WAXHAW, NC – Waxhaw may look different with social distancing and masks, but under those masks are the smiles that the holidays bring. Nothing will be able to block out the warm feelings of family, friendship, and community that this season ushers in with the Town of Waxhaw’s Holiday Events.
Drive-Thru Senior Citizen Christmas: Saturday, December 5, 12:00 pm, Waxhaw Elementary. “Due to COVID-19 restrictions and to protect the health and safety of our senior citizens during the pandemic, this event has been modified to a drive-thru meal and gift distribution. Pre-registration is required at waxhaw.recdesk.com or by calling (704) 843-2195 ext. 221″
Drive-In Christmas Concert: Saturday, December 5, 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm, Forest Hills Church. “Due to COVID-19 restrictions and event planning timelines, this event has been canceled and replaced with a Drive-In Christmas Concert scheduled for Saturday, December 5th from 6:00 pm – 8:00 PM at Forest Hill Church parking lot, 8120 Kensington Drive, Waxhaw. Join Waxhaw’s Rachel Sawhook and Keith Pierce along with area dance troupes in ringing in the holidays in song and dance.  Special drive-thru from Santa and Mrs. Claus! Pre-registration is required at waxhaw.recdesk.com.”
Drive-Thru Christmas Parade: Sunday, December 13, 3:00 pm, Downtown Waxhaw. “Due to COVID-19 restrictions and event planning timelines, this event has been replaced with a Reverse Christmas Parade on Sunday, December 13 from 3:00 pm – 5:00 pm. In a reverse parade, rather than large groups of spectators gathering along the streets, parade attendees remain safely in their vehicles and drive through the parade route in downtown Waxhaw. The parade floats, Christmas characters, entertainers, decorated business vehicles and other organizations are stationary along the parade route for all to see. All spectators must be in vehicles. No pedestrians, bikes, etc. will be permitted to watch along the route.
There will be no entry fee for spectator vehicles and a minimal entry fee for parade participants (floats, business vehicle displays, other organization entries). All must pre-register online at waxhaw.recdesk.com so we can gauge attendance. Children spectators in the vehicles will receive a goodie bag of candy and items from the parade entrants at the beginning of the drive. While the parade format had been modified, we look forward to keeping the holiday spirit alive for Waxhaw!
50 cars per drive time
Load-In Area: Grass lot Blythe Mill Road and Highway 16.
Load-In Times: 2:30 pm, 3:00 pm, 3:30 pm, 4:00 pm, 4:30 pm
The 2020 Christmas Parade theme is ‘Everyone Is Santa Claus.’ Come dressed in full Santa gear, a Santa hat, and beard, or at least a Santa hat. Floats should be decorated as a location you might find Santa: on a sleigh, coming down a chimney, next to a Christmas tree, at the North Pole, on the beach for the Beach Santas. Use your creativity and have fun with this one! It will be so fun seeing a sea of Santas on Main Street! Cash prizes ($100, $75, $50) awarded to both spectator vehicles and parade entries to the first, second, and third entries best representing the parade theme.”
Santa’s Neighborhood Ride Thru: December 13 through 18, 6:30 pm nightly. “In a partnership with the North Pole, the Town of Waxhaw and the Waxhaw Volunteer Fire Department have made arrangements for Santa to make an appearance in 31 Waxhaw neighborhoods the third week in December. Due to his hectic schedule, Santa will not stop in the neighborhoods but will drive by waving and wishing everyone a very Merry Christmas. Santa will begin his journey each night rain or shine. Santa’s Ride only includes neighborhoods within the official Waxhaw town limits. Merry Christmas from the Town of Waxhaw and the Waxhaw Volunteer Fire Department!”
Menorah Lighting presented by Ballantyne Jewish Center: Tuesday, December 15, 5:00 pm, Downtown Waxhaw. “In cooperation with the Ballantyne Jewish Center, a Menorah lighting ceremony will be held during the Jewish Hanukkah celebration. The ceremony will take place on the Old Oak Tree bandstand on E. N. Main Street. Contact Rabbi Yisrael Levin at (704) 737-0555 for more info.”
Wreaths Across America: Saturday, December 19, 12:00 pm, Southside Cemetery. “The Town of Waxhaw is proud to support Wreaths Across America and its mission to remember and honor fallen military veterans who have supported and defended our great nation. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, attendance will be limited to 100 persons. Social distancing and masks will be required. We invite you to be a part of this remembrance by joining us for a commemorative ceremony and the laying of wreaths on veterans’ gravesites on Saturday, December 19 at 12:00 pm at Waxhaw’s Southside Cemetery.”
