KANNAPOLIS, N.C. – A Kannapolis Christmas will officially kick off at Village Park with the Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony at 6 p.m., Saturday, November 25.  The Celebration continues through the Christmas Holiday seasons with the Celebration of Lights and Winterland Express.

The Winterland Express train runs every evening from November 25th – December 30th (closed Christmas Eve and Christmas Day) from 6-9 p.m. Sundays – Thursdays and from 6 – 10 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays.  Ride the train thru the park, enjoy over 250,000 Christmas lights, make s ’mores and more. Admission to the park and viewing of the lights is free; tickets to ride the train and carousel are $2 per person per ride.

Again, this year, kids of all ages will be able to visit Santa in his studio each night. The park will also feature performances from our very own Kannapolis Singing Bears, who will entertain the family with a 30 minute Christmas Carol performance each hour on the hour.

The Atlantic Coast S Gaugers group returns this year with their popular model trains on display Wednesday thru Sunday nights.
On various nights local community groups and musicians will perform your favorite Christmas songs. Children will also have an opportunity to create ornaments and engage in the Lionel children’s zone filled with interactive model trains.

Gem Theatre owner Steve Morris has stepped up BIG and is committing to raise $10,000 for breast cancer research. He has been touched by both cancer survivors but also people who have lost their battle with this disease. Would love to have our loyal customers make a donation of any kind to support his effort.

About Real Men Wear Pink

Real Men Wear Pink was born out of a desire for men to have a unique way to help in the fight against breast cancer. Real Men Wear Pink gives communities the opportunity to nominate local male leaders to spearhead fundraising efforts for the American Cancer Society's breast cancer initiatives.

These initiatives include promoting early detection and prevention, funding groundbreaking research, and giving patients support wherever and whenever they need it. Because of the passion of supporters like you, Real Men Wear Pink is helping to save more lives from breast cancer. 

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May 27, 2021: We are open! We are thrilled to welcome you back to the Gem Theatre after closing last February for a few building upgrades. Thank you for being patient with us as we underwent some needed improvements to our facility. We have replaced our HVAC system, restored our iconic marquee, and are wrapping up a lower level bathroom installation. We are reopening at 100% capacity per the lifted state capacity restrictions and encourage unvaccinated persons to continue to wear a mask. We look forward to seeing everyone here at the Gem again soon!