Performances of ‘The Nutcracker’
Selections from The Nutcracker — 6:30 pm , Nov 29: Rowan Public Library and members of Salisbury- Symphony present dance selections from Piedmont Dance Theatre’s The Nutcracker Ballet. Free. 704-216-8234.
Piedmont Dance Theatre — 7 pm Dec 7 and 2 pm Dec 8: 16th annual production. Kannapolis Performing Arts Center, 415 E 1st St. Adults $25. age 17 and under $18, at PiedmontDanceTheatre.com
Piedmont Dance Theatre and Salisbury Symphony — 6:30 p.m. Dec 15 and 2:30 pm Dec 16: 11th annual production. 110 performers include dancers from Piedmont School of Music & Dance, ages 6-51 . Keppel Auditorium, Catawba College. Adults $25-$45, age 17 and under $17.50 -$25 at PiedmontDanceTheatre.com
UNC School of the Arts — 7:30 p.m. Dec. 12-Dec. 13: Guest dancers Yuriko Kajiya and Connor Walsh. Full performance schedule: Dec. 7-8 and 12-15 at 7:30 pm; Dec. 8-9, 15-16 at 2 pm. Tickets $29-$83 at the Stevens Center box office and uncsa.edu/performances
High Point Ballet — Dec 19- 21: Choreography by award-winning artistic director Gary Taylor. High Point Theatre, 220 E Commerce Ave. Reserved seating for all performances at highpointballet.org
Moscow Ballet’s Great Russian Nutcracker — Dec. 23: Moscow Ballet’s “Dove of Peace Tour”at Ovens Auditorium. Tickets $30-$177 plus charges. Ovens Auditorium, adjacent to Bojangles’ Coliseum. Info at ovensauditorium.com, tickets at Ticketmaster.com

Christmas events

China Grove
Annual Tree Lighting event — 7-10 p.m. Dec. 1: Hanna Park, China Grove www.chinagrovenc.gov
‘Christmas on the Home Front’ at the Price of Freedom Museum — 3-6 pm Dec. 2 and Dec. 9: • Live Christmas music in the recently restored auditorium, Strings of Victory Dec. 2; Efird Family Singers Dec. 9 • WWII era 3-room house decorated for Christmas • “Do You Remember?” Room • All displays open • All branches represented • Free admission. American war memorial dedicated to men and women of the armed services. Weaver and Patterson Roads. 704-857-7474, www.priceoffreedom.us
Live Nativity at Mt. Moriah — 6-8 pm Dec 9: RAINDATE: Dec 16: Drive by or get out and enjoy the sights and sounds of the Holy Scene. Costumed characters, real animals. 750 Mt. Moriah Church Road, 704-857-5034.
Annual Christmas In The Grove — 5-9 p.m. Dec. 15: Sledding, food, hot chocolate, s’mores, caroling, horse drawn wagon rides, face painting, visit with Santa, more. Free. Bring an unwrapped for Toys for Tots if you like. Main Street and Swink Streets, www.chinagrovenc.gov

Cleveland
Cleveland Christmas Parade — 2 p.m. Dec. 1: Main Street, Cleveland 704-278-0974

Concord
‘The Best Christmas Pageant Ever’ at Old Courthouse Theater — Through Dec. 16: At 49 Spring St NW, 704-788-2405, Tickets at www.oldcourthousetheatre.org
Holiday Happenings event — 11 a.m.-2 pm Dec 1: Free horse-drawn wagon rides; register now for Gingerbread Candy Hunt at 704-784-4208 or info@concorddowntown.com
On Stage at The Davis: Davis Theatre — 4 and 8 pm Dec 1: The Barefoot Movement Christmas Show: 65 Union St, South. 704-920- ARTS, www.cabarrusartscouncil.org
Cookies with Santa — 3-6 pm Dec 5: At The Galleries. Portraits available for purchase. 65 Union St S., 704-920-2787, www.cabarrusartguild.org
Piedmont Choral Society — 7 pm Dec 7 and 9: 60-voice all volunteer Piedmont Choral Society’s annual free Christmas concerts at Forest Hill UMC, 265 Union St North. Seasonal favorites and carols accompanied by professional orchestra. A reception will follow. An offering will be accepted. Info: 704-699-6053 or www.piedmontchoralsociety.com
Piedmont Singing Men Christmas concert — 6:30 p.m Dec 9 at: Victory Temple, 3101 Cline School Road.
Come Now to Bethlehem —7 pm Dec 16: Lessons and Carols for Christmas by Poplar Tent Presbyterian Church Choir and members of Charlotte Orchestra. 6841 Poplar Tent Road, 704-783-1603 office@poplartentchurch.org

