Performances of ‘The Nutcracker’

Piedmont Dance Theatre — 7 pm Dec 7 and 2 pm Dec 8: 16th annual production. Kannapolis Performing Arts Center, 415 E 1st St. Adults $25. age 17 and under $18, at PiedmontDanceTheatre.com
Piedmont Dance Theatre and Salisbury Symphony — 6:30 p.m. Dec 15 and 2:30 pm Dec 16: 11th annual production. 110 performers include dancers from Piedmont School of Music & Dance, ages 6-51 . Keppel Auditorium, Catawba College. Adults $25-$45, age 17 and under $17.50 -$25 at PiedmontDanceTheatre.com
UNC School of the Arts — 7:30 p.m. Dec. 12-Dec. 13: Guest dancers Yuriko Kajiya and Connor Walsh. Full performance schedule: Dec. 7-8 and 12-15 at 7:30 pm; Dec. 8-9, 15-16 at 2 pm. Tickets $29-$83 at the Stevens Center box office and uncsa.edu/performances
High Point Ballet — Dec 19- 21: Choreography by award-winning artistic director Gary Taylor. High Point Theatre, 220 E Commerce Ave. Reserved seating for all performances at highpointballet.org
Moscow Ballet’s Great Russian Nutcracker — Dec. 23: Moscow Ballet’s “Dove of Peace Tour”at Ovens Auditorium. Tickets $30-$177 plus charges. Ovens Auditorium, adjacent to Bojangles’ Coliseum. Info at ovensauditorium.com, tickets at Ticketmaster.com

 

Christmas events

China Grove
‘Christmas on the Home Front’ at the Price of Freedom Museum — 3-6 pm Dec. 9: • Live Christmas music in the recently restored auditorium with Efird Family Singers • WWII era 3-room house decorated for Christmas • “Do You Remember?” Room • All displays open • All branches represented • Free admission. American war memorial dedicated to men and women of the armed services. Weaver and Patterson Roads. 704-857-7474, www.priceoffreedom.us
Live Nativity at Mt. Moriah — 6-8 pm Dec 9: RAINDATE: Dec 16: Drive by or get out and enjoy the sights and sounds of the Holy Scene. Costumed characters, real animals. 750 Mt. Moriah Church Road, 704-857-5034.
Annual Christmas In The Grove — 5-9 p.m. Dec. 15: Sledding, food, hot chocolate, s’mores, caroling, horse drawn wagon rides, face painting, visit with Santa, more. Free. Bring an unwrapped for Toys for Tots if you like. Main Street and Swink Streets, www.chinagrovenc.gov

Concord
‘The Best Christmas Pageant Ever’ at Old Courthouse Theater — Through Dec. 16: At 49 Spring St NW, 704-788-2405, Tickets at www.oldcourthousetheatre.org
Piedmont Choral Society — 7 pm Dec 7 and 9: 60-voice all volunteer Piedmont Choral Society’s annual free Christmas concerts at Forest Hill UMC, 265 Union St North. Seasonal favorites and carols accompanied by professional orchestra. A reception will follow. An offering will be accepted. Info: 704-699-6053 or www.piedmontchoralsociety.com
Piedmont Singing Men Christmas concert — 6:30 p.m Dec 9 at: Victory Temple, 3101 Cline School Road.
Come Now to Bethlehem —7 pm Dec 16: Lessons and Carols for Christmas by Poplar Tent Presbyterian Church Choir and members of Charlotte Orchestra. 6841 Poplar Tent Road, 704-783-1603 office@poplartentchurch.org

Gold Hill
Christmas in the Village — 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Dec 7-9: Historic Gold Hill, St Stephens Church Road, 704-279-5674, www.historicgoldhill.com

Kannapolis
Village Park, 700 West C St., www.kannapolisnc.gov
Celebration of Lights & Winterland Express — 6 pm throughDec 30: Stroll through the park or take a ride on the Winterland Express. More than 250,000 Christmas lights. Closed Dec. 24 and 25.
‘Christmas In The City’ variety show — Dec 7-8-9: Music, dance, drama, comedy, interpretive movement, creative arts. Rocky Fretz performs the pre-show experience. He’s Alive Church, 1310 N. Cannon Blvd. Tickets at hesalivechurch.org
80th annual Kannapolis Christmas Parade — 6pm Dec 8: Main Street, Downtown
Dickens Christmas Dinner — 6-8:30 p.m. Dec. 9: At Forty-Six, 101 West Ave. Info at dickenschristmasdinner.brownpapertickets.com

