What’s going on on the south side of town? We’ve got the latest. Read on for girls’ nights out, wine events and festive holiday fun for the whole family happening this month from Ballantyne to Rock Hill.
NOTEWORTHY NEWS
Greenway’s Sunset Sessions extended through December
The weekly Sunset Sessions series has been extended through December, and offers guests the opportunity to enjoy live music by local artists, a small bites menu at the Gateway Canteen, craft beer and select wine and more. Free for members, $5 for non-members.
A month of holiday fun at The Ballantyne
The Ballantyne offers plenty of ways to get into the holiday spirit:
- Holiday Specialty Tea: Make reservations now for the holiday specialty tea, complete with selections from Rare Tea Company, warm savories and sweets. Offered December 1-30 (Excluding Mondays) from 1 – 4 p.m. Reserve at (704) 248-4004. $58 for adults, $25 for children ages 5-12, and $15 for children 4 & under (excluding tax & gratuity).
- Gingerbread Decorating Class: In this all-ages decorating class, build your own gingerbread house using icing, candy and freshly baked gingerbread. $60 per gingerbread house; limit of four people per house. Dates are December 7, December 8, December 14 and December 15. Reserve here.
- Festive Drink Specials: From December 2 – 31, enjoy Poinsettia Champagne cocktail and mimosa specials in Gallery Restaurant for brunch and lunch daily at 11 a.m.
- Gingerbread Lane: Take a stroll through Gingerbread Lane through December 26. Cast your vote and donation for the best gingerbread house, donations will benefit Levine Children’s Hospital. Hot cocoa is available for purchase.
FUN TO-DOS
Ladies Night Out at the White Home
December 5 | 258 E White St, Rock Hill | 6-9 p.m.
Head to Historic Rock Hill for a girls’ night out featuring wine, local craft vendors, artists, specialty shops, a men’s lounge and more. Shopping area tickets are $5, and proceeds benefit Historic Rock Hill’s educational programs.
Krueger Reindeer Romp 5K
December 7 | Harris YMCA | 8 a.m.
Lace up for this family-friendly 5K complete with festive decorations, hot chocolate, pictures with Santa and a kids obstacle course and fun run. Proceeds benefit the YMCA Annual Campaign.
Fourth Annual Breakfast with Santa
December 7 | Blackfinn Ameripub – Ballantyne | 9 a.m.
Blackfinn Ballantyne’s fourth annual breakfast with Santa includes a breakfast buffet, picture with Santa and story time with the Frozen Queens. $18 for adults, $12 for kids.
George Brescia Private Styling Event
December 10 | Mainstream Boutique, Waverly
Author of the book Change Your Clothes, Change Your Life George Brescia will hosting 30-minute personal style appointments at the Waverly Boutique.
Ugly Sweater Throwdown
December 11 | Amor Artis Brewing, Fort Mill | 7 p.m.
Throw on your best ugly sweater for a festive party offering $5 pints, an ugly sweater contest and live music.
Wine Dinner
December 11 | Bistro D’Antonio, Waxhaw | 6:30 p.m.
Head south of town to Waxhaw for Bistro D’Antonio’s monthly wine dinner featuring five courses and wine pairings. Call 704.243.0633 to reserve your spot.
Second Annual Gift Market
December 14 | Ballantyne Village | 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Ballantyne Village’s second annual gift market offers attendees the opportunity to shop more than 30 vendors offering locally made items and enjoy live music.
Jingle Bell Run
December 14 | St. Matthew Catholic Church | 7:30 a.m.
Don your most festive holiday wear for the Jingle Bell Run supporting The Arthritis Foundation. There will be a 5K route, kids reindeer dash and a 1-mile fun run/walk.
LRB Beer & Cookies
December 14 | Legal Remedy Brewing, Rock Hill
Not only will you get to taste eight beer and cookie pairings, but this festive Beer 101 Class will also cover the brewing process, the many styles of craft beer and how to properly taste beer. $25 per person.
Cocoa, Cookies and Crafts Ornament Workshop
December 14 | AR Workshop Waxhaw | 10:30 a.m.
Make your own holiday wood ornaments, plus enjoy cocoa and cookies at this hands-on DIY class.
Riverwalk Holiday Pop-Up Market
December 14 | Riverwalk Carolinas, Rock Hill | 1-3 p.m.
The inaugural Holiday Pop-Up Market in Riverwalk will feature local shopping vendors and artists, a mobile coffee bar and appearances by Mr. and Mrs. Claus.
