Charlotte area holiday lights
Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden. Santa, trees, lights, carriage rides, warm beverages and music. November 18- January 1. Belmont, NC. Check website for hours and prices. dsbg.org
The town of McAdenville. The whole town lights up! Officially lighting is December 1 and goes through December 26. McAdenville, NC. FREE! Check website for hours. mcadenville-christmastown.com
Charlotte Motor Speedway. 3,000,000+ lights, Santa, carriage rides, food, movies and music. November 19-December 31. Concord, NC. Check website for hours and prices. charlottemotorspeedway.com
Holidays at the Hall. Breakfast with Santa, visiting from the Hall of Fame mascot, ice skating with theme days, lights on the tree and plaza. NASCAR Hall of Fame Plaza. Charlotte, NC. Check website for hours and prices. holidaysatthehall.com
Hometown Holiday and Holiday Tree Lighting. Crafts, activities, entertainment and a tree lighting. Tree light December 3. Matthews, NC. FREE! matthewsnc.gov
Fourth Ward Holiday Home Tour. Take a self-guided tour through decorated historical homes, carriage rides and choirs. December 2-4. Charlotte, NC. Check website for prices. fofw.org
Asheville, Hickory and High Country holiday lights
Christmas at Biltmore. Over 70 decorated Christmas tree, Christmas wine at the winery and a seasonal menu in the restaurant. November 4-January 8. Asheville, NC. Check website for prices. christmas.biltmore.com
Hickory Tree lighting. The Mayor will kick off the Holiday Season with a holiday tree lighting ceremony in Union Square. Shops will be open. Hickory, NC. Check website for schedule of holiday events. downtownhickory.com
Light up the town in West Jefferson! Lighting of the entire town at dusk, extended business hours, food specials, live entertainment and prizes. West Jefferson, NC. FREE. Check website for schedule of holiday events. visitwestjefferson.org/
Blowing Rock Christmas in the Park and Tree Lighting. Santa, hot chocolate,music and entertainment! Memorial Park. Blowing Rock, NC. FREE. Check website for schedule of holiday events. blowingrock.com
Boone Tree Lighting. The annual lighting of the downtown Boone Christmas Tree is at the Jones House followed by First Friday. Additional events at Mast General Store and the library. December 2. Boone, NC. Visit website for hours. downtownboonenc.com
Chetola Resort Festival of Lights. Carriage rides, cookie decorating, Santa visits, kids camp.
Blowing Rock, NC. Check website for schedule of holiday events. chetola.com/thanksgiving.html
Banner Elk Tree Lighting. Menorah and tree lighting. Showing of the movie Elf.
December 2. Banner Elk, NC. FREE.
If holiday lights aren’t enough to get you in the spirit maybe you just need to get lit…
SPARKLING CRANBERRY SANGRIA RECIPE
INGREDIENTS
3 cups fresh cranberries, divided
1 cup orange juice
½ cup granulated sugar
¾ cup brandy
1 (750 ml) bottle sweet white wine
1 (750 ml) bottle sparkling wine, chilled
1 orange, sliced
INSTRUCTIONS
In a medium pot, add 2 cups of cranberries, the orange juice, and sugar. Place over medium heat and cook, stirring occasionally, for 15 minutes, until all of the cranberries have burst open. You may need to reduce the heat to low once the cranberries start bursting as the liquid will become frothy and could bubble over.
Remove the pot from the heat and let cool for 5 minutes. Stir the brandy to the cranberry mixture. Transfer to the refrigerator to chill for 2 hours.
Pour the brandy mixture into a large bowl through a fine mesh strainer. Discard the cranberry pulp.
Transfer the sweetened cranberry brandy to a serving pitcher. Add the sliced orange and 1 cup of fresh cranberries. Add the white wine (not sparkling) to the pitcher. Stir. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours.
Just before serving, add the chilled sparkling wine.
