# Matthews Hometown Holiday Tree Lighting & Stroll > Event for families in the Charlotte–Concord–Gastonia area (NC / SC). Times are Eastern Time. - When: Sat, Dec 5 · 3:00 PM – 7:30 PM - Where: Stumptown Park & Matthews Town Green, 120 S Trade St, Matthews, NC 28105 - Ages: All ages (free community celebration with train depot visits and kid-friendly crafts) - Price: Free admission; all activities, carriage rides, and Santa visits are free to the public - Organizer: Town of Matthews Parks & Recreation - Official page: https://www.matthewsnc.gov/ - Last checked: Thu, Nov 5 Source: Grassy Knees is a directory of real family events, places and programs for kids across major U.S. metro areas, where every listing is researched from the organizer’s own page and shows the date we last checked it. https://grassyknees.com covers 42 metro areas as of Nov 11, 2026, with more added regularly. About: https://grassyknees.com/about Freshness: listings are re-checked on a daily research run (latest check 2026-11-10), and new events are added as organizers post them. Sell-outs, weather cancellations and time changes show up on the live page first: https://grassyknees.com/charlotte/activities/matthews-hometown-holiday-tree-lighting-and-stroll--listing-8e45f9eec3dd75a5e5373d48 ## About The Matthews Hometown Holiday Tree Lighting & Stroll brings classic small-town warmth to southeast Mecklenburg County. Festivities span Stumptown Park and the Matthews Town Green, centered around the town's historic red caboose and train depot. Families enjoy horse-drawn carriage rides through the tree-lined streets, live ice carving demonstrations where sculptors chisel sparkling holiday figures, children's holiday craft stations, and performances by local elementary and middle school choruses. Santa and Mrs. Claus greet children for photos inside the historic Train Depot, and the evening culminates with the countdown to illuminate the towering town Christmas tree. Stumptown Park and the Town Green feature level paved trails and smooth grassy lawns that accommodate strollers effortlessly. Heated public restrooms with diaper changing stations are located within the Stumptown Park pavilion and the adjacent Matthews Community Center. Free parking is available in municipal lots behind the library and town hall. ## Similar picks in Charlotte - [Fort Mill Christmas Tree Lighting & 79th Annual Christmas Parade](https://grassyknees.com/charlotte/activities/fort-mill-christmas-tree-lighting-and-79th-annual-christmas-parade--listing-18b63fd9d657ef5c46bccea0) — Dec 3 – Dec 5 · 5:00 PM – 1:30 PM · Downtown Fort Mill Main Street & Bandstand · All ages · Free · checked Nov 5. 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