Birkdale Village Treelighting Gather in Mistletoe Square as Santa arrives by horse-drawn trolley to light the 34' Christmas Tree. Live music, trolley rides, Santa photos and more. www.birkdalevillage.net. Birkdale Village, Huntersville. Sat., Nov. 27, 6 p.m. 704-895-8744.

Candle Tea Service & Christmas Bazaar The Candle Tea Service is a presentation of Moravian Christmas traditions including a demonstration of beeswax candle making, refreshments, and a bazaar of handmade crafts, Advent stars, and Moravian foods. www.peacemoravian.com. Sat., Dec. 4, 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Peace Moravian Church, 4418 Rea Road. 704-759-9939.

Candlelight Carols Presented by Nova Voce, the concert will feature Christmas music from the Renaissance as well as carols by 20th century composers. www.novavoce.org. Sat., Dec. 11, 8 p.m. $10-$12. St. Patrick's Cathedral, 1621 Dilworth Rd. 704-577-6273.

Carrousel Parade The parade is a Thanksgiving tradition showcasing high school and college bands from around the region. Parade begins at N. Tryon & 11th, proceeds on Tryon to 3rd, left on 3rd, right on College, left on 2nd, ends 2nd & McDowell. www.carrouselparade.org. Thu., Nov. 25, 1 p.m. 704-372-9411.

Center City Tree Lighting & Holiday Celebration The Charlotte tradition continues with the lighting of the center city's holiday tree. Before the tree-lighting ceremony, area choirs and local bands will entertain. www.foundershall.com. Sat., Nov. 27, 6-8 p.m. Bank of America Plaza, 101 South Tryon Street.

Christmas Arts & Crafts Boutique The event is sponsored by the Mooresville Artist Guild and will feature original, hand made items. Nov. 26-Dec. 24. Visual Arts Depot, 103 West Center Ave, Mooresville. 704-663-6717.

Christmas at St. Mary's Carolina Pro Musica's annual event features Christmas music of the 18th century, plus the music of Bach, Handel and carols. St. Mary's Chapel, 1129 E. 3rd St. www.carolinapromusica.org. Sat., Dec. 11, 7 p.m. & 8:30 p.m. $7.50-$15. 704-334-3468.

Christmas at the Abbey The Abbey Players and Belmont Community Theatre will perform songs of the season and classic readings. Fri., Dec. 3, 8 p.m. Free. Haid Theatre, Belmont Abbey College, 100 Belmont-Mt. Holly Rd., Belmont. 704-825-6787.

Christmas Candlelight Tours Costumed guides will take visitors back in time to see a Christmas celebration from 1805 by candlelight. James K. Polk Memorial State Historic Site, Pineville. www.polk.nchistoricsites.org. Sat., Dec. 4, 6:30-9 p.m. $2, 12 and under free. 704-889-7145.

A Christmas Carol Classics Theatre of Charlotte presents the Charles Dickens' holiday classic. Nov. 26-Dec. 19, Thu-Sat, 8pm; Sun, 7pm. $10-$12.50. Carolina Actors Studio Theatre (CAST), 1118 Clement Ave. 704-455-8542.

Christmas in Cannon Village Several holiday events throughout Cannon Village in Kannapolis. www.cannonvillage.com. Thanksgiving through Dec. 18. 704-938-3200.

Christmas in Davidson A signature event and gift for the community including special events and entertainment for the whole family. Main St., Davidson. Dec. 1-3, 6-9 p.m. 704-892-2118.

A Christmas Story Humorist Jean Sheperd's memoir of growing up in the midwest of the 1940s. Dec. 2-4, 9-11, 16-18, 8pm; Dec. 5, 12 & 19, 2:30pm. $10-$15. Old Courthouse Theatre, 49 Spring Street, NW, Concord. 704-788-2405.

Christmas Wonderland Charlotte's largest Christmas show with 400 performers. www.charlottephilharmonic.org. Sun., Nov. 28, 8 p.m. $17.50-$35. Blumenthal Performing Arts Center, 130 N. Tryon St. 704-846-2788.

Cornelius Holiday Celebration Performances by Cornelius Elementary Chorus, Carolina Classis Barbershop Harmony Group and local groups. Take a ride around Town in a horse-drawn carriage, and more. Antique Warehouse Area, Cornelius. www.corneliuspr.org. Sat., Dec. 4, 2:30-5 p.m. 704-892-6031 ext. 166.