Mooresville
‘The Reason’ theatre in the round Christmas presentation — 7 pm Dec 15, plus 11 am and 6 pm Dec 16:West Corinth Baptist Church, 120 Corinth Church Road. Free.
Lake Norman Christmas Light Boat Parade — 5:30-7:30 p.m. Dec. 15, www.racecityusa.org
Carol of the King, The Irish Dance Christmas Spectacular — 7-9 pm Dec. 19: The Charles Mack Citizen Center, 215 N Main St, Mooresville, www.racecityusa.org
Holiday Light Spectacular — 6-8 p.m. Through Dec. 23, www.racecityusa.org

Rockwell
Santa at Tiger World — 11 am-3 pm Dec 8: Tiger World Endangered Wildlife Preserve, 4400 Cook Road, www.tigerworld.us
‘All Is Bright’ — 7-8:30 p.m Dec. 11: Grace Bible Church, 6725 Hwy 152 E, www.eventbrite.com
Classic Cinema Series: ‘Christmas in Connecticut’ — 2 pm Dec 14: Beloved 1945 film. RPL East branch 110 Broad St. 704-216-7842.
Movie: ‘The Star’ — 2:30-4 p.m. Dec. 21: 2017 animated holiday film (PG). RPL East branch 110 Broad St. 704-216-7842.
Arctic Express with Steve Somers — 10:30 am-noon Dec 8, 10-15: Learn about winter holiday traditions from around the world. RPL East branch, 110 Broad St. 704-216-7842.

 