Gold Hill

Christmas in the Village — 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Dec 7-9: Historic Gold Hill, St Stephens Church Road, 704-279-5674, www.historicgoldhill.com

Kannapolis
Village Park, 700 West C St., www.kannapolisnc.gov
Celebration of Lights & Winterland Express — 6 pm through Dec 30: Stroll through the park or take a ride on the Winterland Express. More than 250,000 Christmas lights. Closed Dec. 24 and 25.
‘Christmas In The City’ variety show — Dinner theater Nov 30 and Dec 1; Show only Dec 7-8-9: Music, dance, drama, comedy, interpretive movement, creative arts. Rocky Fretz performs the pre-show experience. He’s Alive Church, 1310 N. Cannon Blvd. Tickets at hesalivechurch.org or email info@hesalivechurch.org
80th annual Kannapolis Christmas Parade — 6pm Dec 8: Main Street, Downtown
Dickens Christmas Dinner — 6-8:30 p.m. Dec. 9: At Forty-Six, 101 West Ave. Info at dickenschristmasdinner.brownpapertickets.com

Mooresville
Lake Norman Christmas Light Boat Parade — 5:30-7:30 p.m. Dec. 15, www.racecityusa.org
Holiday Light Spectacular — 6-8 p.m. Through Dec. 23, www.racecityusa.org

Rockwell
Jingle & Mingle Movie Night — 5:30-9 p.m. Dec. 1: Middle and high school aged girls. Wear PJs, eat popcorn, drink hot cocoa. Saleeby-Fisher YMCA, 790 Crescent Road, 704-279-1742.
‘All Is Bright’ — 7-8:30 p.m Dec. 11: Grace Bible Church, 6725 Hwy 152 E, www.eventbrite.com
Classic Cinema Series: ‘Christmas in Connecticut’ — 2 pm Dec 14: Beloved 1945 film. RPL East branch 110 Broad St. 704-216-7842.
Movie: ‘The Star’ — 2:30-4 p.m. Dec. 21: 2017 animated holiday film (PG). RPL East branch 110 Broad St. 704-216-7842.
Arctic Express with Steve Somers — 10:30 am-noon Dec 8, 10-15: Learn about winter holiday traditions from around the world. RPL East branch, 110 Broad St. 704-216-7842.

