Lincolnton Candy Land Christmas Parade & Tree Lighting, Sunday, December 1: It's the most wonderful time of the year in Historic Downtown Lincolnton, N.C. and the best Christmas Parade in the Piedmont! Please join us in as the Candy Land Parade rolls down Main Street from Flint to the Courtsquare and then up North Aspen to Lincolnton High School. The parade line-up starts at 2 p.m. for registered entries, with parade treat vendors ready for lots of spectators along the parade route. The parade starts at 4 p.m. Stay downtown for entertainment after the parade and the tree lighting at approximately 6 p.m.

City of Lincolnton, Candy Land Christmas Nights, December 5-21: For three weekends from December 5 through December 21 from 6-9 p.m. you can enjoy the Santa Village at First Federal Park featuring Rail Trail Train Rides; Carriage & Wagon Rides on East Main Street.

A Very Cherry Who-Ville Christmas, Friday, December 6: Gather your family and journey to the enchanting village of Cherryville, N.C. from 6-10 p.m., where a night of magical Christmas wonder awaits! Share laughs with the Grinch and Santa, glide down Mount Crumpet on a sled, and bounce on our colossal gingerbread mat. Explore the whimsical market for perfect Christmas gifts for your loved ones, dance with the playful Thing One and Thing Two, and indulge in a feast of delightful treats along the way!

Holiday Activities At The Gaston County Museum, Friday, December 6: The Gaston County Museum of Art & History will kick off the holiday season on Friday, December 6, with the Museum’s annual Holiday Open House from 6-9 p.m. The event is free and open to the public. The event coincides with Carols on the Square, presented by the Town of Dallas. This year, we will again have horse-drawn carriage rides, crafts and activities for children, refreshments around the fire pit in the garden, and the Museum and Carriage House will be open and beautifully decorated with traditional Victorian decorations. There will be a North Pole Post Box for children who wish for their letter to get to Santa at “reindeer speed.” (Santa has been known to write back.) Carriage rides, which start from the parking lot of the Museum’s Daniel Stowe Carriage House on West Church Street, are $10 for adults and $5 for children 12 and under, and free to Museum members. Reservations are not required; tickets are available at the door. The Museum galleries will be open until 9 p.m. for visitors to enjoy three current exhibits. The Museum is free and open to the public Tuesday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The Gaston County Museum of Art & History is located at 131 W. Main St., Dallas, NC 28034. For more information call (704) 922-7681, email Gaston.musuem@gastongov.com or visit www.gastoncountymuseum.com

Breakfast With Santa, Saturday, December 7: Reservations Required, check with Lincoln Cultural Center for more information call 704-240-4989. Two seatings for breakfast, 8:20 a.m. and 10 a.m. The breakfast will be held at the James W. Warren Citizen Center, 115 W. Main St., Lincolnton, NC 28092

Christmas In The Village, December 7-8: Experience the magic of Christmas at Hart Square, 5055 Hope Road, Vale, NC on Saturday, December 7th, 3-8 p.m. or Sunday, December 8th, 3-8 p.m. rain or shine. Walk through the nation’s largest log cabin village by lantern light. Guests will be invited inside to interact with historical docents and observe artists demonstrating popular yuletide traditions of Early America. See everything from candle making to wreath making and stocking sewing. There will be nearly 20 historical demonstrations. Church services will be taking place throughout the event. Various food vendors will be on-site, and food will be available for purchase during the event. Admission is $50, Children 12 and under Free. Hart Square does not offer refunds for ticketed events unless the event has been canceled. Tickets available at www.hartsquare.com/events/christmas-in-the-village-dec-7th-8th

Christmas Craft Bazaar, Saturday, December 7: Join us for our Christmas Craft Bazaar at Camp Dogwood on Saturday, December 7 from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. at 7062 Camp Dogwood Drive, Sherrills Ford, NC 28673. This is a free event to the public. There will be food, drinks, wonderful artists and much more. Supporting our Christmas Craft Bazaar not only promotes local artisans and holiday spirit but also contributes to a meaningful cause for the blind and visually impaired community. We work alongside Camp Dogwood for the Blind and Visually Impaired. Our mission is to improve the quality of life for those in the Visually Impaired community.

Denver Christmas Parade, Saturday, December 7: The 2024 Christmas Parade in Denver gets underway at 12:30 p.m. on Business 16 at N. Pilot Knob to Captain’s Cap. Staging is on N. Pilot Knob.

DECEMBER 9

Ore Bank Pumpkin Center Fire Department Meeting, Monday, December 9: The Annual Community Meeting of the Ore Bank Pumpkin Center Fire Department will be held on Monday, December 9 at 7 p.m. at Fire Department located at 1537 Amity Church Rd., Denver, NC 28037.

The Nutcracker Children’s Ballet, December 13-15: Produced by the Lincoln Cultural Center on Friday, December 13 at 6:30 p.m.; Saturday, December 14 at 6:30 p.m. and Sunday, December 15 at 3 p.m. with all performances being held at the James W. Warren Citizens Center, 115 W. Main St., Lincolnton, NC 28092.  For ticket information check with the Lincoln Cultural Center at 403 E. Main St., Lincolnton, NC 28092.

Cherryville Christmas Parade, Saturday, December 14: Our annual parade gets underway at 10:30 a.m. in Downtown Cherryville. Come join us!

Crouse Hap, Hap, Happiest Christmas Parade, Saturday, December 21: The parade will begin at 4 p.m. on Saturday, December 21 in Downtown Crouse and all entrants are asked to decorate with holiday bling and compete for the “Clark Griswold Award” of the blingiest/tackiest entry. All are welcome to enter (golf carts, tractors, trailers, floats, four wheelers, bicycles, goats and horses with buggies, etc.). Entry forms available at Crouse Fire Department, Mem’ry Lane Antiques and the Crouse Community History & Photo Project office (all close to the Post Office in Crouse). All participants are asked to adhere to the proper safety attire/equipment instructions per the entry form. Forms can also be signed the day of the parade. No throwing of candy, only can be passed out. Crouse UMC will be serving free hot chocolate and cookies from the gazebo during the parade. After the parade come visit with Santa Claus at the fire department for those last-minute Christmas wishes and kids of all ages can enjoy Christmas cookies, hot chocolate, and apple cider. 

Apple Drop, New Year’s Eve Steet Party, December 31: Come to our New Year’s Eve Street Party and Apple Drop on East Main Street in Lincolnton from 5-8 p.m. on Tuesday, December 31. Lots of fun and excitement also with the Bless of the City and the Cherryville Traditional Shooters.