The most wonderful time of the year is fast approaching! These holiday traditions are perfect opportunities to make new memories with your close friends and family. Make sure you keep in mind Rowan County’s Holiday Events throughout the next upcoming months.
The Polar Express 2019 – November 15-17, 22-24, 29-30 and December 1, 6-8, 12-14, 15-17, 18-20, 21-22. Detailed prices are available upon purchase of tickets.
Inspired by the run-away hit movie, this holiday favorite comes to life at the NC Transportation Museum as you and your family take a ride on the Polar Express. Come enjoy singing, dancing, hot cocoa, cookies, and a reading of the original story at your favorite destination in Spencer.
Live action rendition of the Polar Express.
The Nutcracker Ballet – November 21-22 from 2:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Join us in Salisbury for Piedmont Dance Theatre’s 17th annual production of the Nutcracker! Get ready to listen to the sounds of the Salisbury Symphony, and be delighted by the “visions of sugarplum fairies” as we bring you this very special holiday treat.
Piedmont Dance Theatre’s annual production of the Nutcracker Ballet.
Festival of Gifts – November 21-23, 28-30 and December 5-7, 12-14 from 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Find a variety of gift choices for the holidays at the yearly Festival of Gifts held at the Rail Walk Studios and Gallery. Hand painted glassware, scented candles, and many more custom-made items from local artisans.
Scrooge’s Christmas Trolley Tour – November 21 – December 21 (Thursday, Friday, Saturday) from 6 p.m. – 6:45 p.m.
Scrooge’s Christmas Trolley Tour is a dramatic telling of Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol.” Passengers travel back in time with Scrooge on his journey via the trolley to see scenes from this traditional holiday story. This is a live-theater presentation that your family won’t want to miss!
Ebenezer Scrooge guiding the Rowan community through his Christmas story.
Lighting of the Fall Fires – November 23 from 5:30 p.m. – 9 p.m.
Step back in time for a delightful evening of entertainment, food, and warm holiday cheer while strolling through the streets of Historic Gold Hill, NC. It is a festive night that will be sure to put you in the holiday spirit.
Lighting of the Fall Fires in Gold Hill, NC.
Kannapolis Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony & Fireworks – November 23 at 6 p.m.
A Kannapolis Christmas will officially kick off at Village Park with the Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony! Enjoy live music and entertainment, kid’s activities, and fireworks!
Hall House Christmas – November 23 – December 22 (Saturdays and Sundays) from 1 p.m. – 4 p.m.
Bring your family to the Hall House Museum to enjoy beautiful Christmas displays. Greenery, fruits and berries, antique toys, heirloom quilts are all combined to transform Dr. Hall’s house into a Christmas wonderland.
Hall House decorated for the holiday season.
The Winterland Express & Christmas in Village Park – November 23 – December 30 from 6 p.m. – 9 p.m. (Sunday-Thursday) and from 6 p.m. 10 p.m. (Friday and Saturday)
Come ride the Winterland Express train through Village Park and enjoy more than 250,000 lights. There will also be feature performances from our very own Kannapolis Singing Bears, who will bring Christmas cheer to every family.
The Winterland Express in Village Park in Kannapolis, NC.
41st Annual Southern Rowan Christmas Parade – November 26 from 3 p.m. – 6 p.m.
Kick off the Christmas season at the 41stAnnual Southern Rowan Christmas Parade! You don’t want to miss out on this long-standing holiday tradition filled with Christmas spirit in your China Grove community!
‘Tis the Season Holiday Spectacular – Wednesday, November 27 from 2 p.m. – 4 p.m.
A holiday parade will follow the route of main street through Spencer and Salisbury’s historic downtowns. The community is invited to enjoy the musical acts, floats, and the celebration of another beautiful holiday season in Rowan County!
‘Tis the Season Holiday Spectacular Parade on main street on Spencer and Salisbury, NC.
Holiday Night Out in Downtown Salisbury – November 29 from 5 p.m. – 9 p.m.
The biggest shopping night of the year with live music, hot cocoa, crafts, activities for kids, carriage rides, and so much more!
Salisbury’s Holiday Night Out.
Small Business Saturday – November 30
Celebrate small businesses in Rowan County by visiting those throughout our county! Enjoy the day and check off your holiday shopping list with our original, small businesses.
Gingerbread House Workshop – December 1 at 1, 2, and 3 p.m
Come test your holiday architecture skills at this gingerbread house building event! This family-friendly event provides all the supplies. Advanced registration is required and costs $40.
Families hard at work on the gingerbread house creations!
Lessons & Carols at Catawba College – December 2 and 5 at 6:30 p.m.
