The holiday season is upon us, and I love a good tree lighting! Santa, holiday lights, hot cocoa, carolers, holiday music…it’ll put anyone in a good mood! Here’s a list of tree lightings in the Charlotte area, starting as early as November 15th:
- Kannapolis Tree Lighting Ceremony (Village Park, 700 West C Street, Kannapolis, NC; Saturday, November 15th at 6:00pm): Music, Santa, and fireworks! This event kicks off the Kannapolis Celebration of Lights, which is open from November 15th-December 30th from 6:00pm-9:00pm on Sundays-Thursdays and 6:00pm-10:00pm on Fridays and Saturdays. Santa, s’mores, crafts, choirs, and of course, the holiday lights!
- Tree Lighting and Holiday Celebration (1924 Weddington Road, Matthews, NC on Friday, November 21st from 5:30pm-8:30pm): Includes singing groups, a DJ playing holiday tunes, food trucks, face painting, family-friendly activities, and visits from Santa and Mrs. Claus!
- The Lighting of Birkdale Village (8712 Lindholm Drive, Huntersville, NC; Saturday, November 22nd from 2:00pm-7:00pm): Kick off the holiday season with ice skating, a holiday parade, music, and the official tree lighting around 6:00pm!
- All is Bright Holiday Tree Lighting (Blakeney Town Center, Rea Road and Ardrey Kell Road, Charlotte, NC; Saturday, November 22nd from 3:00pm-6:00pm): Enjoy music, crafts, face painting, balloons, hot cocoa, a visit from Santa, and holiday fun during this exciting event!
- Waxhaw Touch-a-Truck and Tree Lighting (Downtown Park, 301 Givens Street, Waxhaw, NC; Saturday, November 22nd from 3:00pm-6:00pm): Have fun exploring community helper trucks, visiting with Santa, and observing the town’s tree lighting!
- Holiday Magic at Rea Farms (9855 Sandy Hook Place, Charlotte, NC; Saturday, November 22nd from 4:00pm-8:00pm): Character visits, Santa, story time with Buddy and Jovie, and the tree lighting at 7:00pm!
- Carolina Holiday Light Spectacular (Ballantyne’s Backyard, 11611 North Community House Road, Charlotte, NC; Friday, November 28th-Tuesday, December 30th from 5:30pm-10:00pm): Music, interactive scenes, and a half-mile long trail of holiday lights! Buy tickets on the website. Closed Christmas Day.
- Holidays at the Garden (Daniel Stowe Conservancy, 6500 South New Hope Road, Belmont, NC; Friday, November 28th-Saturday, December 27th on select dates from 5:00pm-10:00pm): Follow the trails around the garden and view the beautiful lights and dancing fountains, warm up near the fire, and enjoy food and drinks.
- Light Up Cornelius! (Downtown Cornelius, Cornelius, NC; Saturday, November 29th from 4:00pm-7:00pm): Santa and Mrs. Claus arrive, and the tree is officially lit during this festival.
- McAdenville Tree Lighting (Main Street, McAdenville, NC; Monday, December 1st at 5:30pm): Christmas Town USA kicks off the holiday season with its annual tree lighting.
- Pineville Christmas Tree Lighting (505 Main Street, Pineville, NC; Thursday, December 4th from 5:30pm-7:00pm): A candy cane hunt, s’mores, Santa, and snow go along with this festive tree lighting ceremony.
- Winterfest (Chestnut Square Park, 320 Chestnut Parkway, Indian Trail, NC; Friday, December 5th from 6:00pm-9:00pm): The official Indian Trail tree lighting, along with Mr. and Mrs. Claus, free hot cocoa, and sledding (!).
- Christmas Parade and Tree Lighting (Mint Hill Town Hall, 4430 Mint Hill Village Lane, Mint Hill, NC; Saturday, December 6th – parade at 5:30pm, tree lighting at 6:30pm): Food trucks, entertainment, the Christmas parade, and of course, SANTA!
- Gastonia’s Christmas in the City (Rotary Centennial Pavilion, Gastonia, NC; Sunday, December 7th from 5:00pm-8:00pm): Christmas parade, holiday marketplace, and live entertainment lead up to the big tree lighting ceremony.
- Charlotte Speedway Christmas (5555 Concord Parkway South, Concord, NC; now through January 4th from 6:00pm-10:00pm): Rain or shine, the drive-thru Speedway Christmas event is open! On select dates, you can also access the Winter Village with your admission. Buy tickets using the link above.
Happy Holidays to all!
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