Rooftop Ugly Sweater Party
December 14 | The Lucky Duck, Fort Mill | 7 p.m.
Bust out your best (or worst) holiday sweater for a festive soiree on the rooftop, including holiday tunes, tacky accessories, prizes and retro beverages. Free entry.
Feast of The Seven Fishes
December 22 | The Porter’s House | 6-9 p.m.
Enjoy the “The Feast of The Seven Fishes,” a long-standing tradition of eating seafood on Christmas Eve. Wine pairings available. $75+.
FAMILY HOLIDAY FUN
Winter Wednesdays at Waverly
December 11 and 18 | Waverly Charlotte
Enjoy some mid-week cheer at Waverly’s Winter Wednesdays with visits from Elsa and Santa, raffle prizes and more.
Lighting of the Tree (Dec. 5) & Christmas Parade (Dec. 7)
December 5 and 7 | Town of Fort Mill
Join in the celebration of Fort Mill’s annual Lighting of the Tree on December 5 with entertainment, food, activities and shopping along Main Street, visits with Santa and the tree lighting. Then, on December 7, come back for the Town’s Christmas Parade, complete with festive floats and community groups.
ChristmasVille Rock Hill 2019
December 5-8 | Historic Downtown Rock Hill
Rock Hill’s 14th annual ChristmasVille festival includes more than 100 events including horse-drawn carriage rides, strolling carolers, historic tours, a gingerbread house contest, chances to visit with Santa and an ice skating rink.
Elf Jr. Theatre Performances
December 6-8 | Ballantyne Arts Center
See the all-time favorite movie adapted as a kids musical as Elf, Jr. comes to the Ballantyne Arts Center. Tickets are $11.
Holiday Spectaular at Ballantyne Village
December 7 | Ballantyne Village | 12-3 p.m.
The whole family will enjoy a holiday celebration boasting visits with Santa, face painting, sugar cookie decorating, arts and crafts, and a special appearance by Sir Purr. Free and open to the public.
Holiday Festival of Lights 2019
December 7 | Town of Waxhaw | 4-8 p.m.
Waxhaw’s holiday festivities officially kick off at the town’s Holiday Festival of Lights Ceremony, where downtown will be aglow with over 500,000 lights. The evening also features live musical performances, carnival games and rides, a live nativity, carriage rides and Santa’s arrival.
Ballantyne Arts Center Holiday Festival
December 7 | Ballantyne Arts Center | 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Kick off the holiday season at the Ballantyne Arts Center with cookie decorating, seasonal art, a bounce house, face painting, music, gingerbread play dough and more. Festival is free and open to the public.
Kingsley Holiday Celebration
December 7 | Kingsley Town Center | 2-5 p.m.
At Kingsley, holiday celebrations include faux snow, visits with Santa, festive musical performances, a cookie crawl and more.
A December to Remember
December 14 and 21 | Promenade On Providence
On the first three Saturdays in December, guests can visit with Santa and support Kids First of the Carolinas by donating new, unwrapped toys. On the 14th, enjoy crafts with Mrs. Claus, and pup-friendly Santa visits on December 21.
Holiday Magic at Arboretum Shopping Center
December 14 | The Arboretum Shopping Center | 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Get in the holiday spirit at The Arboretum Shopping Center with a visit from Santa, face painting, snow effects, a DJ, train rides and more.
Light Up MillBridge
December 14 | MillBridge, Waxhaw | 5:30 p.m.
See MillBridge light up with over 4,000 luminaries, including the area’s only functioning covered bridge and a 16-foot evergreen tree. The event also includes horse-drawn carriage rides, hot chocolate, s’mores and visits with Santa.
Santa Photo Experience
Through December 22 | Blakeney Shopping Center
Through December 22, the whole family can visit and pose with Santa, inside his very own custom-built house. A 5×7 photo is $20 or you can purchase all images on a USB for $30.
StoneCrest Menorah Lighting
December 23 | StoneCrest Shopping Center | 5:30 p.m.
Help build and light the 9-foot Lego Menorah coming to StoneCrest Shopping Center. The night also includes donuts, latkes, hot beverages and arts and crafts.
Waxhaw Menorah Lighting
December 26 | Ballantyne Jewish Center | 5:30 p.m.
Don’t miss the fifth annual Menorah lighting in downtown Waxhaw. The lighting will take place at 5:30 p.m., and will also include doughnuts, hot latkes and crafts.