Downtown Countdown to 2005 New Year's Eve festivities featuring music, food, a street party and fireworks. www.charlottecentercity.org. The Square at Trade & Tryon, downtown. Fri., Dec. 31, 9 p.m.-1 a.m. Free. 704-332-2227.

Friends of the Fourth Ward Holiday Home Tour This is the 27th year to showcase the grand Victorians, luxary condominiums, and adaptive re-use buildings for which the Fourth Ward is famous, all dressed in holiday finery. www.FOFW.com. Dec. 3, 5-9 p.m.; Dec. 4-5, 12-4 p.m. 704-651-4183.

Great Russian Nutcracker Moscow Ballet's version of the holiday classic. www.ovensauditorium.com. Dec. 15; Dec. 16, 7:30 p.m. $25-$49. Ovens Auditorium, 2700 E. Independence Blvd. 704-522-6500.

Hayride With Santa Ride with St. Nick through the woods and munch on hot chocolate and cookies. McAlpine Creek Park. Sat., Dec. 18, 2-4 p.m. $3. 704-568-4044.

Holiday Art Sale Over 25 artists with fine arts and crafts. www.rockhillarts.org. Thu., Dec. 2, 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Center for the Arts, Rock Hill, 121 E. Main St. 803-328-2787.

Holiday Market at Gateway Gateway Village comes alive with the magic of a Bavarian Christmas Market offering food, music, entertainment and unique gift shopping. www.holidaysinthecity.org. Fridays, 11 a.m.-8 p.m.; Saturdays, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Continues through Dec. 18. Gateway Village, West Trade Street. 704-332-2227.

Holiday Open House Featuring Smith Academy Children's Chorus, holiday favorites and a pot luck lunch buffet. Wed., Dec. 15, 10:30 a.m.-2 p.m. Charlotte-Mecklenburg Senior Center, 2225 Tyvola Rd. 704-522-6222.

Holiday Sale & Fundraiser 5th annual event with silent auction featuring functional and sculptural clay artworks. Proceeds will benefit the Metrolina Aids Project and Helping Animals Live On. www.potterycentral.com. Dec. 3, 6-10 p.m.; Dec. 4, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Pottery Central, 3534 Central Ave. 704-537-4477.

Holiday Tour of Homes The Waxhaw Women's Club will sponsor the tour of three historic homes, a horse farm, and an antebellum-style country estate. All homes will be decorated for the holidays and proceeds from the tour will benefit various civic projects sponsored by the Women's Club. Dec. 3-4, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. $15. 704-843-3806.

Home for the Holidays Farmhouse Style Redux is the theme this year. Rosebud Antiques will set up a satellite shop in the showhouse garage. www.thefarms-crescent.com. The Farms near Lake Norman. Fridays 10am-8pm; Saturdays 10am-6pm; Sundays noon-6pm, through Dec. 5. $10. 704-376-3434.

International Christmas The concert will include carols for all to sing accompanied by winds, brass, and organ. Abbey faculty, staff, and students will join in leading "Silent Night" in five languages. www.belmontabbeycollege.edu. Sat., Dec. 4, 8 p.m. Belmont Abbey Basilica, 100 Belmont-Mount Holly Rd., Belmont. 704-461-6813.

Jazz Holiday Luncheon Annual luncheon given by the Afro-American Cultural Center. The event will feature the big band "A Sign of the Times" as well as the Afro-American Teen Dance and Teen Drama Ensembles. www.aacc-charlotte.org. Thu., Dec. 2, 11:30 a.m. $50. Adam's Mark Hotel, 555 South McDowell St. 704-374-1565 x24.

Jerusalem in Lights: the Real Christmas Story See your favorite Christmas scenes and watch as Old Jerusalem comes to life with thousands of Christmas lights. www.narroway.net. Nov. 26-27; Dec. 3-4; Dec. 10-11; Dec. 17-18. $5-$10. NarroWay Productions, Fort Mill. 803-802-2300.

Jingle Bell Ball The Jingle Bell Ball provides needed funds to the United Family Service's Shelter for Battered Women. Deja Vu and the Gold Standard Chorus will provide the entertainment for the black tie gala. www.jinglebellball.com. Fri., Dec. 3, 8 p.m.-1 a.m. $30-$35. Grand Central. 704-333-8522.

Kannapolis Christmas Parade Kannapolis residents along with Carolina Panthers Mike Minter and Mikr Rucker will be the parade Grand Marshalls. The Parade will end at Veterans Park with the lighting of the Christmas Soldiers around Circle Lake. Tue., Nov. 30, 6 p.m. 704-932-3808.