December Is Here! Your Weekly Guide to All Things Merry & Bright 🎄

Christen Ripoli - REALTOR
Dec 2
6 min read

🌟Five To Try in the Greater Charlotte Area🌟

🎄Lights, Markets & Holiday Magic 🎁✨

December is here, and Charlotte is glowing! With dazzling drive-through lights, seasonal markets, ballet classics, and family-friendly celebrations, this week is absolutely packed with holiday spirit. Whether you're looking for something magical any day of the week or planning out the perfect festive weekend, this list has you covered.

And as always, THANK YOU for the support, referrals, and love. Your trust keeps my business growing through relationships, and I’m forever grateful!

Let’s dive in!

1️⃣ Jingle Bowl at The Bowl at Ballantyne 🎳🎅

Kick off the season with bowling, hot cocoa, crafts, festive treats, and holiday fun for the whole family at Ballantyne’s newest entertainment district.

🗓️ Friday, Dec. 5 | 5-7 PM

📍 The Bowl at Ballantyne

🔗 https://www.charlotteonthecheap.com/jingle-bowl/

2️⃣ Monroe’s Christmas on Main 🎄🎶

Downtown Monroe transforms into a Christmas wonderland with lights, music, vendors, dancing, carriage rides, and Santa appearances. A picture-perfect small-town holiday celebration!

🗓️ Saturday, Dec. 6 | 4-8 PM

📍 Downtown Monroe

🔗 https://www.monroenc.org/civicalerts.aspx?AID=664

3️⃣ Family Hanukkah Breakfast with Clifford the Big Red Dog 🕎🐾

Celebrate Hanukkah with music, crafts, breakfast treats, and a special visit from Clifford! It's a warm, welcoming event perfect for young families.

🗓️ Sunday, Dec. 7 | 9:30-11 AM

📍 Levine JCC

🔗 https://www.charlotteonthecheap.com/hanukkah-breakfast-levine-jcc/

4️⃣ Weekend Holiday Events 🎁🎭

Planning a festive weekend? These special events are happening only on select dates and are perfect for building holiday traditions:

✨ The Nutcracker (Charlotte Ballet)

A beloved Charlotte tradition with stunning choreography, sets, and costumes.

🗓️ Dec. 5-21

🔗 https://charlotteballet.org/nutcracker-2025/

✨ A Christmas Carol (Old Courthouse Theatre)

A unique adaptation of the Dickens classic, complete with pre-show concerts.

🗓️ Dec. 4-6 & Dec. 12-13 at 7:30 PM | Dec. 7 & Dec. 14 at 2:30 PM

🔗 https://www.octconcord.com/charles-dickens-a-christmas-carol-through-the-ages

✨ Camp North End Mistletoe Market

Sip hot cocoa, shop local, and enjoy festive music at one of Charlotte’s coolest markets.

🗓️ Dec. 6, 13 & 20 | 2-7 PM

🔗 https://camp.nc/mistletoe-market/

5️⃣ Everyday Holiday Magic Around Charlotte 🎄🌟

The season is in full swing - and these holiday staples are happening every day, giving you plenty of flexibility to plan your festive fun:

✨ Speedway Christmas

Drive through millions of lights synced to music, plus movie nights on the big screen.

🗓️ Through Jan. 4

📍 Charlotte Motor Speedway

🔗 https://www.charlotteonthecheap.com/speedway-christmas-charlotte-motor-speedway/

✨ Christmas at the Billy Graham Library

Horse-drawn carriage rides, live nativity, Christmas décor, and an atmosphere full of meaning.

🗓️ Dec. 1-23

🔗 https://billygrahamlibrary.org/christmas-at-the-library/

✨ Winter at Whitewater

Ice skating, lights, fire pits, and cozy winter vibes at the USNWC.

🗓️ All season long

🔗 https://whitewater.org/winter-at-whitewater/

✨ Christmas Town U.S.A. (McAdenville)

One of the nation’s most famous Christmas towns - free to visit and absolutely magical.

🗓️ Dec. 1-26

📍 McAdenville

🔗 https://townofmcadenville.org/visitors/christmas-town-usa/

NOTE: There's much more happening around Charlotte this week, so check out this Facebook group for tons of family-friendly events happening all over the Charlotte area. Family Fun in Charlotte and Union County I'm also trying to build up another group What's Up Charlotte. If you haven't already joined, I'd love your support!

✨ Save the Date: Speed Networking! ✨

Kick off 2026 with intention, community, and powerful new relationships! Join UCNOW for a Speed Networking event designed for all women entrepreneurs - whether you’re ready to grow your business, expand your circle, or simply connect with like-minded women in Union County.

📅 Tuesday, January 6th

🕣 8:30 AM - 9:30 AM EST

📍 3115 Old Charlotte Highway

This fast-paced, high-energy morning meetup is the perfect way to start the year with momentum. Bring your business cards, bring your brilliance, and get ready to meet incredible women you’ll want in your corner all year long.

