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Holiday Markets, Sparkling Lights, & Charlotte Magic ✨🎄
- Christen Ripoli - REALTOR
- Dec 9
- 6 min read
🌟Five To Try in the Greater Charlotte Area🌟
🎄 Markets, Lights & Holiday Delights ✨❤️
Charlotte is sparkling this week with cozy markets, dazzling light displays, and family-friendly holiday traditions from Uptown to Belmont to Kannapolis. Whether you’re shopping local gifts, hopping aboard a festive train ride, or exploring twinkling tree trails, there’s something magical waiting for you.
This week’s Five to Try is all about togetherness, twinkle lights, and making the most of the holiday season. 💛
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 A Very Merry Uptown Market 🎁✨
If you love supporting small businesses, you won’t want to miss this festive Uptown celebration! A Very Merry Uptown Market brings together local vendors, handcrafted goods, treats, drinks, and plenty of holiday cheer - perfect for grabbing last-minute gifts or enjoying a midweek night out.
🗓️ Wednesday, Dec. 10 | 4-8 PM
📍 The Market at 7th Street
2️⃣ Christmas Market (Weekend Three at OMB) 🎄🍺
Olde Mecklenburg Brewery’s popular Weihnachtsmarkt continues with Weekend Three - featuring European-inspired vendors, mulled wine, handmade crafts, ornaments, holiday treats, and all the cozy German Christmas vibes.
🗓️ Dec. 12-14
📍 OMB (both locations)
3️⃣ Downtown Belmont Festival of Trees 🎄🌟
Stroll through 50+ beautifully decorated trees lining Downtown Belmont every day in December. It’s free, festive, and perfect for an evening walk with family or a cozy date night. Don’t forget to stop for hot chocolate or dinner at one of Belmont’s adorable local spots!
🗓️ Daily through Dec. 30
📍 Downtown Belmont
4️⃣ Kannapolis Celebration of Lights & Winterland Express 🚂🎅✨
Ride the Winterland Express train through Village Park’s glowing holiday displays, walk through light tunnels, roast s’mores, and enjoy carolers and seasonal activities. Kannapolis goes all out for Christmas - and it’s one of the most family-friendly holiday experiences around.
🗓️ Through Dec. 30
📍 Village Park, Kannapolis
5️⃣ Light the Knights Festival 🧊🎄🎡
Uptown’s holiday festival at Truist Field is back and bigger than ever! Light the Knights features a massive light walk-through, holiday shopping village, ice skating, snow tubing, festive eats, and photo ops galore. It’s a magical night out for families, couples, or groups of friends.
🗓️ Through Jan. 4
📍 Truist Field
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!
We’re so grateful to everyone who generously donated Blessing Baskets for Thanksgiving. 🍂 To say a big thank you, we created a short video to share our appreciation - and also to announce the winner of our donor raffle!
Thank you again for supporting our community and making this holiday brighter for so many!
✨ 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 Dip Slightly as December Continues
This week brought another small but welcome improvement in mortgage rates. The 30-year fixed rate eased down to 6.35%, while the 15-year fixed matched that movement, dropping to 5.79%. These modest declines continue the gradual softening we’ve seen throughout early December.
The biggest improvement came from the 7/6 SOFR ARM, which fell 0.04% - a meaningful shift for buyers looking to maximize affordability with lower initial payments. Jumbo rates held steady, while FHA and VA loans showed very minimal changes, keeping government-backed programs stable heading into the end of the year.
With rates holding near their lowest levels in several months, buyers entering the market now may find better monthly payment options than they did earlier this fall.
*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: Rent vs Buy: Is Renting REALLY Cheaper in 2026? The Truth May Surprise You
“Is Renting Really Cheaper Than Buying?”
A lot of people believe that renting is the safer and more affordable choice… but when you actually compare the numbers over the next 3-5 years, the results may surprise you.
In today’s episode, we break down the REAL costs of renting vs. buying in the Charlotte area including monthly payments, rent increases, equity growth, appreciation, and long-term financial impact.
You’ll see the difference side-by-side so you can decide what makes the most sense for your future. No pressure just real numbers, real scenarios, and real clarity.
If you're thinking about making a move, or you're unsure whether now is the right time to take the next step, this video will give you the information you need to make a confident decision.
📞 330.301.0687
Charlotte Market Minute
📢 Charlotte Market Update | December 2nd - December 9th 📢
A total of 969 properties were sold this week, with the average sales price rising to $532,169 and the median sales price landing at $412,000. Homes spent an average of 59 days on the market and sold for 97.38% of list price, reflecting continued stability as we move deeper into the holiday season. The average price per square foot came in at $237.20, showing steady value across the region. This week’s most affordable property sold for $20,000, while the highest sale reached $4.45 million - highlighting the wide variety of opportunities available in the Charlotte market. Whether you're planning a move soon or simply keeping an eye on trends, Charlotte remains active and full of potential. Let’s connect and talk about your next steps!
📊 Here’s your weekly snapshot:
969 total properties sold
Average sales price: $532,169
Median sales price: $412,000
Average price per square foot: $237.20
Properties are selling for an average of 97.38% of list price
Average days on market: 59
Lowest sale: $20,000
Highest sale: $4.45M
Have questions about how this impacts your home plans? I’d love to help!
📞 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!!
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Thank you for your time today!
We look forward to working with you now or in the future!
Christen Ripoli, REALTOR®
Ripoli Real Estate, Real
330.301.0687
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