1. Check out one of these enchanting candlelight concert
Have an elegant evening safe from the cold at one of Charlotte’s most magical venues, all decked out in candlelight. From the classical composer, Vivaldi’s Four Seasons playing at the Barrel Room to a whimsical rendition of the Nutcracker at the Big Chill and another at the Barrel Room, you can have your choice of a calm and cultured evening.
2-15. Get cozy at one of these heated patios
The chillier weather is officially here in Charlotte, but that doesn’t mean it’s time to head indoors. Enjoy Charlotte’s beautiful and cozy al-freso patios here with fire pits and heat lamps.
16. Catch a ride on the polar express this Christmas season
All aboard for a magical holiday train ride this season through the Great Smoky Mountains National Forest. The magical Polar Express voyage is the perfect roundtrip treat for the whole family. Start off in Bryson City (a little more than 3 hours from Charlotte so why not make a weekend getaway out of it?) and head towards the North Pole. Ticket prices range depending on which class you get, and you can buy tickets on their website or through the number (800) 872-4681.
17-26. Enjoy a coffee crawl at these cozy cafes
Charlotte is full of some of the most creative and innovative crafters, makers, and restauranteurs in the state. A lot of those ideas mesh inside cafes where people can work, read, and talk, and Charlotte has got some great staples.
27. Take a drive up to Christmas Town USA
Welcome to McAdenville, also nicknamed, Christmas Town USA for it’s spectacular and dazzling light performance they put on every year. The Tree Lighting Ceremony starts on Wednesday, December 1st. It takes place in the plaza in front of the YMCA and starts at 5pm, and an hour later the lights will turn on at 6pm. Their Yule Log Ceremony will take place on December 15th at 5pm, and the Yule Log Parade will start at 5:50pm.
28-38. Cross these essential NC winter activities off your bucket list
The holidays are just around the corner, literally, and we couldn’t be more excited. A lot of holiday light shows, festivities, and performances recently started up like the light shows, the Christmas event in Nascar, or Olde Meck Brewery’s German market, and so we created this awesome guide to all things Charlotte (or near by) that you’ll want to knock off your bucket list this season. Enjoy and happy holidays!
39. Prost to Olde Mecklenberg Brewery’s Christmas markets
Charlotte’s biggest and oldest German brewery, The Olde Mecklenberg Brewery is bringing back their European-style Christmas markets after 10 years strong. You can enjoy their lineup of fantastic beer at OMB’s magically transformed biergarten that’ll take on the look and feel of a Christmas market. There will be fire pits, traditional huts set up for shopping, dazzling lights, hot cocoa and festive treats, and even a Christmas tree.
40-46. Be dazzled by these spectacular light shows around the city
One of our favorite ways to spend the holiday season is to go on a light tour and look at all the amazing light shows around the city. Some of these dazzling light installations have been on a two year hiatus, while some were forced to be drive-thru experiences only, but this year, things are back to their original formats.
- Christmas at Biltmore
- Denton Farm Park
- Chetola Resort
47. Enjoy a tiki-themed Christmas bar at this pop up
The Royal Tot, the brightly-colored tiki cocktail bar that hit Charlotte last summer, is getting a festive re-make just in time for the holidays. If you haven’t heard of Sippin’ Santa, it’s a tiki popup that serves holiday-themed tiki cocktails and is decorated with all the joy of a Christmas market and beachy getaway all-in-one.