Charlotte Holiday Events

Happy Holidays Charlotte 2018

IT’S THE MOST WONDERFUL TIME OF THE YEAR CHARLOTTE!

Happy Holidays from Charlotte’s Best Nanny Agency. This year we have decided to do our annual holiday blog on holiday events throughout the area. We have featured one event each day for your family to check out. This way no one can say they are bored, because we have a different suggested event each day you can attend. We encourage all families to call or go to the event website for more details before attending events. Charlotte’s Best Nanny is not responsible for any event changes or cancellations. Some events you have to register for, so make sure registration is still available for those events. We only suggest these events, we do not have any affiliation with these events or organizations. Our hope is that you will be able to attend one of these fun events with your family during the holiday season. Again Happy Holidays from Charlotte’s Best Nanny Agency.

November 24th – December 30th	Celebration of Lights & Winterland Express Celebration of Lights & Winterland Express Celebrate the Christmas spirit all month long in Kannapolis with the Celebration of Lights. The Celebration of Lights boasts more than 250,000 lights and takes place at Village Park nightly from November 24th – December 30th (closed Christmas Eve and Christmas Day). Walk through the park and enjoy the many light displays, ride the carousel or ride the Winterland Express and see if you can find all 12 Days of Christmas! In addition to the light displays throughout the park, other activities will also take place each night. You can roast marshmallows and make s’mores or visit with Santa in his studio. Stop by and watch a performances from our very own Kannapolis Singing Bears as they entertain the family with a 30 minute Christmas Carol performance each hour on the hour. The Winterland Express takes riders through the lights at the park from 6 – 9 PM Sunday – Thursday and 6 – 10 PM Fridays & Saturdays. Admission to the park and viewing of the lights is free; tickets to ride the train and carousel are $2.00 per person per ride. Model Train Displays The Carolinas Division of the Atlantic Coast S Gaugers returns this year with their popular model trains on display Wednesday thru Sunday nights. The model train layout will be in the indoor Community Room at Village Park. The layout features at least 3 trains in operation at all times, an 8-track center passing yard, and more than 50 buttons that can be pushed by both young and old to operate accessories around the layout. Load and unload logs from a car, operate crossing gates and signals, blow whistles, operate a cattle pen, make a playground come to life, see the dog chasing the mailman, watch the baggage smasher, and much more. For more information, go to www.trainweb.org/acsg and click on the Carolinas Division.
December 6th and 13th,	2018 Phillips Place Winter Wonderland Join us for Charlotte’s premier 3-D light show! Please bring a toy for Toys for Tots, and enjoy complimentary hot chocolate. Santa, Mrs. Claus, and the elves will have goodie bags for kids, and there is a 100% chance of SNOW! Shows start at 6:30p and 7:30p on December 6th and 13th, with shuttles running every 15 minutes from the Morrocroft parking deck (located at 4064 Colony Road, Charlotte NC 28211) starting at 5:00p and ending at 9:30p.
Thursday, December 6 through Wednesday, December 26	Gingerbread Lane Visit The Ballantyne to view an enchanting display of gingerbread creations from Thursday, December 6 through Wednesday, December 26. Gingerbread Lane is free to visit and open to the public, anytime throughout the dates offered. Attendees may vote on their favorite entries with $1 minimum donation per vote. All proceeds will benefit Levine Children’s Hospital, A Children’s Miracle Network Hospital, dedicated to caring for the physical and emotional needs of children and their families. Ginger Bread Lane
Saturday and Sunday, December 22 and 23	NASCAR Hall of Fame Breakfast with Santa Saturday and Sunday, December 22 and 23 Santa Claus is coming to town, and he’s making a pit stop at the NASCAR Hall of Fame for the fourth annual Breakfast with Santa. This all-inclusive experience includes a delectable breakfast, a visit and picture with Santa, crafts and reindeer games plus much more. As an added bonus, each child ticket to Breakfast with Santa includes same-day complimentary admission to the ice rink on the NASCAR Hall of Fame Plaza. Schedule and Pricing Tickets to the NASCAR Hall of Fame Breakfast with Santa are $25 per adult and $22 per child between 3 and 10 years of age. Children under 2 are free. Advance purchase required; event is subject to sell out.
