Fun things to do with your kids around Charlotte, month by month. I check every event on the organizer's own website before it goes on this page, and it drops off once it's over. Looking for something that costs nothing? Tap Free only, or see my list of free things to do in Charlotte any day of the year.
Last updated: October 28, 2026. Dates, times and prices can change, so check the event's page before you go.
Sat, Oct 24 - Sun, Jan 17 · Mon-Fri 9 AM-4 PM; Sat-Sun 10 AM-4:30 PM
Kids can step into a re-creation of Julia Child's TV kitchen and learn the science behind cooking in this hands-on exhibit.
Discovery Place Science, Charlotte
Sun, Nov 1 · 12-6 PM
A free afternoon celebrating Day of the Dead traditions with music, food, altars and kids' activities.
Camp North End, Charlotte
Mon, Nov 2 · 2-7 PM
Families hunt through the library for clues while learning about the Festival of Lights.
North County Regional Library, Huntersville
Sat, Nov 7 · 3:30-4:15 PM
Dancers from a local ballet company bring a story to life with movement for young children.
Matthews Library, Matthews
Tue, Nov 10 and Tue, Dec 8 · 4-8 PM (free timed tickets required), Second Tuesday of each month (Nov 10 and Dec 8, 2026)
Free museum admission on the second Tuesday evening, 4-8 PM. Free timed tickets are required - reserve a 4, 5, 6 or 7 PM arrival on the museum's events calendar. Planetarium shows are $6.
Schiele Museum of Natural History, Gastonia
Wed, Nov 11 - Sun, Nov 22 · Thu-Sat 10 AM-9 PM; Sun-Wed 10 AM-6 PM (Nov 11 open until 9 PM)
A giant holiday shopping and decorating show that kicks off the season for many Charlotte families.
The Park Expo and Conference Center, Charlotte
Fri, Nov 13 · 6:30 PM (fireworks about 6:45 PM)
Kannapolis lights its town tree with live music and a fireworks finale to open the holiday season.
Village Park, Kannapolis
Fri, Nov 13 - Wed, Dec 30 · Sun-Thu 5:30-9 PM; Fri-Sat 5:30-10 PM, Nightly; closed Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day
Stroll a free park light display, ride the holiday train and visit Santa for free photos.
Village Park, Kannapolis
A one-day stage show about the pioneering pilot, aimed at kids 8 and up.
Wells Fargo Playhouse at ImaginOn, Charlotte
Fri, Nov 20 - Sun, Jan 3 · 6-10 PM, Nightly, rain or shine
Drive the speedway's track and infield through a huge light show, with a Christmas Village open on select nights.
Charlotte Motor Speedway, Concord
Fri, Nov 20 · 6-9 PM
Downtown Concord's 29th tree lighting with stage shows, a youth stage and Santa and Mrs. Claus at Courthouse Plaza.
Downtown Concord (Union St and Cabarrus Ave), Concord
Sat, Nov 21 · 2-7 PM (parade 4:30 PM, tree lighting 6 PM)
Santa arrives in a parade with a marching band, the tree lights up at 6 PM and the outdoor ice rink opens for the season.
Birkdale Village, Huntersville
Sat, Nov 21 · 2:30 PM
The 98th Concord Christmas Parade rolls more than two miles through downtown on Saturday afternoon.
Downtown Concord (Church St N to Union St), Concord
Sat, Nov 21 · 4-6 PM (lighting 5:45 PM)
Photos with Santa, a character meet-and-greet and performances lead up to Waxhaw's tree lighting.
Downtown Waxhaw, Waxhaw
Sat, Nov 21 - Wed, Dec 23 · Select dates; weekend shows 11 AM, 2 PM and 3 PM
Children's Theatre of Charlotte stages the Grinch musical for the whole family this holiday season.
McColl Family Theatre at ImaginOn, Charlotte
Tue, Nov 24 · 4:30-5:30 PM
School-age kids make a faux stained-glass holiday decoration to take home.
Mint Hill Library, Mint Hill
Wed, Nov 25 · Steps off 5:30 PM
Charlotte's 80th holiday parade brings giant balloons, bands and floats up Tryon Street the night before Thanksgiving.
Tryon Street, Uptown Charlotte, Charlotte
Thu, Nov 26 and Fri, Dec 25 · 4-10 PM on Thanksgiving and Christmas, Winter skating season runs mid-November 2026 to mid-February 2027, day and evening
Skate ice trails through the woods, and the rink stays open on Thanksgiving and Christmas evenings when most places close.
U.S. National Whitewater Center, Charlotte
Fri, Nov 27 - Sun, Jan 3 · Select dates; see park calendar for hours, Select nights
The theme park turns into a holiday village with lights, rides, a Santa musical, crafts and cookie decorating.
Carowinds, Charlotte
Fans throw stuffed animals onto the ice after the first Checkers goal, and the toys go to local kids for the holidays.
Bojangles Coliseum, Charlotte
A kid-focused Hornets home game with a giveaway for the first 7,500 fans.