Salisbury
Cards for a Cause — Dec. 1-18: Rowan Public Library, 201 W Fisher St, www.rowanpubliclibrary.org
Scrooge’s Christmas Trolley Tour — Select days through Dec 22: Presented by Lee Street Theatre. Rowan County Chamber of Commerce, 204 E Innes St, www.leestreet.org
NHCS Musical: ‘Christmas in Black and White’ — 6:30-8 pm Dec 6: Helen Kelley Smith Gymnasium at North Hills Christian School, opening act by NHCS 6th grade band.
FirstARTS presents Bel Canto Company — 8 pm Dec 6: $10. First United Methodist Church, 217 S. Church St., 704-636-3121, ext. 104.
Phoenix Readers present ‘best of Christmas Past’ — 7 pm Dec 6: Favorites from past Christmas programs. Free. Center for Faith & The Arts, 207 W. Harrison St, behind Haven Lutheran Church. www.faithart.org
PPT presents ‘A Christmas Story’ — Dec 7 through 15: All the elements from the beloved motion picture on stage. Norvell Theater, 135 E Fisher St., 704-633-5471, piedmontplayers.com
S-R Choral Society presents ‘The Sleigh Ride Home’ — • 7:30 p.m. Dec. 7 at First United Church of Christ, 207 W.Horah St • 2 p.m. Dec. 9: Milford Hills United Methodist Church, 1630 Statesville Blvd. • Info 704-796-9683 or https://www.facebook.com/Salisbury.Rowan.Choral.Society/
Fridays@First Advent Series at FUMC — • Noon Dec. 7: Organ recital by Dr. Joseph Causby of The Chapel of the Cross in Chapel Hill •Noon Dec. 14: Women’s Chorus from Charlotte’s Myers Park UMC. Free. First United Methodist Church, 217 S. Church St. 704-636-3121.
Bethelehem Marketplace — 4-8 pm Dec 8-9: Travel back 2000 years to a place called Bethlehem. Free. Handicap accessible. North Main Baptist Church, 1501 N Main St., 704-637-2929 www.northmainonline.com
‘Light of the World’ Men’s Chorus Christmas Concert at St. John’s — 4 pm Dec 9: Plus the St. John’s handbell ensemble. A freewill offering will benefit Meals on Wheels. 200 W Innes St.
Annual Holiday concert — 4:30-6:30 p.m. Dec. 9: Familiar carols, sacred and secular. Milford Hills UMC, 1630 Statesville Blvd., 704-636-0471.
Christmas Dinner Theater — 6 p.m. Dec. 9: Catered dinner atThe Event Center, $30. Childcare available. 315 Webb Road, 704-855-1218 mycornerstone.church
14th annual Christmas Traditions with Karl Hales — 7 p.m. Dec. 10-11: Stories and music of Christmas told by Karl, accompanied by vocalists Neal Wilkinson, Lauren Stephenson, Susan Trivette on piano. Admission: one canned food item for Rowan Helping Ministries. Meroney Theater, 213 S. Main St.
The Old Rockers Holiday Concert — 2-3 p.m. Dec. 12: Plus holiday snacks. RSVP by Dec. 10 to Rufty-Holmes Senior Center, 1120 S. Martin Luther King Jr. 704-216-7714
Children’s choir Christmas program at St. John’s — 5:30 pm Dec. 12: In the Faith Center. Hot cocoa and cookies afterward. 200 W Innes St.
Jingle Bell Magic with Steve Somers — 10:30 am Dec 13: RPL, 201 W. Innes St. Magic tricks, storytelling, music. 704-216-8234.
Narroway Theatre ‘A Stranger for Christmas’ — 10 am-3:30 pm Dec. 13: $60. Plus box lunch. Bus departs from Rufty-Holmes Senior Center, 1120 S. Martin Luther King Jr. Ave., 704-216-7714.
Rowan Big Band Christmas concert — 7:30 pm Dec 14: Rowan Big Band All Stars; big-band standards and swing era favorites from 1930s through present day with well-known Christmas classics. Tickets $20 at Lee Street theatre, 329 N Lee St, 704-310-5507, LeeStreet.org
Bethlehem Prayer Service simulcast at St. John’s — 9:30 am Dec. 15: Live broadcast of the Advent prayer service simulcast with Christmas Lutheran Church in Bethlehem, The Holy Land and National Cathedral in Washington, D.C. In the Faith Center. Panel discussion afterward. 200 W Innes St.
Santa + Grinch Antique Firetruck Rides — 11 am-2 pm Dec 15: Antique firetruck rides on East Innes St., free.It is weather permitting and there will not be a rain date. www.visitsalisburync.com/
CFA Holiday Suitcase event — 4-8 pm Dec 15: Holiday arts and crafts made by area artists.Entertainment plus a Santa’s workshop where for $5 kids can make and wrap a present. Plus homemade goodies, hot chocolate, coffee, hot tea for $1 each. Center for Faith & the Arts, 207 W Harrison St.
John Brincefield’s Big Ole Family Christmas Special — 7:30 pm Dec 15: Gather around John’s “living room” in the style of an old-time radio show to celebrate Christmas. Music by the Moonglows. Tickets $25. Lee Street theatre, 329 N Lee St, 704-310-5507, LeeStreet.org
4th Annual Cruise-by Christmas Window Art Show — Dec 15-Jan 5: Original window art by local artist Cherrathee Hager. Available for viewing 24 hours a day. Checkered Flag BBQ on South Main Street is the first to have their unique holiday windows completed. A list of other locations will be published. 704-490-2001.

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Service of Lessons and Carols at St. John’s — 11 am Dec. 16: Chancel Choir, Men’s Chorus, Women’s Ensemble, instrumental ensemble, soloists. 200 W Innes St.
FUMC Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols — 5 pm. Dec. 16: Service of Nine Lessons and Carols. First United Methodist Church, 217 S Church St 704-636-3121 www.fumcsalisbury.org
Christmas Carol Karaoke — 4-7 p.m. Dec. 18: Door prizes and prizes. Hors d’ oeuvres served. RSVP to Rufty-Holmes Senior Center, 1120 S. Martin Luther King Jr. Ave. 704-216-7715, www.ruftyholmes.org
Film: ‘The Man Who Invented Christmas’ — 2-4:30 p.m. Dec 20: Free. Charles Dickens revives his career by self-publishing “A Christmas Carol.” Rufty-Holmes Senior Center, 1120 S. Martin Luther King Jr. Ave, 704-216-7714.
ARC of Rowan Christmas Party — 6:30-8:30 p.m. Dec. 21-: Salisbury City Park, 316 Lake Drive. www.rowancountync.gov
33rd Annual Old Stone House Christmas — 1-4 p.m. Dec. 29-30: Old Stone House, 770 Old Stone House Road, www.rowanmuseum.org
New Year’s Eve at the Bell Tower — 9 pm Dec. 31: Presbyterian Bell Tower Park, Corner of W. Innes and S. Jackson. www.visitsalisburync.com/

