FamilyBring the kids, the next two weeks
Cabarrus Art Guild Fall Judged Show 2026
ClearWater’s Main Gallery hangs the Cabarrus Art Guild fall judged show, with the opening reception Sunday afternoon, Oct 4.
WHO Everyone
WhenSat Oct 3–Sat Nov 21 · gallery drop-in Wed–Fri 12:00–5:00 p.m., Sat 10:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m.; opening reception Sun Oct 4, 2:00–4:00 p.m.
WhereClearWater Arts Center & Studios, 223 Crowell Drive NW, Concord, NC 28025
CostSee organizer website for details
Carolina Renaissance Festival
Carolina Renaissance Festival — A 25-acre 16th-century marketplace—140+ artisan shops, 16 stages, jousting, falconry, mermaids, and themed weekends—gates 9:30 a.m.–5:30 p.m., free parking.
WHO Family
WhenSaturdays & Sundays Oct 3–Nov 22, 2026 (list through Oct 31) · Gates 9:30 a.m.–5:30 p.m.; pre-opening gate show 9:05 a.m.
Where16445 Poplar Tent Road, Huntersville, NC 28078
CostAdults 13+ $37.99 + tax; Children 5–12 $23.99 + tax; Ages 4 & under Free; Parking FREE
Paul C. Rhyne Art Competition 2026
Lincoln Cultural Center hangs the Arts Council’s Paul C. Rhyne juried show — painting, sculpture, jewelry, photography, printmaking, and fiber — with an awards reception Oct 29.
WHO Everyone
WhenWed Oct 7–Sat Nov 28 · opening reception Thu Oct 29, 6:00 p.m. · Contact organizer for gallery hours
WhereLincoln Cultural Center, 403 East Main Street, Lincolnton, NC
CostSee organizer website for details
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Cabarrus Art Guild Fall Judged Show 2026
ClearWater’s Main Gallery hangs the Cabarrus Art Guild fall judged show, with the opening reception Sunday afternoon, Oct 4.
WHO Everyone
WhenSat Oct 3–Sat Nov 21 · gallery drop-in Wed–Fri 12:00–5:00 p.m., Sat 10:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m.; opening reception Sun Oct 4, 2:00–4:00 p.m.
WhereClearWater Arts Center & Studios, 223 Crowell Drive NW, Concord, NC 28025
CostSee organizer website for details
Carolina Renaissance Festival
Carolina Renaissance Festival — A 25-acre 16th-century marketplace—140+ artisan shops, 16 stages, jousting, falconry, mermaids, and themed weekends—gates 9:30 a.m.–5:30 p.m., free parking.
WHO Family
WhenSaturdays & Sundays Oct 3–Nov 22, 2026 (list through Oct 31) · Gates 9:30 a.m.–5:30 p.m.; pre-opening gate show 9:05 a.m.
Where16445 Poplar Tent Road, Huntersville, NC 28078
CostAdults 13+ $37.99 + tax; Children 5–12 $23.99 + tax; Ages 4 & under Free; Parking FREE
Paul C. Rhyne Art Competition 2026
Lincoln Cultural Center hangs the Arts Council’s Paul C. Rhyne juried show — painting, sculpture, jewelry, photography, printmaking, and fiber — with an awards reception Oct 29.
WHO Everyone
WhenWed Oct 7–Sat Nov 28 · opening reception Thu Oct 29, 6:00 p.m. · Contact organizer for gallery hours
WhereLincoln Cultural Center, 403 East Main Street, Lincolnton, NC
CostSee organizer website for details
THE POLAR EXPRESS™ Train Ride
The N.C. Transportation Museum boards The Polar Express with live theater on the November weekends and the December public trains.
WHO Family
WhenFri Nov 6–Wed Dec 23 · Contact organizer for departure times
WhereN.C. Transportation Museum, 1 Samuel Spencer Drive, Spencer, NC
CostSee organizer website for details
Carolina Pottery Festival
Cleveland County Arts Council’s pottery-only festival puts 45-plus potters and live demos in the LeGrand Center.
WHO Everyone
WhenSat Nov 7 · Contact organizer for hours
WhereLeGrand Center, 1800 East Marion Street, Shelby, NC 28152
CostSee organizer website for details
Christmas Market at Cotton Hills Farm
Cotton Hills Farm’s fifth Christmas Market lines up 50-plus vendors, the Bradley Dulaney Band from 11 a.m., Santa photos, and a tractor train.
WHO Family
WhenSat Nov 7 · 10:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m.
