Your Guide to the Holidays in Rowan County, NC
The holidays in Rowan County are a season of small-town traditions: parades down Main Street, trees lit up against the winter sky, train rides, live music, and plenty of reasons to bundle up and get out of the house. From the first parades in late November to the final trolley tour just before Christmas, there’s something happening nearly every week.
To make planning easier, we’ve broken the season into three guides. Here’s a taste of what’s in each one.
Part 1: Parades & Tree Lightings
Parade week kicks off November 24 with the Southern Rowan Christmas Parade through Landis and China Grove, followed on November 25 by the ’Tis the Season Spectacular in Downtown Salisbury and Spencer’s Holiday Caravan Parade that evening. The Town of Cleveland holds its parade on December 5, and Kannapolis hosts its own in December.
Tree lightings fill the calendar too, including Landis, China Grove, Cleveland, Winterfest in Spencer, and Granite Quarry’s Festival of Trees, which stays up through New Year’s Day.
Part 2: Festivities, Family Fun & Christmas Cheer
This is the guide for making memories. Ride THE POLAR EXPRESS™ at the NC Transportation Museum, or stroll through the lights at the Celebration of Lights & Winterland Express. You’ll also find festivals and markets like Faith Frosty Fest, Winterfest in Spencer, Christmas at the Lake in Granite Quarry, and Christmas in the Village in Gold Hill, plus A Walk Through Bethlehem, donuts with Santa at Tiger World, a campfire Christmas at Lake Corriher, and a few grown-up nights out.
📸 N.C. Transportation Museum
Part 3: Holiday Arts, Theatre & Live Performances
If you’d rather spend the season on stage, or in the audience, this guide is for you. Catch holiday theatre from Piedmont Players and Lee St. Theatre, including It’s a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play and Scrooge’s Christmas Trolley Tour. The Salisbury Symphony brings The Messiah on November 29 and Holiday Pops on December 19, and a Festive Holiday Candlelight Experience on December 3 adds a quieter, cozier option.
📸 Piedmont Players
The Season at a Glance
Plan Your Season
A few tips for making the most of it:
- Book early. Train rides, theatre shows, and symphony performances can sell out, and the trolley tour seats only 28 at a time, so don’t wait on tickets.
- Check before you go. Dates, times, and details can change, so confirm on each event page before heading out.
However you celebrate, we hope this season brings you plenty of joy right here in Rowan County. Happy holidays from all of us at Your Rowan!
