2025 Fourth Ward Holiday Sip & Stroll: Complete Event Guide
The Fourth Ward Holiday Sip & Stroll is Charlotte’s oldest volunteer-run holiday tradition. For nearly 50 years, it’s been an experiment in grassroots community funding: ticket proceeds flow directly back into the neighborhood for park maintenance, public art, historic preservation, and safety programs. It’s also one of the few opportunities to step inside Fourth Ward’s private historic homes, which are generally closed to the public. Here’s your complete guide to attending—and what makes this model worth understanding.
Quick Facts
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| When | December 4–6, 2025 (three nights only); 5:00–9:00 PM |
| Where | Fourth Ward neighborhood (centered at Fourth Ward Park, north of W. 9th Street) |
| Outdoor-only ticket | $30 (single night) or $40 (flexible pass) |
| With home interiors | $45–50 (single night) or $60 (flexible pass) |
| Buy tickets | https://www.eventbrite.com/e/2025-fourth-ward-holiday-sip-stroll-home-tour-tickets-1829987825849 |
| Official info | https://fourthwardclt.org/events/holiday-home-tour/ |
| Follow updates | @fourthwardclt on Instagram and Facebook |
| Key limitation | Sells out by early December; purchase by mid-November to guarantee entry |
| Accessibility question? | Contact Friends of Fourth Ward before purchasing: @fourthwardclt |
Event Basics
Organized by: Friends of Fourth Ward, an all-volunteer nonprofit comprising the Fourth Ward Neighborhood Association and Fourth Ward Foundation
Format: Self-guided outdoor stroll through Fourth Ward’s decorated streets, with optional private home interior tours
Why it matters: All ticket proceeds fund Fourth Ward neighborhood improvements—park upkeep, public art installation, historic markers, beautification, and community safety initiatives. There are no corporate venue cuts or ticketing company takeovers. The model is genuinely community-owned.
What’s Included
Outdoor Sip & Stroll (All Ticket Types)
Food & Beverage Tastings — Complimentary samples at 10+ neighborhood stops featuring local restaurants, breweries, distilleries, coffee roasters, and caterers. Past years have included fresh oysters on the half-shell, gourmet hot cocoa, mulled wine, craft cocktails, mini cupcakes, and handmade chocolates. Stations operate while supplies last; arriving early gives wider selection. All samples are included with your ticket.
Live Music — Seasonal performances stationed throughout the neighborhood: choir groups singing carols, handbell ensembles, jazz trios playing holiday standards, and carolers on porches and in Fourth Ward Park. “You’ll hear handbells and choirs, and the clip-clop of horse hooves” as you walk, says longtime tour director Beth Walker. “If this tour doesn’t get you in the mood for the holidays, I’m not sure what will.”
Holiday Decorations — Fourth Ward’s Victorian homes and streets are elaborately decorated. Expect wreaths and garlands on historic porches, twinkling lights on every gable, luminaries lining brick sidewalks, and neighborhood-coordinated decorations on gas lamps and in pocket parks. Some homes compete in a friendly way for the most stunning display—one iconic house is literally “gift-wrapped” in a giant red bow some years.
Horse-Drawn Carriage Rides — Available on select nights (first-come, first-served, weather permitting). Short rides loop through several blocks of Fourth Ward under Christmas lights. In some years, golf cart or trolley alternatives substitute depending on weather and vendor availability.
Wristband & Guidebook — At check-in, you receive an event wristband (for age verification at alcohol tastings) and tour guidebook with a map showing all tasting stops and sponsor locations. You’re not required to follow a suggested route; explore at your own pace.
Private Home Interiors (Home Tour Ticket Add-On)
3–4 private residences — Selected annually and announced closer to the event
What you’ll see: Family Christmas trees, heirloom decorations, fresh flowers, and period furnishings. Interiors range from traditional Victorian Christmas charm to modern and whimsical décor—each home reflects the owner’s personal style and holiday traditions.
Rare architectural access: Inside 100+ year-old homes normally closed to the public. You’ll see original fireplaces, grand staircases, stained-glass transoms, high ceilings, and vintage architectural detailing from the 1870s–1890s.
Format: Self-guided at your own pace. Docents and homeowners are present to answer questions and share history—stories about where ornaments came from, how old family heirlooms are, and the house’s past.
Etiquette: Remove shoes or wear provided booties to protect historic floors.
Planning Your Visit
What to Expect
Crowds: The event draws thousands of visitors across three nights. Friday and Saturday evenings are busiest, particularly 7:00–8:00 PM. Interior home tours may have wait times at popular stops. Arriving on Thursday or before 6:30 PM offers a significantly calmer experience.
