The 59th Southern Christmas Show opens today at The Park Expo and Conference Center and runs through Nov. 22. Charlotte gets nearly two weeks of holiday shopping, decorated rooms and scheduled extras, and a ticket that does not automatically cover tomorrow.
The official show site lists the return as Nov. 11–22. QC Exclusive says this year's theme is "Sounds of Christmas," with vendors selling handcrafted gifts, jewelry, clothing, gourmet foods and festive décor. The show site itself puts the vendor count at 400.
A Later Close on Veterans Day
WCCB Charlotte reported the standing hours as 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Thursday through Saturday and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday through Wednesday. Opening day does not follow that midweek clock. The official site lists Veterans Day hours, Wednesday, Nov. 11, as 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Veterans attending opening day receive priority entry through a partnership with Veterans Bridge Home, QC Exclusive reports. The later close is the practical piece: a Wednesday that would usually end at 6 stays open until 9.
Storefronts, Trees and Handmade Goods
QC Exclusive says visitors can explore Olde Towne's holiday storefronts, decorated Designer Rooms and Christmas Tree Lane. Live music, Santa visits, model trains and a holiday scavenger hunt are also on the schedule.
WCCB Charlotte reported that more than one-third of the show is filled with one-of-a-kind handcrafted items, and that merchants come from the Charlotte area and from across the country. The floor also showcases jewelry, holiday décor, gifts, children's items and gourmet foods.
What the Ticket Actually Buys
The advance online window QC Exclusive described has already closed. Adult tickets bought through Nov. 10 were $21 on weekdays and $24 on weekends. Children ages 6 to 12 were $13, and children 5 and younger enter free. Parking is $12, with valet at $25.
The show's admission page prices group tickets at $16 a person for parties of 20 or more, and those are advance only. It also requires a new ticket for each day of the show. Twelve days on the calendar, and yesterday's admission does not roll over.
A Friday Doubleheader
Actor Marcus Rosner is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. Nov. 20 on the LeafFilter Entertainment Stage, followed by an autograph signing, according to the official site. The same evening, Girls Night Out runs from 4 to 9 p.m. QC Exclusive says $15 tickets for that event will be available at the box office beginning at 3 p.m.
Opening day and Nov. 20 are separate admissions. Anyone planning on both the stage appearance and Girls Night Out is buying Friday on its own, after the Nov. 10 online discount has already expired.
