows, entertainment, horse and carriage rides, a bonfire, story-telling, rides, games, children’s crafts, a visit from Santa and more. Free.
• Christmas with the Polks: Experience Christmas in 1802 at President James K. Polk State Historic Site in Pineville.
• Kannapolis Christmas Parade
• Diva Shop and Stroll: Shop for unique gifts from local crafters.
• Charlotte Vintage Holiday Sale: Pop-up vintage flea market at NC Music Factory. Shop for vintage, antique and handmade accessories, furniture, clothing and housewares.
• All Arts Market: Shop for handmade gifts and enjoy live entertainment at Neighborhood Theatre.
• Speedway Christmas – Christmas light display, activities and ice skating  at Charlotte Motor Speedway.
•      Build and Grow Clinic – Kids make a gingerbread house
• Bass Pro Shops Winter Wonderland: Free pictures with Santa, games, crafts and activities.

Sunday, December 9^th

• Menorah Lighting: See the Grand Menorah lit at SouthPark Mall. Free food, entertainment and crafts.
• Leonard Bearstein Symphony Orchestra: Holiday music played by animatronic bears in Founders Hall. Free.
• Speedway Christmas – Christmas light display, activities and ice skating  at Charlotte Motor Speedway.
• Bass Pro Shops Winter Wonderland: Free pictures with Santa, games, crafts and activities.

Monday, December 10^th

• Leonard Bearstein Symphony Orchestra: Holiday music played by animatronic bears in Founders Hall. Free.
• Speedway Christmas – Christmas light display, activities and ice skating  at Charlotte Motor Speedway.
• Billy Graham Library’s Christmas at the Library: Enjoy carriage rides, music, stories and more.
• Bass Pro Shops Winter Wonderland: Free pictures with Santa, games, crafts and activities.

Tuesday, December 11^th

• Family movies at Neighborhood Theatre: The Snowman, Fat Albert, Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer
• Billy Graham Library’s Christmas at the Library: Enjoy carriage rides, music, stories and more.
• Leonard Bearstein Symphony Orchestra: Holiday music played by animatronic bears in Founders Hall. Free.
• Handbell concert: Queen City Ringers perform in Matthews
• Speedway Christmas – Christmas light display, activities and ice skating  at Charlotte Motor Speedway.
• Bass Pro Shops Winter Wonderland: Free pictures with Santa, games, crafts and activities.

Wednesday, December 12^th:

• Leonard Bearstein Symphony Orchestra: Holiday music played by animatronic bears in Founders Hall. Free.
• Billy Graham Library’s Christmas at the Library: Enjoy carriage rides, music, stories and more.
• Speedway Christmas – Christmas light display, activities and ice skating  at Charlotte Motor Speedway.
• Bass Pro Shops Winter Wonderland: Free pictures with Santa, games, crafts and activities.

Thursday, December 13^th:

• Leonard Bearstein Symphony Orchestra: Holiday music played by animatronic bears in Founders Hall. Free.
• Billy Graham Library’s Christmas at the Library: Enjoy carriage rides, music, stories and more.
• Speedway Christmas – Christmas light display, activities and ice skating  at Charlotte Motor Speedway.
• Bass Pro Shops Winter Wonderland: Free pictures with Santa, games, crafts and activities.

Friday, December 14^th:

• McAdenville Yule Log Ceremony and Parade: Children pull the Yule log through town to the open fireplace, where it’s lit. A festival follows.
• Leonard Bearstein Symphony Orchestra: Holiday music played by animatronic bears in Founders Hall. Free.
• Speedway Christmas – Christmas light display, activities and ice skating  at Charlotte Motor Speedway.
• Billy Graham Library’s Christmas at the Library: Enjoy carriage rides, music, stories and more.
• Bass Pro Shops Winter Wonderland: Free pictures with Santa, games, crafts and activities.

Saturday, December 15^th:

• Leonard Bearstein Symphony Orchestra: Holiday music played by animatronic bears in Founders Hall. Free.
• Billy Graham Library’s Christmas at the Library: Enjoy carriage rides, music, stories and more.
• Speedway Christmas – Christmas light display, activities and ice skating  at Charlotte Motor Speedway.
• Bass Pro Shops Winter Wonderland: Free pictures with Santa, games, crafts and activities.
• A Candlelight Christmas: Celebrate an 1800′s Christmas at Historic Latta Plantation.

Sunday, December 16^th:

• Speedway Christmas – Christmas light display, activities and ice skating  at Charlotte Motor Speedway.
• Leonard Bearstein Symphony Orchestra: Holiday music played by animatronic bears in Founders Hall. Free.
• Bass Pro Shops Winter Wonderland: Free pictures with Santa, games, crafts and activities.

