Last updated: November 11, 2024
Celebrate the joy of the holidays in Salisbury with our event guide. Whether you're here every year or just this once, our guide will show you the best of Salisbury's holiday season.
Popular events abound this time of year, including the enchanting Speedway Christmas, where guests can enjoy a dazzling display of lights while driving through the speedway. Alongside this, the North Carolina Arboretum’s Winter Lights features stunning gardens adorned with vibrant light displays, creating a magical atmosphere. And the Autumn Jubilee is something you definitely don't want to miss, showcasing local crafts and seasonal festivities in a charming outdoor setting. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
Have suggestions or corrections? Contact us!
Salisbury Holiday Light Displays
Tanglewood Park Festival of Lights
- What to Expect
- Spectacular drive-thru light display with interactive musical elements.
- Description
- Tanglewood Park Festival of Lights features over a million twinkling lights, interactive musical displays, and festive tunes. The event spans five miles, offering a drive-thru experience with various amenities like refreshments, a gift shop, and special events.
- Where
- Clemmons | More Info : Tanglewood Park Festival of Lights
Speedway Christmas
- What to Expect
- Synchronized light and sound show on a historic speedway.
- Description
- Speedway Christmas at Charlotte Motor Speedway features over five million lights along a four-mile drive-thru course, including legendary oval, pit road, and infield road course. The show is open from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m., rain or shine, with synchronized lights and music on 101.3 FM. Drive-in movies are also available on the gigantic Speedway TV every Thursday through Sunday night.
- Where
- Charlotte | More Info : Speedway Christmas
Winterfest at Carowinds
- What to Expect
- Immersive holiday event with extensive light displays and family-friendly activities.
- Description
- Celebrate the holiday season at Carowinds with millions of shimmering lights, ice skating, family activities, live entertainment, holiday-inspired comfort food and beverages, and select attractions. Enjoy holiday-themed games, festive live entertainment, and the joy of Christmas activities for the entire family.
- Where
- Charlotte | More Info : Winterfest at Carowinds
McLaurin Farms Christmas Festival
- What to Expect
- Hayride through festive lights with Santa and the Grinch.
- Description
- McLaurin Farms Christmas Festival offers a festive experience with a hayride through lights, photo opportunities with Santa and the Grinch, and activities like writing letters to Santa and playing on the playground.
- Where
- Greensboro | More Info : McLaurin Farms Christmas Festival
Country Christmas Train at Denton FarmPark
- What to Expect
- Live nativity scene and dancing elves on a festive train ride.
- Description
- At the Country Christmas Train at Denton FarmPark, walk down Candy Cane Lane to the train station, visit Santa for professional photos, and board the Handy Dandy Railroad for a 1.5-mile ride viewing beautiful Christmas lights and a short movie about the true meaning of Christmas. Enjoy a live nativity scene, dedication to the military, and dancing elves. Explore the Grist Mill, petting zoo, General Store, Radio Museum, Church, Shoe Shop, Gas Station, Myers Car Shop, Doll Museum, and Coke Museum. Weather permitting, kids can enjoy rides like a ferris wheel and swinging tubs. Visit the blacksmith shop and plantation house for candle making, and finish your night with good food and crafts.
- Where
- Denton | More Info : Country Christmas Train at Denton FarmPark
Holidays at the Garden
- What to Expect
- Twinkling light display with festive holiday spirit and seasonal delights.
- Description
- Explore the vibrant light display at Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden, featuring thousands of twinkling lights, dancing fountains, and festive holiday spirit. Enjoy delectable delights from food trucks, warm beverages, and unique gifts at the Garden Store. Capture the magic by striking a pose in front of the radiant Orchid Tree.
- Where
- Belmont | More Info : Holidays at the Garden
Salisbury Holiday Markets and Shopping
Huntersville Holiday Market
- What to Expect
- Free holiday activities and shopping with local vendors.
- Description
- Huntersville Holiday Market features free activities including children's rides, Artisan Ice Sculptures, holiday performances, and shopping from 50 local vendors. Enjoy festive music, glitter tattoos, balloon twisters, and roaming holiday characters.
- Where
- Huntersville | More Info : Huntersville Holiday Market
Lost Worlds Christmas Market
- What to Expect
- Unique holiday market with craft beers and local vendors.
- Description
- Join us at Lost Worlds Brewing for a holiday celebration featuring local artisans, seasonal beers, and festive atmosphere.
- Where
- Cornelius | More Info : Lost Worlds Christmas Market
Celebration of Seagrove Potters
- What to Expect
- Unique handmade ceramics by 80 local potters.
- Description
- The Celebration of Seagrove Potters is a premier event showcasing the unique handmade ceramics of 80 potters living and working in Seagrove, North Carolina. The event features a self-guided studio tour, an indoor show at Historic Luck's Cannery, and various activities including a Ribbon Cutting, Preview Market, Gala, and Auction.
- Where
- Seagrove | More Info : Celebration of Seagrove Potters
Olde Mecklenburg Brewery’s Christmas Market (Weihnachtsmarkt)
- What to Expect
- German-style Christmas Market with live music and festive lights.
- Description
- Olde Mecklenburg Brewery transforms into a German-inspired Christmas Market, featuring over 40 vendors selling gifts and baked goods. Enjoy hot cocoa, fire pits, and live music amidst mesmerizing lights.
- Where
- Charlotte | More Info : Olde Mecklenburg Brewery’s Christmas Market (Weihnachtsmarkt)
Salisbury Holiday Shows and Entertainment
Christmas in Davidson
- What to Expect
- Community-driven holiday celebration with live performances and local vendors.
- Description
- Christmas in Davidson is a festive holiday event featuring live music, entertainment, and activities for all ages. Enjoy visits with Santa, holiday light shows, and a variety of food and shopping options.
- Where
- Davidson | More Info : Christmas in Davidson
North Carolina Christmas Festival
- What to Expect
- Free activities and entertainment for all ages.
- Description
- The North Carolina Christmas Festival is a family-friendly event featuring free activities like Santa pictures, toy giveaways, face painting, and a pie-eating contest. Enjoy dance performances, free gift wrapping, and a kids' zone with various holiday-themed activities.
- Where
- Concord | More Info : North Carolina Christmas Festival
Salisbury Other Holiday Activities
Autumn Jubilee
- What to Expect
- Family-friendly festival with diverse craft vendors and live entertainment.
- Description
- The 43rd Annual Autumn Jubilee at Dan Nicholas Park in Salisbury, NC, celebrates the season with family fun, food, and craft vendors, attracting over 50,000 visitors.
- Where
- Salisbury | More Info : Autumn Jubilee
Bell Tower BREWFEST
- What to Expect
- Unique blend of craft beer, live music, and local food.
- Description
- Bell Tower BREWFEST is a celebration of North Carolina's craft beer scene, featuring over 15 local breweries, live music, and delicious food trucks at Bell Tower Green Park in Salisbury, NC.
- Where
- Salisbury | More Info : Bell Tower BREWFEST
Lost Worlds Procrastinators Market
- What to Expect
- Unique taproom with global artifacts and adventure-themed beers.
- Description
- Lost Worlds Brewing offers a variety of craft beers and a unique taproom experience with artifacts from around the world. Enjoy their Adventure Series beers, which are inspired by famous world explorers, and explore their basecamp atmosphere.
- Where
- Cornelius | More Info : Lost Worlds Procrastinators Market