Thursday, December 4
Phillips Place Shop and Stroll
Sip, shop, and enjoy festive extras throughout Phillips Place.
📍 Phillips Place, SouthPark
👶 Best For: All ages
💡 Parent Tip: Pair with an early dinner at the 800 Degrees or Salted Melon to keep kids happy while you browse.
Cost: Free
Event info
Annual Tree Lighting in Davidson
A charming community celebration with a light show, live nativity scenes, bubble snowflakes, unique gifts from the artisan village, and a children’s craft area.
📍 Downtown Davidson
👶 Best For: All ages
💡 Parent Tip: Parking fills quickly, so plan for a short walk or free trolley ride! Cost: Free
More info
Live Nativity at Davidson United Methodist Church
A family friendly outdoor nativity experience with animals and readings.
📍 Davidson United Methodist Church
👶 Best For: All ages
💡 Parent Tip: Make an evening of it: check out the nativity at 5 and then head over to the tree lighting at 6!
Cost: Free
Event info
Pineville Christmas Tree Lighting
Festive lights, music, and small town holiday magic.
📍 Downtown Pineville
👶 Best For: All ages
💡 Parent Tip: Stop for hot cocoa from Waterbean before the countdown begins.
Cost: Free
Details
Friday, December 5
Christmasville Rock Hill, Preschool Morning
Christmasville runs all week, but Friday morning is specially designed for little ones, with slower paced activities and lots to explore.
📍Old Town Rock Hill, 8:30am - 12:30pm
👶 Best For: Ages 2 to 6
💡 Parent Tip: Make it a multigenerational morning. Grandparents can enjoy the Active Aging Expo from 9 to 12 pm, then meet back up for snacks and exploring.
Cost: Free
Details
Jingle Bowl at The Bowl
Kick off the season with a cheerful evening filled with Santa selfies, princess meet and greets, crafts, treats, and holiday fun for the whole family.
📍The Bowl, 5 to 7 pm
👶 Best For: All ages
💡 Parent Tip: The Santa line closes before 7 pm, so hop in early if photos are a priority. Booking ice skating before or after makes the outing even more magical.
Cost: Free
Details
Uptown Holiday Market at Legacy Union Plaza
A festive outdoor market with local makers, treats, and twinkly December energy.
📍Legacy Union Plaza, 12 to 9 pm
👶 Best For: All ages
💡 Parent Tip: Go earlier in the day for easier stroller navigating and parking.
Cost: Free
Details
Christmas Farm Magic at The Union Exchange
A whimsical holiday setup featuring Santa, photo ops, and festive touches throughout the village.
📍Union Exchange, 4 - 9pm
👶 Best For: All ages
💡 Parent Tip: Book Santa photos ahead if possible, weekends can fill quickly.
Cost: Varies
Book Tickets
Rosie’s Holiday Market
A cozy, festive pop up filled with handmade goods, seasonal treats, and holiday charm in Rosie’s garden.
📍Rosie’s Coffee and Wine Garden
👶 Best For: All ages
💡 Parent Tip: Grab a glass of wine while you shop, then wander the garden to enjoy the lights and peaceful atmosphere.
Cost: Free
Details
Saturday, December 6
Breakfast with Santa at Rosemont
A sweet morning with a breakfast buffet, a drink ticket for adults, photos with Santa, and classic holiday ambiance.
📍Rosemont, 8 to 11:30 am
👶 Best For: Ages 0 to 8
💡 Parent Tip: There is a $5 non-refundable reservation fee per ticket but it gets credited towards your reservation!
Cost: $50/adult, $30/children
Reindeer Romp at Harris YMCA
A festive family fun run with holiday spirit at every turn.
📍Harris YMCA, 8 -11am
👶 Best For: Ages 4 and up
💡 Parent Tip: There is an obstacle course for kids under 12! Anyone under 4 must be accompanied by an adult.
Cookie Craft at the USNWC
Kids decorate four holiday cookies and earn a Junior Cookie Artist certificate.
📍USNWC, 11:30 am and 12:15 pm
👶 Best For: Ages 4 to 10
💡 Parent Tip: Bring a jacket, much of the Whitewater Center is outdoors.
Cost: $10
Mistletoe Market
A festive market with artisan gifts, live music, and seasonal treats.
📍Camp North End, 2-7pm
👶 Best For: All ages
💡 Parent Tip: Make sure to check out the map ahead of time if you're not familiar with Camp North End's layout!
Waverly Wonderland
A charming holiday celebration with music, lights, family activities, and Santa sightings.
📍Waverly CLT, 3 to 7 pm
👶 Best For: All ages
💡 Parent Tip: The central green is perfect for letting kids move while you enjoy music and vendors.
Details
Photos with Santa and Mrs. Claus at Open Tap
Stop by for casual photos, warm drinks, and neighborhood fun.
📍Open Tap CLT, 3 to 5 pm
👶 Best For: All ages
💡 Parent Tip: Open Tap has beer, wine, cocktails, NA beer, lemonade, and sodas on tap so there is something for everyone!