WhereCotton Hills Farm — The Market, 2575 Lowrys Highway, Chester, SC 29706
CostFree admission and parking (tractor train $2 per rider)
Working Fingers Craft Show
Mooresville’s 50th Annual Working Fingers Craft Show fills Charles Mack Citizen Center with handmade holiday shopping — free entry, 10 a.m.–4 p.m.
WHO Everyone
WhenNov 7, 2026, 10 a.m.–4 p.m.
WhereCharles Mack Citizen Center, 215 North Main Street, Mooresville (Iredell)
CostFree
59th Southern Christmas Show
Give yourself a full day for the 59th annual show, and bring a group of 20 or more for $16 tickets.
WHO Everyone
WhenWed Nov 11 – Sun Nov 22 · Wed Nov 11 (Veterans Day) 10 AM–9 PM; Thu–Sat 10 AM–9 PM; Sun–Wed 10 AM–6 PM; Early Bird VIP Sat Nov 14 8–10 AM
WhereThe Park Expo and Conference Center, 800 Briar Creek Rd, Charlotte, NC 28205
CostSee organizer website for details
Kannapolis Celebration of Lights
Village Park lights run free through Dec 30 — tree lighting Nov 13 at 6:30 with fireworks; carousel and train rides are ticketed.
WHO Everyone
WhenNov 13–Dec 30, 2026 (in-window Nov 13–Dec 5); Sun–Thu 5:30–9 p.m., Fri–Sat 5:30–10 p.m.
WhereVillage Park, 700 West C Street, Kannapolis (Cabarrus)
CostFree (Admission/light viewing free; carousel & train rides ticketed)
3rd Annual Holly Jolly Christmas Show
Sunny Day Markets’ holiday vendor show at the Stanly County Agricultural Center mixes shopping vendors, food trucks, and craft beverages.
WHO Family
WhenSat Nov 14 · 10:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
WhereStanly County Agricultural Center, 26032 Newt Road #B, Albemarle, NC 28001
CostFree admission · free parking
Clover Highland Games
Town of Clover’s Highland Games at New Centre Park bring caber and stone athletics, music, crafts, and vendors — a Larne sister-city day.
WHO Family
WhenSat Nov 14 · 9:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
WhereNew Centre Park, Memorial Drive at Knox Street, Clover, SC
CostSee organizer website for details
Jingle Bell Bazaar
Arts Council of Chester County’s 12th Annual Jingle Bell Bazaar stacks 90-plus vendors at Gateway Conference Center — free admission and parking.
WHO Everyone
WhenNov 14, 2026, 10:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
WhereGateway Conference Center, 3200 Commerce Drive, Richburg (Chester)
CostFree
LangTree Annual Tree Lighting
LangTree Lake Norman’s annual tree lighting puts Santa, vendors, a band, and bounce houses on site — ceremony at 7:30 p.m.
WHO Everyone
WhenNov 14, 2026, 5:00–9:00 p.m. (lighting 7:30 p.m.)
WhereLangTree Lake Norman, 401 Langtree Road, Mooresville (Iredell)
CostFree
Restoration Market Christmas Bazaar
Outdoor Christmas Bazaar at Restoration Market in Concord — local vendors and food trucks, with proceeds to Present Age Ministries.
WHO Everyone
WhenNov 14, 2026, 10 a.m.–2 p.m.
WhereRestoration Market, 74 Spring Street Southwest, Concord (Cabarrus)
CostFree
Disney Descendants & Zombies: Worlds Collide
Disney’s Worlds Collide Concert Tour — Descendants, ZOMBIES, and Camp Rock — hits Spectrum Center at 7:00 p.m.
WHO Family
WhenThu Nov 19. Event starts 7:00 p.m.
WhereSpectrum Center, 333 East Trade Street, Charlotte, NC
CostSee organizer website for details
Speedway Christmas
Drive a four-mile course of more than 5 million lights around the oval, pit road and infield, with the music synced on 101.3 FM.
WHO Everyone
WhenFri Nov 20, 2026 – Sun Jan 3, 2027 · 6:00–10:00 PM nightly, rain or shine
WhereCharlotte Motor Speedway, Concord
CostSee organizer website for details
Mooresville Fine Arts Festival (2nd Annual)
Mooresville Arts’ juried indoor festival at Charles Mack Citizen Center shows up to 70 artists — painting, pottery, photography, jewelry, and more — on the Arts on Main weekend.
WHO Everyone
WhenSat Nov 21–Sun Nov 22 · Sat 10:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. · Sun 12:00–4:00 p.m.
