FOR THE LOCALS
What's Happening in Hickory This Month
I round up the best family-friendly events across Hickory, Newton, Maiden, and Catawba County every month, so you've always got something good on the calendar without scrolling ten different Facebook pages. Updated monthly. Want it in your inbox? Sign up below!
November 2026: Holiday Events for Families
Seven things worth putting on the calendar this month, all within a short drive of Hickory.
50+ Table Tennis Round Robin
Nov 6, 13 & 20 • Highland Recreation Center, Hickory • 10 AM–12 PM
Free, open-play table tennis for ages 50+. No pre-registration, just show up and play.
Downtown Hickory Farmers Market
Nov 7, 14, 21 & 28 • Union Square, Downtown Hickory • 10 AM–1 PM
Local produce, meats, baked goods, honey, and handmade crafts every Saturday through the month. SNAP/EBT accepted.
Veterans Festival & Parade
Nov 7 • Downtown Catawba • 10 AM–2 PM
A community parade followed by a festival with music, food trucks, and family activities.
Frozen Celebration Festival
Nov 14 • Hickory Community Theatre • 10 AM–2:30 PM
A Frozen-themed experience with face painting, story time, crafts, and activities for children. Tickets required.
Dinosaurs & VR at Catawba Science Center
Through Dec 6 • Catawba Science Center, Hickory • Wed–Sat 10 AM & Sun 1 PM
A life-sized dinosaur exhibit plus North Carolina's only IMMOTION VR dinosaur experience. A great rainy-day outing with the grandkids.
Christmas Parade & Tree Lighting
Nov 20 • Downtown Hickory • 5:45 PM
The parade runs from Fourth St NW to Union Square, where Santa lights the town tree. Expect holiday music, shopping specials, and a snow globe photo spot.
Holidaypalooza
Nov 21 • Union Square, Downtown Hickory • 11 AM–1:15 PM
Photos with Santa and the kickoff to the holiday season downtown, right after tree-lighting weekend.
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