Distance & Duration: The tour spans roughly 5–6 city blocks, all within walking distance in the compact Fourth Ward area. Total time varies depending on how many stops you visit and whether you enter homes—typically 2–3 hours. You control your pace; there’s no required route and no time limits at stops.
Atmosphere: Neighborhood-oriented and community-focused. Residents often sit on porches greeting visitors and spontaneously singing carols. Volunteers in festive attire assist with directions. The overall tone is friendly and low-pressure—this is a block party, not a commercial event.
Weather: December nights in Charlotte average 35–50°F. Bundle up with coat, scarf, and gloves. The event runs rain or shine; dress accordingly.
What to Bring & Wear
Comfortable shoes: Essential. You’ll slip shoes on and off multiple times entering homes, and you’ll be on your feet for 2–3 hours. This is non-negotiable.
Weather-appropriate clothing: Coat, scarf, gloves, and layers. December evenings are chilly; staying warm makes the outdoor stroll enjoyable rather than miserable.
Valid ID: Required if you’re sampling alcoholic beverages. Age verification wristbands are issued at check-in.
Thermal mug: Optional but smart. Bring one to pour hot cider or cocoa into; it keeps your drink warm as you walk between stops.
Festive attire: Many attendees wear Christmas sweaters, Santa hats, or holiday pins. You’ll fit right into the festive atmosphere if you do the same.
Pro Tips from Past Attendees
Pace your tastings. With 10+ stops serving food and drink, it’s easy to overindulge quickly. Eat a light dinner beforehand; treat the tour as dessert and drinks. This also means you won’t feel rushed.
Visit Thursday or early evening. Thursday is the least crowded night. If you go Friday or Saturday, arrive before 6:30 PM to avoid peak crowds and the longest home entry lines.
Go on your own schedule. If a home has a line, detour to another stop and return later when it’s quieter. There’s no schedule to keep.
Don’t wait to buy tickets. The event sells out weeks in advance, typically by early December in recent years. Purchase by mid-November to guarantee availability for your preferred night.
Accessibility & Logistics
Outdoor Route Accessibility
The outdoor stroll is largely wheelchair-accessible. Fourth Ward’s sidewalks have curb cuts at intersections, and the neighborhood’s flat terrain makes rolling feasible for outdoor portions.
Historic Home Interior Access – Important
Historic homes are not fully accessible. Many tour homes have steps at entrances, narrow staircases, narrow hallways, and no elevators. These homes were built in the 1870s–1890s, long before accessibility standards existed. Interior home tours are not feasible for everyone.
What to do: Contact Friends of Fourth Ward ahead of time (via @fourthwardclt on Instagram/Facebook or their website) and ask which homes (if any) offer step-free entry or first-floor-only viewing. Volunteers can describe upper floors to those who cannot access stairs.
Mobility Assistance
Complimentary shuttle rides: Friends of Fourth Ward provides free rides (typically Ride Charlotte golf carts or similar vehicles) on a first-come, first-served basis. Flag down a shuttle as it passes, or wait at designated pick-up points marked on your tour map. Shuttles help ferry you between stops or back to parking areas if you need a break.
Strollers
The outdoor stroll is stroller-friendly, but strollers cannot enter tour homes and must be left outside. During peak hours, narrow sidewalks can make pushing a stroller difficult. Many families carry infants in carriers instead.
Getting There
Public Transit (Recommended)
Lynx Light Rail is the most reliable option:
- 7th Street Station — Closest light rail stop; short walk to Fourth Ward Park and check-in
- 9th Street Station — Also within walking distance of the tour route
For schedules and route maps, visit https://www.charlottenc.gov/cats
Ride-Share
Uber/Lyft drop-off near Fourth Ward Park (corner of 9th & North Poplar Street) is convenient and avoids parking hassle. Many attendees use this method.
Parking (If Driving)
On-street parking in Fourth Ward: Limited but available. Free after 6 PM and all day Saturday/Sunday in residential zones (tour hours qualify). Arrive early to scout a spot, or check side streets away from main tour routes. Avoid permit-only zones and residential driveways.
Paid parking options:
- 7th Street Station parking garage
- Surface lots along N. Church Street or N. Poplar Street
- Uptown Charlotte parking garages (within short walk)
Check-In & Getting Started
Location: Fourth Ward Park area. In past years, check-in has been at the corner of 9th & North Poplar Street. Confirm 2025 check-in location on your Eventbrite confirmation email or by contacting Friends of Fourth Ward.
What happens: Present your Eventbrite ticket confirmation (digital or printed). Staff scan your barcode and issue a wristband (for age verification at alcohol tastings) and tour guidebook with map and stop locations.
The guidebook: Includes stop locations, sponsor/restaurant information, and a suggested tour route. You’re not required to follow the suggestion; explore at your own pace.