December 9th	Waxhaw Christmas Parade The Waxhaw Christmas Parade which is held downtown on the second Sunday of December (12/09/2018) at 3 p.m. features our local school marching bands, and entries and floats by hundreds of businesses and members of the community. Announcers cover the entire parade route to make sure that you hear all of the details surrounding the fun entries passing by. Waxhaw Parade
December 12th
See website For Days and Times @ Holiday on Ice	Holiday on Ice Uptown Charlotte! News Talk 1110/99.3 WBT , 102.5 fm/610 am WFNZ and 107.9 The Link present Holiday on Ice! We’re Charlotte, North Carolina’s only outdoor ice skating rink in the heart of uptown. Whether you’re looking for a family friendly activity, a romantic night with a loved one, a unique experience or a holiday tradition, Holiday On Ice is sure to have something for everyone. Located at the NASCAR Hall of Fame Plaza at 400 East Martin Luther King Blvd, come join us at Charlotte’s favorite holiday tradition, now in its 14th year! All Sales Will Be Card Only. For questions feel free to call 704-572-4588. Holiday on Ice
2018 Schedule November 30 thru December 26 The lights glow nightly Monday – Friday 5:30 – 9:30 pm Saturday & Sunday 5:30 – 11:00 pm	CHRISTMAS TOWN USA Official Web Site of CHRISTMAS TOWN USA 1956 – 2018 Our 63rd Year Drive thru or walk thru….. There’s NEVER A CHARGE to view our Christmas Lights. For those who visit ….. A large lake in the center of town, complete with 38 lighted spruce trees circling the lake. Plus more then 160 beautifully decorated homes and in the common areas of town, 265 Evergreens covered with more then 500,000 RED, and GREEN lights.
Thanksgiving Day to Christmas Eve Nov. 22 – Dec. 24, 2018Open Daily at 11 amClosed Mondays, except Christmas Eve	Christmas Market at Romare Bearden Park Charlotte Christmas Village, is a quaint, European-inspired Christmas Market in Uptown Charlotte. Open Thanksgiving Day following the Charlotte Thanksgiving Day Parade We’re now on the Parade route– Visit Santa after the Parade! FREE Admission is free! The Village will be open: Thanksgiving 11 am to 5 pm Tuesdays & Wednesdays 11 am to 7 pm Thursdays, Fridays, & Saturdays 11 am to 9 pm Sundays 11 am to 6 pm Christmas Eve 11 am to 5 pm Closed Mondays Cider, Glühwein, Wine & Beer sales begin at 11 a The aromas of specialty foods will drift across the village, from classic Austrian strudels, Bratwurst with Sauerkraut, and glazed nuts. Visitors can also enjoy hot mulled wine, cider, hot chocolate and alcoholic-free Glühwein in a souvenir village mug! Visit “The Village Bakery” featuring traditional sweets like Lebkuchen (gingerbread), Austrian style strudel, hand twisted. Christmas Village
November 26th, 2018, through December 27th, with the exception of December 25th	Leonard Bearstein’s Animatronic Orchestra at Founder’s Hall Come out to Founders Hall to see the famous Leonard Bearstein’s Bear Orchestra or as the locals call them “The Bears”. Kids of all ages love this annual event. Our advice is to pick up lunch from a near by restaurant (Salsaritas and Chick Fil a are close by) and bring it to the tables in Founders Hall. Then the kids can eat their lunch and watch the bears. They also usually have coloring sheets there for the kids. This would be a great morning or afternoon filled with Christmas fun. If you live in north Charlotte, they also have the bears at Birkdale Village. Leonard Bearstein Symphony Orchestra
Sunday, November 18 – Monday, December 31, 2018	Speedway Christmas Speedway Christmas has returned to Charlotte Motor Speedway, and it’s bigger and better than ever! The ninth edition of Charlotte’s spectacular drive-through light show features more than 3.5 million lights over a remarkable,3.75-mile course that includes most of the oval as well as the infield and the ROVAL™! But you can do more than just look – listen, too! Tune into 101.3 FM to enjoy Christmas music as you take in illuminated Christmas displays. The family-friendly Christmas Village – open Thursday-Sunday and all Christmas week, except for Christmas Day – includes an all-new 50ft Ferris wheel in addition to family favorites like Bethlehem village, photos with Santa, fun foods, games, fire pits for s’mores roasting and more. As an added bonus, cozy up to FOX 46 WJZYMovie Nights on the giant Speedway TV every Thursday-Sunday. Come see the most awe-inspiring, Christmas-themed drive-in theatre around. Speedway Christmas

