UCity Lights Winter Celebration

Welcome to the UCity Lights Winter Celebration!

Join us for an enchanting evening at the UCity Lights Winter Celebration, where the heart of University City will come alive with the spirit of the holidays! This free, family-friendly event will take place on November 22, 2025, from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM at The Shoppes at University Place (8931 J M Keynes Dr, Charlotte, NC 28262).

Sign up to the UCP newsletter to recieve special holiday incentives, like prizes and discounts to local UCity Restaurants for the season!

Enjoy a diverse lineup of live entertainment, interactive art, and festive activities for all ages. Watch as talented local artists, singers, dancers, and musicians - including holiday hits and sounds of the guitar from Carson Lee Bradshaw with Robert Tompkins, the soulful melodies of Will Adams, inde vocals and ukelee by Mimi V, high-energy DJ Stations, dance performances, spoken word poetry, and live painting sessions with speed painter Shane Manier, who will be giving away original paintings during holiday trivia. Plus, explore activation stations, local vendors, and so much more - all celebrating the spirit of the holidays.

Families can participate in hands-on arts and crafts activities, painting their own holiday-themed canvases, with creative activations lead by Janeva Tyree, who helped conceptualize event activities in response to the community's desire for artistic expression and cultural celebration.

Holiday Highlights:

• Meet Santa and drop off your Letters to Santa
• Mrs. Claus Storytime to captivate the kids
• Face Painting for all ages and a fun Photo Booth
• Roaming Disney-style Characters bringing magical encounters
• Saxophone Player filling the air with festive tunes
• Marketplace with 20+ vendors, including delicious food trucks and a beer truck
• Hot Chocolate Station by Famous Toastery
• Sponsor Booths from ASC and AT&T

Interactive Art & Entertainment:

• Live Performances: Soulful music, festive caroling, and vibrant dance routines
• Interactive Art: Paint your own holiday canvas and take part in group art activities
• Polar Express Train for a whimsical ride through the venue
• Speed Painting: Marvel as Shane Manier creates artwork in real-time, and win a painting during our trivia giveaways!

With activities like Ornament Decorating and Painting a Holiday Canvas, and live storytelling, plus incredible performances by local artists and entertainers, this celebration has something for everyone! Bring your friends, family, and neighbors to revel in an evening of togetherness and creativity in the heart of University City.

• Would you like to attend, recieve a holiday gift, or paint your own holiday-themed art with the artists? Go ahead and reserve a spot so we can have the materials ready for you!
• Would you like to become an official sponsor? Contact [email protected]

Registering to this event will opt you into the UCP newsletter, but be sure to follow @UnivCityCLT on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook. Also, check out more holiday highlights on at UnivCityLightsCLT official IG.

Brought to you by our sponsors:

Presenting Sponsors

• AT&T

Cultural Sponsor

• ASC Culture Blocks — a community partnership funded by Mecklenburg County in partnership with the University City Library.

Tree Lightning Sponsor

• Parks Chevrolet Charlotte

Santa's Workshop Sponsor

• Greystar

Ornament Sponsor

• Atrium

Sponsored and powered by University City Partners

Know what’s Happening Next — before everyone else does.

Get App

Host or Publisher University City Partners