If lines form: Detour to another stop and return to popular homes/tastings later when it’s quieter.
Tickets & Pricing
Outdoor Sip & Stroll (No Home Interiors)
- Single night ticket: $30 (specify Thursday, Friday, or Saturday at purchase)
- Flexible pass: $40 (valid any one of the three nights; choose which night at check-in)
- Includes: Outdoor stroll access, all food and beverage tastings, wristband, guidebook
Sip & Stroll + Private Home Tours
- Single night ticket: $45–50 (varies; specify night at purchase)
- Flexible pass: $60 (valid any one of the three nights; choose at check-in)
- Includes: All outdoor elements plus guided entry into 3–4 private homes, self-paced
General Admission
- Children under 2 years old: Free
- Children 2 and older: Full admission applies
Where to Buy, Eventbrite
Tickets are sold exclusively online via Eventbrite. Purchase by mid-November to guarantee availability.
Important Information About Tickets
- Sells out in advance: In recent years, all tickets have been snapped up weeks before the event. Don’t wait until late November.
- Digital confirmation: After purchase, you’ll receive a confirmation email with a PDF receipt. Open and save it—it contains important event details.
- Check details on Eventbrite: Your Eventbrite listing will have event description, pricing, and current availability for each night.
Refunds & Cancellations
Ticket refund policy is determined by Eventbrite and Friends of Fourth Ward. Check your Eventbrite confirmation email for specific terms. In case of severe weather or emergency, updates will be posted to @fourthwardclt on Instagram and Facebook on event day.
Event runs rain or shine: There are no refunds for weather. Dress accordingly.
A Known Limitation: Restrooms
No public restrooms are available on-site, and you cannot use bathrooms inside private homes. This is a consistent limitation of the event. Plan ahead by using facilities at nearby locations before starting the tour, such as:
- 7th Street Market
- Discovery Place Science (nearby)
- Your hotel or a restaurant
If urgent during the tour, you may enter a nearby hotel lobby or open business to request access. Many attendees recommend eating/drinking strategically to minimize bathroom needs during the 2–3 hour tour.
Who’s Running This & How It Works
Friends of Fourth Ward is an all-volunteer nonprofit that organizes the event entirely through community effort. The organization comprises the Fourth Ward Neighborhood Association and Fourth Ward Foundation.
The financial model matters: All ticket proceeds fund neighborhood work. Friends of Fourth Ward uses revenues to maintain Fourth Ward Park, beautify streets, install public art and historic markers, fund community safety initiatives, and support historic preservation. There are no corporate venue cuts, no ticketing company takeovers, and minimal overhead. This is genuinely community-owned.
Volunteers run the event: Docents greet guests at homes, wayfinders help with navigation, ticketing staff process check-ins, and support volunteers staff tasting stations. Volunteers receive free tickets as a thank-you for their work. Many return year after year.
Key sponsors for 2024/2025 include:
- Allen Tate Center City (Gold Sponsor)
- Ride Charlotte (providing complimentary shuttle rides)
- Local restaurants, breweries, distilleries, and neighborhood businesses
- Nearby churches and community organizations
What’s Next & How to Get Involved
50th Anniversary Planning
The 2025 Sip & Stroll leads directly into Fourth Ward’s 50th anniversary celebration in 2026. Friends of Fourth Ward is planning a commemorative event and archival project. The nonprofit is also advocating for updated historic preservation tax credits at the state level—changes that would affect neighborhoods like Fourth Ward across North Carolina.
Interested in Volunteering?
Friends of Fourth Ward recruits event volunteers and long-term stewards throughout the year. If you’re interested in docent, wayfinding, or ticketing roles for the 2025 event, follow @fourthwardclt on Instagram and Facebook for volunteer sign-ups (typically open by mid-October).
What volunteers do:
- Greet guests at historic homes and manage shoe covers
- Provide wayfinding assistance and neighborhood history
- Staff ticketing and information booths
- Help coordinate tasting stations
Volunteer perks: Free ticket to enjoy the tour on your own time, thank-you gathering after the event, and direct involvement in steward a Charlotte tradition.
Stay Informed on Fourth Ward Civic Issues
Subscribe to Mercury’s Uptown newsletter for coverage of Fourth Ward preservation policy, zoning decisions, and neighborhood development. [Newsletter signup link]
The Charlotte Mercury covers Fourth Ward’s preservation challenges, volunteer leadership, and civic decisions that shape the neighborhood. By subscribing, you’ll stay informed on issues that affect Fourth Ward’s future beyond the holiday season.
Contact & More Information
Official event page:
Buy tickets: Here
Reported by [Jack Beckett]. Last updated October 2025.