Plan your festive season in Kannapolis with our itinerary guide. Discover all the top holiday events and activities. From Kannapolis natives to holiday pilgrims, our guide illuminates the city's seasonal tapestry.
One highlight is Speedway Christmas, where visitors can drive through a dazzling display of over four million lights set against the backdrop of a NASCAR track. For a unique experience, guests can dive into a winter wonderland at Snowland at Great Wolf Lodge, complete with festive indoor activities and snowy fun. And the charming Christmas Town USA is something you definitely don't want to miss, offering a delightful small-town atmosphere filled with twinkling lights and seasonal cheer. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
Please contact us if you have suggestions or corrections!
Join the Kannapolis Discussion!
Top Holiday Events In and Around Kannapolis
- Speedway Christmas (Concord)
- Snowland at Great Wolf Lodge (Concord)
- Christmas Town USA (McAdenville)
- A Christmas Carol (Various)
- Holiday Pops (Various)
- Tweetsie Christmas (Blowing Rock)
- Village Park Carousel
- Winterland Express
- Leonard Bearstein Symphony Orchestra
- Kannapolis Singing Bears
See these and even more events listed below!
Kannapolis Holiday Light Displays
Speedway Christmas
What to Expect:
Synchronized light and sound show on a historic speedway.
Description:
Speedway Christmas presented by Atrium Health is the Southeast's largest drive-through holiday light show, featuring over five million lights on a four-mile course that includes the legendary oval, pit road, and infield road course. The show is open from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m., rain or shine, with synchronized lights and music on 101.3 FM, plus drive-in movies on the gigantic Speedway TV every Thursday through Sunday night until Christmas.
Where: Concord | More Info: Speedway Christmas
Christmas Town USA
What to Expect:
Community-driven holiday light display with historical roots.
Description:
Christmas Town USA in McAdenville transforms into a vibrant holiday destination each December, featuring over half a million twinkling lights and festive decorations.
Where: McAdenville | More Info: Christmas Town USA
Tweetsie Christmas
What to Expect:
Holiday train ride with over 1 million lights.
Description:
Celebrate the holiday season at Tweetsie Railroad with a 20-minute nighttime train ride through over 1 million Christmas lights, a heartwarming live Christmas variety show, and kid-friendly amusement rides. Meet Santa in his Gingerbread House filled with candied furnishings and roast s’mores over an outdoor fire.
Where: Blowing Rock | More Info: Tweetsie Christmas
Winterland Express
What to Expect:
Holiday train ride through a park with over 250,000 lights.
Description:
The Winterland Express is a festive holiday train ride through Village Park in Kannapolis, featuring over 250,000 lights and nightly activities like roasting marshmallows and visiting Santa.
Where: Kannapolis | More Info: Winterland Express
Village Park Carousel
What to Expect:
Handpainted Venetian murals on a Brazilian oak-decked carousel.
Description:
The Village Park Carousel features 1,800 lights, Brazilian oak decking, and charming handpainted Venetian murals, creating a visually stunning attraction.
Where: Kannapolis | More Info: Village Park Carousel
Kannapolis Holiday Shows and Entertainment
Holiday Pops
What to Expect:
Live orchestral performance of holiday classics with Santa Claus.
Description:
The Boston Pops' Holiday Pops concert is a family-friendly celebration featuring festive music, holiday classics, and a special visit from Santa Claus. The event includes traditional pieces like "Twas the Night Before Christmas" and "Sleigh Ride," as well as new arrangements and a sensory-friendly concert for those with autism spectrum disorder or sensory sensitivity.
Where: Various | More Info: Holiday Pops
A Christmas Carol
What to Expect:
Fresh, heartwarming adaptation of Dickens' classic.
Description:
A heartwarming adaptation of Charles Dickens' classic tale, featuring Ebenezer Scrooge's transformative journey on a fateful Christmas Eve, directed by Jessica Thebus and starring Austin Tichenor and Christopher Donahue.
Where: Various | More Info: A Christmas Carol
Kannapolis Singing Bears
What to Expect:
Animatronic bears performing Christmas carols.
Description:
The Kannapolis Singing Bears are a group of animatronic bears that perform Christmas carols with witty banter and musical entertainment, adding to the festive atmosphere of Village Park during the Celebration of Lights.
Where: Kannapolis | More Info: Kannapolis Singing Bears
Leonard Bearstein Symphony Orchestra
What to Expect:
Interactive holiday music performance by animatronic bears.
Description:
The Leonard Bearstein Symphony Orchestra is a renowned ensemble featuring 18 animatronic bears that perform witty banter, inspiring instrumental pieces, and traditional holiday songs.
Where: Kannapolis | More Info: Leonard Bearstein Symphony Orchestra
Kannapolis Other Holiday Activities
Snowland at Great Wolf Lodge
What to Expect:
Immersive holiday celebration with various activities and Santa visits.
Description:
Great Wolf Lodge transforms into a holiday destination with seasonal activities, crafts, and visits from Santa Claus, creating a memorable experience for families.
Where: Concord | More Info: Snowland at Great Wolf Lodge
Festive Fun in Nearby Cities!
Discover Holiday events in hundreds of cities worldwide. Check out these nearby locations for more festive fun!
- Concord (6 miles)
- Mooresville (13 miles)
- Cornelius (13 miles)
- Huntersville (14 miles)
- Salisbury (15 miles)
- Mint Hill (21 miles)
- Charlotte (22 miles)
- Statesville (25 miles)
- Matthews (26 miles)
- Indian Trail (28 miles)
- Monroe (35 miles)
- Gastonia (35 miles)
- Thomasville (41 miles)
- Hickory (44 miles)