Experience the festive wonders of Gastonia with our comprehensive guide. For those who know Gastonia well and those just discovering it, our guide is the key to festive delights.
As the holiday season unfolds, visitors can explore the enchanting Holidays at the Garden, where vibrant lights and beautifully decorated displays create a magical atmosphere. Another highlight is the Greenville Holiday Fest, featuring local artisans and a wide array of seasonal treats. And the Boone Christmas Celebration is something you definitely don't want to miss, showcasing timeless traditions and a warm community spirit. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
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Top Holiday Events In and Around Gastonia
- Holidays at the Garden (Belmont)
- Greenville Holiday Fest (Greenville)
- Boone Christmas Celebration (Boone)
- Christmasville (Rock Hill)
- Shadrack’s Christmas Wonderland (Mill Spring)
- Cramerton Holiday Bazaar (Cramerton)
- Christmas Open House (Lexington)
- Christmas Flotilla (Swansboro)
- Selma Christmas Celebration (Selma)
- Christmas on the Hill (Pink Hill)
See these and even more events listed below!
Gastonia Holiday Light Displays
Holidays at the Garden
What to Expect:
Holiday light display with festive activities and unique gifts.
Description:
Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden presents a holiday light display featuring thousands of lights, dancing fountains, and festive decorations. Visitors can gather around outdoor fires to make s'mores, indulge in delectable delights from food trucks, and explore the Garden Store for unique gifts. The event includes rides on a holiday trackless train, visits with Santa, and an adults-only Speakeasy with exclusive holiday cocktails.
Where: Belmont | More Info: Holidays at the Garden
Shadrack’s Christmas Wonderland
What to Expect:
Synchronized light and sound show with hundreds of thousands of lights.
Description:
Shadrack’s Christmas Wonderland is a drive-through light show featuring hundreds of thousands of dazzling lights synchronized to holiday classics. This immersive experience has become a holiday tradition for many, offering a festive atmosphere for families to enjoy together.
Where: Mill Spring | More Info: Shadrack’s Christmas Wonderland
Christmas Flotilla
What to Expect:
Festively decorated boats with unique holiday theme lights.
Description:
The Christmas Flotilla in Swansboro features a spectacular parade of lights down the White Oak River, with festively decorated boats showcasing unique holiday themes. Enjoy music, treats like funnel cakes and hot cocoa, and catch a glimpse of Santa Claus as he visits children.
Where: Swansboro | More Info: Christmas Flotilla
Leland in Lights
What to Expect:
Tree lighting ceremony due to renovations.
Description:
Leland in Lights is a holiday event featuring a tree lighting ceremony at Founders Park, with festivities running through January 3rd.
Where: Leland | More Info: Leland in Lights
Community Holiday Light Show
What to Expect:
Spectacular holiday light display with community participation.
Description:
The Community Holiday Light Show in Danville, VA, features a spectacular display of holiday lights and decorations in Ballou Park. The event is produced by the City of Danville, Va. Parks & Recreation and takes place from December 12 to 23, 2024, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Each year, nearly 30 different organizations participate, and a portion of the entry fee goes to the group working the gate that night. The event also includes Children's Village with activities like free pictures with Santa, train model displays, and hot chocolate.
Where: Various | More Info: Community Holiday Light Show
Gastonia Holiday Markets and Shopping
Greenville Holiday Fest
What to Expect:
Combining traditional holiday markets with European-inspired festivities.
Description:
The Greenville Holiday Fest is a comprehensive holiday event featuring a massive vendor market, roving performers, a European Bier Garden, the North Pole children's play area, Santa's Workshop, the Enchanted Tea Party, the Little Miss Kringle Pageant, holiday movie nights, snowball fights, main stage entertainment, and the Grand Carousel. Local artisans and crafters are showcased alongside purveyors of gifts for everyone on the shopping list.
Where: Greenville | More Info: Greenville Holiday Fest
Cramerton Holiday Bazaar
What to Expect:
Indoor and outdoor shopping with vendors and festive activities.
Description:
The Cramerton Holiday Bazaar is an indoor and outdoor event featuring vendors selling a variety of products, including gifts and seasonal items. It offers a fun shopping experience with games, prizes, and delicious treats.
Where: Cramerton | More Info: Cramerton Holiday Bazaar
Christmas Open House
What to Expect:
Grand finale tree lighting with live music and extended train rides.
Description:
Uptown Lexington Merchants host a special dining and shopping event combining the Light That Tree ceremony with the Christmas Open House. Enjoy live music, extended train rides, and hot cocoa in the historic downtown area.