Winter Wonderlights at Stumptown Park
An early evening walk through twinkling lights, music, and glowing installations.
📍Stumptown Park, 3:30 to 6:30 pm
👶 Best For: All ages
💡 Parent Tip: Make it a cozy evening and grab dinner at Grace O'Malleys irish pub in downtown Matthews afterwards!
Miracle on Main Street in Fort Mill
Parades, vendors, Santa, and small town holiday magic.
📍Fort Mill, 4 to 8 pm
👶 Best For: All ages
💡 Parent Tip: The parade draws a crowd, so grab a viewing spot early.
Details
Christmas on Main in Monroe
A classic downtown celebration with vendors, lights, and a 6 pm tree lighting.
📍Downtown Monroe, 4 to 8 pm
👶 Best For: All ages
💡 Parent Tip: The tree lighting makes for great family photos.
Info
Chantilly Holiday Market and Luminary Walk
A neighborhood favorite featuring twinkling luminaries, local vendors, and festive charm.
📍Chantilly, 5-8:30pm
👶 Best For: All ages
💡 Parent Tip: Bring a wagon instead of a stroller so kids can easily hop out to enjoy activities, vendors, and snow.
Cost: Free
Details
Sunday, December 7
Santa at Night Swim Roastery
A warm and simple Santa stop inside one of Charlotte’s coziest coffee shops.
📍Night Swim Roastery, 9 to 11:30 am
👶 Best For: All ages
💡 Parent Tip: Jamie loves their steamer drink. He gets it at kids temp with vanilla, and it’s the perfect warm sip while you wait.
Cost: Free
Details
Merry Midwood Market
Forty plus vendors, food, drinks, and festive neighborhood fun.
📍Plaza Midwood, 12 to 6 pm
👶 Best For: All ages
💡 Parent Tip: Walk or take the Gold Line if you can, parking gets tight in Plaza.
Details
Santa at Blackhawk Hardware
A beloved Charlotte tradition with Santa set up among the holiday aisles.
📍Blackhawk Hardware, 11 to 2 pm
👶 Best For: All ages
💡 Parent Tip: Let kids pick out a festive ornament from one of their many trees after their picture!
A Very Merry Holiday Market and Festival at Pleasant Grove Farm
A family festival with shopping, food trucks, and hands on holiday fun.
📍Pleasant Grove Farm, 12 to 4 pm
👶 Best For: All ages
💡 Parent Tip: Make sure to dress festive and take a picture with the antique fire truck!
Noda Tree Lighting
A very popular neighborhood tree lighting with local charm and community spirit.
📍Johnston YMCA 4:30 - 7pm
👶 Best For: All ages
💡 Parent Tip: Grab an early dinner in NoDa before heading to the lighting. We love Ever Andalo!
Info
Family Hanukkah Breakfast with Clifford
A Hanukkah celebration featuring Clifford the Big Red Dog.
📍Levine JCC, 9:30 - 11am
👶 Best For: Ages 0 to 5
💡 Parent Tip: Bring a bag for crafts and goodies.
Details
Monday, December 8
Christmas at the Library
Walk through the Billy Graham Library’s Christmas village with live animals, lights, and classic holiday traditions.
📍Billy Graham Library, 5 - 9pm
👶 Best For: All ages
💡 Parent Tip: Weekdays are calmer and great for little ones.
Reservations
Nature Book and Look at McDowell Nature Center
A cozy storytime followed by nature themed exploration.
📍McDowell Nature Center, 10 - 11am
👶 Best For: Ages 2 to 6
💡 Parent Tip: Bring warm layers, some activities may be outside.
More info
Tuesday, December 9
Winter at Whitewater
Ice skating, light trails, holiday scenes, and outdoor magic.
📍USNWC, 12 - 10pm
👶 Best For: All ages, skating best for 4 and up
💡 Parent Tip: This year the Whitewater Center is home to a few Highland cow calves!
Santa at Ben and Jerry’s Davidson
Meet Santa while enjoying an ice cream treat.
📍Ben and Jerry’s Davidson (202 South Main Street), 4 to 7 pm
👶 Best For: All ages
💡 Parent Tip: Earlier arrivals tend to have the shortest wait.
Info
Wednesday, December 10
Winterfest at ImaginOn
A festive winter celebration with stories, crafts, and hands on fun.
📍ImaginOn, 10:30 am to 12 pm
👶 Best For: Ages 0 to 6
💡 Parent Tip: Hang out uptown after the festival and then head over to 7th Street Market at 4 for their market!
A Very Merry Uptown Market at 7th Street
A lively market filled with vendors, treats, and holiday cheer.
📍The Market at 7th Street, 4 to 8 pm
👶 Best For: All ages
💡 Parent Tip: Free 2 hour parking is available in the garage with a validated ticket.
Holidays at the Garden
Light trails, s’mores, glowing displays, and holiday magic at Daniel Stowe.
📍Daniel Stowe Conservancy, 5 to 10 pm
👶 Best For: All ages
💡 Parent Tip: Bring the stroller, the garden paths are easy and well lit.
Details