Open November 29 – December 22, 2018 Monday through Thursday, 9:30 a.m. – 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 9:30 a.m. – 10 p.m. Christmas Activities begin at 5 p.m. Both admission and parking are free.	Christmas at Billy Graham Library Come out to the Billy Graham Library to their annual Christmas at the Library event. This event features a story time, horse-drawn carriage, and a live nativity. Christmas at the Library
Daily November 23, 2018 – January 6, 2019 5 – 9 p.m. Each EveningClosed Christmas Day The Garden will remain open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. for general daytime admission and will be closed 4 to 5 p.m. Click here for info on daytime admission fees.	Holidays at the Garden Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden Holidays at the Garden is bigger and better than ever! You’ll discover new displays, more lights than ever before and fun for the whole family. Experience an all-new musically-orchestrated topiary display, wander through the the new illuminated prairie garden (coming this fall), explore the extended lights of fire and ice in the perennial gardens, view an expanded display of quaint buildings from Department 56’s Dickens’ Village Series® and more. Visitors will enjoy annual traditions including the towering orchid tree, live music (daily 6 to 8 p.m.), holiday shopping in The Garden Store, crackling fires to warm cold hands or roast a marshmallow, the Children’s Discovery Trail of activities, warm beverages, activities and more. Model train displays built by the Metrolina Model Railroaders can be found throughout the Garden. Santa Claus will be available for professional photos with families on Monday, Nov. 26, Dec. 3, Dec. 10 and Dec. 17 from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. (additional fee, reservations required). Santa will also be available Tuesday through Thursday from Nov. 27 to Dec. 20 from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. for personal photos (no fee). Mrs. Claus will visit the Garden Friday through Sunday evenings from Nov. 23 to Dec. 23 in addition to Christmas Eve from 6 to 8 p.m. Click here for info on Sensory-Friendly Santa Visits. Food service will be available every night in addition to beverages including coffee, hot chocolate, cider, beer, wine and other spirits. Holidays at the Garden
Holiday evenings: December 26th-30th	Celebrate the Season! Join us in the James H. Lynn Planetarium and Science Theater this December for two special programs guaranteed to get the entire family into the holiday spirit. Take a break from the hustle and bustle of the holidays while creating a new tradition with family and friends! “Season of Light” December 2018: Daily 1:30 PM \| Saturdays & Holiday Evenings 6 PM This eloquent presentation traces the history of many of the world’s most endearing holiday customs, all of which involve lighting up the winter season – from the burning of the Yule log and sparkling Christmas tree lights, to the traditional ritual of the Hanukkah Menorah and the Christmas Star. Slow down during the holidays and join together with family and friends to discover why the coldest season holds some of the warmest and brightest celebrations of the year. “Let it Snow” December 2018: Daily 3:30 PM \| Saturdays & Holiday Evenings 7 PM This festive sing-a-long features music from Frank Sinatra, Burl Ives, Ella Fitzgerald, and more! Get into the spirit of the season with immersive visuals filling the dome synchronized to a winter soundtrack guaranteed to entertain carolers of all ages. For kids from one to ninety-two, “Let it Snow” is a unique experience the entire family will enjoy. Tickets are $5 per person. Children 3 and younger admitted free. Seating is limited and advanced tickets are strongly encouraged. Call 704.866.6900 to purchase tickets in advance. Holiday evenings: December 26th-30th. Please note: programs begin promptly at their scheduled times and late admission will not be possible. Schiele Museum
See website for dates and times Holidays at the Hall	Holidays at the Nascar Hall of Fame During the holiday season the Nascar Hall of Fame turns the holidays up to high-octaine. This fun and festive season includes holiday lights, trees decorated in Nascar themes, visits with santa, holidays on ice out front, and some good ole family fun. After Chrsitmas they have more fun at the hall with an event called Un-deck the Hall where participants get to come and pick out a NASCAR themed gift. Holidays at the Hall


Decemeber 25th	Merry Christmas from Charlotte’s Best Nanny Agency! At Charlotte’s Best Nanny Agency we wish you and your family a very Merry Christmas. We hope you take time out today to spend time with family and friends and have a relaxing day filled with Joy.