Spectrum Center, Charlotte
Sat, Nov 28
A holiday 5K through the town famous for its Christmas lights, a fun family warm-up for the season.
Downtown McAdenville, McAdenville
Sat, Nov 28 · 4-7 PM (Santa 4:30 PM, tree lighting 6:30 PM)
Sledding, inflatables, a model train, cookie decorating and Santa lead up to the town tree lighting.
Downtown Cornelius, Cornelius
Sat, Nov 28 - Wed, Dec 30 · 5-10 PM (last entry 9 PM), Select nights
Walk the botanical garden at night under hundreds of thousands of lights, with cheaper Value Nights Monday through Thursday.
Daniel Stowe Conservancy, Belmont
Tue, Dec 1 · 5:30 PM
A child flips the switch that turns on all of Christmas Town U.S.A.'s lights for the season.
Dynamo 31, McAdenville
Tue, Dec 1 - Sat, Dec 26 · 5:30-10 PM, Nightly
Drive or walk through a whole small town draped in red, green and white lights, a Gaston County tradition.
Downtown McAdenville, McAdenville
Tue, Dec 1 - Mon, Dec 14 · Daily Dec 1-14
Kids can drop their letters to Santa in a special mailbox at Town Hall.
Mint Hill Town Hall, Mint Hill
Thu, Dec 3 - Sun, Dec 6
Four days of holiday fun downtown with Santa, carriage rides, a vendor village and a gingerbread house contest.
Old Town Rock Hill, Rock Hill
Thu, Dec 3 · 5-8 PM (tree lighting 6 PM)
A 50-foot tree lighting with school choirs, a vendor village, trackless train rides and photos with Santa.
Fort Mill Amphitheater at Walter Y. Elisha Park, Fort Mill
Thu, Dec 3 - Sat, Dec 5 · 6-9 PM nightly
Three nights of downtown holiday fun open with Santa's arrival and the tree lighting on the Town Green.
Downtown Davidson and Town Green, Davidson
Thu, Dec 3 · 8 AM-12 PM
A morning for little ones with holiday activities, play time and sing-alongs with Santa.
Freedom Center, Rock Hill
Fri, Dec 4 · 5:30-7 PM
Pineville gathers at Town Hall for an early-evening holiday tree lighting.
Pineville Town Hall, Pineville
Fri, Dec 4 · 6-8 PM (lighting 6:30 PM)
Live music, rides, treats and Santa's Workshop surround Huntersville's tree lighting.
Veterans Park, Huntersville
Fri, Dec 4 · 6:30-8:30 PM
A free family night with lights, a caroling train ride, a petting zoo, cocoa, crafts and a live nativity.
University City United Methodist Church, Charlotte
Fri, Dec 4 - Wed, Dec 23 · Evenings 7 or 7:30 PM; matinees 2 PM on select dates
Charlotte's classic holiday ballet returns with matinee and evening shows through Dec. 23.
Belk Theater, Blumenthal Arts, Charlotte
Sat, Dec 5 - Wed, Dec 23
A short holiday play made for preschoolers from Children's Theatre of Charlotte.
Wells Fargo Playhouse at ImaginOn, Charlotte
Sat, Dec 5 · 1 PM
The 44th North Meck parade, followed by the Merry Main Street Tricycle Race in front of the Town Green.
Main Street, Davidson, Davidson
Sat, Dec 5 · 11 AM
Fort Mill's 79th Christmas parade marches through the historic downtown on Saturday morning.
Historic Downtown Fort Mill, Fort Mill
Sat, Dec 5 · 3-8 PM
Free kids' rides, ice sculptures, face painting, stage shows and photos with Santa.
Veterans Park, Huntersville
Sat, Dec 5 · 3:30-6:30 PM
Crafts, inflatables, balloon twisting and Santa photos, then the Matthews tree and park lights come on.
Stumptown Park, Matthews
Sat, Dec 5 · 5:30-9 PM
An evening parade down Matthews-Mint Hill Road followed by a tree lighting, food trucks and Santa at Town Hall.
Matthews-Mint Hill Rd to Mint Hill Town Hall, Mint Hill
Tue, Dec 8 · 10:30 AM
The first morning school-day hockey game in Checkers history, a field-trip-style outing for students.
Bojangles Coliseum, Charlotte
Thu, Dec 10 · Singing begins 5:30 PM
A small-town tradition where carolers gather and the Yule Log is paraded through Christmas Town U.S.A.
Near the Yule Log, Main Street, McAdenville
A festive race day with a 5K, a one-mile run and a kids' run on the Whitewater Center trails.
U.S. National Whitewater Center, Charlotte
Sat, Dec 12 · 6 PM
An evening Christmas parade through downtown Kannapolis.
Downtown Kannapolis, Kannapolis
Sun, Dec 13 · 3 PM
Waxhaw's Sunday afternoon Christmas parade draws a big crowd, so arrive early.
Downtown Waxhaw, Waxhaw
A superhero-themed Hornets home game timed to the new Avengers movie.
Spectrum Center, Charlotte
A holiday-themed Hornets home game, a festive night out for basketball fans of all ages.
