Birkdale Village lights its tree Nov. 21 and opens its ice rink; Santa visits to Dec. 24; menorah lighting Dec. 6; garden lights Nov. 28 to Dec. 30.

Last checked Oct. 11, 2026. This page is updated every year at the same address. Events come from Birkdale Village’s events calendar, the Town of Huntersville’s holiday page and Daniel Stowe Conservancy. The town’s tree lighting and holiday festival are on our separate Christmas parade and tree lighting page.

Huntersville’s holiday season starts Saturday, Nov. 21, when Birkdale Village lights its tree, Santa arrives by parade and the Birkdale on Ice rink opens for the winter. The town’s own tree lighting follows downtown on Dec. 4, and Daniel Stowe Conservancy in Belmont opens its Holidays at the Garden on Nov. 28.

What this means for you

  • Nov. 21: the Lighting of Birkdale Village, parade at 4:30 p.m., tree at 6 p.m.
  • Nov. 21 to Jan. 10: ice skating at Birkdale on Ice.
  • Santa: Birkdale Village, Thursdays to Sundays to Dec. 24; the town’s Santa’s Village Dec. 10-12.
  • Dec. 6: menorah lighting with Chabad of Lake Norman, 4:30 p.m.

The season at a glance

Date Event Where
Saturday, Nov. 21, 2 to 7 p.m. The Lighting of Birkdale Village Birkdale Village
Nov. 21 to Jan. 10 Birkdale on Ice The Plaza, Birkdale Village
Nov. 22 to Dec. 24, Thursdays to Sundays Santa’s Cottage Birkdale Village
Nov. 28 to Dec. 30 Holidays at the Garden Daniel Stowe Conservancy, Belmont
Friday, Dec. 4, 6 to 8 p.m. Town Tree Lighting Veterans Park
Saturday, Dec. 5, 8:30 a.m. Breakfast with Santa Red Rocks Cafe, Birkdale Village
Saturday, Dec. 5, 3 to 8 p.m. Holidays in Huntersville Veterans Park
Sunday, Dec. 6, 4:30 p.m. Menorah lighting The Grove, Birkdale Village
Dec. 10-12, 5 to 8 p.m. Santa’s Village American Legion Post 321

The Lighting of Birkdale Village: Saturday, Nov. 21

From Birkdale Village’s event page:

  • 2 to 4 p.m.: Activity Row along the Parkway, with face painting, glitter tattoos, Santa’s elves and magicians.
  • 2 to 7 p.m.: Merry Maker’s Way, with letters to Santa and a holiday book nook, and the Birkdale Biergarten.
  • 2:30 to 4 p.m.: dance performances.
  • 4:30 p.m.: the parade. Santa arrives with dancers, first responders and the Hopewell High School Marching Band, on a loop of Birkdale Commons Parkway.
  • 5:30 p.m.: a party band takes the stage in The Plaza.
  • 6 p.m.: the tree lighting ceremony. The center notes it does not start right after the parade; it starts promptly at 6.

Birkdale on Ice: Nov. 21 to Jan. 10

The rink in The Plaza is back for a second year. Skating is in 75-minute sessions, and the center asks skaters to book ahead; walk-ups are welcome but not guaranteed a time. Tickets had not gone on sale when we checked.

Days Hours
Monday to Friday 3 to 10 p.m.
Saturday 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Sunday Noon to 7 p.m.
Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day 4 to 10 p.m.
Dec. 21-24 and Dec. 26 to Jan. 3 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.

The center says ice conditions depend on the weather and all sales are final. Concierge: 704-817-2400.

Santa visits

  • Santa’s Cottage at Birkdale Village, between Anthropologie and Lululemon: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Thursdays to Sundays, Nov. 22 to Dec. 24. Book an appointment; walk-ups only if time allows, the center says.
  • Breakfast with Santa, 8:30 to 10:45 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 5, at Red Rocks Cafe in Birkdale Village: a buffet breakfast with Santa and his elves. Proceeds benefit Operation Wakesurf. Tickets were not yet on sale, according to the event page.
  • Santa’s Village, the town’s walk through the North Pole, 5 to 8 p.m. Dec. 10-12 at the American Legion Post 321 building. Details are on our Christmas parade and tree lighting page.

Menorah lighting: Sunday, Dec. 6

Birkdale Village and Chabad of Lake Norman welcome the first night of Hanukkah with a menorah lighting at 4:30 p.m. in The Grove across from Regal, with children’s crafts, donuts, latkes and chocolate gelt.

Holidays at the Garden, Belmont

Daniel Stowe Conservancy, 6500 South New Hope Road in Belmont, holds Holidays at the Garden from Nov. 28 to Dec. 30. Tickets are by date, with “flex” tickets that can be moved to any open night. This year it lists:

  • Community Trees along the Tram Road, decorated by local families, businesses and groups.
  • The Holiday Speakeasy, a lounge with seasonal cocktails.
  • The Holiday Trackless Train, 6 to 9 p.m. Fridays, Dec. 4, 11 and 18.
  • Santa, 6 to 8 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays, Dec. 5-6, 12-13 and 19-20.

Parking is free in the grass overflow lot; paved VIP parking can be bought ahead.

Downtown Huntersville

The town lights its tree at 6:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 4, at Veterans Park, and Holidays in Huntersville follows on Saturday, Dec. 5, with ice sculptures, carolers and more than 50 local vendors. Road closures, parking and the Davidson parade are on our Christmas parade and tree lighting page.

Know a neighborhood light display or a church event open to the public? Send it through our contact page.

More: Black Friday and holiday shopping and New Year’s Eve in Huntersville.

Frequently asked questions

When is the Birkdale Village tree lighting in 2026?

Saturday, Nov. 21. Activities start at 2 p.m., Santa’s parade circles Birkdale Commons Parkway at 4:30 p.m., and the tree lighting ceremony starts at 6 p.m. in The Plaza.

Is there ice skating in Huntersville?

Yes. Birkdale on Ice, in The Plaza at Birkdale Village, runs Nov. 21 to Jan. 10 in 75-minute sessions. Book ahead; walk-ups are welcome but not guaranteed a slot.

Where can I see Santa in Huntersville?

At Santa’s Cottage at Birkdale Village, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Thursdays to Sundays from Nov. 22 to Dec. 24, by appointment; and at the town’s Santa’s Village at American Legion Post 321, 5 to 8 p.m. Dec. 10-12.

Is there a menorah lighting in Huntersville?

Yes. Birkdale Village and Chabad of Lake Norman light a menorah at 4:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 6, the first night of Hanukkah, in The Grove across from Regal.