Events in Charlotte, NC: Don’t Miss a Thing
Looking for fun, kid-friendly events in Charlotte, NC? We’ve got them! Our Kidding Around Charlotte Events Page is where you’ll find fun family events in Charlotte, NC, any day, this weekend, and beyond! If you want to feature your event, contact us about advertising opportunities.
✨Our Calendar Includes:
- Theatre shows and sports
- Seasonal and holiday events
- Events for all ages
- Weekend events near Charlotte
- Family-friendly festivals
We do our best to keep details accurate, but always check the event’s website for current pricing, times, and weather-related updates. Details may change!
Enjoy a waffle, grits and bacon breakfast casserole breakfast with Santa at the Rankin Lake Clubhouse! Bring your own camera; kids’ tickets include a small gift. Stay for the free Santa at the Lake from 10 AM–12 PM.
🎟️ Cost: $9 per person plus fees; registration closes Nov 15
📍 Location: Rankin Lake Park, 1750 Rankin Lake Rd
👉 Read more
🧒 Ages: All ages
Home Depot Kids Workshops happen on the first Saturday of every month from 9 AM–12 PM, offering free, hands-on building projects for kids with all supplies included (kit, tools, paint, apron, and instructions). Each month features a new themed project kids can build and take home, plus they’ll earn a collectible pin and certificate.
Find this event at your local Home Depot👉Learn more about the upcoming Home Depot Kids Workshops
Kick off the holiday season with a free kids’ movie! Catch Elf at NCG Cinema Monroe’s Holiday Free Film Fest. Will Ferrell stars as Buddy, a human raised as an elf at the North Pole who heads to New York City to find his family. Rated PG, 97 min.
🎟️ Cost: Free (reserve tickets in advance)
📍 Location: NCG Cinema Monroe, 1911 Dickerson Blvd, Monroe, NC 28110
👉 Read more
Celebrate the season in downtown Clover! Shop local vendors, enjoy festive food and drinks, take free photos with Santa and catch live performances along Main Street.
🎟️ Cost: Free photos with Santa
📍 Location: Clover Main Street, N Main St, Clover, SC 29710
👉 Read more
🧒 Ages: All ages
Get up close and personal with some of the Nature Center residents in this wild encounter! You might meet a snake, turtle or even something slimy.
🎟️ Cost: Free
📍 Location: Quest Nature Center at Latta Nature Preserve, 6345 Sample Rd, Huntersville, NC 28078
👉 Read more
🧒 Ages: All ages
Celebrate the season at the 79th Annual Fort Mill Christmas Parade in Historic Downtown Fort Mill, a festive morning of colorful floats, marching bands, holiday music and Christmas cheer.
📍 Location: Fort Mill Christmas Parade Route, Fort Mill, SC
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Cryptid: an animal or creature that some say does not exist. What do you think? Explore the truth through fun, hands-on activities.
🎟️ Cost: Free
📍 Location: Sugar Creek Library, 4045 North Tryon Street, Suite A, Charlotte, NC
👉 Read more
🧒 Ages: Kids
One-Act, approx. 75 min. of holiday magic
Your smile will grow three sizes or more!
Dr. Seuss’s How the Grinch Stole Christmas!
For the first time ever, Children’s Theatre of Charlotte presents one of the most beloved holiday classics of all time. Featuring iconic characters like the curmudgeonly Grinch, Max the Dog, and Cindy Lou Who – plus beloved songs like “You’re a Mean One, Mr. Grinch” – this whimsical, heart-warming musical is a festive celebration of community, kindness, and the hope that even the smallest heart can grow three sizes. Don’t miss this truly magical holiday experience that will leave your whole family glowing!
Join us each month at the Innovation Barn for our free community Saturday Swap! Bring in a clean, working item that fits the month’s theme, and take home something new-to-you, completely free. It’s a fun, simple way to keep usable items out of the landfill, support a culture of sharing, and connect with your community. Come swap, explore, and give great stuff a second life!
January: Books & Blankets
Trade a favorite book or cozy blanket and pick up something new-to-you.
February: Clothing
Bring clean, wearable clothing and refresh your style sustainably with a free find.
March: Seeds & Plants
Exchange healthy plants or labeled seeds and grow something new this spring.
(April is our Second Chance Sample Give Away Event on 4/25 so we won’t host a swap this month).
May: Outdoor & Sports Gear
Swap usable outdoor or sports equipment and gear up for new summer adventures without buying new.
June: Toys & Kids’ Books
Bring gently used toys or kids’ books and discover fresh favorites to take home.
July 18: Kitchen & Cookware Swap
With mid-summer grilling and garden harvests, swap small appliances, kitchen gadgets, cookbooks, and utensils.
August 29: Back to School Book Swap
Welcome fall by trading stories and taking home a cozy read.
September 19: Home Décor Swap
Trade artwork, throw pillows, lamps, and small furnishings to give your home a new look without spending a dime.
October 17: Costume Swap
Keep costumes and accessories out of landfills and let families get creative with mix-and-match pieces.
November 14: Winter Wear Swap
Clean out your closet and spread the cozy—swap or donate winter coats, scarves, gloves, and blankets.
December 5: Puzzle & Game Swap
Swap gently used puzzles and games to share fun and connection throughout the season.
Enjoy this Charlotte-area Christmas parade through the Town of Davidson! For 2026 the parade follows a shorter alternate route (a little less than 1 mile) because of NCDOT road construction on Hwy. 115. The Merry Main Street Tricycle Race follows on Main Street in front of the Town Green.
📍 Location: Davidson Christmas Parade Route, Davidson, NC
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Join Clara on a magical journey to the Land of Sweets! Charlotte Ballet’s Nutcracker is set to Tchaikovsky’s iconic score performed live by the Charlotte Symphony Orchestra. Show times this day: 2 PM and 7 PM.