Members of the community are welcomed to enjoy the beautiful voices of Catawba College’s choir by attending Catawba College’s 32nd annual service of Lessons and Carols. Come kick off your holiday spirit in the beautifully decorated Onwake-Dearborn Chapel!
Catawba College students singing at their annual service of Lessons and Carols.
Living Christmas Tree – December 5-9 at 7 p.m.
The Living Christmas Tree is a live musical and drama performance held each holiday season. Come listen to this 80-person choir range from traditional Christmas carols to contemporary gospel music!
Arc of Rowan County Festival of Trees – December 6-8 from 7 p.m. – 9 p.m.
The annual Festival of Trees showcases a collection of beautifully decorated Christmas trees and is a wonderful kick-off to the Christmas season. This will be the 15th year of the festival, so make sure you come out and spread some Christmas cheer!
The trees in the Festival are sponsored by anyone interested in helping The Arc of Rowan. The tree sponsor can specify the decorators for their tree, or The Arc of Rowan can find a decorator for them. The tree decorators choose the style of decorations and a theme! The trees are available for public display during the first weekend in December. Once the Festival of Trees concludes, the Christmas tree is moved by The Arc of Rowan to a location of the sponsor’s choosing, in Rowan County, to be viewed and enjoyed until the new year begins.
Downtown Tree Lighting Event – December 6 from 6 p.m. – 7 p.m.
Come enjoy the towns’ tree lighting in Downtown Landis with some hot cocoa and special performances of Christmas carols by local students.
Historic Gold Hill Christmas in the Village – December 6-8
Join us for an Old-Fashioned Christmas with light refreshments in the Village Shops, photos with Santa, hayrides to the barn, live music, and more! Shops will be open until 8 p.m. on Friday and Saturday and 5 p.m. on Sunday.
Christmas in the Village in Gold Hill, NC.
Brunch with Santa – December 7 from 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.
We all know Santa likes cookies and milk for a late-night snack, but what does he eat for brunch…PANCAKES! Enjoy great food, crafts, games, photos, and much more, and make a great holiday memory with the ones you love.
Cleveland NC Christmas Parade – December 7 at 2 p.m.
The Cleveland Lions Club will sponsor the 46th annual Cleveland Christmas parade. Come enjoy tossed candy and Christmas cheer with your community!
China Grove Tree Lighting – December 7 at 7 p.m.
Join the Town of China Grove in Hanna Park for some hot chocolate and caroling as we light the Christmas tree!
Holly Jolly Christmas Craft and Vendor Show – December 7-8 from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Come support these vendors with beautiful Christmas crafts and merchandise!
Campfire Christmas by the Lake – December 13 from 6 p.m. – 8 p.m.
Lake Corriher Wilderness Park is hosting a campfire with Santa! There will be cookies, hot cider and cocoa, and roasting marshmallows. Come have a little chat with Santa and enjoy the uniqueness of this woodsy holiday event.
Santa & Grinch Antique Firetruck Rides – December 14 from 10 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Spend the day in downtown for photos with Santa and the Grinch! Then enjoy free rides on antique fire trucks with your favorite holiday friends!
Everyone’s favorite Holiday Cheermeister, the Grinch.
Christmas in the Grove – December 14 from 5 p.m. – 9 p.m.
Join us for a fun evening in China Grove! Sledding, hot cocoa, hot dogs, fire pits, marshmallow roasting, horse drawn wagon rides, cookie decorating, caroling, Santa, and much more!
Sledding at Christmas in the Grove.
It’s a Magical Moonglows Christmas – December 14 at 7:30 p.m.
This is a show for the whole family that promises you’ll experience the joy and warmth of Christmas, right down to the fresh baked Christmas cookies and hot chocolate. Come enjoy the mixture of music and comedy in this holiday show!
The 81st Annual Kannapolis Christmas Parade – December 14 at 6 p.m.
Come join in on the 81st Annual Kannapolis Christmas Parade. This special night time parade travels through the streets of downtown Kannapolis and is sure to bring a smile to everyone’s face.
Local students performing through downtown Kannapolis.
Christmas Eve Tour at the Hall House – December 24 from 6 p.m. – 8 p.m.
Join Historic Salisbury Foundation for a special Christmas Eve Tour of the Historic Hall House in Downtown Salisbury, NC.
Old Christmas at the Michael Braun Haus – December 29 from 12 p.m. – 4 p.m.
Experience old German traditions during Christmas and tours of the Old Stone House.
New Year’s Eve at the Trolley Barn – December 31 from 9 p.m. – 12 a.m.
Join Salisbury Parks & Rec as they celebrate New Year’s Eve! There will be a live feed of the Times Square Ball Drop, live music, and refreshments. Please note that this event is replacing the annual Bell Tower celebration due to the park being under construction.