WhereCharles Mack Citizen Center, 215 North Main Street, Mooresville, NC 28115
CostFree admission and parking
The Geekery Market
The Charlotte Geeks’ indoor market puts 90-plus geek artisans, gaming, and activities in Cabarrus Arena, and asks for a canned good or cash donation for Second Harvest Food Bank.
WHO Everyone
WhenSat Nov 21 · 10:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
WhereCabarrus Arena & Events Center, 4751 NC Highway 49 North, Concord, NC
CostFree admission (canned good or cash donation for Second Harvest Food Bank requested) · parking $10
A Magical Cirque Christmas
A Magical Cirque Christmas brings circus spectacle to Belk Theater.
WHO Family
WhenSun Nov 22 · Contact organizer for hours
WhereBelk Theater, 130 North Tryon Street, Charlotte, NC
CostSee organizer website for details
Monroe Christmas Parade
City of Monroe’s Christmas Parade steps off through historic downtown at 2 p.m. rain or shine — free for spectators, with a new sensory area.
WHO Everyone
WhenNov 22, 2026, 2:00 p.m. (rain or shine)
WhereHistoric Downtown Monroe, Downtown Monroe corridor, Monroe (Union)
CostFree
'Tis the Season Spectacular
Salisbury’s ’Tis the Season Spectacular pairs a Main Street parade at 3 with the Bell Tower Green tree lighting, performers, and food trucks.
WHO Everyone
WhenNov 25, 2026, parade 3:00 p.m. then tree lighting at Bell Tower Green
WhereHistoric Downtown Salisbury / Bell Tower Green, Main Street corridor, Salisbury (Rowan)
CostFree
Novant Health Thanksgiving Eve Parade
Novant Health Thanksgiving Eve Parade steps off along Tryon Street Uptown Wednesday evening.
WHO Everyone
WhenWed Nov 25 · step-off 5:30 PM
WhereTryon Street corridor (9th Street to Good Samaritan Way), Charlotte
CostFree
Dr. Seuss' How The Grinch Stole Christmas in Concert
Dr. Seuss’ How The Grinch Stole Christmas in Concert fills Ovens Auditorium.
WHO Family
WhenFri Nov 27 · Contact organizer for hours
WhereOvens Auditorium, 2700 East Independence Boulevard, Charlotte, NC
CostSee organizer website for details
OMB Christmas Market — Olde Mecklenburg Brewery (Ballantyne)
Shop 50-plus local vendors at the Ballantyne brewery over four weekends, with Glühwein in the Fire Red mug and Santa on Saturdays.
WHO Everyone
WhenFri Nov 27 – Sun Dec 20 · Contact organizer for hours (Santa Saturdays 2–5 PM)
WhereOlde Mecklenburg Brewery (Ballantyne), 15025 Bowl St, Charlotte, NC 28277
CostFree to attend
OMB Christmas Market — Olde Mecklenburg Brewery (LoSo)
Sip Glühwein from the collectible 2026 Fire Red mug while you shop 50-plus local vendors, and bring a coat for Coats for Kids.
WHO Everyone
WhenFri Nov 27 – Sun Dec 20 · Contact organizer for hours (Santa Saturdays 2–5 PM)
WhereOlde Mecklenburg Brewery (LoSo), 4150 Yancey Rd, Charlotte, NC 28217
CostFree to attend
Dr. Seuss' How The Grinch Stole Christmas in Concert
Dr. Seuss’ How The Grinch Stole Christmas in Concert returns Saturday at Ovens Auditorium.
WHO Family
WhenSat Nov 28 · Contact organizer for hours
WhereOvens Auditorium, 2700 East Independence Boulevard, Charlotte, NC
CostSee organizer website for details
Holidays at the Garden: Light Exhibit
Wander the conservancy’s gardens after dark; Monday–Thursday value nights save you a few dollars.
WHO Everyone
WhenSat Nov 28 – Wed Dec 30 (select nights) · 5–10 PM, last entry 9 PM; Dec 24 5–9 PM; closed Dec 25
WhereDaniel Stowe Conservancy, 6500 S New Hope Road, Belmont, NC 28012
CostAdults $28; kids 2–12 $25; Any Night $33; Mon–Thu value nights $24 adult / $18 child; under 2 free
Photo: Daniel Stowe Conservancy via danielstoweconservancy.org
Lincolnton Christmas Parade
Lincolnton’s 68th Annual Christmas Parade — Christmas Through the Decades — steps off at 4 from East Main at Flint through Courtsquare.
WHO Everyone
WhenNov 29, 2026, 4:00 p.m. (line-up 2:00 p.m.)
WhereHistoric Downtown Lincolnton, East Main Street at Flint Street, Lincolnton (Lincoln)
CostFree
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