Enjoy the cooler temperatures and holiday cheer in December. You’ll find craft markets, holiday celebrations, Santa visits, and more. Plan December 2020 with this list of the top things to do in the Charlotte area.
We’ve highlighted a few activities and events, but please scroll down for our huge (and we do mean huge) calendar of things to do in the Charlotte area in December. This calendar will be updated all the time.
We focus on the free and cheap, but we do include some great activities and events that cost a little bit more if we think readers would like to hear about them.
You might also be interested in:
- Free things to do this week
- Discounts on concert tickets, kids' activities, restaurants, more
- Most spectacular Christmas light displays
- Day by day list of holiday events
- North Carolina Christmas Gift Guide
- Christmas tree farms and lots
- Live nativities in the Charlotte area
- Pictures with Santa
- Hanukkah celebrations in Charlotte
- Charlotte area holiday markets
December in Charlotte -- the top things to do
Consult this list for a day-by-day calendar of where to find Santa. Bass Pro Shops and Cabela's are two of the best spots. You do need reservations.
Use our map to track down the best holiday lights around Charlotte. We've got a form where you can upload a picture of your favorite light displays so that we can add them to the map.
There's never a bad time to go on a walk or hike in Charlotte.
The list of frontline workers who can visit these museums is pretty extensive. They can even bring their immediate family members for free too.
The Town of Davidson has turned their Christmas in Davidson festival into a 12-day event. Some of the festivities are online this year, but you can expect some falling snow in Downtown Davidson, as well as some folks roving around, like Santa, and stilt-walkers.
Charlotte Christmas Village has moved to Truist Field this year, and the Charlotte Knights are joining in with Light the Knights -- a sparkling walk-thru light display.
Once again Charlotte Motor Speedway has transformed into a wonderland of lights. This year there's also a ice skating rink!
Celebrate the Festival of Lights at one of these celebrations.
Ice skating has returned to the U.S. Whitewater Center, and so has Lights -- an art installation on a trail in the woods. Skating requires a Single Activity Pass ($20) but Lights is free to visit, after parking ($6.)
Walk or drive through 10 different nativities in the Charlotte area.
Shop for unique gifts at one of these holiday markets.
The City of Kannapolis' incredible Celebration of Lights has returned to Village Park. It's free to walk through again this year. A row on the Winterland Express is $6, and advance registration is recommended.