‘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 22nd
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 2pm, 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 festive tunes.

Be sure to find a cozy spot on the Parkway by 4:30pm for the Festive Parade around the village, followed by the tree lighting at 6pm! You'll want to stay after for the live performances of holiday hits and party jams where you can dance away into the holiday season!

 
Lighting of Birkdale Village

Birkdale on Ice

November 22nd - January 11th
Birkdale Village | More Details

'Tis the season to lace up your skates and glide into the holiday spirit at Birkdale on Ice! For what is becoming a local favorite winter tradition, Birkdale Village has an ice skating rink! Guests must book ice skating reservations to ensure a skating time slot. Tickets are good for 75-minute skate sessions.

Birkdale on Ice

Santa at Birkdale Village

November 23rd - 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 between Anthropologie and Lululemon.

Santa will be in town every day from 10-6pm until Christmas Eve. Santa will be very busy this year, so reserve your spot in advance to meet him! This is a great chance to get into the holiday spirit or ensure you're not on the naughty list!

 

Christmas in Birkdale

Light Up Cornelius

November 29th 
Downtown Cornelius | More Details

Mark your calendars and plan to attend the Annual Light Up Cornelius! Starting at 4pm attendees can enjoy community group performances, children's activities, trackless train rides, a model train display, food and drink, s'mores, a Santa and Mrs. Claus visit, and watch the tree lighting around 6:30pm!

 

Light Up Cornelius

Christmas in Davidson

December 4th - December 6th
Downtown Davidson | More Details 

An annual tradition since 1988, Christmas in Davidson has become the most popular holiday event in the area! From 6-9pm 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. 

Christmas in Davidson

Huntersville Tree Lighting

December 5th

Downtown Huntersville | More Details

The Huntersville Tree Lighting will kick off the month of December with some Christmas Cheer! There will be something for everyone: rides, food & beverage vendors, craft vendors, Santa, and special performances by artists and performance groups, all leading up to the Christmas tree lighting at 6:30pm.
 

 

Christmas in Huntersville

Holidays in Huntersville

December 6th

Downtown Huntersville | More Details

The excitement in Huntersville continues on Saturday, December 6th, from 3-8pm, with an afternoon and evening filled with family-friendly fun, including free children’s rides, artisan ice sculptures, holiday performances, roaming characters, carolers, face painters, balloon twisters, and pictures with Santa, as well as over 50 local vendors to explore.

North Mecklenburg Holiday Parade

December 6th
Downtown Davidson | More Details

Be a part of a proud Lake Norman holiday tradition! Starting at 1pm, the 43rd 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 the Merry Main Street Tricycle Race on Main Street!

North Meck Christmas Parade

Breakfast with Santa 

December 6th
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 proceeds will benefit Operation Wakesurf!

Birkdale Village - shopping

Huntersville Half Marathon & Holiday 5k

December 12th - 13th
Birkdale Village | More Details

This is your chance to work off those Thanksgiving calories! The Huntersville Holiday 5k will start Friday at 7pm, while the Huntersville Half Marathon & 10k will begin on Saturday at 8am at Fleet Feet Sports. 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. All participants who register by December 1st will receive a free shirt or hoodie as well! 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.

The Menorah Lighting at Birkdale Village

December 14th
Birkdale Village | More Details

Join Birkdale Village and Chabad of Lake Norman for a Hanukkah celebration this season! Guests are invited to the Parkway to celebrate Hanukkah 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!

Menorah at Birkdale Village

LKN Lighted Christmas Boat Parade

December 20th
Lake Norman | More Details

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 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 5:30-7:30pm. 

Want to be part of the parade? Email cbaycharlotte@gmail.com for a Captains Package!

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!