If you haven’t embraced the holiday spirit yet, here’s your chance. From pop-up markets to festive takeovers and a Santa Bar Crawl, here are 34 events to make the most of your weekend in Charlotte.
ALL WEEKEND
Head to the holiday pop-up at Merchant & Trade
Head to the rooftop at Merchant & Trade December 2-24 as they transform into a winter wonderland with ‘instagrammable’ spaces, seasonal specialty cocktails and winter-inspired dishes.
Fourth Annual Teddy Bear Tea
December 14-15, 21-22 | JP Charlotte
Back for its fourth year, the Teddy Bear Tea at JP Charlotte offers a classic high tea with fun twists, including a hot chocolate station, visits with Santa, cookie decorating, story time, crafts and a bottomless mimosa option for the adults. Benefits the Hospitality House of Charlotte.
Vtgclt POP
December 13-22 | Metropolitan
VTGCLT Pop returns with a pop-up shop highlighting products from more than 90 local and regional vintage and handmade vendors.
Charlotte Ballet: Nutcracker
December 6-23 | Belk Theater
Get tickets to see Charlotte Ballet’s Nutcracker, with the Tchaikovsky score performed live by Charlotte Symphony and choreography by Jean-Pierre Bonnefoux. Tickets start at $25.
Magic of Christmas and The Singing Christmas Tree
December 13-15 | Knight Theater
Charlotte Symphony’s Magic of Christmas and Carolina Voices’ The Singing Christmas Tree join forces for the ultimate holiday celebration featuring festive tunes, sing-alongs, an indoor snowfall and a visit from Santa. The Sunday performance is a family-friendly, abridged version.
THURSDAY
The Christmas ParTEE
Oak Room | Slate Charlotte | 7 p.m.
Start the weekend early with The Christmas ParTEE featuring food, entertainment, live music and other surprises supporting the American Cancer Society and Toys For Tots. $40+. Bring an unwrapped toy or donation to support Toys for Tots.
Winter Wonderland Holiday Light Show
Phillips Place | 6:30 and 7:30 p.m.
Twice each night, the Hampton Inn & Suites at Phillips Place will be transformed into a six-story canvas with dramatic digital 3-D holiday effects. Guests can also visit with Mr. and Mrs. Claus, entertainment, snow and goodie bags for the first 300 kids.
FRIDAY
Robert Foley Vineyards Tasting & Bottle Signing
Cicchetti | 7 p.m.
Popular winemaker Robert Foley will join the team at Cicchetti to sign bottles and pour samples of his wines. Tasting is $12 per person; fee waived with the purchase of a bottle from Foley.
Cooking Class – Watercolor Ornament Cookies
Amelie’s French Bakery — Uptown | 6-9 p.m.
Just in time for the holidays, learn to make and decorate a dozen watercolor ornament cookies from start to finish. $70 per person.
Modern Dutch Design Lecture
Mint Museum Uptown | 6-7 p.m.
As part of the Mint’s new Dutch Design Lecture Series, Silvia Barisione, Curator at The Wolfsonian – FIU, will discuss the unique aesthetic of modern Dutch design and the influence of global cultures on Dutch design. Free with general museum admission, reception to follow.
Holiday Shop + Sip
Birch Fine Tea | 6-9 p.m.
Shop local vendors and enjoy half off all drinks at Birch Fine Tea.
Free Event: Singin’ the Brews
Brewers at 4001 Yancey | 5:30 p.m.
See the Charlotte Master Chorale perform a free 30-minute concert featuring seasonal music and sing-alongs.
Sukoshi’s 1st Anniversary
Sukoshi Charlotte | 11 a.m. – 8 p.m.
Join Sukoshi as they celebrate their first anniversary with $1 Yum Yum Dim Sum.
Bubbles and Salty Snacks
Assorted Table Wine Shoppe | 6-7:30 p.m.
Indulge in the ultimate pairing of five sparkling wines with fried chicken and popcorn. $35 per person.
