‘Tis that time of the year again! Whether you’re looking to get festive inside or you want to enjoy the holiday spirit outdoors, Lake Norman has you covered with a variety of winter and holiday events in the towns of Cornelius, Davidson, and Huntersville, guaranteed to give you those warm fuzzy feelings.
Lighting of Birkdale Village
November 18th
Birkdale Village | More Details
Kick off the holiday season with a magical tree lighting at Birkdale Village! Bring out the whole family for holiday activities, performances, and the classic Christmas music everyone loves! Starting at 2 p.m., you and your family can stroll throughout Birkdale and experience holiday crafts, face painting, and more, or you can hang out by the main stage to enjoy some live holiday performances. Be sure to find a cozy spot on the Parkway by 4:30 p.m. for the Festive Parade around the village, followed by the tree lighting at 6 p.m.! You'll want to stay after for the live performances of holiday hits and party jams from 6:15-7:30 p.m., where you can dance into the holiday season!
Birkdale on Ice
November 18th - January 28th
Birkdale Village | More 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 19th - December 24th
Birkdale Village | More Details
Jolly ol' Saint Nick is making his way to Birkdale Village! Come out to visit Santa Claus throughout the holiday season, where he will spread his holiday magic and take pictures at his North Pole-inspired cottage by the Fountain. Santa will be in town every Thursday through Sunday from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. until Christmas Eve. Santa will be very busy this year, so reserve your spot in advance to meet Santa! This is a great chance to get into the holiday spirit or ensure you're not on the naughty list!
Light Up Cornelius
November 25th
Cornelius Town Hall & Cain Park | More Details
Mark your calendars and plan to attend the 12th Annual Light Up Cornelius! Attendees can enjoy community group performances, children's activities, horse-drawn carriage rides, a model train display, food and drink, s'mores, a Santa and Mrs. Claus visit, and watch the tree lighting around 6 p.m.!
Christmas in Davidson
November 30th - December 2nd
Downtown Davidson | More Details
An annual tradition since 1988, Christmas in Davidson has become the most popular holiday event in the area! From 6-9 p.m. each night, you can stroll through the beautiful town of Davidson and enjoy holiday light shows, roving entertainment, a live nativity, live music, great food, holiday shopping, and many other unique attractions.
Breakfast with Santa
December 2nd
Birkdale Village | More 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 2nd
Downtown Davidson | More Details
Be a part of a proud Lake Norman holiday tradition! Starting at 1 p.m., the 41st 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!
Christmas in Huntersville & Tree Lighting
December 1st-2nd
Veteran's Park
Downtown Tree Lighting - Friday, December 1st, 6 pm-9 pm
Christmas in Huntersville - Saturday, December 2nd, 3 pm-8 pm
Veteran's Park will host all of our Christmas in Huntersville festivities. We will have a variety of artisan vendors, food, and beverages. Santa will be onsite each night, too! Our traditional children's rides and activities will be open during the event hours on both nights! Each night offers a chance to shop at different vendors, so be sure to stroll, sip, and shop!
The Menorah Lighting at Birkdale Village
December 7th
Birkdale Village | More Details
Join Birkdale Village and Chabad of Lake Norman for a Chanukah celebration this season! 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!
Huntersville Half Marathon & Holiday 5k
December 8th - 9th
Birkdale Village
This is your chance to work off those Thanksgiving calories! The Huntersville Holiday 5k will start Friday at 7 p.m., while the Huntersville Half Marathon & 10k will begin on Saturday at 8 a.m. in Birkdale Village. All runners will receive a medal upon finishing, and Fleet Feet Sports will present cash prizes to the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place winners in both races. However, all participants who register by December 1st will receive a free shirt or hoodie, and all runners will receive a medal upon finishing! The Huntersville Half Marathon & 5k is also working in partnership with Speed for Need, a non-profit focused on empowering community members affected by disability or disease through participation in fitness events. A portion of the proceeds from the event will go towards supporting Speed for Need in their efforts.
LKN Lighted Christmas Boat Parade
December 16th
Lake Norman
Get bundled up, sit back, and be amazed as you watch boat after boat pass by decked out in the lake's brightest and most show-stopping parade. This parade will run from Blythe Landing to Ramsey Creek Park to Peninsula Yacht Club 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 take place from 5:30-7:30 p.m. Want to be part of the parade? Registration form here!
With all of the fun holiday and winter events happening around Lake Norman, there's no stopping the holiday cheer this season. So grab your friends and family and start filling your calendar with exciting events to keep you jolly all winter long. Make sure to take lots of photos and tag us @visitlakenorman!
