FanFare: Holiday Events That Will Have You Singing ‘Hallelujah’

December 4, 2025

Phil Vavra

The countdown to Christmas is on, and not just on the Hallmark Channel. This edition of FanFare is loaded with holiday artistry. While you’ll find traditional favorites, like Handel’s Messiah and multiple productions of The Nutcracker, there are also some fresh perspectives on the “sounds of the season” that you may want to explore.

One Word: Nutcracker

You have your pick of Nutcrackers this holiday season.The first time my wife and I took our kids to see The Nutcracker, it was a performance by the Charlotte Youth Ballet. The CYB’s 46th annual production will be at Dale F. Halton Theater (1206 Elizabeth Avenue, Charlotte), December 5^th through 7^th. This family-friendly event showcases the artistry of local student dancers and professionals from around the world. Special discounted performances are available for schools, preschools, homeschool students, Girl Scouts, and seniors. December 5-7.

University of North Carolina School of the Arts (UNCSA)* is staging its 60th production of The Nutcracker at the Steven Tanger Center for the Performing Arts (300 N. Elm Street, Greensboro), December 5^th through 7^th. UNCSA ballet and contemporary dance students bring the beloved tale to life through Ilya Kozadayev’s choreography and Tchaikovsky’s timeless score. The UNCSA Symphony Orchestra is led by alumnus Felipe Tristán. December 5-7.

Blumenthal Arts* presentsCharlotte Ballet’s annual production of Jean-Pierre Bonnefoux’s Nutcracker at Belk Theater (130 N. Tryon Street, Charlotte), December 5^th through 21^st. With young Clara, the Sugar Plum Fairy, the Mouse King, and Tchaikovsky’s soaring score, this is as much a part of Christmas as the tree and Santa Claus. December 5-21.

Piedmont Dance Theatre brings its 23^rd annual production of The Nutcracker to the Kannapolis Performing Arts Center (415 Martin Luther King Jr Avenue, Kannapolis) on December 6^th and 7^th, both performances starting at 2:30 p.m. With hundreds of dancers, families, and teachers, this year’s edition is especially meaningful as Artistic Director Rebecca Wiley passes the iconic Sugar Plum Fairy role and her original costume to her daughter Mila Wiley, who will perform alongside her father, Daniel Wiley. December 6-7.

Festive in the Foothills

The Western Piedmont Symphony* will have your toes tapping and your heart singing with The Magic of Christmas, part of the Foothills Pops series, at the J.E. Broyhill Civic Center (1913 Hickory Boulevard, Lenoir) Friday, December 5^th, 7:30 pm. The program will feature festive favorites from A Charlie Brown Christmas, Frozen, Trans-Siberian Orchestra, and more. December 5.

Appalachian Christmas

Grammy Award-winning Americana, bluegrass, classical and jazz artists Mark and Maggie O’Connor bring their annual holiday tour, An Appalachian Christmas, to the Carolina Theatre* (230 N. Tryon Street, Charlotte) for the first time on Friday, December 5^th at 8 p.m. The concert will feature reimagined holiday classics from their new album, A Christmas Duet. Each ticket purchased includes a CD copy of the album. December 5.

Asian Night Market

The Urban District Market and Seoul Food Meat Co. host their Asian Night Market on the First Friday of every month. The next one is on Friday, December 5^th from 5 to 11 p.m. at Urban District Market (2315 N. Davidson Street, Charlotte). The family-friendly monthly celebration includes authentic cuisine, outdoor dining, local vendors, and karaoke. This month’s event will feature the Holiday Lights Market. December 5.

New Orleans Christmas

The Preservation Hall Legacy All-Stars are bringing the Crescent City’s holiday spirit to the Queen City with two shows at Booth Playhouse (130 N. Tryon Street, Charlotte) on December 5^th and 6^th. The sound of soulful carols, joyful swing, and traditional New Orleans jazz will make it hard to stay in your seat during this festive celebration for the whole family. December 5-6.

Christmas Time in Concord

Piedmont Choral Society presents its concert, “Christmas Time is Here,” at First Baptist Church (200 Branchview Drive SE, Concord) on Friday, December 5^th, 7 p.m., and Sunday, December 7^th, 3 p.m. The 80-voice choir and 25-piece orchestra will perform both sacred and secular holiday favorites, including Vince Guaraldi’s beloved tune from A Charlie Brown Christmas, Barbra Streisand’s lively version of “Jingle Bells,” and two seasonal works by Ralph Vaughan Williams: Fantasia on Christmas Carols and Fantasia on Greensleeves. Admission is free. December 5 & 7.

Hallelujah!

