DUE TO WEATHER: WE HAVE POSTPONED THIS EVENT TO JANUARY 17TH, 2026!

Ring in the new year with an evening of warmth, revelry, and local spirits! Join the Charlotte Museum of History for Twelfth Night: Spirits of the Season, a celebration of 18th-century holiday traditions and the history of distilling in North Carolina.

Explore the historic homesite at four tasting stations featuring local distillers and brewers (each ticket includes five tasting tokens, one per stop), enjoy live cooking demonstrations in the museum’s restored log kitchen, and soak in the music and merriment that fill the winter night. Take a guided Rock House tour to learn about the origins of Twelfth Night and other holiday customs, try your luck at the “Fortunes of the New Year” craft table, and see who will be crowned King or Queen of Twelfth Night.

The evening will close with Twelfth Night toasts and the ceremonial burning of the Yule log, a centuries-old tradition to usher in good fortune for the year ahead.

Raise a glass, share a toast, and celebrate the season! Spirits of the Season is a night not to be missed!

Schedule of Events

6:00 PM

• Museum opens

• Tastings begin

• Rock House open

• Live cooking demonstration begins

• All activities open

7:00 PM

• History of Twelfth Night with Hugh Dussek, Professor of History, Central Piedmont Community College

7:45 PM

• Crowning of the King and Queen of Twelfth Night

8:00 PM

• History of Twelfth Night with Hugh Dussek, Professor of History, Central Piedmont Community College

8:30 PM

• Rock House closes for the evening

8:40 PM

• Yule Log burning

9:00 PM

• Museum closes

Featured Spirits

This year’s Twelfth Night celebration will feature a curated selection of spirits inspired by historic winter traditions. Guests will receive five tastings included with their ticket, from the following selection of spirits:

• NC Straight Rye Whiskey - Oaklore Distilling - This North Carolina story is a small batch of the best rye whiskey barrels this state has to offer. Aged 6+ years, this straight rye whiskey sets the mark for North Carolina rye.

• Four Grain Bourbon Sherry Cask Finish - Oaklore Distilling - The distillers start with Oaklore’s traditional four grain bourbon. Distilled on 24-inch Vendome all-copper column stills, the Four Grain Bourbon uses “the big four” American Whiskey grains (corn, wheat, barley & rye). The whiskey combines the best five- to six-year-old barrels of wheated bourbon and rye bourbon mash bills, which are aged separately, hand-selected, and then batched together – producing a final mash bill of 70% corn, 10% rye, 10% wheat, and 10% malted barley. Then, their master blender transferred the whiskey into Spanish Oloroso Sherry Barrels where it rested for 12 to 18 months – picking up the gorgeous Mediterranean flavors and influence inherent to Oloroso Sherry Casks.

• White Rum - Raleigh Rum Co. - Distilled in small batches in one of two 53 gallon reflux column stills; this premium white rum comes from a made from scratch molasses low wine brewed on site. It is then double distilled with a round of oak aging in between the two distillations to create a smooth and rich flavor

• Spiced Rum - Raleigh Rum Co. - Distilled with all the same care of the white rum, this spiced rum takes the additional stop of resting several months on the white American oak barrels. After coming out of the barrels, then steep in the custom blend of spices to create the unique and balanced flavor that won't disappoint.

• Sweet & Dark Rum - Raleigh Rum Co. - Sweet, with a dark side. The Sweet Dark Rum is aged on American oak to give it a smooth, rich profile after coming out of the barrel, distillers add a touch of molasses and brown sugar which gives it the signature darkness and sweetness. Perfect for mixing or sipping.

• Cherry Bounce Moonshine - South Mountain Distilling Co. - This Old Time favorite, Cherry flavored moonshine with natural black cherries and just a touch of honey. Based on George Washington’s favorite drink, this moonshine is sure to please any history lover!

• JB Rader's Honeycrisp Apple Moonshine - South Mountain Distilling Co. - Renowned for its authenticity and distinct flavor, this moonshine has earned the prestigious title of two-time National Honey Board Best Moonshine. Crafted with real honey and infused with the delightful essence of Honeycrisp apples, it offers a unique and flavorful experience.