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The Town of Mooresville promises the fireworks display Dec. 31 will be spectacular.

Trying to figure out what to do? Here are some of the best options in Lake Norman. 

Dec. 27

Gingerbread man decorating, competition

Opens 5 pm | Dec. 27. Gingerbread Man kit will be available for purchase the entire evening. Thigs Cocktails LKN, 21234 Catawba Ave., Cornelius.

Dec. 31

Fireworks Spectacular

4 pm | Dec. 31. Ring in the New Year and Mooresville’s  150th Anniversary at LangTree Village on December 31, 2022; Food, drinks, attractions and more begin at 4 pm. Fireworks start at 7 pm. LangTree Village, Mooresville.

Dec. 31

Last chance mixology class 

3-5 pm | Dec. 31. Create three easy Christmas cocktails that can be made for any holiday party. $40; must buy ticket in advance. Thigs Cocktails LKN, 21234 Catawba Ave., Cornelius.

Through Dec. 31

Holiday House Decorating Contest & Tour

Here’s the map to the self-guided tour in Huntersville. You can vote for your favorite here. The winner will be announced in early January.

“Holidays at the Garden”

5-9 pm Wednesdays – Sunday |Nov. 25 -Dec. 31. $20 for adults, $18 for seniors 60+, $10 for children 2-12, free for children under 2. Daniel Stowe Gardens, 6500 S. New Hope Rd., Belmont.

Jan. 1

New Year’s Day Barefoot Tournament 

11:45 am opening ceremonies; first footer at noon. | Jan. 1. The Lake Norman New Years Day Barefoot Challenge is one of the longest running barefoot skiing tournaments. Lake Norman Marina, 6965 NC Highway 150 Sherrills Ford.

First Footin’

Noon-3 pm | Jan. 1.  Annual walk and celebration of Hogmanay, or Scottish New Years. Rural Hill, 4431 Neck Rd., Huntersville.

New Year’s Day Morning Worship

11 am | Jan. 1. Includes communion. Davidson College Presbyterian Church, 100 N. Main St., Davidson.

Guest worship leader 

10 am | Jan. 1. The Rev. Betsy Mitchell, ordained in the ELCA and serves as a hospital chaplain at Atrium Health Union, will be worship leader.  Community in Christ Lutheran Church, 7621 Norman Island Drive, Cornelius.

New Year’s Day worship service

11 am | Jan. 1. Mt. Zion United Methodist Church, 19600 Zion Ave., Cornelius.

Through Jan. 1

Zootastic Park Christmas Wonderland of Lights 

6 pm | Through Jan. 1. Drive through more than  4 million lights while listening to Christmas music, and when you’re finished be sure to stop inside and meet Santa and his baby kangaroos. S’mores, hot chocolate, carousel rides, train rides.  $10 per person age 2 and older.  Zootastic Park, 448 Pilch Rd., Troutman.

Frederick Graff, AWS, D.F., Salem, SC, “Heritage Hill” winner of AWS Gold Medal of Honor  will be part of the watercolor exhibit in Mooresville through Jan. 4.

Through Jan. 4

International Exhibition of the American Watercolor Society

Noon-4pm | Tuesday-Friday; 10am-2pm | Saturday. Forty watercolor paintings from today’s nationally known and internationally known masters will be on display in Mooresville Arts’ Center Gallery, 103 W. Center Ave., Mooresville. Many of the paintings will be for sale.

Through Jan. 13

Through Our Lens: Digital Art and Photography

A small group of digital artists and photographers from North Carolina  display their love for their art. Cornelius Art Gallery, 19725 Oak St.

Through Jan.16

Birkdale on Ice 

General admission tickets for the 75-minute skate sessions, are $18 for adults and $14 per child 12 and younger. Birkdale Village, Huntersville.

Through mid-February

Lights

6-10 pm | Daily. Explore a half-mile, self-guided walking trail showcasing illuminated installations representing the Whitewater story and mission. The elements populate the entire Ridge and Canyon of the Whitewater Center and culminate with a compelling view above the forest floor on an all new suspension bridge complex. Free; pay to park. Whitewater Center,  5000 Whitewater Center Pkwy., Charlotte 28214.

Through March 12

Alfred Conteh, [Ryan Coogler] Home Team, 2018 | Courtesy of the artist and Amath Gomis via Museum of the New South

Men of Change art exhibit

Check websites for gallery schedules. | B. Gantt Center for African-American Arts+Culture  and Levine Museum of the New South to bring  Men of Change: Power. Triumph. Truth. The Gantt will display Storytellers, Fathering, and Imagining; Levine Museum will display Catalysts, Myth-Breakers, and Community; both museums in Charlotte will display Loving. Admission is free.

• Send your event information to corneliustoday@gmail.com. Deadline is the 15th of the month for the print calendar; one week in advance for online/newsletter calendars