How To Holiday In Uptown CLT

How to Holiday in Uptown Charlotte

Your 2026 guide to holiday shows, family outings and where to eat in Uptown.

Kick off the season on Tryon Street

Novant Health Thanksgiving Eve Parade — Wednesday, November 25 | Tryon Street, Uptown Charlotte. Watch illuminated floats, marching bands and performers as Charlotte celebrates the parade’s 80th year. Street viewing is free, and reserved seating is available.

See a holiday show at Blumenthal Arts

A Motown Christmas — November 27 | Knight Theater. Keep Thanksgiving weekend going with a holiday concert featuring the sounds of Motown.
Jim Brickman: A Christmas Celebration — December 3 | Booth Playhouse. Spend an evening with the pianist and his holiday favorites.
Charlotte Ballet’s Nutcracker — December 4–23 | Belk Theater. Follow Clara into the Land of Sweets, with live accompaniment by the Charlotte Symphony Orchestra. Choose a matinee for a family outing or an evening performance for dinner and a show.
Noel & Maria: Christmas in a New Key — December 6 | Booth Playhouse. Noel Freidline and Maria Howell bring their annual holiday jazz celebration back to Uptown.
Charlotte Symphony’s Festival of Lights — December 10 | Knight Theater. Celebrate Hanukkah with an evening of music.
The Three Spirits — December 11–13 | Booth Playhouse. Caroline Calouche & Co. retells A Christmas Carol through dance, circus arts and music.
Charlotte Symphony’s Cirque de Noël — December 11–13 | Knight Theater. Watch acrobats perform to holiday music played live by the orchestra.
Charlotte Symphony’s Holiday Pops — December 18–20 | Knight Theater. Hear seasonal favorites or bring the kids to the separate Holiday Pops Family matinee on December 19 at 11 a.m., a one-hour concert with singalongs.

Catch Christmas at the Carolina

The historic Carolina Theatre at Belk Place brings live music and Christmas movies to 230 North Tryon Street.

Duke Ellington’s Nutcracker Suite — November 28 at 8 p.m. | Carolina Theatre.
Ricky Skaggs & Kentucky Thunder Christmas — December 5 at 8 p.m. | Carolina Theatre.
It’s a Wonderful Life — December 13 at 7 p.m. | Carolina Theatre.
The Holiday — December 17 at 7 p.m. | Carolina Theatre.
Sainted Trap Choir Presents: This Christmas — December 19 at 8 p.m. | Carolina Theatre.
Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas — December 20 at 6 p.m. | Carolina Theatre.
Elf — December 23 at 7 p.m. | Carolina Theatre.

Plan a winter break outing

Julia Child: A Recipe for Life — Through January 17, 2027 | Discovery Place Science. Step into a recreation of Julia Child’s television kitchen and see handwritten recipes and personal photographs. The exhibition is included with museum admission.
Dune: Part Three in IMAX — December 17–31 | Discovery Place Science IMAX Dome Theatre. Make a winter break movie plan and check the museum’s schedule for showtimes.
Light the Knights Festival — Select dates November 25–January 3, 2027 | Truist Field. See the ballpark decked out in lights, shop for gifts and make time for ice skating or snow tubing. Book an activities ticket in advance if you plan to skate or tube.

Book a table near your event

The Asbury | 237 North Tryon Street. Book dinner at The Dunhill Hotel for modern Southern cooking before a show at Belk Theater, Booth Playhouse or Carolina Theatre.
Mariposa | 500 South Tryon Street. Share globally inspired small plates at the Mint Museum Uptown before a Knight Theater performance, or make a Sunday outing of jazz brunch.
Angeline’s | 303 South Church Street. Gather over Italian cooking with a Southern influence before heading to Truist Field for the lights.

For more dining options around the holidays, click here for your next reservation!

Enjoy this season in Uptown, CLT. For more recommendations on where to eat, drink and hang out in the big city, be sure to follow us on social media at @Uptown.CLT!