🎟️ Cost: $35–$200 (per submitter)
📍 Location: Belk Theater, 130 N Tryon St, Charlotte, NC 28202
👉 Read more
🧒 Ages: All audiences
One-Act, approx. 75 min. of holiday magic
Your smile will grow three sizes or more!
Dr. Seuss’s How the Grinch Stole Christmas!
For the first time ever, Children’s Theatre of Charlotte presents one of the most beloved holiday classics of all time. Featuring iconic characters like the curmudgeonly Grinch, Max the Dog, and Cindy Lou Who – plus beloved songs like “You’re a Mean One, Mr. Grinch” – this whimsical, heart-warming musical is a festive celebration of community, kindness, and the hope that even the smallest heart can grow three sizes. Don’t miss this truly magical holiday experience that will leave your whole family glowing!
A local holiday festival with artisan vendors, live performances, family activities and visits with Santa Claus.
🎟️ Cost:
📍 Location: Veterans Park, Huntersville, NC
👉 Read more
Over 100 floats, live performances and an appearance by Santa as he arrives in Kings Mountain for the holiday season! The parade fills the downtown streets from Deal Street to Railroad Avenue.
📍 Location: Kings Mountain Christmas Parade Route, Deal Street to Railroad Avenue, Kings Mountain, NC
👉 Read more
Mount Holly’s annual Christmas Parade moves down Central Avenue and Main Street in historic downtown with magical and creative displays of Christmas spirit for spectators of all ages. Grab a bite at a local restaurant before the parade!
🎟️ Cost: Free
📍 Location: Mount Holly Christmas Parade Route, W. Central Avenue & S. Main Street, Mount Holly, NC
👉 Read more
Get into the holiday spirit at Indian Trail’s Annual Christmas Parade with festive floats, marching bands and Santa Claus! The town’s free Winterfest follows at Chestnut Square Park from 6 to 9 pm.
🎟️ Cost: Free
📍 Location: Indian Trail Road, Indian Trail, NC
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Ring in the season with the Town of Mint Hill! The parade travels from Bain School down Matthews Mint Hill Road, then head to Town Hall for food trucks, entertainment and the tree lighting — Santa will stop by to see the kids!
📍 Location: Mint Hill Town Hall, 4430 Mint Hill Village Ln, Mint Hill, NC 28227
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The Mint Hill Christmas Parade travels from Bain School down Matthews Mint Hill Road to Publix. The annual tree lighting follows at Town Hall with food trucks, entertainment and a visit from Santa!
📍 Location: Mint Hill Christmas Parade Route, Matthews Mint Hill Road, Mint Hill, NC
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Kick off Christmas in Davidson with Santa Claus’s arrival and the annual tree lighting ceremony on the Town Green. The festival continues Friday and Saturday (Dec 4-5) from 6 to 9 p.m. with a holiday light show, roving entertainment, live nativity scenes, bubble snowflakes, an artisan village, and a children’s craft area.
📍 Location: Davidson Town Green, Davidson, NC
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Ho ho ho! Santa Claus visits the Garland Board Room for a very merry family tradition, all part of the dazzling Holidays at the Garden light display.
🎟️ Cost: Included with Holidays at the Garden admission: Adults $28, Children (2–12) $25, under 2 free; Any Night $33 (members 15% off)
📍 Location: Daniel Stowe Conservancy, 6500 S New Hope Rd
👉 Read more
🧒 Ages: All ages
Davidson Community Players bring the beloved holiday musical to the Cain Center, featuring “Blue Skies,” “I Love A Piano” and the title song — an uplifting show for audiences of all ages.
🎟️ Cost: $20–$50 plus taxes and fees
📍 Location: Cain Center for the Arts, 21348 Catawba Ave, Cornelius, NC 28031
👉 Read more
🧒 Ages: All ages
Kick off the holiday season with a free kids’ movie! Catch Elf at NCG Cinema Monroe’s Holiday Free Film Fest. Will Ferrell stars as Buddy, a human raised as an elf at the North Pole who heads to New York City to find his family. Rated PG, 97 min.
🎟️ Cost: Free (reserve tickets in advance)
📍 Location: NCG Cinema Monroe, 1911 Dickerson Blvd, Monroe, NC 28110
👉 Read more
Join us during sensory-friendly hours where families can experience Discovery Place Science in a calmer, quieter environment.
Please note: During our sensory hours, we strive to create a sensory-friendly environment, but please be aware that the Museum remains open to the public. We recommend parents/caregivers to monitor their child’s comfort level, as some children with sensory sensitivities may still find the experience challenging.
One-Act, approx. 75 min. of holiday magic
Your smile will grow three sizes or more!
Dr. Seuss’s How the Grinch Stole Christmas!
For the first time ever, Children’s Theatre of Charlotte presents one of the most beloved holiday classics of all time. Featuring iconic characters like the curmudgeonly Grinch, Max the Dog, and Cindy Lou Who – plus beloved songs like “You’re a Mean One, Mr. Grinch” – this whimsical, heart-warming musical is a festive celebration of community, kindness, and the hope that even the smallest heart can grow three sizes. Don’t miss this truly magical holiday experience that will leave your whole family glowing!
Brunch with Santa Titus and Mrs. Claus! Ace Hygh Athleisure’s annual Santa Brunch features photo ops, a holiday brunch menu, music, interactive holiday activities, shopping and keepsakes for the whole family.
🎟️ Cost: Tickets: Adult $100, Children 6–15 $25, 5 & under free, Family Pack $237
📍 Location: 4312 Monroe Rd, Charlotte, NC 28205
👉 Read more
🧒 Ages: All ages