CHARLOTTE – While this holiday season may look and feel different than in the past, there are still plenty of activities scheduled around the area. These fun-filled holiday activities are great to include in your winter break. The list has been growing over the last couple of weeks as locations have been adapting their activities and celebrations to fit the new standards of safety. Finding ways to celebrate and have fun while being safe is most important this holiday season. During winter break, use this list to find ways to celebrate the holidays with your family. The list is sure to be filled with tons of drive-throughs, socially distanced events, and drive-ins, which are all just perfect this holiday season.
Speedway Christmas is an amazing celebration that is held annually at the Charlotte Motor Speedway. The celebration has taken place for the last ten years. It offers a drive-through light show that displays over four million remarkable lights. In a vehicle, participants are able to navigate through the 3.75-mile course that travels around the oval and even takes guests down into the center of the speedway, which is a great way to catch a spectacular view during the off-season. One of the neatest features of the celebration is an audio companion. Tune the radio into 101.3 and listen to Christmas tunes when cruising through light displays. The celebration takes place from November 21 through January 17 of 2021. The only day the celebration is closed is Christmas day.
Write a Letter to Santa is an activity that is offered at Town Hall in Mint Hill. A Santa Mailbox has been placed at Town Hall. This mailbox is the town’s direct connection to the North Pole. Children of all ages can place letters in the mailbox and all letters that have included a return address will receive a response from Santa.
Waxhaw Christmas Parade offers a very unique experience this year. Instead of the typical parade where spectators sit on the sidelines watching as the parade passes by, they have selected an event called the Reverse Christmas Parade. This event will be held on December 13 from 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm. The Reverse Christmas Parade will consist of the spectators actually being the ones that do that driving. The streets of downtown Waxhaw will be lined with Christmas characters, entertainers, parade floats, decorated business vehicles, and with many other organizations. As they stay stationary, vehicles with spectators can pass by to enjoy.
 N.C. Transportation Museum In Lights Presents: A Drive-Thru Experience is celebrating this year with two different types of events. Typically the museum hosts a traditional Polar Express, but this year they decided to host a daytime event, the Candy Cane Train as well as a nighttime event, N.C. Transportation Museum In Lights Presents A Drive-Thru Experience. The Candy Cane Train is a daytime event that includes a holiday-themed train ride along with few activities. It is held on Saturdays and Sundays from November 21 to December 20 from 10:00 am to 3:30 pm. Visitors will enjoy a ride on a decorated ,themed train. During the train ride, visitors will receive a candy cane. The evening event includes a drive-thru experience that is 1.25 miles long. Visitors can enjoy a wonderful light experience from the comfort of their vehicle while viewing the historic area lit with thousands of lights.
Winter Break is always a time to look forward to. It is a time to enjoy family and friends by joining together to celebrate the holiday season, but this year may be different for many. Christmas of 2020 will not look the same and may not offer the same activities and celebrations that have been enjoyed in past years; nonetheless, there are modified activities and celebrations that will put a smile on the face of many. Being safe and staying healthy this holiday season is important, but enjoying socially distanced and safe events will help brighten the year in a way that many need.
