This is a growing list of 2018 holiday events in the Charlotte area. This day by day guide includes events celebrating everything from Thanksgiving to New Year’s.
Make sure to bookmark this page, as it will be frequently updated.
And make sure to follow the links to get all the information, such as location, time and cost, for each event. Subscribe to Charlotte on the Cheap by email and you’ll receive just one email a day the latest information on free and cheap events.
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Make sure to check Groupon for deals.
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
- Free pictures with Santa
- Charlotte Kwanzaa events
- Messiah performances and sing-alongs
- Nutcracker performances
- Tree Lighting Celebrations in the Charlotte area
- Hanukkah celebrations in the Charlotte area
- Charlotte area holiday markets
- Free Christmas and holiday concerts
- Self-guided walking tour of Uptown Charlotte Christmas lights and attractions (check back soon for 2018 updates)
We’ve highlighted a few of the most anticipated holiday events, and then include a day by day list of everything we know about, so that you can be sure to find something to do every day, whether you’re looking for tree lightings, Santa visits, Hanukkah celebrations, Kwanzaa parties, New Year’s Eve parties and more.
Novant Health Thanksgiving Day Parade
Thursday, November 22nd, 2018
9 a.m.
Tryon Street, from 9th Street to Stonewall Street
Free (but you can buy tickets to seats with prime viewing)
This is the 71st year for the Thanksgiving Day parade. This year the parade will travel south on Tryon Street from 9th Street to Stonewall Street. Dozens of artists will perform on the stage at Levine Center for the Arts, on Tryon Street between Stonewall Street and Levine Avenue of the Arts.
More info on Charlotte’s Thanksgiving Day Parade
Charlotte Christmas Village
Thanksgiving Day to Christmas Eve, except for Mondays
N. Tryon Street and 7th Street
Free
Charlotte Christmas Village is back for its 3rd year, relocated to 7th and Tryon from Romare Bearden Park. The German-inspired market will feature vendors, entertainment, food and drink, and Santa (select days and hours.) It’s free to take pictures with Santa with your own camera.
More info on Charlotte Christmas Village
Speedway Christmas
Charlotte Motor Speedway
5555 Concord Parkway South, Concord
November 18th to December 31st, except Christmas Day
$20-$25 per car (max 10 people)
Speedway Christmas Prsented by Disconnect and Drive returns to Charlotte Motor Speedway for a ninth year. Drive through and see 800 displays, with more than 3 million lights, all set to music you listen to on your car radio. The Christmas Village will be open Thursday through Sunday each week, plus all Christmas week, with the exception of Christmas Day, and features a Bethlehem-thrmed village, a 50-foot ferris wheel (new this year), photos with Santa, fire pits, and more. Classic Christmas movies will be shown on the big screen too, every night that the Christmas Village is open.
More info on Speedway Christmas
Holiday on Ice
Starting November 16th, Wednesday to Sunday
Then, every day from December 12th to January 6th
NASCAR Hall of Fame Plaza
400 E. Martin Luther King Blvd.
$10 (plus +4 if you want to rent skates)
Skate in the heart of Uptown Charlotte. Your ticket is good all day. There will be special events throughout the season.
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