Ways to Celebrate Winter Break With the Kids

Winter officially is here! And so is winter break for local students. Don’t let cabin fever set in this week. There is are so many ways to celebrate the season in Charlotte, many at no charge, that it’s a great time to get out and explore with the kids.

Monday. Go see some lights. Charlotte is aglow with twinkling holiday lights. I enjoy getting in the car and riding through nearby neighborhoods to see who has the best Griswold-like light show. Plaza Midwood and Thomas Avenue are good options for neighborhood lights, as is Sherwood Forest off of Colony Road. Of course McAdenville’s Christmas Town USA is magical (but be prepared to wait in a long line of traffic) and the 3.5 million lights at the Speedway Christmas is spectacular as well. Ballantyne Jewish Center is also hosting a Channukah Wonderland from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. today and Tuesday with crafts, a bounce house and more.

Tuesday. Explore uptown. Make a day of exploring uptown Charlotte to see the city center decorated for the season. Visit the Ritz-Carlton and walk through a wonderland of holiday confections. Head to the Gantt Center for African-Amercian Arts + Culture for the Getting Ready for Kwanzaa. Bring two canned goods to donate and get in for free. Little ones will love seeing the Leonard Bearstein Orchestra at Founders Hall. And if you’d like to get away from the holiday hoopla, check out the Dinosaurs in Motion exhibit at Discovery Place.

Wednesday. Santa Claus is coming to town! Tonight’s the night. Kids can track Santa with the NORAD Santa tracker. Take the day to make cookies or a craft together or do some other old-fashioned Christmas traditions, or take a stroll through Gingerbread Lane at Ballantyne Hotel. Or maybe go out for a delicious cup of hot cocoa at one of these nearby cafes.

Thursday. Merry Christmas! Enjoy the day with your family. If you feel the need to burn off some of those holiday cookies, scoot uptown to ice skate under the city skyline at Holiday on Ice. 

Friday. Though Christmas is officially done, that doesn’t mean the holiday festivities are a wrap. Check out our calendar of events for the full list of things to do with the family for the weekend.