Monday, December 17^th:

• Leonard Bearstein Symphony Orchestra: Holiday music played by animatronic bears in Founders Hall. Free.
• Billy Graham Library’s Christmas at the Library: Enjoy carriage rides, music, stories and more.
• Speedway Christmas – Christmas light display, activities and ice skating  at Charlotte Motor Speedway.
• Bass Pro Shops Winter Wonderland: Free pictures with Santa, games, crafts and activities.

Tuesday, December 18^th:

• Family movies at Neighborhood Theatre: A Christmas Story
• Billy Graham Library’s Christmas at the Library: Enjoy carriage rides, music, stories and more.
• Leonard Bearstein Symphony Orchestra: Holiday music played by animatronic bears in Founders Hall. Free.
• Speedway Christmas – Christmas light display, activities and ice skating at Charlotte Motor Speedway.
• Bass Pro Shops Winter Wonderland: Free pictures with Santa, games, crafts and activities.

Wednesday, December 19^th

• Leonard Bearstein Symphony Orchestra: Holiday music played by animatronic bears in Founders Hall. Free.
• Billy Graham Library’s Christmas at the Library: Enjoy carriage rides, music, stories and more.
• Speedway Christmas – Christmas light display, activities and ice skating at Charlotte Motor Speedway.
• Bass Pro Shops Winter Wonderland: Free pictures with Santa, games, crafts and activities.

Thursday, December 20^th

• Leonard Bearstein Symphony Orchestra: Holiday music played by animatronic bears in Founders Hall. Free.
• Speedway Christmas – Christmas light display, activities and ice skating at Charlotte Motor Speedway.
• Billy Graham Library’s Christmas at the Library: Enjoy carriage rides, music, stories and more.
• Bass Pro Shops Winter Wonderland: Free pictures with Santa, games, crafts and activities.

Friday, December 21st

• Christmas Creek: Family holiday celebration at Sugaw Creek Recreation Center
• Billy Graham Library’s Christmas at the Library: Enjoy carriage rides, music, stories and more.
• Leonard Bearstein Symphony Orchestra: Holiday music played by animatronic bears in Founders Hall. Free.
• Speedway Christmas – Christmas light display, activities and ice skating at Charlotte Motor Speedway.
• Bass Pro Shops Winter Wonderland: Free pictures with Santa, games, crafts and activities.

Saturday, December 22nd

• Billy Graham Library’s Christmas at the Library: Enjoy carriage rides, music, stories and more.
• Leonard Bearstein Symphony Orchestra: Holiday music played by animatronic bears in Founders Hall. Free.
• Speedway Christmas – Christmas light display, activities and ice skating at Charlotte Motor Speedway.
• Bass Pro Shops Winter Wonderland: Free pictures with Santa, games, crafts and activities.

Sunday, December 23rd

• Leonard Bearstein Symphony Orchestra: Holiday music played by animatronic bears in Founders Hall. Free.
• Speedway Christmas – Christmas light display, activities and ice skating at Charlotte Motor Speedway.
• Bass Pro Shops Winter Wonderland: Free pictures with Santa, games, crafts and activities.

Monday, December 24th

• Leonard Bearstein Symphony Orchestra: Holiday music played by animatronic bears in Founders Hall. Free.
• Speedway Christmas – Christmas light display, activities and ice skating at Charlotte Motor Speedway.
• Bass Pro Shops Winter Wonderland: Free pictures with Santa, games, crafts and activities.

Tuesday, December 25th

• Leonard Bearstein Symphony Orchestra: Holiday music played by animatronic bears in Founders Hall. Free.
• Speedway Christmas – Christmas light display, activities and ice skating at Charlotte Motor Speedway.

Wednesday, December 26th

• Leonard Bearstein Symphony Orchestra: Holiday music played by animatronic bears in Founders Hall. Free.
• Speedway Christmas – Christmas light display, activities and ice skating at Charlotte Motor Speedway.

Thursday, December 27th

• Leonard Bearstein Symphony Orchestra: Holiday music played by animatronic bears in Founders Hall. Free.
• Speedway Christmas – Christmas light display, activities and ice skating at Charlotte Motor Speedway.

Friday, December 28th

• Leonard Bearstein Symphony Orchestra: Holiday music played by animatronic bears in Founders Hall. Free.
• Speedway Christmas – Christmas light display, activities and ice skating at Charlotte Motor Speedway.

Saturday, December 29th

• Leonard Bearstein Symphony Orchestra: Holiday music played by animatronic bears in Founders Hall. Free.
• Speedway Christmas – Christmas light display, activities and ice skating at Charlotte Motor Speedway.

Sunday, December 30th

• Speedway Christmas – Christmas light display, activities and ice skating at Charlotte Motor Speedway.

Monday, December 31st

• First Night

Tuesday, January 1st

• Rural Hill First Footin’