Spectrum Center, Charlotte
A NASCAR-themed hockey night with specialty jerseys, presented with the Kevin Harvick Foundation.
Bojangles Coliseum, Charlotte
Sat, Dec 19 · 10 AM-12 PM
Breakfast, a holiday craft and letter writing, then a visit and photos with Santa.
Daniel Stowe Conservancy, Belmont
Sat, Dec 19 · 11 AM
A one-hour family matinee of holiday songs and singalongs, with a visit from Santa.
Knight Theater, Charlotte
Thu, Dec 31 · See park calendar
Ring in the new year at the park with a countdown celebration and last rides of the year.
Carowinds, Charlotte
A second kid-focused Hornets home game during winter break.
Spectrum Center, Charlotte
Sat, Jan 9 - Sun, Jan 24
The favorite picture book about a demanding mouse comes to the stage for young audiences.
Wells Fargo Playhouse at ImaginOn, Charlotte
Every Thursday 9:30 AM; check calendar for holiday breaks
A lap-sit storytime with books, bounces and songs made for babies and their caregivers.
Davidson Library, Davidson
Every Thursday 10:30 AM; check calendar for holiday breaks
An east Charlotte storytime with books, songs and fingerplays for babies through preschoolers.
Independence Regional Library, Charlotte
Every Thursday 10:15 AM; check calendar for holiday breaks
A half hour of read-alouds, rhymes and songs for young children and their families.
Matthews Library, Matthews
Every Thursday 9:30 AM (also Mondays 10 AM); check calendar for holiday breaks
Stories, songs and rhymes for babies, toddlers and preschoolers with their grown-ups.
Pineville Library, Pineville
Every Thursday 9:30 and 10:30 AM; check calendar for holiday breaks
Two back-to-back storytimes with picture books, movement and songs for toddlers.
Steele Creek Library, Charlotte
Every Thursday 10:15 AM; check calendar for holiday breaks
Families with little ones share stories, songs and simple early-literacy play.
University City Regional Library, Charlotte
Every Saturday 10:30 AM; check calendar for holiday breaks
A weekend storytime in uptown's children's library, so working parents can join in too.
ImaginOn: The Joe and Joan Martin Center, Charlotte
Every Saturday 10:30 AM; check calendar for holiday breaks
Saturday morning stories and songs for young children and the grown-ups who bring them.
Plaza Midwood Library, Charlotte
First Sunday of every month, 2-4:30 PM
A calmer monthly play session at the children's museum for kids with sensory sensitivities and their families.
Discovery Place Kids-Huntersville, Huntersville
Monthly (next Nov 1, 2026)
The museum opens early with softer lights, lower sound and quiet spaces for kids who need a calmer visit.
Discovery Place Science, Charlotte
Every Monday 10 AM (sign up at the branch); check calendar for holiday breaks
Songs, bounces and simple stories for the youngest readers in the Lake Norman area.
Cornelius Library, Cornelius
Every Monday 9:30 AM (registration required); check calendar for holiday breaks
A Monday storytime for toddlers and preschoolers with books, songs and movement.
Davidson Library, Davidson
Every Monday and Thursday 9:30 AM; check calendar for holiday breaks
Board books, bounces and lullabies for babies and their caregivers in uptown's children's library.
ImaginOn: The Joe and Joan Martin Center, Charlotte
Every Monday 9:15 and 10:15 AM (registration required); check calendar for holiday breaks
Two Monday morning storytimes with stories and songs; sign up ahead since space is limited.
Matthews Library, Matthews
Every Monday 9:30 AM; check calendar for holiday breaks
A gentle start to the week with rhymes, songs and short books for babies.
Mint Hill Library, Mint Hill
Every Wednesday 11 AM; check calendar for holiday breaks
Preschoolers get picture books, songs and a little wiggle time to build early reading skills.
Cornelius Library, Cornelius
Every Wednesday 5-8 PM
A self-guided art-making table where kids and adults can create something on free Wednesday nights.
Mint Museum Randolph, Charlotte
Every Wednesday 5-9 PM, both Mint Museum Uptown and Mint Museum Randolph
General admission is free every Wednesday evening, and the hands-on Lewis Family Gallery is open 5-8 PM for kids.
Mint Museum Uptown and Mint Museum Randolph, Charlotte
Every Wednesday 11:30 AM; check calendar for holiday breaks
A storytime that mixes books with dancing and movement games for busy preschoolers.
ImaginOn: The Joe and Joan Martin Center, Charlotte
Every Wednesday 11:15 AM; check calendar for holiday breaks
Preschoolers enjoy stories, songs and activities that get them ready to read.
Mint Hill Library, Mint Hill
Every Wednesday 11 AM; check calendar for holiday breaks
Short stories, action songs and movement sized just right for toddlers.
North County Regional Library, Huntersville
Every Wednesday 11 AM (also Thursdays 10:15 AM); check calendar for holiday breaks
A family storytime with stories and songs that work for babies, toddlers and preschoolers together.
SouthPark Regional Library, Charlotte
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