Spencer
The Polar Express Train Ride — Select days through Dec. 9: N.C. Transportation Museum., Tickets and schedule at 704-636-2889 www.nctrans.org
Tea & Cookies With Mrs. Claus — 1:30 -3 pm Dec 8: $28-$41. NC Museum of Dolls, Toys & Miniatures, 108 4th St., Spencer, RSVP to 704-762-9359, www.ncmdtm.com

Charlotte
Bojangles Coliseum and Ovens Auditorium host — 2700 E. Independence Blvd. Info at ovensauditorium.com, tickets at Ticketmaster.com or 800-745-3000. Prices do not include service charges.
Cirque Musica Holiday presents Wonderland — 7:30 p.m. Dec. 12: Acrobats, aerialists, hijinks and holiday cheer.
Rocking Around The Christmas Tree With Darci Lynne And Friends — 7 p.m. Dec. 14: Singer/ventriloquist Darci Lynne from “America’s Got Talent.” $29.75-$99.75
The Beach Boys’ Reason For The Season Christmas Tour — 7:30 p.m. Dec. 15: Classics from their Christmas album plus new music from Mike Love’s album. $57-$117.
The Avett Brothers — 8:30 p.m. Dec. 30-31:$49.50-$89.50.

Denton
10th Annual Country Christmas Train— 5:30-9 p.m through Dec. 27: 10th anniversary. Weekends and other select weeknights. Hundreds of light displays, live Nativity, short film about the Christmas story. $13-$15 adults. 4259 Handy Road.www.dentonfarmpark.com

Winston-Salem
Old Salem Village holiday candlelight tours — Through Dec 21: “A Baking We Go!” will involve visitors in hands-on baking plus holiday tour by lighted lanterns through the historic streets. $50 each includes take-home earthenware cup. Pre-register at oldsalem.org or 1-800-441-5305.
Little Theatre of W-S presents ‘An Old Salem Christmas Carol’ — Dec. 7-9, 13-16, 20-22: It’s 1887, a passing stranger is welcomed into Salem Tavern. The story he tells is magical, yet vaguely familiar. SECCA, 750 Marguerite Drive. Tickets and schedule

Reynolda Village — 2250 Reynolda Road, adhttps://www.salisburypost.com/wp-admin/post.php?post=372026&action=editjacent to Wake Forest University. Tickets and schedules at www.reynolda.org
Caroling Fridays — 2:45 pm Fridays through Dec 21
Christmas 1917 Tours — Dec. 11, 18.
‘A Christmas Memory’ —4 pm Dec. 16: Annual reading of Truman Capote’s classic short story.
Carolina Brass Holiday Pops Concert — 7 p.m. Dec 18.

Hickory
Hickory Music Factory fifth annual 1940s Christmas Radio Show — 2 and 7 pm Dec 8: Old fashioned 1940s Christmas Radio Hour at SALT Block – Drendel Auditorium, 243 Third Ave. NE with Hickory Jazz Orchestra, guest artists. Audience members are encourage to dress in period attire. General admission for 2 pm matinee $20. The 7 pm evening tickets $15 for age 18 and under; $25 adults. www.hickorymusicfactory.com or 828-308-5659

Tweetsie Railroad
Blowing Rock — 5-10 pm Fridays-Saturdays through Dec 29: Tweetsie Railroad transforms into a winter wonderland with Santa Claus, Steam locomotive No. 12, a spectacular displays of twinkling lights, a heartwarming live Christmas Show, a giant snow globe, the Carousel, roast s’mores by a fire pit. Tickets $38, age 2 and under free. Visitors are urged to purchase tickets in advance.

Daniel Stowe
Holidays at the Garden: A Mile of a Million Lights — Through Jan 6: Lights, music, children’s activities, model train displays, more. Closed Christmas Day. Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden, 6500 South New Hope Road, Belmont. Tickets, schedule at www.DSBG.org