With the family in town for the holidays, taking in all the Christmas spirit Uptown Charlotte has to offer along with seeing Nutcracker is the perfect holiday outing for all ages! Check out our five favorite things to do to make it a perfect holiday outing!

1. Holiday on Ice

NASCAR Hall of Fame Plaza

North Carolina’s only outdoor skating rink is right in Uptown Charlotte for the holidays. At Holiday on Ice, enjoy beautiful views of the city skyline while sliding across the ice bundled up in your favorite hat and mittens.

Admission and skate rental is $16 per person and you can pre-purchase online. Be sure to check out their hours when planning your full day of holiday fun in Uptown!

Photo by holidayonicecharlotte.com

2. Charlotte Christmas Village

7th street and N. Tryon

Charlotte Christmas Village, at its new location, has transformed the corner of 7th street and N. Tryon in to a quaint European-inspired Christmas Market. Vendors offer Christmas trees, beautiful hand-painted ornaments and gifts for the entire family. Kids can enjoy specialty foods while parents treat themselves to hot mulled wine, cider and beer. Santa will even be there for visits with children on Saturdays and Sundays so be sure to check the specialty hours. Don’t miss the chance to strike a pose in front of our advent calendar pop up just like second company dancer Karlee!

3. Leonard Bearstein Symphony Orchestra

Founders Hall

The animatronic Bearstein Bears sing and play Christmas favorites in 45-minute performance repeated through each day in Founders Hall right by the Belk Theater. Whether you pause to take in a Christmas classic, or your child insists on staying until the end of the show, it’s hard not to walk away with a smile and an extra dose of holiday cheer.

Photo from tripsavvy.com

4. ImaginOn

 300 E 7th St

At ImaginOn you’ll find the building overflowing with holiday fun, including a Letters to Santa mailbox and station to write your own and mail, a holiday scavenger hunt, book displays featuring stories ranging from the Nutcracker to Christmas to Kwanzaa, a Christmas tree built of books and hands-on holiday activities.

5. Poptopia Holidays

Foundation for the Carolinas

Poptopia Holidays is a pop-up shop experience inside the foundation of the Carolinas that offers Charlotteans a chance to shop with local retailers and makers. The Poptopia Holidays shop will be open from 11 AM to 8 PM during the week and 9 AM to 1 PM on Saturday and is free to the public. It’s the perfect place to get unique holiday presents for your family and experience local vendors! Check out all the creativity Charlotte has to offer! 

Photo from @createdbeautifullyshop