Thanksgiving weekend activities for families around Charlotte (2026)
Checked · Covers Nov 25 – Nov 29 · All times are local Eastern Time
We list 4 family events around Charlotte for Nov 25 – Nov 29, 1 free. Each listing links to the organizer's own page.
Thanksgiving week events
Novant Health Thanksgiving Eve Parade
- When
- Wed, Nov 25 · Steps off 5:30pm
- Cost
- Free (optional VIP bleacher seats $40)
- Ages
- All ages · Outdoor
Charlotte’s big Thanksgiving parade on the night before Thanksgiving, along Tryon Street from 9th Street to Good Samaritan Way. Bring chairs and line Tryon Street; it happens rain or shine and airs live on WCCB.
✓ Checked Oct 26, 2026 on the organizer's official page
Speedway Christmas
- When
- Wed, Nov 25 – Sun, Nov 29 (Nightly Nov 20 – Jan 3) · 6–10pm nightly, rain or shine
- Cost
- Per-vehicle tickets; Value Nights (lights only) cost less than Village Nights (see site)
- Ages
- All ages · Outdoor
The Southeast's largest drive-thru light show: more than 5 million lights on a four-mile course around the oval, pit road and infield, with lights synced to music on 101.3 FM and drive-in movies on the Speedway TV. Village Nights add the Christmas Village. Sunday and Thursday nights have shorter waits.
✓ Checked Oct 28, 2026 on the organizer's official page
CPI Security Charlotte Turkey Trot & Tot Trot
- When
- Thu, Nov 26 · 8K 8:10am · Tot Trot 8:30am · 5K 9:10am
- Cost
- 8K/5K $50 ($45 ages 18 and under, rises after Oct 31); Tot Trot free for ages 8 and under
- Ages
- All ages · Outdoor
Charlotte’s big Thanksgiving-morning race starts and finishes at SouthPark Mall, with an 8K, a 5K run/walk, a 1-mile fun run and a free 50-yard Tot Trot (bib and medal) for kids 8 and under. Tot Trot sign-up closes Nov 25 at 6pm or when full.
✓ Checked Oct 27, 2026 on the organizer's official page
WinterFest at Carowinds
- When
- Fri, Nov 27 – Sun, Nov 29 (Select dates Nov 27–Jan 3) · Evenings on select dates (see park calendar)
- Cost
- Included with park admission (live shows, light displays, select activities and most rides); food, drink and some holiday experiences cost extra
- Ages
- All ages · Outdoor
Holiday festival with live shows, light displays, Santa, holiday treats and up to 29 rides and attractions, including the new Snoopy’s Racing Railway.
✓ Checked Oct 26, 2026 on the organizer's official page
Frequently asked questions
What can families do around Charlotte over Thanksgiving weekend?
We list 4 family events for Nov 25 – Nov 29, 1 free, including Novant Health Thanksgiving Eve Parade (Charlotte, Wed, Nov 25, free), Speedway Christmas (Concord, Nov 25 – Nov 29) and CPI Security Charlotte Turkey Trot & Tot Trot (Charlotte, Thu, Nov 26). See all 4 above.
Which Thanksgiving weekend events near Charlotte are free?
1 event on our list is free: Novant Health Thanksgiving Eve Parade (Charlotte, Wed, Nov 25).
Which Charlotte-area cities have Thanksgiving weekend events?
We list Thanksgiving weekend events in 2 cities, including Charlotte (3) and Concord (1).
Our weekend search covers Phoenix Metro & Arizona for now, and more areas are coming soon. This guide is hand-checked the same way.
How we build this page: each event comes from the organizer's official website and shows the date we checked it. An event is called free only when its official page says so. Read how we verify listings.
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