Christmas in Lake Norman

Ring in the holidays in Lake Norman at all the area events in each lake town. The festivities start each year with the downtown favorite, Christmas in Davidson. A charming event full of warm drinks, shopping, family, friends, and everything to get you in the holiday spirit. Popular celebrations include Lighting at Birkdale Village, the North Mecklenburg Christmas Parade, and Light Up Cornelius.

2024 Events

Carowinds Winterfest

November 15th - January 4th
Carowinds  |  Event Details

Celebrate the holiday season at Carowinds with holiday light displays with millions of shimmering lights, ice skating, family activities, live entertainment, holiday-inspired comfort food and beverages, and select attractions. Find the perfect present at specialty holiday gift shops, play holiday-themed games, and catch the season's festive live entertainment.

Embrace the season with holiday music from carolers and find joy in Christmas activities and holiday attractions for the entire family. Help children write letters to Santa and watch their eyes grow as thousands of glimmering holiday lights appear during the Carowinds' Christmas tree lighting, one of the largest in the area.

After an evening of FUN, get caught up in the merry procession of the WinterFest Wonderland Parade, a nightly Christmas parade with lavishly decorated floats, festive music, and performers.

Speedway Christmas

November 22nd - January 5th (Closed Christmas Day)
Charlotte Motor Speedway  |  Event Details

One of the Southeast’s most prominent and most-anticipated holiday traditions, Speedway Christmas features four million lights strewn across a remarkable four-mile course, with hundreds of creative displays and lights synchronized to Christmas-themed music on the Charlotte Motor Speedway. The show is open 6-10pm, rain or shine. Plus, catch a drive-in Christmas movie on the speedway every Thursday through Sunday!

Lighting of Birkdale Village

November 23rd
Birkdale Village  |  Event Details

Get in the holiday spirit with festive music, holiday performances, and activities for the whole family in Birkdale Village. From Santa's arrival to the magical tree lighting, there's something fun for everyone!

The valet will be available to park your car for you. Parking garages and surface lots will also be open for guests to park themselves for free! Parking will fill up quickly; we recommend utilizing ride-share or carpooling.

Birkdale on Ice

November 23rd - January 26th
Birkdale Village  |  Event Details

Tis the season to lace up your skates and glide into the holiday spirit at Birkdale on Ice! For the second year, Birkdale Village will have an ice skating rink! Tickets are available now! Guests must book ice skating reservations to ensure a skating time slot. Walk-ups are also welcome, but they cannot guarantee you can skate at that time.

Santa at Birkdale Village

November 24th - December 24th​
Birkdale Village  |  Event Details

Up on the rooftop, click, click, click! Visit jolly Old Saint Nick at his cozy North Pole-inspired cottage, and make sure you're on the nice list. Santa will be at Birkdale Village throughout the season, spreading holiday magic and taking photos at our North Pole-inspired cottage near the Fountain for festive photo ops to cherish for a lifetime. To guarantee your special time with Santa, please book an appointment. Walk-ups will be accepted only if time allows.

13th Annual Light Up Cornelius

November 30th
Cornelius Town Hall & Cain Park  |  Event Details

Join the community for the annual tree lighting on the lawn in Cornelius! Attendees can enjoy community group performances, children's activities, horse-drawn carriage rides, a model train display, food and drink, s'mores, and a visit from Mr. and Mrs. Claus! The event starts at 4p, and goes until 7pm!

Christmas in Davidson

December 5th - December 7th
Downtown Davidson  |  Event Details

As the largest and most popular Davidson event, Christmas in Davidson will immediately put you into the holiday spirit. From 6-9pm, stroll down the beautiful and picturesque Main Street, start your holiday shopping early at the many wonderful and unique specialty shops, journey through the Giving Tree Village on the Village Green, and enjoy a wide variety of entertainment. 

Visit the many participating Davidson businesses offering everything from reindeer food and art projects for the kids to live music and complimentary beverages.  Enjoy the fine foods and drinks at Davidson's fantastic restaurants, and the treats our Christmas in Davidson food vendors provide. 

