Cirque du Charlotte, a film festival and plenty of fun and games

Get an early start today with activities for the kids and then rest up for an evening of fun and games. 

Musical Wonderland - Escape to a magical place with the Charlotte Symphony Pops: Cirque Musica. The performance features aerialists and circus performers. Music compositions include classical and popular repertoire. The Charlotte Symphony Orchestra performs with Albert-George Schram conducting. 8 p.m. $30-$79.  Tickets here. Parking: Bank of America Center Parking Garage entrances at: 150 N. College St. and  290 E. 5th St.

Light It Up, Up, Up! - The holiday activities began yesterday. Speedway Christmas holiday light show features more than three million lights in 800 displays and a Christmas Village located in the infield. Tonight's movie is "Elf." $20. More info. More family holiday events on the Observer's mommy blog.

...And don't forget

For the Family - Bring the kids out for the annual the St. Jude Give thanks. Walk. Proceeds provide treatment and care for children with cancer and other life-threatening diseases. The walk includes live music, face painting and a kids fun zone. Park Road Park, 6220 Park Rd. 8 a.m. registration. Various prices.

Uno out! - It's okay to be a kid again at PlayDate The Inspirational Edition. Games range from poker to Uno. Don't miss the signature PlayDate takes on Hula Hoops and musical chairs. 8 p.m. Venue 1801, 1801 South Tryon St. $10/$15. Parking onsite.

Keep It Real Short -  I'm really excited about the 100 Words Film Festival. I can't wait to see what these filmmakers do with such a strict word count. Categories are documentary and dramatic. 8 p.m. McGlohon Theater at Spirit Square, 345 N. College St. $10. More details.  Limited parking onsite. 7th Street parking deck at 7th off College St. (behind Levine Museum of the New South) accepts multiple forms of payment. Nearby surface lots accept cash and coins only.

Don't be shy: Tonya Jameson, sipandplayclt@gmail.com