Theatre Charlotte’s holiday tradition is back for its 12th season with the classic tale of hard-hearted Ebenezer Scrooge who is visited by the ghost of his late partner, Jacob Marley and the ghosts of Christmas Past, Present and Future. You once again meet such beloved characters as Fezziwig, Belle, Bob Cratchit, nephew Fred, and, of course, Tiny Tim.

Expect an evening of festive fun while you learn how to design your holiday centerpiece. Christina Nail of Darling Dogwood Floral and Event Design will guide you through arranging a centerpiece with a beautiful assortment of seasonal flowers and fresh winter greens. Do good while you have fun and bring a canned food donation to support Second Harvest Food Bank. Bonus: bridal party discounts provided from both Bella Bridesmaids and Darling Dogwoods for all attendees.

Kubernetes has been a popular technology for quite some time for managing and deploying applications, and there are many concepts and techniques to fully understand their power. Skookum’s Rizchel Dayao will give an in-depth view of Kubernetes from beginner to advanced level. As usual, enjoy free pizza while you learn.

Check out the new store on Monroe Road for their Holiday Open House. H&S Antiques are direct importers of 18th and 19th century English and Continental antiques. They specialize in original artwork, mirrors, lighting and “collections” of decorative accessories. Call 704.333.3138 for more information.

We know you’ve always dreamed of running through Uptown as Santa and now is your chance. Register for the Ri Ra 5K Santa Run where 100% of profits will be donated to the Patriot Military Family Foundation. Registration includes a Santa suit, t-shirt, a beer and ceremony after the race with live entertainment

Fashion and style lovers do not want to miss this exhibit on display now through next spring. Expect to be immersed in a dynamic and diverse dress tradition and explore increasingly interconnected fashion worlds that it inhabits.

Marvel at the delicate sculptures of Michael Sherrill featuring works of clay, glass, metal and floral forms.

Santa is here for the holiday season and it’s photo time at the SouthPark Mall. Pro tip: reserve your spot in advance so there’s no wait time.

Experience an all-new musically-orchestrated topiary display, wander through the new illuminated Prairie, explore new lanterns in the perennial gardens and more. Enjoy annual traditions including the 15-foot orchid tree, live music, holiday shopping, Santa and Mrs. Claus on select nights, children’s activities and warm beverages.

Back by popular demand is Children’s Theatre of Charlotte’s most-popular holiday show! What happens when the “worst kids in the history of the world” find out about free food at Sunday school? Worse yet, what happens when they decide to audition for the annual Christmas pageant? This could be the worst pageant ever… if it even happens. This hilarious and heartfelt musical comedy, adapted from Barbara Robinson’s classic story, will have your family laughing and crying as you celebrate the holidays.

The holiday season is here and SouthPark’s own Winter Wonderland is Charlotte’s favorite open-air ice-skating rink, not to mention, the ultimate Instagram photo op. This year, the rink is 40% bigger and features fun for the entire family including a daily afternoon snowfall, holiday lights and decor, Santa’s Pub and more. Don’t miss the special events, guests and activities throughout the season, including 103.7 WSOC bringing a Country Christmas to the rink.

Come celebrate the birth of Christ with fun, family activities at the Billy Graham Library. Enjoy light displays and Christ-centered festivities with families from across the Southeast who have made this an annual tradition. Pro tip: most activities begin at 5:00 p.m.

So many family-friendly events throughout the month including A Mile of a Million Lights at Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden, in downtown Belmont, visit the inaugural Festival of Trees from Stowe Park across the historic district and on December 22, participate in the area’s first Santa Hustle – a half marathon, 5K and 1-mile Rudolph Run for kids. Don your best Santa beard and hat for an epic jog through downtown Belmont culminating in candy, cookies and a Christmas celebration at the finish line.

Check out The Mint Museum’s first large-scale exhibition to explore the dynamic medium of collage. Charlotte native Romare Bearden is widely credited with rejuvenating and reinvigorating the technique. His work, which has long been a highlight of The Mint Museum’s collection, serves as the point of departure for this fascinating exhibition.

Don’t miss the quintessential holiday experience with the sights and sounds of the Nutcracker. Join Clara, the Mouse King and the iconic Sugar Plum Fairy for a stunning performance of a holiday classic with breathtaking sets, costumes, choreography by Jean-Pierre Bonnefoux and music from the Charlotte Symphony. Pro tip: Agenda readers get $5 off per ticket in zones 1-4 with code AGENDA.