Holidays in Huntersville and Huntersville Tree Lighting 

Friday, Dec 6th 6-9 pm | Town Tree Lighting
Veterans Park  |  Event Details

We invite you to shop a variety of artisan vendors, local food, and beverages. Santa will be onsite, too, at Veterans Park! Traditional children's rides and activities will be open. The lighting of the tree will kick off the festivities at 6:30 p.m.

Saturday, Dec 7th 3-8 pm | Holidays in Huntersville

Veterans Park  |  Event Details

Free activities include children’s rides, Artisan Ice Sculptures, holiday performances on stage from various local groups, Carolers of Christmas Past, glitter tattoos, face painting, balloon twisters, roaming holiday characters, letters & pictures with Santa, and much more!  Shop with local vendors for the perfect holiday gifts for everyone on your list. Food & beverages will be onsite for purchase as well. 

Breakfast with Santa

December 7th
Birkdale Village  |  Event Details

Enjoy the day's most important meal with the most important man of the season! All good boys and girls are invited to join jolly old Saint Nick and his cheerful elves for a delicious breakfast in Birkdale Village! Red Rocks Cafe will host Breakfast with Santa and provide a buffet-style breakfast. Tickets are required, and ticket proceeds will benefit Seasons of Giving.

North Mecklenburg Holiday Parade

December 7th
Downtown Davidson  |  Event Details

Be a part of a proud Lake Norman holiday tradition! Starting at 1 p.m., the 42nd Annual North Mecklenburg Holiday Parade will begin in Davidson at Main Street and Griffith Street and end in Cornelius at Main Street and Catawba Avenue. Watch high school bands, groups, and organizations march throughout our towns to express their holiday pride! Be sure to stay until the end to see Santa's float!

Toys For Tots Holiday Flotilla

December 7th
Mooresville  | Event Details

Join the Lake Norman Yacht Club for the 14th Annual Toys for Tots Holiday Flotilla! Find a spot and get ready to see the finest holiday lights, symbols, and characters in Lake Norman! The parade will aim to start at 6pm and typically your best bet is to get a reservation for an outside table at Hello, Sailor!

Following the flotilla, head over to the clubhouse for some light food and drinks, admission to the reception is $15 for adults and $10 for children over 12 years old. You can also bring a toy to donate to Toys For Tots, and place it under the tree!

The Northern Lights of Lake Norman

December 9th
Mooresville  | Event Details

The Northern Lights of Lake Norman boat parade is back! The parade will start at Apps and Taps and go all the way to Stumpy Creek Park. The parade is free, but donations will benefit the Tunnel to Towers Foundation and Hope of Mooresville.

Huntersville Half Marathon & Holiday 5k

December 13th - 14th
Birkdale Village  |  Event Details

The Huntersville Holiday 5k will start on Friday at 7 p.m., and the Huntersville Half Marathon and 10K will start on Saturday at 8 a.m. in Birkdale Village. This schedule will allow runners to bundle two events if they are up for the challenge. Please be careful while registering and ensure you register for the correct event or the challenge.

The Menorah Lighting at Birkdale Village 

December 29th
Birkdale Village  |  Event Details

Join Birkdale Village and Chabad of Lake Norman for this season's Chanukah celebration at 5:30pm! Guests are invited to the Parkway to celebrate Chanukah with a traditional Menorah lighting ceremony, children's crafts, donuts, latkes, and gelt. Friends at Chabad of Lake Norman will assist Birkdale Village in lighting their menorah and have special goodies for guests!

Annual Lake Norman Lighted Christmas Boat Parade

December 21st  |  Event Details

This parade will run from Blythe Landing to Ramsey Creek Park and end with an appearance by Santa at the Duke Energy Explorium. Don't forget to bring any toys for TOYS for Little Smiles! This non-profit group annually takes donations at the parade and brings these toys to the children at the Levine Children's Hospital. Every toy will go to a child in need, so be sure to get one and help spread the holiday cheer! The event will start at 5:30 p.m. and finish at 7 p.m.