From parades to tree lightings, 24 can’t-miss holiday events in the Gaston County area

From carriage rides to parades, Gaston County will host it all this holiday season. Here is a run-down of family events happening in November and December.

Christmas Parades

The Gaston County Jaycees parade will begin at  5 p.m. Dec. 7 in downtown Gastonia and travel east on Main Avenue. It will kick off Gastonia’s Christmas in the City event, which will feature a tree lighting, entertainment and vendors.

At 3 p.m. Dec. 2, Belmont’s annual Christmas Parade will begin on South Main Street and travel down Catawba Street, featuring festive floats, vintage cars, performances by local high school marching bands, and an appearance from Santa Claus. It will culminate in a celebration at Dwight Frady Fields, 611 E. Catawba St.

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In Cherryville, a Christmas parade will march through Main Street from 5-6 p.m. Dec. 13.

Stanley’s Christmas parade will travel through downtown on South Main Street from 3-4 p.m. Dec. 10.

In Mount Holly, a Christmas parade will start on West Central Avenue at 3 p.m. Dec. 6, and travel down Main Street.

Bessemer City’s annual Christmas parade will travel through downtown starting at 4:30 p.m. Nov. 23. It will begin on North 14th Street, turn left onto West Virginia Avenue, and then turn left onto North 8th Street ending at Kevin Millwood Park. It is part of this year’s Christmas in the City event.

McAdenville’s Yule Log parade will take place from 5:30-7 p.m. Dec. 11 on Main Street.

Cramerton’s Christmas Parade will roll down 8th Avenue starting at 4 p.m. Dec. 4 during the town’s Christmas Parade and Village event.

Lowell’s Christmas Parade will travel through downtown starting at 4 p.m. Dec. 6. It will cap off the city’s Christmas Parade and Artisan Market event, which starts at 1 p.m.

Tree lightings

Belmont’s Christmas tree lighting will take place at 6:30 p.m. Dec. 1 at Old City Hall, 37 N. Main St.

Stanley’s tree lighting ceremony will take place from 5:30-6:30 p.m. Nov. 30 on Main Street. It will include a performance by local country artist Bailey Marie.

The Keep Gastonia Beautiful tree lighting will take place around 6:30 p.m. Dec. 7 at the Rotary Centennial Pavilion, 111 N. South St. following the city’s Christmas parade.

The tree lighting in Bessemer City will take place around 6 p.m. Nov. 23, at Centennial Park, 114 W. Virginia Ave. following the Christmas parade.

Mount Holly’s Deck the Halls event will take place from 6-9 p.m. Dec. 5 at The Grand Hall, 400 E. Central Ave. It will include the annual lighting of the Mount Holly Christmas Tree, shopping, music and Santa Visits.

McAdenville’s tree lighting will take place at 5:30 p.m. Dec. 1 downtown at 102 Main St.

Cherryville’s tree lighting will take place at 6 p.m. Nov. 29 at the city’s mini park, 219 E. Main St.

Carriage rides

The city of Mount Holly will offer horse-drawn carriage rides by reservation only from 6-9 p.m. Dec. 1, 2, 3, 8, 9 and 10. Carriages cost $25 per 15 minute ride and seat up to four adults or fewer adults with some children. Tickets are available on the city’s website.

The Gaston County Museum will offer free carriage rides again this year from 6-9 p.m. Dec. 5 at 131 W. Main St. in Dallas.

Other holiday events

Dallas’ Carols on the Square event will take place downtown from 6:30-8 p.m. Dec. 5. It will include caroling, hot chocolate, and carriage rides at the museum.

Cramerton’s Holiday Bazaar will feature more than 40 craft vendors from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Dec. 13 at the C.B. Huss Recreation Center, 8 Julian St.

In Gastonia, children can eat breakfast with Santa from 8-9 a.m. Dec. 6 at the Rankin Lake Clubhouse, 1750 Rankin Lake Road. Tickets are available online through Eventeny.

Christmas trees will line Stowe Park, 24 S. Main St. in Belmont for the city’s festival of trees from Dec. 1-30.

Belmont’s Bavarian Holiday Fest, a German-themed holiday festival, will take place from 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Dec. 13 on Main Street.

From 6-10 p.m. Dec. 5, Cherryville’s downtown will be lined with vendors, selfie stations and a kids area for the city’s Very Cherry Who-Ville Christmas event.

The Daniel Stowe Conservancy’s Holidays at the Garden display, complete with train rides, and adult-only speakeasy, Santa visits and lights, will be open starting Nov. 28. Tickets are available on the conservancy’s website.

Reporting by Chloe Collins, Gaston Gazette / The Gaston Gazette

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