The Towns of Lake Norman Davidson

Culture, food and annual traditions abound in this college town

COMPILED FROM STAFF REPORTS

Founded in 1837, Davidson College is a private liberal arts institution that offers educational and entertainment opportunities. The surrounding town offers the perfect blend of small-town charm, worldly sophistication and award-winning dining experiences.

SIGNATURE EVENTS:

Davidson Community Players. Founded in 1965, Davidson Community Players offers a full season filled with a variety of award-winning theatrical performances, beginning in February and culminating with a Christmas production in December. Their summer musical at Duke Family Performance Hall at Davidson College is always a must-see. www.davidsoncommunityplayers.org

Art on the Green. This three-day spring arts festival draws visitors (and artists and artisans) each year from the surrounding towns and beyond each April. Artists display their work in Davidson establishments from South Main Street to historic Main Street and the Circles @ the Circles at the opening night gallery crawl. The next day, Art on the Green, a juried art festival with booths full of hand-crafted art from artists all throughout the region begins, along with food and drink from on-site food vendors and area restaurants. (There’s also a Fall Arts Festival held each year in the downtown area). www.townofdavidson.org.

Concerts on the Green, Concerts @ the Circles, and Second Saturdays at the Square. Once the weather turns warm, pack a picnic, gather your friends and check out live music at one of three places in town each weekend. You’ll find everything from yacht rock to Americana, jazz, gospel, country and much more. www.concertsonthegreen.com.

Town Day. This event coincides with National Bike Month each May and encourages residents to ride their bikes and park in the “bike corral” on site. What began as a day of service and fellowship continues to grow with activities, non-profit booths, family activities, food and drink vendors and more. www.townofdavidson.org.

Christmas in Davidson

Located in downtown Davidson and akin to a Norman Rockwell Christmas, this annual celebration features carolers, horse-drawn carriages, entertainment, shopping, hot cocoa and more. Be sure to stop in the library to visit with Santa before you leave. This event always takes place the first full weekend in December, and while it looked a lot different during 2020, it’s still a time-honored tradition in town. www.townofdavidson.org

Davidson by the numbers

Year incorporated: 1837

Population: 15,771

Median household income: 141,845

Median value of owner-occupied housing units: $478,000

Source: www.census.gov