Christmas In Lincolnton

Carriage Rides and Visits With Santa got underway Thursday night (Dec. 3rd) in downtown Lincolnton, one of the most beautiful towns anywhere at Christmastime.  We've posted our Christmas-related events calendar, but for those who want to enjoy the beauty of Lincolnton at Christmas, here's a close-up look at some of the things to see in Lincolnton during the Holiday season:

Visits With Santa And Mrs. Claus

• Now through Dec. 19th Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, 5 - 9 PM, at Santa's House on the north Courtsquare in Lincolnton

Carriage And Wagon Rides Through Beautiful Downtown Lincolnton

• Now through Dec. 26th (except for Christmas Eve Dec. 24th) 6:30 - 9:30 PM beginning on the north Courtsquare in Lincolnton.  Carriage rides $10, wagon rides $5 (when available)--cash only, no reservations required.  Some motorists were surprised Thursday evening when they learned that the block of East Sycamore Street from North Academy to the Courtsquare is blocked to motor vehicles during the carriage rides.  It may take a little longer with the traffic lights, but the beauty of a drive down Main to the Courtsquare is like riding through a Christmas card.

• Friday, Dec. 4th and Saturday, Dec. 5th, 7 PM and Sunday, Dec. 6th, 3 PM at the Lincoln Cultural Center
• Also Friday, Dec. 11th and Saturday, Dec. 12th, 7 PM, and Sunday, Dec. 13th, 3 PM

Breakfast With Santa

• Saturday, Dec. 5th, 9 AM at Lincoln Cultural Center, 403 East Main Street, Lincolnton --- Children will visit with Santa, proceed to breakfast with the characters from The Nutcracker (children's ballet NEXT weekend at the James W. Warren Citizens Center, 115 West Main Street in Lincolnton) and Santa and Mrs. Claus will join them for a story. Everyone will make a holiday ornament and leave with a treat and there will be plenty of opportunities for photos.  $10 admits one child and two adults, additional children of the same parents will be admitted for $5 each.  

LHS Drama Club Dessert Theatre

• Saturday, Dec. 5th, 7:30 PM  --- The Lincolnton High School Drama Club will present "Dinner at Eight, Dead by Nine" at its Mystery Dessert Theatre at the James W. Warren Citizens Center on West Main Street in Lincolnton.  Limited tickets may be available--$10 each.  Proceeds will help fund the Drama Club's musical in April.

WLHS Chorus and Drama Winter Show

• Thursday, Dec. 10th, 6:30 PM --- The West Lincoln High School Chorus and Drama Winter Show will be presented at the James W. Warren Citizens Center.  Admission is free.

Downtown Lincolnton Open House

• Friday, Dec. 11th and Saturday, Dec. 12th: Participating downtown businesses will extend their regular hours to showcase their holiday inventories and accommodate holiday shoppers.

• Downtown may no longer have department stores and the number of retail stores may be less than was once the case, but there are still some interesting and fun places to shop.  You can enjoy a coffee at Fausto's or a meal at Court Street or Harvest Moon Grille or a Lincolnton tradition, a City Lunch hot dog.  You can select a bottle of wine as a Christmas gift at Southern Charm Winery including their famed Christmas in Dixie.  You can choose bakery treats from Southern Bakers Boutique...and if you're looking for a really exquisite gift, perhaps for a special occasion in your life, you can come to Estate Jewelers.  

• Two locations you may also want to visit downtown are UMAR Art on Main, now located overlooking the Marcia Cloninger Rail Trail.  UMAR’s nonprofit art program provides adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities vocational art training as well as opportunities for community integration. Artists enter competitions, display their artwork in shows and earn 40 percent commission on work they sell. The remainder supports the art program.

• Another new choice for this Christmas season is the Lincoln Cultural Center's Hand Made for the Holidays Gift Shop at 107 North Cedar Street (the former Hospice location behind Carter Bank across the street from the Cultural Center). Hand Made for the Holidays Gift Shop is open 10 AM until 2 PM Monday - Saturday through December 23rd.  They have wood work from Michael Hoffman; Fire Starters from Paula Micol; Knitted Wear by Katie Shain; Pottery from Emily Shain, Kathy Richards, Susan and Randy Harris, Rick Moss, and Carolyn Walker; Baby Blankets and Aprons from Pam Shain; with more coming in daily.  Support area artisans and craft makers while supporting the Lincoln Cultural Center and its many programs.

Holiday Tour of Historic Homes

• Friday, Dec. 11th, 4 - 9 PM:  Speak Up For Children, Inc. will sponsor the Holiday Tour of Historic Homes. The tour will feature four historic homes and one historic church, all decorated for Christmas. Two of the homes and the church are individually designated on the National Register of Historic Places. Parking will be available near each of the homes. Ticket prices are $20 at the door and $15 in advance. 

• Lincoln Cultural Center downtown Lincolnton
• Stacy’s Restaurant, Hwy. 16, Denver
• Home Place Restaurant and Catering, Hwy. 27 west
• Online at http://www.speakupforchildren.us/

• Included in the tour are Shadow Lawn, 301 West Main Street, the Roseman House, 406 Battleground Road, Woodside Plantation, 1217 Highway 182 West, the Merritt Hoyle House, 311 North Laurel Street, and St. Luke's Episcopal Church, Cemetery, Parish House and Rectory, 315 North Cedar Street.

• The Olde Towne Carolers will serenade those attending the event with Christmas carols.  They'll be at Shadowlawn from 4 - 5 PM, then Woodside Plantation from 5:30 to 6:30. They will finish the evening at St. Luke's Episcopal from 7 - 9.

The Nutcracker

• Saturday, Dec. 12th--This holiday tradition continues with two performances at 2 PM and 7 PM at the James W. Warren Citizens Center.   Admission: $10 for adults, $8 for students and senior citizens, children 3 & under admitted free.

• Sunday, Dec. 13th at 6, 6:30 and 7 PM --- Emmanuel Lutheran Church, 216 South Aspen Street in Lincolnton will have its Live Nativity, a Lincolnton Christmas tradition.

• Monday, Dec. 14th, 7 PM --- The West Lincoln High School and West Lincoln Middle School bands will present their Christmas Concert at the James W. Warren Citizens Center.  Admission is free.

LHS Band Christmas Concert

• Tuesday, Dec. 15th, 7 PM --- The Lincolnton High School Band will present its Christmas Concert at the James W. Warren Citizens Center. Admission is free.

• Saturday, Dec. 19th,  2 PM --- Elements in Dance will hold its Christmas Recital at the James W. Warren Citizens Center in Lincolnton.  Admission is $5.

• Tuesday, Dec. 29th, 7:30 PM --- Jamie Laval’s Scottish Solstice Celebration captures the beauty and atmosphere of the Scottish Highlands during the holidays, weaving a tapestry of music, dance, poetry, and stories that hearken back to the ancient Celtic celebrations associated with the Winter Solstice and Christmas. Headlining the show is Asheville-based violinist, guitarist, and storyteller Jamie Laval, winner of the 2002 US National Scottish Fiddle Championship.  Admission is $24-$29 for adults, $16 for students.