👉 Event link: https://www.facebook.com/share/1CPjrEfqNk/

Mortgage News

📉 Mortgage Rates Hold Steady as December Begins

As we kick off December, mortgage rates remain remarkably stable with only minimal movement across loan products. The 30-year fixed dipped slightly to 6.30%, while the 15-year fixed also saw a small decline to 5.79%, keeping affordability steady for buyers entering the winter market.

The 30-year jumbo rate was unchanged this week, holding firm at 6.40%. Meanwhile, FHA and VA loans inched up just 0.01%, reflecting tiny market adjustments rather than any significant trend shift. The 7/6 SOFR ARM rose by 0.01% but still offers one of the lowest payment options for borrowers looking to maximize buying power.

Overall, the market remains calm and consistent - great news for buyers planning a move before the new year or homeowners weighing refinancing options.

*Most recent mortgage rates according to https://www.mortgagenewsdaily.com/

Featured Homes

📍1152 Stone Marker Drive, Monroe📍

Welcome to 1152 Stone Marker Drive - a pristine, 2-year-old home in one of Monroe’s most desirable golf communities! This beautifully designed one-story layout features 3 bedrooms and over 1,800 sq ft of open living space, perfect for both relaxing and entertaining.

The kitchen is the heart of the home with a massive island, abundant storage, and seamless flow into the dining and living areas. The primary suite is a true retreat, complete with a light-filled sitting room, spa-inspired bathroom, and generous walk-in closet.

Step outside to a fenced backyard ready for gatherings, pets, or play. A widened driveway and 3-car garage offer convenience and curb appeal. Plus, enjoy resort-style amenities - pool, cabana, tennis, pickleball, fitness center, and a premier golf course - all just 25 minutes from Uptown Charlotte.

🔑 Highlights:

3 bedrooms | 2 bathrooms
1,863 sq ft of bright, open living
Kitchen with oversized island
Primary suite with sitting room + spa-inspired bath
Fenced backyard + 3-car garage
Resort-style amenities in Stonebridge Fairways
Zoned for Western Union Elementary and Parkwood Middle & High

Video of the Week

Check out this video featuring: Charlotte VS Raleigh North Carolina: UPDATED 2026 What city is right for you?

Charlotte vs. Raleigh: Which North Carolina City Is Better for YOU? 🏡🌆

Thinking about moving to North Carolina but not sure whether Charlotte or Raleigh is the better fit? You're not alone this is one of the most common questions I get from people relocating to the Carolinas!

In today’s video, we break down the key differences between Charlotte and Raleigh so you can decide which city matches your lifestyle, career needs, and long-term goals.

✨ Here’s what we’ll cover:

• Location + distance to beaches & mountains

• Cost of living differences

• Job market + major industries

• Schools & education

• Traffic + commute times

• Neighborhood vibes & lifestyle

• Entertainment, food, and culture

Whether you're craving Charlotte’s urban feel and proximity to South Carolina - or Raleigh’s tech-driven energy and oak-lined streets - this video will help you make a confident choice.

📧 christen.ripoli@gmail.com

📞 330.301.0687

Charlotte Market Minute

📢 Charlotte Market Update | November 25th - December 2nd 📢

A total of 590 properties were sold, with the average sales price at $490,039 and the median sales price at $398,950. Homes spent an average of 58 days on the market and sold for 97.66% of list price, showing continued consistency as we move into the holiday season. The average price per square foot landed at $228.30, reflecting stable values across the region. This week’s most affordable property sold for $24,000, while the highest sale reached $3.037 million. Whether you’re planning a move soon or monitoring the trends, Charlotte’s real estate market continues to offer opportunities at every level. Let’s connect and talk strategy for your goals!

📊 Here’s your weekly snapshot:

590 total properties sold
Average sales price: $490,039
Median sales price: $398,950
Average price per square foot: $228.30
Properties are selling for an average of 97.66% of list price
Average days on market: 58
Lowest sale: $24,000
Highest sale: $3.037M

Have questions about how this impacts your home plans? I’d love to help!

📩 Christen.Ripoli@gmail.com

📞 330.301.0687

🏡 Christen Ripoli, REALTOR® | Real

Discover "What's Up Charlotte?"

Looking for fun things to do around the Queen City? Check out the Facebook page What’s Up Charlotte? - your one-stop hub for local events, festivals, family-friendly activities, date night ideas, small business spotlights, and so much more!

It’s the perfect place to find weekend plans, connect with fellow Charlotteans, and uncover hidden gems in our city. Whether you’re new to the area or a longtime local, this community has something for everyone.

👉 Join the conversation here: What’s Up Charlotte?

Christen's Connections

"I know a guy" (and plenty of ladies too!). Are you in need of a connection? Maybe you want to have a deck added onto your home, or you need new blinds, or perhaps a cleaning service - I've got an extensive list of the best connections in the area. Consider me your own personal Yelp! Clicking on the link above will bring you to my quick connections list, but I have lots more saved in my Google Drive. Let me know how I can help!

Referrals

We love it when you have an incredible experience moving to the area and we're so grateful when you refer us to your friends and family considering making the move!

Share our channel with them as well as our other social media profiles so that we can keep in touch.

BEST WAY TO SEND ME A REFERRAL

1. Call (Let's talk about your referral)

2. Introduce me in a group text or email

Thank you in advance!!