Where: Lexington | More Info: Christmas Open House
Holiday Pop Up Market
What to Expect:
Local vendors selling seasonal items and fresh produce.
Description:
The Holiday Pop Up Market in Clemmons offers a variety of seasonal items and fresh ingredients from local vendors, perfect for Thanksgiving preparations.
Where: Clemmons | More Info: Holiday Pop Up Market
Gastonia Holiday Shows and Entertainment
NOVANT HEALTH THANKSGIVING PARADE
What to Expect:
Unique blend of floats, lights, and local entertainment.
Description:
The Novant Health Thanksgiving Eve Parade is a long-standing tradition in Charlotte, featuring a spectacular procession of floats, lights, and entertainment along Tryon Street in Uptown Charlotte. This event draws large crowds and is broadcast live, showcasing local, regional, and national performers.
Where: Charlotte | More Info: NOVANT HEALTH THANKSGIVING PARADE
Gastonia Other Holiday Activities
Boone Christmas Celebration
What to Expect:
Free admission with a variety of family-friendly activities.
Description:
The Boone Christmas Celebration at Boone Hall Farms offers a variety of Christmas activities for the whole family, including a Holiday Ferris Wheel, Christmas crafts and decorations, live music, and visits with Santa. Attendees can also browse fresh-cut trees and handmade wreaths, enjoy holiday treats, and take part in photo opportunities.
Where: Boone | More Info: Boone Christmas Celebration
Christmasville
What to Expect:
Multicultural holiday celebration with diverse cultural activities and Santa-filled adventures.
Description:
ChristmasVille is a holiday celebration in Old Town Rock Hill, featuring nearly 70 events including horse-drawn carriage rides, historic tours, strolling Dickens carolers, art, theater, dance, music, and a gingerbread house contest. The festival honors Vernon Grant, Rock Hill's adopted son and children's illustrator, with festive holiday decorations and activities.
Where: Rock Hill | More Info: Christmasville
Selma Christmas Celebration
What to Expect:
Parade and tree lighting with Santa visits.
Description:
The Selma Christmas Celebration is a festive event featuring a parade, Christmas tree lighting, and various activities like food trucks, vendors, and Santa visits. The town will be filled with twinkling lights and music, making it a special night for families and friends.
Where: Selma | More Info: Selma Christmas Celebration
Christmas on the Hill
What to Expect:
Community-driven holiday celebration with local artisans and Santa visits.
Description:
Christmas on the Hill in Pink Hill, NC, features local artisans, visits with Santa, and holiday activities for the community.
Where: Pink Hill | More Info: Christmas on the Hill
Santa Paws
What to Expect:
Holiday celebration with pet-friendly activities.
Description:
Join Santa Paws for an evening of holiday fun with your canine friends. Meet Santa and get photos with your pet, participate in a canine holiday ugly sweater contest, and shop at the holiday pet market. The event also includes a canine food and toy drive.
Where: Durham | More Info: Santa Paws
Newland Christmas Tree Festival
What to Expect:
Celebrating Fraser Fir trees with local growers and festive food vendors.
Description:
The Newland Christmas Tree Festival features tree growers from western North Carolina and East Tennessee, offering a variety of Fraser Fir trees. The event includes food vendors with delights like funnel cake, turkey drumsticks, and kabobs, as well as juried craft vendors showcasing their skills. Located on the Christmas side of Grandfather Mountain, Avery County is known as the Fraser Fir Capital of the World.
Where: Newland | More Info: Newland Christmas Tree Festival
Christmas Candlelight Tour
What to Expect:
Self-guided evening walking tour of decorated historic homes and public sites.
Description:
The Christmas Candlelight Tour is a self-guided evening walking tour through historic Edenton, North Carolina, featuring decorated private homes and public sites. The tour includes musical entertainments and special guest appearances, with a theme of Tinsel Teapots.
Where: Edenton | More Info: Christmas Candlelight Tour
Festive Fun in Nearby Cities!
Discover Holiday events in hundreds of cities worldwide. Check out these nearby locations for more festive fun!
- Charlotte (20 miles)
- Shelby (20 miles)
- Huntersville (22 miles)
- Cornelius (24 miles)
- Rock Hill (25 miles)
- Matthews (28 miles)
- Mooresville (31 miles)
- Mint Hill (31 miles)
- Indian Trail (32 miles)
- Hickory (34 miles)
- Kannapolis (35 miles)
- Concord (36 miles)
- Statesville (40 miles)
- Monroe (41 miles)