For many, including myself, the holiday season isn’t complete without Handel’s Messiah. Conductor Grant Llewellyn leads the Charlotte Symphony Orchestra* and Charlotte Master Chorale in their performance of this iconic work at Knight Theater (430 S. Tryon Street, Charlotte) at 7:30 p.m. on December 5^th and 6th, and 3 p.m. on December 7^th. Featured performers include Deanna Breiwick, soprano; Meg Bragle, mezzo-soprano; Eric Ferring, tenor; Tyler Duncan, baritone.December 5-7.

Yuletide Theatrics

Theatre Charlotte* (501 Queens Road, Charlotte) is bringing A Christmas Carol back to the stage, December 5^th through 14^th. Based on the classic Charles Dickens novel, this holiday tradition returns with a few surprises as the ghosts of Christmas guide Ebenezer Scrooge toward redemption. December 5-14.

If you live in or around the Triad,you don’t have to drive all the way to Charlotte to cheer on Tiny Tim. Little Theater of Winston-Salem (4015 Brownsboro Rd, Winston-Salem) is mounting their own production of A Christmas Carol. December 11-21.

Little Theater of Gastonia (238 S Clay Street, Gastonia) decided to go in another direction this holiday season with the hilarious play, The Best Christmas Pageant Ever, December 5^th through 14th.Your family will howl as the unruly Herdman kids bring mischief and mayhem to their roles in the local church’s annual re-telling of the Christmas story. December 5-14.

Luz de Navidad

Join 7th Street Concerts* as they open their third season on Saturday, December 6^th, 6 p.m. at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church (115 W. 7^th Street, Charlotte) with Luz de Navidad, featuring singers Nick Garza and Andrea Walker, with an ensemble of early instruments, performing festive, sacred, and secular music from Latin and South America and Spain spanning five centuries. This reimagining of Mary and Joseph’s search for refuge as a timeless reflection of today’s migrants also serves as a benefit concert for our immigrant friends. Donations of canned food, boxed pasta, cereal and new toys will be accepted on behalf of NourishUp and OurBridge for Kids to assist the local Latino community. December 6.

Franklin’s Christmas

Do you remember Franklin from Charles M. Schulz’s Peanuts? He has his own holiday concert coming to the Carolina Theatre* (230 N. Tryon Street, Charlotte) on Saturday, December 6^th at 8 p.m. Franklin Presents My Christmas is a night of soulful music inspired by Vince Guaraldi’s jazz soundtrack for A Charlie Brown Christmas. Join Atlanta’s Renaissance Orchestra, the Charlotte Youth Symphony Orchestra, the Opera Carolina Youth Choir, Black Notes Project, and the Sol Kitchen as they reimagine Guaraldi’s classic songs. A portion of the proceeds will benefit the Charlotte Symphony Youth Orchestra and the Opera Carolina Youth Choir. December 6.

Lake Norman Orchestra

Samuel A. Kyzer leads the 60-member, all-volunteer Lake Norman Orchestra. They’re bringing the sounds of the season to Mt. Zion United Methodist Church (19600 Zion Avenue, Cornelius) on Saturday, December 6^th at 6 p.m. The free concert will include Leroy Anderson’s “Sleigh Ride,” the carol “Do You Hear What I Hear,” and Trans-Siberian Orchestra’s “Christmas Eve/Sarajevo 12/24.” December 6.

The Story of Satchmo

The Arts Factory (1545 W. Trade Street, Charlotte) is presenting the off-Broadway biographical musical drama Backstage with Louis Armstrongon Saturday, December 6^th at 7 p.m. This one-man show stars Danny W. Mullen Sr. as the iconic jazz trumpeter, singer, and bandleader in an exploration of his life and work. December 6.

Gospel Christmas

The Charleston Gospel Choir presents its 27^th Annual Gospel Christmas at Ashley River Baptist Church (1101 Savannah Highway, Charleston, SC) on Saturday, December 6^th at 7 p.m. The evening will feature a guest appearance by the South Carolina State University Concert Choir. December 6.

Baroque Christmas

North Carolina Baroque Orchestra* has two performances coming up this weekend. You can join this wonderful early music ensemble for Celebrate the Season at St. Patrick’s Episcopal Church (164 Fairview Road, Mooresville, NC) on Saturday, December 6^th at 5 p.m. (free); and at the Lancaster Cultural Arts Center (309 W. Gay Street, Lancaster, SC) on Sunday, December 7^th, 3 p.m. ($20). The program will include Antonio Vivaldi’s “Winter from The Four Seasons and more. December 6-7.

Every time a bell rings…

I’m a sucker for classic movies on the big screen.The Carolina Theatre*(230 N. Tryon Street, Charlotte) is showing one of my all-time favorites, Frank Capra’s It’s a Wonderful Life, on Sunday, December 7^th at 6 p.m. Jimmy Stewart and Donna Reed star in the heartwarming holiday story of George Bailey and his hometown of Bedford Falls. December 7.