Salisbury
Brunch with Santa — 10 a.m.-noon, Dec. 1: $5. All ages welcome. Pre-registration required. Salisbury Civic Center, 315 S. Martin Luther King Jr. Ave, 704-638-5275
YMCA trip to see Tanglewood Christmas Lights — • 3 pm Dec 4: Deadline Nov 23. J.F. Hurley Family YMCA, 828 W. Jake Alexander Blvd. 704-636-0111, www.rowanymca.org
Scrooge’s Christmas Trolley Tour — Select days through Dec 22: Presented by Lee Street Theatre. Rowan County Chamber of Commerce, 204 E Innes St, www.leestreet.org
The Arc of Rowan County Festival of Trees — 7-9 p.m. Nov 30-Dec 2: Free. F&M Trolley Barn, 127 E. Liberty St.
Two days: Holly Jolly Christmas Craft and Vendor Show — 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Dec. 1-2 :$3. Rowan County Fairgrounds, 1560 Julian Road, 704-633-5632
Livingstone presents ‘Miracle on Monroe Street’ — 5:30 and 7 pm Dec 1: Tree-lighting ceremony at Bear Plaza (front lawn) at 5:30 pm followed by refreshments in the lobby of Varick Auditorium before the program at 7 pm, featuring Triple Threat Dance and Charm. Admission $15, students $5, free age 6 and under. www.livingstone.edu
19th annual RoBoJo Holiday Show — 2 pm Dec 1: RPL, 201 W. Innes St. Skits, songs, readers’ theater, audience participation. 704-216-8234.
pic Third annual ‘Swing into Christmas’ benefit concert — 7-10 pm Dec 1: Benefits Rowan Helping Ministries. Salisbury Swing Band performs at Salisbury Civic Center. 18-piece ensemble. Admission $5 at the door. 100 percent of proceeds directly benefit Rowan Helping Ministries. Canned food drive raffle at the door, each canned item earns a raffle ticket; those bringing 15+ are entered into Grand Prize Drawing. 704-798-5840.
Fulton Heights annual Holiday Tour — 5-8 pm Dec 1 • Elizabeth & Forrest Anderson, 204 Maupin Ave • Mary & Bryan Wymbs, 203 Mitchell Ave • Tory Curren & Trevor Epperhimer, 206 Maupin Ave • Sherri & Eric McKnight, 405 Wiley Ave. $10. Info at 704-754-2536.
Gingerbread House Workshop — 1 p.m. Dec. 2: Rowan Museum, 202 N Main St. RSVP to 704-633-5946 www.rowanmuseum.org
Victorian Christmas at the Hall House — Saturdays-Sundays 1-4 p.m.: $3-$5: Tours. Josephus W. Hall House, 226 South Jackson St., 704-636-0103 historicsalisbury.org
Service of Lessons & Carols at Catawba College — 6:30 p.m. Dec. 3 and 6: Omwake-Dearborn Chapel. Free, no ticket required. Shuttle service from Robertson Community Center or Abernethy Physical Education. Live stream broadcast of Dec. 6 service on the College’s YouTube channel 6:30 p.m. Info 704-637-4396, catawba.edu
Pictures With Santa benefits South Salisbury Fire Dept — 6-8 p.m. Dec. 3-4: $5-$15. Pets welcome for photos. South Salisbury Fire Department, 3207 Old Concord Road, 704-637-3873.
NHCS Musical: ‘Christmas in Black and White’ — 6:30-8 pm Dec 4 and 6: Helen Kelley Smith Gymnasium at North Hills Christian School • Dec 4 opening act by junior kindergarten-2nd grade students at 6:30 p.m. • Dec 6 opening act presented by NHCS 6th grade band.
FirstARTS presents Bel Canto Company — 8 pm Dec 6: $10. First United Methodist Church, 217 S. Church St., 704-636-3121, ext. 104.
Phoenix Readers present ‘best of Christmas Past’ — 7 pm Dec 6: Favorites from past Christmas programs. Free. Center for Faith & The Arts, 207 W. Harrison St, behind Haven Lutheran Church. www.faithart.org
PPT presents ‘A Christmas Story’ — Dec 7 through 15: All the elements from the beloved motion picture on stage. Norvell Theater, 135 E Fisher St., 704-633-5471, piedmontplayers.com
pic coming wed 11/28 S-R Choral Society presents ‘The Sleigh Ride Home’ — • 7:30 p.m. Dec. 7 at First United Church of Christ, 207 W.Horah St • 2 p.m. Dec. 9: Milford Hills United Methodist Church, 1630 Statesville Blvd. • Info 704-796-9683 or https://www.facebook.com/Salisbury.Rowan.Choral.Society/
Bethelehem Marketplace — 4-8 pm Dec 8-9: Travel back 2000 years to a place called Bethlehem. Free. Handicap accessible. North Main Baptist Church, 1501 N Main St., 704-637-2929 www.northmainonline.com
Annual Holiday concert — 4:30-6:30 p.m. Dec. 9: Familiar carols, sacred and secular. Milford Hills UMC, 1630 Statesville Blvd., 704-636-0471.
Christmas Dinner Theater — 6 p.m. Dec. 9: Catered dinner atThe Event Center, $30. Childcare available. 315 Webb Road, 704-855-1218 mycornerstone.church
14th annual Christmas Traditions with Karl Hales — 7 p.m. Dec. 10-11: Stories and music of Christmas told by Karl, accompanied by vocalists Neal Wilkinson, Lauren Stephenson, Susan Trivette on piano. Admission: one canned food item for Rowan Helping Ministries. Meroney Theater, 213 S. Main St.
Jingle Bell Magic with Steve Somers — 10:30 am Dec 13: RPL, 201 W. Innes St. Magic tricks, storytelling, music. 704-216-8234.
Narroway Theatre ‘A Stranger for Christmas’ — 10 am-3:30 pm Dec. 13: $60. Plus box lunch. Bus departs from Rufty-Holmes Senior Center, 1120 S. Martin Luther King Jr. Ave., 704-216-7714.
Rowan Big Band Christmas concert — 7:30 pm Dec 14: Rowan Big Band All Stars; big-band standards and swing era favorites from 1930s through present day with well-known Christmas classics. Tickets $20 at Lee Street theatre, 329 N Lee St, 704-310-5507, LeeStreet.org
John Brincefield’s Big Ole Family Christmas Special — 7:30 pm Dec 15: Gather around John’s “living room” in the style of an old-time radio show to celebrate Christmas. Music by the Moonglows. Tickets $25. Lee Street theatre, 329 N Lee St, 704-310-5507, LeeStreet.org
pic later 4th Annual Cruise-by Christmas Window Art Show — Dec 15-Jan 5: Original window art by local artist Cherrathee Hager. Available for viewing 24 hours a day. Checkered Flag BBQ on South Main Street is the first to have their unique holiday windows completed. A list of other locations will be published. To have your business included call 704-490-2001.
FUMC FirstARTS — 5 pm. Dec. 16: Annual Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols. First United Methodist Church, 217 S Church St 704-636-3121 www.fumcsalisbury.org
Christmas Carol Karaoke — 4-7 p.m. Dec. 18: Door prizes and prizes. Hors d’ oeuvres served. RSVP to Rufty-Holmes Senior Center, 1120 S. Martin Luther King Jr. Ave. 704-216-7715, www.ruftyholmes.org
33rd Annual Old Stone House Christmas — 1-4 p.m. Dec. 29-30: Old Stone House, 770 Old Stone House Road, www.rowanmuseum.org

