See Hear & Experience the Charlotte Holiday Season
By:  Emily Moore

There is so much to see and do in Charlotte, and December promises spectacular holiday events that should not be missed. So get out your December planner - it's time to make note of the many wonderful Christmas festivities that Charlotte has to offer.

Illuminate Your Holidays!

Everyone's first stop for getting into the Christmas spirit should be none other than Christmas Town, USA in McAdenville, NC (704-824-3190). Since 1956, McAdenville has been showcasing its residents' unique Christmas decorations. More than 450,000 lights blaze Monday through Friday from 5:30 to 9:30pm and Saturday and Sunday from 5:30 to 11pm, and their twinkling will continue every night through December 26. Add the wonderful glow of McAdenville's lights to your holiday sightseeing schedule.

Another fabulous illumination takes place at the Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden (704-825-4490) where more than 400,000 sparkling lights are featured in Holiday Lights At The Garden. Continuing through December 30, this year's light show promises to be the best yet. The Garden offers numerous holiday events and workshops throughout December, including: Holiday Lightscaping workshops, Breakfast with Santa, Symbols of the Season, Holiday Wreath classes, Gifts from the Garden classes, Holiday Centerpiece workshops, and many more to assure that your holidays bloom with joy.

A holiday tradition for more than 25 years, the candlelight tour at Historic Brattonsville (803-684-2327) brings to life the festivity of the Carolina Piedmont's Christmas past. On December 7, 8, and 9, you'll have the chance to witness more than 60 costumed interpreters share how Christmas celebrations evolved in the Carolinas from the 1780s to just before the Civil War.

Curtains Up!

The Belk Theater (704-372-1000) offers a wellspring of Christmas programs to kick off the holidays. Beginning on Friday, December 7, the Charlotte Symphony Orchestra presents its CSO Pops Magic of Christmas with Alan Yamamoto conducting. This Charlotte symphony tradition will feature caroling choirs, special guest performers, and a rousing sing-along. Additional performances will be Saturday, December 8, and Sunday, December 9. On December 19, the Charlotte Symphony Orchestra will present Handel's Messiah, conducted by Scott Allen Jarrett and featuring the Oratorio Singers of Charlotte. Appearing December 14 through December 23, North Carolina Dance Theatre will once again present the magical world of The Nutcracker.

For true holiday hilarity, head to the McGlohon Theater (704-333-4686) to enjoy the Carolina Actors Studio Theater presentation of "A Tuna Christmas" on December 9. Also on the bill for December 12 and 13 is A Rockapella Holiday featuring the fabulous Rockapella Quintet.

On Saturday, December 22, the Halton Theater (704-330-6534) will host Opera Carolina's presentation of Amahl and the Night Visitors. Over at NarroWay Productions (704-831-8893), don't miss The Real Christmas Story with numerous performances scheduled throughout the holiday season.

Carolina Voices will present its 53rd Annual Singing Christmas Tree at the Ovens Auditorium (704-374-1564) on December 7, 8, and 9. This is an event not to be missed. The Charlotte Children's Choir and children from the Allegro Foundation will be this year's special guests.

So Much To See And Do!

Historic Latta Plantation (704-875-2312) will offer two holiday events this year. On December 5, there will be a Victorian Christmas celebration for homeschoolers and their families, and on December 8, visitors will be able to step back in time on a special tour of a plantation Christmas as it occurred in the 19th century.

On December 23, enjoy the Tour with Christmas Tea at Historic Rosedale Plantation (704-335-0325), where guests will be able to take a closer look at a traditional antebellum Scotch-Irish Christmas in North Carolina backcountry.

At the Biltmore Estate (800-411-3812), the annual Christmas celebrations continue through January 1, 2008. Check out the popular "Christmas at Biltmore" events, including Candlelight Christmas Evenings, during which the entire Estate is draped in candles and shimmering lights.

Other popular holiday venues for children include the Santa Train, the Jingle Bell Express, and Cookies & Cocoa with Santa, all presented by the NC Transportation Museum (704-636-2889); Gingerbread Lane, a showcase of unique gingerbread houses at Ballantyne Resort (704-248-4000) from December 1-30; and the Leonard Bearstein Symphony Orchestra, an 18-piece animatronic orchestra of bears, at Founders Hall (704-632-4789) performing holiday classics every day through December 28.