Kannapolis: Winterland Express train — Through Dec. 30 except Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. 6-9 p.m. Sunday through Thursday; 6-10 p.m. Friday-Saturday. 250,000+ Christmas light displays. Admission and viewing of the lights is free; train ride tickets are $2. At Village Park, 700 West C St. www.kannapolisnc.gov

Kannapolis: Visit with Santa — 6:30-9 p.m. through Dec. 30 except Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Visit Santa in his studio; storytelling by Mrs. Claus on Tuesdays and Fridays thru Dec. 20; local musicians performing favorite Christmas songs. The Kannapolis Singing Bears entertain each hour on the hour. The Atlantic Coast S Gaugers group with popular model trains on display Dec. 26-30. At Village Park, 700 West C St. www.kannapolisnc.gov

Christmas jam at Mean Mug. — 7-11 p.m. Dec. 23: Santapalooza Open Jam Session. Wear your Santa hat, reindeer antlers, jingle bells and jam until the clock says it’s Christmas Eve. Don’t have a Santa hat? We have hats for the first 25 people. Mean Mug Coffee Co., 1024 S. Fulton St., 704-754-4615, www.meanmugcoffeeco.com

Christmas Eve at the Hall House — 5:30-8 p.m. Dec. 24: Special evening tour on Christmas Eve, by donation. The 1820 two-story Federal style house is located at 226 S. Jackson St. Call 704-636-0103 or visit www.historicsalisbury.org

31st annual Old Christmas at Old Stone House — 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Dec. 31 and Jan. 1-4: Old Stone House, 770 Old Stone House Road. Call 704-633-5946 or visit www.rowanmuseum.org

New Year’s Eve at the Bell Tower — 8 p.m.-midnight Dec. 31: Free. Ring in the New Year at Salisbury’s historic Bell Tower with live music, video feed of Times Square, hot chocolate, goodies, the ringing of the bell at midnight. Sponsored by Salisbury Parks and Recreation. See www.salisburync.gov

New Year’s Eve celebration at Mean Mug — 9 p.m.-1 a.m. Dec. 31 Live music with the Mary Gillespie & Ken Cofer Duo. Reservations $15/person, must RSVP to 704-754-4615. Also appetizer buffet, party favors, bubbly at midnight

Second annual Jacques’ New Years Eve Gala — 9 p.m. Dec. 31: 1950s Enchantment Under the Sea themed prom at Lee Street Theatre. Hosted by Jacques Belliveau of Comics at Fault. Music by Paper Wasps. Food by Mambo Grill, cash bar by New Sarum Brewery. Proceeds benefit Prevent Child Abuse Rowan and the Terrie Hess House. Tickets $30 at www.eventbrite.com

The Avett Brothers New Year’s Eve in Charlotte — 8:30 p.m. Dec. 31: $39.50 to $75 (plus fees) at Ticketmaster.com, 800-745-3000, or Bojangles’ Coliseum Box Office, 2700 E. Independence Blvd.

Rhiannon Giddens at W-S Symphony’s New Year’s Eve pops concert — 8 p.m. Dec. 31: Singer, violinist, banjo player for Grammy award-winning group the Carolina Chocolate Drops. Bluegrass, folk, jazz. Reynolds Auditorium, 301 N. Hawthorne Road. Tickets $20-$67 at 336-464-0145 or WSsymphony.org