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What’s going on Christmas Day in Charlotte? Where to eat, what Santa brought local kids + more

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Charlotte’s holiday season bursts with opportunities to celebrate and enjoy the festive atmosphere. Across multiple locations, events range from exploring McAdenville’s new shops to admiring Waxhaw’s extravagant light displays.

Residents have options to dine out or explore a variety of holiday traditions. In Waxhaw, Neil Heuer’s controversial light display shines with 60,000 LEDs synchronized to music, offering an elaborate holiday light show. Despite some neighborhood opposition, Heuer continues to invite visitors to appreciate his festive creation.

In Charlotte, dining options stretch from traditional roast dinners to Chinese cuisine, providing an alternative to home-cooked meals on Christmas Day.

Many local restaurants, such as 204 North Kitchen Cocktails and Gyu-Kaku, offer their own unique holiday menus for those dining out on the day.

Santa Claus continues to engage both children and adults. Rich Lange plays “The Carolinas’ Premier Santa,” adapting his role to audience needs, whether at local events or creating personalized videos for families.

Throughout Charlotte, the holiday spirit persists with various activities and interactions that celebrate the enchantment of the season.

People gather at the CLT letters at the Light the Knights Festival at Truist Field in uptown Charlotte. By Alex Cason Photography

NO. 1: DECEMBER EVENTS BY DAY IN CHARLOTTE: WHAT TO DO THIS HOLIDAY SEASON

The holiday season is in full swing across the Charlotte area, and there’s no shortage of festive events to get you in the spirit. | Published November 28, 2025 | Read Full Story by Evan Moore



7323 Sherwood Forest Dr. in Charlotte. By Alex Cason

NO. 2: C5 READER’S CHOICE: YOUR GUIDE TO THE BEST HOLIDAY LIGHT DISPLAYS AROUND CHARLOTTE

The holidays are upon us, and there’s no better way to get into the spirit than marveling at all the lights — from bright, multi-color bulbs to cheery inflatable Santas and everything in between. | Published December 2, 2025 | Read Full Story by Tanasia Kenney



Neil Heuer has decorated his Waxhaw, NC home with 60,000 LEDs and features an hourlong “show” he calls High Flying Lights. The display has made it into holiday lights guides but the HOA asked that the listing be removed because it does not want non-residents driving through. Heuer says that the crowds are thin and disagrees with the HOA’s position. By JEFF SINER

NO. 3: IN QUIET WAXHAW NEIGHBORHOOD, A NOISY FIGHT IS SIMMERING OVER HIS HOLIDAY LIGHTS

Neil Heuer says he has spent countless hours and tens of thousands of dollars creating an extravaganza featuring 60,000 colorful LED lights that sync up with holiday music — and he’d love nothing more than for you to drive out to his family’s Waxhaw house after dark to see it. | Published December 10, 2025 | Read Full Story by Théoden Janes



KPOT is an all-you-can-eat restaurant specializing hot pot and Korean barbecue. By Courtesy

NO. 4: THESE CHARLOTTE RESTAURANTS ARE SERVING DINNER ON CHRISTMAS, SO YOU DON’T HAVE TO

Looking for somewhere to savor a meal in Charlotte on Christmas Day? | Published December 17, 2025 | Read Full Story by Evan Moore



Assorted dishes from Lee Cafe. By Shindy Chen

NO. 5: 12 CHINESE RESTAURANTS OPEN FOR CHRISTMAS EVE + CHRISTMAS DAY IN CHARLOTTE

For many Charlotteans, Christmas traditions include more than just presents and pine needles — they also involve a plate of General Tso’s or a steaming bowl of noodles. | Published December 19, 2025 | Read Full Story by Evan Moore



Santa at a holiday parade in Charlotte.

NO. 6: IS SANTA FOR ADULTS, TOO? WHAT DO CHARLOTTE KIDS WANT FOR CHRISTMAS? WHAT HE TOLD US

I always found the idea of Santa somewhat terrifying. | Published December 24, 2025 | Read Full Story by Evan Moore

The summary above was drafted with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists in our News division. All stories listed were reported, written and edited by McClatchy journalists.

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