Davidson Vespers

Davidson College* Music Department’s annual Christmas Vespers service of lessons and carols returns to Davidson College Presbyterian Church (100 N. Main Street, Davidson) on Sunday, December 7^th at 7 p.m. The traditional candlelight worship service features the Chorale and the Davidson Chamber Singers, as well as scripture readings by campus leaders reflecting on the hope and promise of Christ’s birth during the Christmas season. Special guests include the Stumptown Brass and the Tower Ringers handbell choir. December 7.

Festive Music

The Stateline Community Orchestra, led by Dr. David Gordon, presents A Festival of Frost and Flame at Pineville United Methodist Church (110 Polk Street, Pineville) on Sunday, December 7^th, 3 p.m. This free concert (suggested donation $10) will include seasonal music from The Polar Express soundtrack, as well as the rollicking “Sleigh Ride,” and the evocative Karelia Suite by Finnish composer Jean Sibelius. December 7.

Cool Yule

What would Noël be without Noel & Maria? The local jazz duo return with their 6th annual Jazz Celebration of the Holidays, a can’t-miss Charlotte tradition, at Booth Playhouse on Sunday, December 7^th at 6 p.m. Noel Freidline and Maria Howell will be joined by their all-star band and special guests, including violinist Karen Briggs, as they reinterpret beloved holiday classics with their signature jazz flair. December 7.

Mickey and the Brooms

WDAV’s Reel Music Film Series is back with the ultimate intersection of classical music and animation: Walt Disney’s 1940 masterpiece, Fantasia. We hope you can join us at Independent Picture House (4237 Raleigh, Charlotte) on Wednesday, December 10^th at 7 p.m. to take in the stunning visual sequences set to works by Bach, Tchaikovsky, Stravinsky, and of course, Paul Dukas’ The Sorcerer’s Apprentice. Tickets are $12. December 10.

Meanwhile, back in Oz…

BNS Productions is staging Be A Lion at Booth Playhouse (130 N. Tryon Street, Charlotte) on Wednesday, December 10^th. While the new film, Wicked for Good, has kept us apprised of the witches, Be A Lion asks what happened in Oz after Dorothy clicked her heels and whispered, “There’s no place like home.” The award-winning musical picks up where The Wiz left off with a soundtrack of Gospel, Motown, hip hop, R&B, and classical music to create a unique theatrical experience. December 10.

No Passport Required

If you’re doing any holiday shopping this weekend, don’t forget to eat. You need the fuel. My go-to spot when shopping in the Pineville area is the Alley 51 Food Hall (10500 Centrum Parkway, Pineville) inside the Super G Mart international grocery store, which is just across the street from Carolina Place Mall. It has been open a little over a year with over a dozen eateries representing Thailand, Vietnam, the Philippines, China, Japan, Korea. It’s worth a visit.

Holiday Hotspots

• Olde Mecklenburg Brewery Christmas Market: German-style holiday market with a various vendors at the LoSo and Ballantyne locations. Weekends through December 21.
  
• Ballantyne Village Holiday Spectacular: Free, family-friendly celebration with trackless train rides, live holiday music, holiday cookie and ornament decorating, visits with Santa Claus, and snow in the plaza at Ballantyne Village Shopping Center in Charlotte. December 6.
  
• Lowell Christmas Parade & Artisan Market: Enjoy holiday shopping and photos with Santa in McCord Family Park, followed by the Christmas Parade in downtown Lowell, NC. December 6.
  
• Pilot Mountain Christmas Parade & Tree Lighting: The NC Honors Chorus will sing carols at tree lighting ceremony before the 55^th Annual Christmas Parade marches down Main Street in Pilot Mountain, NC. December 6.
  
• Christmas in the City and Parade: Trolley rides, kids’ crafts, photos with Santa, tasty treats, Christmas bazaar, ice skating, tree lighting, and the Reindeer 5K Run in Lancaster, SC. December 6.
  
• Aluminum Tree & Ornament Exhibit: Make it a kitschy Christmas with more than two dozen vintage aluminum trees and Shiny Brite ornaments on display at the Transylvania Heritage Museum in Brevard, NC. Through January 17.

I don’t know how you’re going to fit all this fun into your schedule, but you had better start now. You can always find more on the WDAV Events Calendar.

FanFare is made possible in part by:

*Disclosure: Blumenthal Arts, Western Piedmont Symphony, Carolina Theatre, Charlotte Symphony Orchestra, Theatre Charlotte, 7^th Street Concerts, North Carolina Baroque Orchestra, and Davidson College are WDAV underwriters.