Spencer
The Polar Express Train Ride — Select days through Dec. 9: N.C. Transportation Museum., Tickets and schedule at 704-636-2889 www.nctrans.org
Tea & Cookies With Mrs. Claus — 1:30 -3 pm Dec 8: $28-$41. NC Museum of Dolls, Toys & Miniatures, 108 4th St., Spencer, RSVP to 704-762-9359, www.ncmdtm.com

Charlotte

Bojangles Coliseum and Ovens Auditorium host — 2700 E. Independence Blvd. Info at ovensauditorium.com, tickets at Ticketmaster.com or 800-745-3000. Prices do not include service charges.
For King & Country: Little Drummer Boy-The Christmas Tour — 7 p.m. Nov. 30: With secial guest Zach Williams. $30.50-$70.50.
SiriusXM presents The Brian Setzer Orchestra’s Christmas Rocks! Tour — 8 p.m. Dec. 1: Brian Setzler and his 19-piece orchestra. $49.50-$69.50.
Cirque Musica Holiday presents Wonderland — 7:30 p.m. Dec. 12: Acrobats, aerialists, hijinks and holiday cheer.
Rocking Around The Christmas Tree With Darci Lynne And Friends — 7 p.m. Dec. 14: Singer/ventriloquist Darci Lynne from “America’s Got Talent.” $29.75-$99.75
The Beach Boys’ Reason For The Season Christmas Tour — 7:30 p.m. Dec. 15: Classics from their Christmas album plus new music from Mike Love’s album. $57-$117.
The Avett Brothers — 8:30 p.m. Dec. 30-31:$49.50-$89.50.
Historic Latta Plantation — Circa 1800 living-history farm and cotton plantation, 5225 Sample Road, Huntersville. 704-875-2312, www.lattaplantation.org
Latta Candlelight Christmas Tours — Dec 1 and 8: $15. Pre-registration required

Denton
10th Annual Country Christmas Train— 5:30-9 p.m through Dec. 27: 10th anniversary. Weekends and other select weeknights. Hundreds of light displays, live Nativity, short film about the Christmas story. $13-$15 adults. 4259 Handy Road.www.dentonfarmpark.com

Winston-Salem
Old Salem Village holiday candlelight tours — Through Dec 21: “A Baking We Go!” will involve visitors in hands-on baking plus holiday tour by lighted lanterns through the historic streets. $50 each includes take-home earthenware cup. Pre-register at oldsalem.org or 1-800-441-5305.
Little Theatre of W-S presents ‘An Old Salem Christmas Carol’ — Dec. 7-9, 13-16, 20-22: It’s 1887, a passing stranger is welcomed into Salem Tavern. The story he tells is magical, yet vaguely familiar. SECCA, 750 Marguerite Drive. Tickets and schedule Reynolda Village — 2250 Reynolda Road, adjacent to Wake Forest University. Tickets and schedules at www.reynolda.org
Caroling Fridays — 2:45 pm Fridays through Dec 21
Christmas 1917 Tours — Dec. 4, 11, 18.
‘A Christmas Memory’ —4 pm Dec. 16: Annual reading of Truman Capote’s classic short story.
Carolina Brass Holiday Pops Concert — 7 p.m. Dec 18.

Hickory
Hickory Music Factory fifth annual 1940s Christmas Radio Show — 2 and 7 pm Dec 8: Old fashioned 1940s Christmas Radio Hour at SALT Block – Drendel Auditorium, 243 Third Ave. NE with Hickory Jazz Orchestra, guest artists. Audience members are encourage to dress in period attire. General admission for 2 pm matinee $20. The 7 pm evening tickets $15 for age 18 and under; $25 adults. www.hickorymusicfactory.com or 828-308-5659

Tweetsie Railroad
Blowing Rock — 5-10 pm Fridays-Saturdays Nov 23-Dec 29: Tweetsie Railroad transforms into a winter wonderland with Santa Claus, Steam locomotive No. 12, a spectacular displays of twinkling lights, a heartwarming live Christmas Show, a giant snow globe, the Carousel, roast s’mores by a fire pit. Tickets $38, age 2 and under free. Visitors are urged to purchase tickets in advance.

Daniel Stowe
Holidays at the Garden: A Mile of a Million Lights — Nov 23-Jan 6: Lights, music, children’s activities, model train displays, more. Closed Christmas Day. Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden, 6500 South New Hope Road, Belmont. Tickets, schedule at www.DSBG.org