Huntersville lights its tree at 6:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 4, at Veterans Park. Holidays in Huntersville is Dec. 5; the North Mecklenburg Holiday Parade is Dec. 5 in Davidson.

Last checked Oct. 11, 2026. Updated each year. Details come from the Town of Huntersville’s Holidays in Huntersville page and the Town of Davidson’s parade page.

Huntersville starts the season downtown at Veterans Park, 201 Huntersville-Concord Road. The Town Tree Lighting is Friday, Dec. 4, with the tree lit at 6:30 p.m., and Holidays in Huntersville fills the next afternoon, Saturday, Dec. 5, 3 to 8 p.m. Both are free. Huntersville does not hold its own Christmas parade; the North Mecklenburg Holiday Parade is in Davidson, about six miles north, at 1 p.m. the same Saturday. Town events: Huntersville Parks and Recreation, 704-766-2220.

The schedule

Date Event Where
Friday, Dec. 4, 6 to 8 p.m. Town Tree Lighting; tree lit at 6:30 p.m. Veterans Park
Saturday, Dec. 5, 1 p.m. North Mecklenburg Holiday Parade Main Street, Davidson
Saturday, Dec. 5, 3 to 8 p.m. Holidays in Huntersville Veterans Park
Dec. 10-12, 5 to 8 p.m. Santa’s Village American Legion Post 321
Thursday, Dec. 31, 9 p.m. to midnight A Huntersville New Year’s Holbrook Park and 760 CraftWorks

Tree lighting: Friday, Dec. 4

The town calls the tree lighting the start of the “season of giving.” Mike Hege of the Pridemore Team at Compass, the title sponsor, lights the tree at 6:30 p.m., and there is live entertainment, the town says.

Holidays in Huntersville: Saturday, Dec. 5

The afternoon festival, presented by Novant Health, has free children’s rides, artisan ice sculptures, holiday performances on stage by local groups, carolers, face painting, balloon twisters and roaming holiday characters.

Santa’s Village: Dec. 10-12

Santa’s Village opens inside the American Legion Post 321 building from 5 to 8 p.m. Thursday to Saturday, Dec. 10-12. The town says reservations will open closer to the date for families who want to skip the wait; walk-ups are also taken.

Road closures and parking downtown

From the town’s event page:

  • Closed 5 to 9 p.m. Friday, Dec. 4, and 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 5: Main Street from Huntersville-Concord Road to Bigham Street, and Maxwell Street from Huntersville-Concord Road to Huntersville ARP Church.
  • Public parking: the Town Center parking garage, 105 Gilead Road; Huntersville Elementary, 200 Gilead Road; and the downtown greenway trailhead, 102 Gilead Road.
  • Accessible parking: reserved at Town Hall, 14704 N. Old Statesville Road, for people who need to park closer.

The North Mecklenburg Holiday Parade

The 44th annual North Mecklenburg Holiday Parade steps off at 1 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 5, the Town of Davidson says. Because of N.C. Department of Transportation construction on N.C. 115, it will follow a shorter alternate route of a little under a mile, and the town will take only 50 entries. The route map, lineup and detour map have not been posted yet. Santa rides on the last entry. A tricycle race follows on Main Street in front of the Davidson Town Green. The parade runs rain or shine; Davidson Parks and Recreation: 704-892-3349.

What this means for you

  • Tree lighting Friday, Dec. 4, at 6:30 p.m.; festival Saturday afternoon; both free.
  • Downtown Main Street closes both days; park on Gilead Road.
  • For a parade, go to Davidson at 1 p.m. Dec. 5, then come back for Holidays in Huntersville until 8 p.m.

More: things to do this month and trash and recycling (live Christmas trees are collected at the curb Dec. 26 to Jan. 15).

Birkdale Village’s tree lighting, ice rink, Santa visits and the menorah lighting are on our holiday lights and Christmas events page.

Frequently asked questions

When is the Huntersville tree lighting in 2026?

Friday, Dec. 4, at Veterans Park, 201 Huntersville-Concord Road. Festivities run 6 to 8 p.m., and the tree is lit at 6:30 p.m. It is free.

Does Huntersville have a Christmas parade?

Not a town one. The nearest is the North Mecklenburg Holiday Parade, put on by the Town of Davidson at 1 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 5, on a shorter alternate route this year because of road work on N.C. 115.

What is Holidays in Huntersville?

A free afternoon at Veterans Park, 3 to 8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 5, with free children’s rides, ice sculptures, holiday performances, carolers, face painting and roaming characters.

Where can kids see Santa in Huntersville?

At Santa’s Village inside the American Legion Post 321 building, 5 to 8 p.m. Dec. 10-12. Reservations open closer to the date, and walk-ups are taken.

What roads close for the Huntersville tree lighting?

Main Street from Huntersville-Concord Road to Bigham Street and Maxwell Street from Huntersville-Concord Road to Huntersville ARP Church, 5 to 9 p.m. Dec. 4 and 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Dec. 5.