Concord Events
Speedway Christmas
Family Friendly | $45+ per vehicle, Santa Photos
Experience the 14th season of Speedway Christmas, the Southeast’s largest drive-through holiday light show at the Charlotte Motor Speedway. Enjoy over five million lights across a four-mile course. The show runs rain or shine, with synchronized lights-to-music on 101.3 FM and drive-in movies on the massive Speedway TV every Thursday through Sunday night until Christmas.
2nd Annual Lights of Love
Family Friendly
Join the 2nd Annual Lights of Love campaign and Tree Lighting Ceremony by the Cabarrus Healthcare Foundation. Purchase a Light of Love to honor someone special, supporting Atrium Health Cabarrus’ Emergency Departments. The Tree Lighting Ceremony will be held in the Margie Campbell Healing Garden.
Christmas Kumbaya
Family Friendly | Tickets: $18+
Make your holiday plans to see the WORLD PREMIERE of Andy Rassler’s Christmas Kumbaya at Old Courthouse Theatre. Tickets are on sale now at octconcord.com or by calling the box office at 704-788-2405. Christmas Kumbaya performance dates are November 30-December 2 & 8-9 at 7:30 pm and December 3 & 10 at 2:30 pm.
Festival of Trees
Family Friendly | Tickets Required
Kick-off Christmas at the historic Hotel Concord with over 40 theme-decorated tree creations, dreamy lights, and holiday cheer!
- Deck the Halls Gala (Friday): An elegant evening of dining, dancing and singing along with InfiniteSoul.
- Holly-Day Hop (Saturday): The shag style shenanigans of The Tonez will get you on your toes after a delicious buffet meal.
- Fa-la-la Lunch (Sunday): Enjoy a tasty Fa-la-la Lunch among the trees.
Holiday Wine & Dessert Pairing
21+ | Tickets: $30
The temperatures are dropping but the tasting room at USVI Wine Company is heating up with their holiday pairing of 5 wines with 5 miniature dessert samples. Small personal sized charcuterie boards are available as an add on to compliment the tasting. Get your sweet on!
Wonderland Christmas Festival 2023
Family Friendly | FREE Event, Santa Photos
Celebrate the joy of Christmas with Multiply Church! Delight in a festive carousel, joyful rides, and heartwarming attractions like the Christmas Train and Hayride. Savor the holiday flavors from food trucks, shop for gifts at local vendor stalls, enjoy live music, and capture the moment with a picture with Santa.
Santa + Safety: An EMS Holiday Bash
Family Friendly | FREE Admission, Santa Photos
Embrace the holiday spirit at the new EMS Headquarters. This FREE event combines seasonal magic with life-saving skills. Enjoy FREE 5-minute CPR training with a chance to win Speedway Christmas tickets, meet Santa and Mrs. Claus, and experience a snowman simulator.
Annual Holiday Market 2023
Family Friendly
ClearWater Arts Center & Studios‘ tenant artists, and friends invite you to come shop for outstanding original artworks as holiday gifts! Artists will be set up in studios and/or on sale tables in the Main Gallery. Add a Food Truck in our parking lot opposite the Main Entrance, and this makes a fun outing for everyone!
11 Piper’s Piping 3 Course Prix Fix Dinner
Family Friendly | Reservations: $35 per person
Join Table 11 for their 11 Pipers Piping Dinner. This is a three course prefix meal. Call 980-255-8596 to make your reservation.
The Barefoot Movement Holiday Special
Family Friendly | Tickets: $40
The Barefoot Movement invites you to join them for their holiday celebration performance at the Davis Theatre. You’ll hear acoustic renditions of everything from Chuck Berry’s “Run Run Rudolph” to Perry Como’s “It’s Beginning to Look A Lot Like Christmas” and emotional takes on the more tender songs of the season like “Oh Holy Night” and “Hark The Herald Angels Sing.”
Christmas Open House
Family Friendly | Santa Photos | Free Admission
Share an old-fashioned Southern Christmas with the Historic Bost Grist Mill! Shop, enjoy hot apple cider and light refreshments, outdoor vendors, and a special visitor from the North Pole will be there for photo sessions.
Holiday Magick Market
Family Friendly | FREE Event
Meet and connect with the holistic community at Cabarrus Brewing Company. Find one of a kind gifts and services that are simply Magickal! This indoor event will have local holistic based vendors, practitioners, and more!
Creative Gift-Making Workshop
Family Friendly | Workshop, $35+
TuxedoKat Imaginarium is leading a creative gift-making workshop for kids & adults at Cabarrus Brewing Company during the Holiday Magick Market! Hammering string art & hands-on puddle painting! Take-home kits available!
Bulldog Bazaar & Breakfast with Santa
Family Friendly | Santa
Jay M Robinson High School is hosting their 2nd Annual winter bazaar. Shop your Christmas lists after having breakfast with Santa!
Christmas Market 2023
Family Friendly | Santa Photos
Attend Christmas Market 2023 at 50 Branchview Drive Northeast, Concord, for a festive experience. Enjoy unique gifts, crafts, food, drinks, and entertainment for all ages, including kids’ activities, an adult section with games and treats, live music, and food trucks.