Theatre Charlotte’s holiday tradition is back for its 12th season with the classic tale of hard-hearted Ebenezer Scrooge who is visited by the ghost of his late partner, Jacob Marley and the ghosts of Christmas Past, Present and Future. You once again meet such beloved characters as Fezziwig, Belle, Bob Cratchit, nephew Fred, and, of course, Tiny Tim.

Experience the immersive world of bugs and their amazing abilities that inspire human innovation with larger-than-life bug models that guide you through hands-on activities and challenges. Explore four immersive chambers throughout the exhibition and get up close and personal with four insects and their amazing adaptations.

Expect an evening of festive fun while you learn how to design your holiday centerpiece. Christina Nail of Darling Dogwood Floral and Event Design will guide you through arranging a centerpiece with a beautiful assortment of seasonal flowers and fresh winter greens. Do good while you have fun and bring a canned food donation to support Second Harvest Food Bank. Bonus: bridal party discounts provided from both Bella Bridesmaids and Darling Dogwoods for all attendees.

Kubernetes has been a popular technology for quite some time for managing and deploying applications, and there are many concepts and techniques to fully understand their power. Skookum’s Rizchel Dayao will give an in-depth view of Kubernetes from beginner to advanced level. As usual, enjoy free pizza while you learn.

Check out the new store on Monroe Road for their Holiday Open House. H&S Antiques are direct importers of 18th and 19th century English and Continental antiques. They specialize in original artwork, mirrors, lighting and “collections” of decorative accessories. Call 704.333.3138 for more information.

We know you’ve always dreamed of running through Uptown as Santa and now is your chance. Register for the Ri Ra 5K Santa Run where 100% of profits will be donated to the Patriot Military Family Foundation. Registration includes a Santa suit, t-shirt, a beer and ceremony after the race with live entertainment

Ring in the Christmas season this year with the angelic-voiced musicians of the Vienna Boys Choir with a delightful program of Christmas hymns, Austrian folk songs, classical masterpieces, and holiday carols. For six centuries, these young cultural ambassadors have been adored the world over for their wide range of repertoire, purity of tone, and generosity of musical spirit.

Ring in 2019 at Topgolf and enjoy live entertainment, a chef-inspired menu and an unforgettable midnight celebration. Upgrade to the VIP experience for exclusive access to an all-inclusive Premium NYE Feast with carving station and a bottle of bubbly to share with friends. All New Year’s Eve packages include unlimited gameplay.

Dress to impress and celebrate New Year’s in style with Shelton Vineyards.  Due to popular demand, the dance party will be at The Barn at Heritage Farm, directly across from Shelton Vineyards (doors open at 9:30). Dance tickets will be available along with full packages, including dinner for two at the Harvest Grill, dance tickets, hotel accommodations at the Hampton Inn & Suites at Shelton Vineyards, a champagne toast at midnight and a breakfast bar.

While the rest of Charlotte and the world go forward, Queen Park Social is going back. Come party down at the 2nd Annual Retro New Year’s Eve party with your favorite music from disco to yesterday by DJ View Beats.

Visualizing the road ahead isn’t simple or easy for anyone. It entails gazing into an uncertain future to foresee changes in the industry and competitive environment and often requires a reassessment of strategic direction, actions and the design of new business models. Test your readiness and ability to create competitive advantage.

Get the inside scoop for planning your wedding and chat with the area’s most talented wedding professionals while you taste delicious cakes and catering options, see beautiful flowers and find your perfect look in our runway fashion show. Do good while perusing and bring non-perishable food items for Esther’s Heart Backpacks of Hope in exchange for an extra ticket to the door and grand prize drawings.

Don’t miss this one-of-a-kind fundraising event showcasing dogs performing tricks taught by Force Free animal trainers and judged by a celebrity panel to support Stand For Animals Medical Relief Fund. Stand For Animals is a local non-profit veterinary office serving Charlotte and the surrounding area.

Seasoned leaders have often shared that some of their greatest challenges came as they stepped into the role of “leader” and began focusing on shaping the work, roles, impact and careers of others. This is a challenging point of change and professional development. Professional Optimization is designed to deepen our skills in leading others. The course will take an in-depth look at our own leadership style, and further explore key skills needed to set expectations and guide others to exceptional performance.

Year after year, TrinityPrep helps students in grades 8-12 to improve their grades, increase their confidence, and be more prepared for college and beyond. Visit their Open House to find out how they teach students to succeed. Faculty, students, and parents will be available to share their success stories and answer any questions. Lunch will be provided from Portofino’s, so please RSVP at info@trinityprep.com or (704) 569-1900.