SATURDAY
High Tea for the Holidays
McNinch House Restaurant | 1-3 p.m.
Head to the McNinch House, which will be decked out in its holiday best, for an authentic high tea complete with sweet and savory indulgences served on antique china and silver. The cost is $65 per person, and reservations are highly suggested. Reservations can be made by calling 704.332.6159 or emailing mcninchhouse@gmail.com.
Mixology with Bob Peters – Holiday Cocktails
Earl’s Grocery | 2:30-3:30 p.m.
Learn from nationally-recognized mixologist Bob Peters as he shares ways to craft perfect holiday cocktails. Admission is free, but seating fills up fast.
Legion’s 4th Birthday Bash
Legion Brewing Plaza Midwood | 3-7 p.m.
Meet and greet with Santa from noon-3 p.m., then stick around for Legion’s fourth birthday bash with a balloon drop, beer releases, cake and more.
We Believe – Santa 5K and Dog Jog
U.S. National Whitewater Center | 11 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.
Grab your best Santa attire and hit the trails for this 5k trot complete with prizes for the best Santa Claus look-a-like. Afterwards, hit the trails with your pup for the We Believe Santa 5K Dog Jog.
Riverwalk Holiday Pop-Up Market
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.
Holiday Sip N’ Shop – Sparkling Wine Tasting
Foxcroft Wine Co-SouthPark | 1-3 p.m.
At this annual event, guests can taste multiple festive holiday bubbles from around the world, a number of ‘small-format’ wines perfect for stocking stuffers and complimentary cheese and charcuterie. $15 plus tax per person.
Holiday at the Hill
Strawberry Hill Center | 1-4 p.m.
Take the whole family to Strawberry Hill to enjoy carriage rides, face painting, visits with Santa & Mrs. Claus, a photo booth, carriage rides, arts and crafts, a bounce house and more. Free and open to the public.
20th Annual Santa Bar Crawl
Uptown Charlotte | Check-in starts at 3 p.m.
Wear your best holiday or Santa attire for this Uptown crawl featuring more than nine nearby bars. Includes admission and drink specials at all participating bars and clubs. Portion of proceeds benefit Florence Crittenton Services.
Photos with Santa
METROPOLITAN | 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.
In addition to free digital photos with Santa (pups welcome), enjoy a complimentary hot cocoa bar, holiday cookies, festive music, shopping and more.
Artist Talk: Leah Rosenberg
Hodges Taylor Art Consultancy | 11 a.m.
Lia Newman, Director/Curator of Davidson College’s Van Every/Smith Galleries, will lead this discussion with artist Leah Rosenberg about her solo exhibition, To Open Eyes. Coffee included.
Howliday Pawty
Catawba Brewing Company | 3-7 p.m.
Bring your pup to Catawba for donation-based Christmas pictures, adoptable dogs, beer and treats for the pups.
Lighted Boat Parade
Peninsula Yacht Club | 5 p.m.
The annual Lighted Boat Parade returns to the Lake for its 23rd year this weekend. It’s free and open to the public and includes concessions and hot beverages for all non-members.
SUNDAY
Brunch & Brews with Santa
Legion Brewing SouthPark | 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Kids and big kids alike will love the chance to meet and greet with Santa, take photos and enjoy food and beverage offerings at Legion. Pictures are free but donations are encouraged to support Operation Sidekick, an organization who trains rescued pit bulls as service pets for veterans.
Carolina Panthers vs. Seattle Seahawks
Bank of America Stadium | 1 p.m.
See the Carolina Panthers take on the Seattle Seahawks at Bank of America Stadium. Get your tickets here.
Holiday Wine Sale
Lake Norman Cottage | 2 p.m.
At the lake, wine reps will walk you through tastings of wines perfect for your holiday events. $15 per person.
& BEYOND
Santa Margherita Sparkling Wine Tasting
December 17 | Cicchetti | 5-8 p.m.
Special guest Erin Harris will be pouring four sparkling wines of Santa Margherita. $10 per person, waived with the purchase of a bottle.