CLT Comicon Winter Show
Family Friendly | $5 Admission
It’s time for the 2023 Winter/Christmas Show at Embassy Suites. Shop new and vintage comic books, toys, and everything related to comics for sale and trade. Costume Contest with $350 in cash prizes, participation from Star Wars, Star Trek, and Ghostbusters clubs, and much more. Children under 12 enter for free.
Seasonal Pop-Up Market
Family Friendly
You’re invited to the last seasonal pop-up market at Pharr Mill BBQ & Brewing! Enjoy a vendor market, local sweets, delicious BBQ, amazing brews, permanent jewelry, and more surprises to come.
Glass Blowing Ornaments
21+ | Tickets: $70
Join Cabo Winery for a Glass Ornament Making Class! You’ll make a min of 2 Glass Blown Ornaments or Plant Water Globes! After you have blown your ornaments or water globes, they will need to cool down for 30 minutes then they’ll be ready to go home… same day.
CABCO Movie Night: Elf
Family Friendly | FREE Event
Aurora Star Lit Cinema is back at Cabarrus Brewing Company for this awesome FREE outdoor movie, Elf! Starting at 6pm, arcade games (free to play) and holiday music. Concessions will be available for purchase.
Holiday Wine Glass Painting
21+ | Tickets: $20+
Get ready to unleash your creativity and sip on some delicious wine at USVI Wine Company as you paint and personalize your very own holiday wine glass at this fun Holiday Wine Glass Painting.
Wreaths Across America
Family Friendly
This holiday season, join the Cabarrus Black Boys Chapter Daughters of the American Revolution in remembering and honoring veterans at Oakwood Cemetery. Attend the ceremony at noon where 1600 wreaths will be placed on Cabarrus County veterans’ graves, teaching the next generation about the sacrifices made for our freedom.
Santa at the Market
Family Friendly | FREE Santa Photos
Spend your afternoon at Concord’s locally sourced food hall (Gibson Mill Market) and spend time with SANTA! Christmas crafts will also be available for small children. A photographer will not be present; parents are welcome to take photographs for free.
2023 NC Christmas Festival
Family Friendly | FREE Santa Photos
Head over to the Cabarrus Arena for the perfect holiday experience. Free pictures with Santa Claus, free toy giveaway for the kids, free gift wrapping, Christmas coloring & word search, ornament decoration and more! Show your holiday cheer by wearing family ugly Christmas sweaters!
Procrastinators Vendor Market
Family Friendly
Are you a procrastinator who likes to shop last minute for the holidays? Well are you in luck! Buzzed Viking Brewing Company is having a “procrastinators” sip and shop market. Support local vendors this holiday season.
Gingerbread House Decorating Day
Family Friendly | Tickets: $25 per gingerbread house
Join Table 11 for their annual gingerbread decorating night. This is a fun night to get your friends and family to come have some holiday cheer. Each house is $25. That includes the house and lots of extra candy and icing. A dinner menu will be available and fun holiday drinks. There are two different sessions, 4pm and 6:30pm. Call 980-255-8596 to make your reservation.
Murder In the Tasting Room Ugly Sweater Christmas Party
21+ | Tickets: $55+
USVI Wine Company is hosting an ugly Christmas sweater party again this year. Join them for a night of fun, role playing, great wine and chef curated dinner. All tickets include a choice of chicken dinner or vegetarian pasta for 1 guest, along with a glass of house red or white wine. Non-Alcoholic substitutions are available.
New Year Countdown and Wine Paring Extravaganza
21+ | Tickets: $50
Join USVI Wine Company to ring in the New Year in style! DRESS TO IMPRESS and DANCE! Ticket price includes entrance for 1 guest, 1 complimentary glass of champagne or sparkling cider at midnight for our toast, and 5 wine samples paired with appetizers. Drinks will be on sale all night!
Kannapolis Events
Christmas in the City 2023
Family Friendly
Relive the charm of a bygone city Christmas and create lasting memories at Christmas in the City, where laughter, joy, and hope come together in a heartwarming production at He’s Alive Church. This variety show promises song, dance, drama, and comedy, all designed to inspire and entertain, delivering the beauty and message of Christmas.
3rd Annual Christmas Tree Lighting Festival
Family Friendly | FREE Event
Join The Refuge Church for their annual Christmas Tree Lighting! Bring your friends and family for holiday celebration.
Breakfast with Santa
Family Friendly | Tickets: $5, FREE Santa Photos
Cabarrus Shrine Club invites you to eat breakfast with Santa and a few of his friends! They will be serving Santa’s favorite: PANCAKES! All proceeds benefit Shriners Children. Children under 3 eat FREE.
Chili Cook Off for Toys For Tots
Family Friendly | Tickets: $10
Calling all chili lovers and beer enthusiasts! Join Old Armor Beer Company & Eleven Lakes Brewing Co. for an exciting Chili Cook-Off to support a great cause: Toys for Tots! Gather your friends and family, bring your appetites and generous spirits as the competition heats up to raise funds for Toys For Tots.
