In Gaston County, NC
Held in late September, the Ranlo Fall Festival is a two day event that is fun for the whole family! There will be rides for all ages, live music, chili cook-off, cornhole and shuffleboard tournament, shagging and line dancing contest and more!
Ranlo is a small town in the Greater Charlotte, North Carolina area in side of Gaston County. Visitors can access Ranlo and all of its things to do by heading north off of exit 21 on I-85.
In Gaston County, NC
The 2020 race will be virtual only. Register to run 3.1 miles on our course or elsewhere. Runners who register before November 1st will receive this year's ChristmasTown 5K runners shirt. All runners will receive a digital bib they can personalize and print out to use before running. Run your 5K anywhere you are, or on our official course the week of 11/21 to 11/28. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram for ways to submit your photos and videos showing off your 5K accomplishment.
November 27 to December 26. This annual exhibit fills the museum with a model train display assembled by local “S” Gaugers, as well as railroad memorabilia, and antique toys and games. Visitors of all ages will be enchanted as they explore the miniature snow-covered scenes that line the tracks. Parents and grandparents will enjoy reminiscing about the toys and games of their childhood.
The Art & Orchids is a yearly event held at Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden where visitors can not only view beautiful orchids from the conservatory but also see an incredible art display as well. Each year the art display changes making it worth revisiting year in and year out.
The City of Gastonia and Gaston County Public Library host Gaston MAX (Multicultural Arts Xperience) at the Rotary Pavilion in downtown Gastonia. This event and showcase art, music, literature, and culture with food trucks, cultural and artistic vendors, cultural dances and activities, artists, authors, and musical performances.
Lights is an illuminated walking trail that leads viewers through a series of immersive light installations featuring honeycombs, webs, vines, crystals, and other natural features integrated into the forest. The experience offers a range of approachable, multi-sensory works created by artist Meredith Connelly that are site-specific to the Whitewater Center.
Skate on an ice trail or free skate on 17,000 sq. ft of ice. Located in the Upper Pond of the Whitewater Center, the skating environment features three distinct programming areas and an on-ice Airstream serving hot and cold beverages. Running through February 15th.
Travel back through time by exploring fossils, rocks, minerals, and the ancient stories they tell. Mine for gemstones, visit our Dino Safari and Tiny Titans exhibits, search for tiny fossils from the Carolina coast, and even meet some living fossils at The Schiele Museum of Natural History.
