Movies, magic, markets and more – there’s so much family fun happening in the Queen City this week!
Monday Movies at Beatties Ford Road Regional Library
Beatties Ford Road Regional Library
Light refreshments are provided, but feel free to pack a lunch to enjoy with the film. While visiting the library, check out a book relating to the movie.
Carnival Training Camp
Mount Holly Branch Library
Practice fun carnival skills, including juggling and plate spinning.
Free Tuesday at the Schiele Museum
The Schiele Museum
Get free entry to The Schiele Museum every second Tuesday of the month.
Toddler Tuesday at Sea Life Charlotte-Concord Aquarium
Sea Life Charlotte-Concord Aquarium
Get one free child ticket with the purchase of an adult ticket on Tuesdays. Each additional child (ages 3-12) $5.
Experience Clay with Clayworks
Drop in to Mint Museum Uptown to have a hands-on experience with clay. Enjoy demonstrations from Clayworks in the atrium from 2:00 – 4:00 p.m. and try your own hand in the studio from 1:00 – 4 :00 p.m. Fun for the entire family.
Young Explorers: Mammal Discovery
Latta Nature Center
Discover nature with your little one through stories, crafts and activities related to mammals.
Preschool Storytime: Creating with Books
Davidson Library
Listen to stories and extend learning through a variety of hands-on activities. Call to register.
St. Lucia’s Day
Discovery Place Kids-Huntersville
St. Lucia’s Day is a festival of light celebrated in Swedish homes and schools on one of the darkest and shortest days of the year-the Winter Solstice. Hear a reading of “Lucia Morning in Sweden” by Ewa Rydaker at the Town Hall Stage, then heading over to I CAN Create for a festive craft.
Nutcracker: Sensory Friendly Performance
Belk Theater
Experience the magic of the holidays at this special performance experience, specifically designed to be comfortable, inviting and safe for individuals with sensory concerns.
Winter Wonderland Holiday Light Show at Phillips Place in South Park
Phillips Place
The Hampton Inn and Suites at Phillips Place is transformed into a six-story canvas with dramatic digital 3-D holiday effects. Also enjoy a special visit from Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus, holiday stilt walkers and elves, goodie bags for the first 300 kids per show, balloon artist, face painting and 100% chance of snow. Bring an unwrapped toy to donate to Toys for Tots Charlotte.
Geminid Meteor Shower Party
McDowell Nature Preserve
As the moon sets at midnight on the peak viewing night of the Geminid Meteor Shower, take a leisurely early morning stroll through the McDowell Prairie for a viewing of this spectacular celestial event.
WinterFest
Carowinds
Carowinds comes alive with holiday spirit during WinterFest. Friends and family are treated to an ultimate holiday celebration as the park magically transforms into a winter wonderland – full of enchantment, cheer and classic family fun.
Celebrate the Holidays Downtown
Downtown Mooresville
Families are invited for music, Santa visits, a life-sized Snow Globe, Christmas Tree Lane, wagon rides and treats.
Weihnachtsmarkt (Christmas Market)
Olde Mecklenburg Brewery
Olde Mecklenburg Brewery’s annual Weihnachtsmarkt features vendors, food, spiced wine, world-class beer and plenty of holiday cheer. Santa will even stop by for a visit Dec 15, 2:00-5:00 p.m.
Uptown Flea
Hal Marshall Building
This is not your grandparents flea market. Shop more than 80 vendors while enjoying food trucks and live music.
Holiday Magic at The Arboretum
Arboretum Shopping Center
The second annual Holiday Magic at The Arboretum – enjoy face painting, trackless trains, horse carriage rides, and meet Santa! Bring the entire family and make this holiday season one to remember.
3rd Annual Santa Run 8K and Snowman Dash
Romare Bearden Park
This family fun event encourages participants to have fun, be creative, and dress up in costumes. The course starts and finishes at Romare Bearden Park. Participants will get to enjoy the Christmas Village after the race.
We Believe: Santa 5k Trail Race and Dog Jog
U.S. National Whitewater Center
Bring a red coat and white beard; there will be a prize given to the best Santa Claus look-a-like. After the trail race, grab your canine companion, and hit the trails for the We Believe Santa 5K Dog Jog.
Passport to the Queen City: Holidays at the Homesite
Charlotte Museum of History
The program features activities from a variety of holiday traditions, including Christmas, Hanukkah and Kwanza. Activities include holiday-themed tours of the 1774 Rock House, crafts and musical performances. This workshop is a part of the museum’s Passport to the Queen City program where children ages 5 – 12 use their free passport to track their adventures.
NexGen Design Lab: Contemporary Collage
Mint Museum Uptown
In this brand-new workshop for high-schoolers, teens are invited to try their hand at multimedia collage from an experienced local artist. Explore the Mint’s brand-new exhibition Under Construction: Postwar Collage. Space is limited, register online.
Belmont’s Christmas Village
Downtown Belmont
Festivities include the Festival of Lights in Stowe Park and up Main Street, carriage rides, hayrides, train rides through Stowe Park, s’more stations, live holiday music, festive holiday characters, and Santa Claus.
America’s Got Talent Auditions
Charlotte Convention Center
Serving as the nation’s preeminent talent show, NBC’s America’s Got Talent will be searching for the most talented variety acts in Charlotte.
Family Storytime: Daddies and Donuts
ImaginOn: The Joe & Joan Martin Center
In this special story time, share donuts and stories with dad, grandpa, uncle or caregiver.
Marathon Reading of A Christmas Carol at ImaginOn
ImaginOn: The Joe & Joan Martin Center
Bring the kids to this read-aloud of Charles Dickens’ holiday classic, “A Christmas Carol,” paired with a film screening of the book’s famous 1951 adaptation starring Alastair Sim. Group caroling starts at noon, and the reading begins at 1:00 p.m., featuring 30 local Charlotte performers and authors reading the book from start to finish.
A Charlie Brown Christmas
Ovens Auditorium
This brand new touring production features everyone’s favorite Peanuts gang as they discover the true meaning of Christmas.
A Rockapella Christmas
McGlohon Theater at Spirit Square
They’ve become one of the world’s most sophisticated, lasting, and imitated vocal groups around today – a true holiday favorite.
*Images sourced from Facebook/ websites of events listed or free sites.