9th Annual Santa Breakfast
Family Friendly | Tickets: $5 | FREE Santa Photos
The community is invited to be a part of the 9th annual Santa Breakfast at the Kannapolis YMCA. Pancakes, Coffee, Hot Chocolate Bar, Crafts, Santa’s Elves, Live Music and of course FREE Photos with Santa…Fun for the whole family!
5th Annual Christmas Party
Family Friendly | Santa Photos
Join House of Paws Dog Rescue at Old Armor Beer Company for their 5th annual Christmas Party and pictures with Santa! A $10 donation will get you a picture with Santa.
Christmas Parade
Family Friendly | Free Event
This special nighttime parade travels through the streets of downtown Kannapolis and usually lasts until 7:30 p.m.
Holiday Market Extravaganza
Family Friendly
A holiday pop up event at Bethel Enrichment Center celebrating creatives and artisan vendors. Shop local and grab a very special unique gift for yourself or that someone special.
A Bluegrass Christmas: The Hatley Family
Family Friendly | Tickets: $15
Don’t miss The Hatley Family’s special Christmas Bluegrass show at The Swanee Theatre. Celebrating 42 years as a family band, they represent five generations of music, delivering bluegrass and gospel tunes with the unique harmony of a father, his four children, and one daughter-in-law.
Cookie Decorating
Family Friendly | Registration Required $25
Get into the holiday spirit by joining the City of Kannapolis for a Cookie Decorating Class at the Kannapolis Train Station. (201 South Main Street, Kannapolis). Participants will receive three cookies to decorate as instructors teach different decorating techniques. After the class, participants may take their cookies home to enjoy.
Christmas with Cody Webb
Family Friendly | Tickets: $15+
Don’t miss the performance of Cody Webb, an accomplished singer, songwriter, and musician, at The Swanee Theatre. With his distinctive guitar skills and captivating vocals, Cody has garnered thousands of fans nationwide, with his 2019 single “Jon Boat” amassing over 1.5 million streams and 2.5 million views on its music video.
Best.Gift.Ever. Drive Thru Nativity
Family Friendly | FREE Event
Experience the first Christmas portrayed, from the birth of Jesus to His resurrection, in a multi-scene drive-thru event with a live cast and animals at Central Baptist Church. This is a FREE event to everyone. Invite your family and friends to join you.
Christmas @ Editions
Family Friendly
Head to Editions Coffee and Bookstore for a reading of “The Night Before Christmas” for the kids and their annual Christmas Classics Trivia at 2:30pm. Cash prizes and themed drinks.
Josh Daniel: The North Carolina Waltz
Family Friendly | Tickets: $15+
An All-star Tribute to THE BAND’s Last Waltz!
Rockin’ New Years Eve with the Cat5 Band
Ring in the new year with Cat5 at The Swanee Theatre!
Harrisburg Events
Annual Christmas Tree Lighting
Family Friendly
Mark your calendars for the Official Lighting of the Town’s tree at Harrisburg Park. Come for a festive evening filled with holiday cheer, featuring food trucks, train rides, local performances, and more!
Seasonal Sojourn – A Holiday Concert
Family Friendly | Free Event
Piedmont Community Band invites you to join them at Hickory Ridge High School for “Seasonal Sojourn.” They will be playing your holiday favorites, including a sing-a-long and jingle bells for the kids!
Admission is free. Donations are gratefully accepted.
Mount Pleasant Events
Christmas Wreath Workshop
Family Friendly | Workshop, Tickets: $55
Join Barrier Farms and local flower farmer Jessica, as she helps craft beautiful fresh Christmas wreaths! Price for the class includes all necessary materials and greenery for your wreath of choice. Desert and beverages will be served along with this class!
Christmas at the Museum
Family Friendly | Santa
See the Eastern Cabarrus Historical Society museum decorated for Christmas! Visit with Santa! Shop local vendors on the Main Street lawn! Bid on delicious baked goods from the Heritage Baking Competition!
Christmas Parade
Family Friendly
Parade travels up East Franklin Street (Hwy 73) toward the Town Square, turns Right on North Main Street, crosses Hwy 49, and ends at North Drive.
Tree Lighting
Family Friendly
Join the Town of Mount Pleasant, following the parade, for the Annual Tree Lighting! Food available for purchase, free kids craft/balloon animals and 100% chance it will “SNOW” at the tree lighting! 6pm Tree Lighting. Call 704-436-0383 for more information.
Christmas Tour of Homes
Family Friendly | Tickets: $20
Join the Eastern Cabarrus Historical Society to tour historic and beautiful homes and churches decorated for Christmas. Enjoy refreshments and live music at the museum.
Holiday Jazz Show
Family Friendly | Free Event
73 & Main Restaurant is hosting the Lake Norman Big Band for a free holiday event. They will be playing a variety of your favorite holiday classics, traditional and contemporary, and some you may not be so familiar with, but all of course with a big band twist!