In November and December, you can find holiday and Christmas parades in every corner of the Charlotte area. Area holiday parades generally start before Thanksgiving at Concord, Monroe, and Mooresville, followed up by the biggest holiday parade of the season, the Novant Health Thanksgiving Day Parade in Uptown Charlotte.
Then, many of the towns and cities around Charlotte, including Rock Hill, Belmont, Gastonia, Kannapolis, Davidson, and more, each stage their own holiday parade. There are even several lighted boat parades on Lake Norman and Lake Wylie.
Check out our huge day-by-day list of holiday events in the Charlotte area! We update it every day!
Also, please keep reading for a big list of holiday events, which is getting updated every day.
Christmas and Holiday Parades in the Charlotte Area
Concord Christmas Parade
97th Concord Christmas Parade
Saturday, November 22, 2025
2:30 p.m.
Downtown Concord
The parade begins at the intersection of Church Street N and Lake Concord Road, and continues over two miles along Church Street, Buffalo Avenue, and Union Street, ending at the intersection of Union Street and Corban Avenue. The judges’ stage will be near the intersection of Barbrick Avenue and Union Street.
Union County Christmas Parade
Union County Christmas Parade
Sunday, November 23, 2025
2 p.m.
Downtown Monroe, NC
Mooresville Christmas Parade
Mooresville Christmas Parade
Tuesday, November 25, 2025
3 p.m.
Main Street in Mooresville, NC
Novant Health Thanksgiving Day Parade
Novant Health Thanksgiving Parade
Wednesday, November 26, 2025
5:45 p.m.
Tryon Street, Charlotte, NC
The Novant Health Thanksgiving Parade is planned for Thanksgiving Eve again. This is the 77th year of the Charlotte Thanksgiving parade! The parade starts at Tryon Street at 9th Street, and progresses down Tryon to Good Samaritan Way.
Lincolnton Christmas Parade
Lincolnton Christmas Parade
Sunday, November 30, 2025
4 p.m.
Downtown Lincolnton, NC
Following the parade, the tree lighting will take place at Court Square, at Main Street and Aspen Street, around 6 p.m. There will be holiday entertainment at Court Square from 3 to 6 p.m.
Belmont Christmas Parade
Belmont Christmas Parade
Tuesday, December 2, 2025
3 p.m.
Main Street, Belmont, NC
Rock Hill Christmas Parade
Rock Hill Christmas Parade
Friday, December 5, 2025
6:30 p.m.
Downtown Rock Hill, SC
North Mecklenburg Holiday Parade
43rd Annual North Mecklenburg Holiday Parade
Saturday, December 6, 2025
1 p.m.
Davidson and Cornelius
The parade starts in Davidson at the intersection of Griffith Street and Highway 115 and ends in Cornelius at the intersection of Highway 115 and Catawba Avenue.
Mint Hill Christmas Parade
Mint Hill Christmas Parade
Saturday, December 6, 2025
5:30 p.m.
Downtown Mint Hill
This nighttime parade will travel down Matthews-Mint Hill Road from Bain School to the Mint Hill Library. Santa will leave after the parade and return to Town Hall for the Annual Christmas Tree Lighting. After the parade, meet at Town Hall for the Town’s Annual Christmas Tree Lighting.
Kings Mountain Christmas Parade
Kings Mountain Christmas Parade
Saturday, December 6, 2025
3 p.m.
Downtown Kings Mountain, NC.
After the parade, head to Patriots Park, 220 S Railroad Avenue, Kings Mountain, NC, for Kings Mountain Christmas Festival.
Mount Holly Christmas Parade
Mount Holly Christmas Parade
Saturday, December 6, 2025
3 p.m.
Downtown Mount Holly.
Indian Trail Christmas Parade
Indian Trail Christmas Parade
Sunday, December 7, 2025
4 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Downtown Indian Trail
Gastonia Christmas Parade
Gastonia Christmas Parade
Sunday, December 7, 2025
5 p.m.
Downtown Gastonia
The Gaston County Jaycees Christmas Parade starts at 5 p.m. It starts at Main Avenue at Chester and ends at Main Avenue at Broad. Then the Keep Gastonia Beautiful Tree Lighting will begin at the Rotary Pavilion, following the conclusion of the parade. There will be a Christmas Market at Rotary Pavilion from 5 to 8 p.m.
Kannapolis Christmas Parade
Kannapolis Christmas Parade
Saturday, December 13, 2025
6 p.m.
Downtown Kannapolis
Indian Land Christmas Parade
Indian Land Parade
Saturday, December 13, 2025
4 p.m.
Indian Land Middle School, 8063 River Road, Indian Land, SC.
The parade is followed by a tree lighting event at the school.
Lake Wylie Christmas Boat Parade
Lake Wylie Boat Parade
Saturday, December 13, 2025
6:30 to 7;30 p.m.
Papa Doc’s Shore lub
3990 Charlotte Hwy, Lake Wylie, SC
The parade starts and ends at Papa Doc’s. Santa will be at Papa Doc’s from 5 to 8 p.m.
Catawba Nation’s Christmas Parade and Festival
Catawba Nation Christmas Parade and Festival
Saturday, December 13, 2025
4 to 7 p.m.
Longhouse, 996 Avenue of the Nations, Rock Hill, SC
The parade is part of Catawba Nation’s Christmas Festival, which also includes pictures with Santa, Christmas karaoke and much more.
Waxhaw Christmas Parade
Waxhaw Christmas Parade
Sunday, December 14, 2025
3 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Downtown Waxhaw, NC
Lake Norman Christmas Lights Boat Parade
Lake Norman Christmas Lights Boat Parade
Saturday, December 20, 2025
5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
The parade starts at Blythe Landing, then goes to Ramsey Creek Park, and then to the Duke Energy Explorium. Each of the parks will be open until 30 minutes after the parade has passed each location. At the Energy Explorium, there will be food trucks and a visit from Santa. Please bring unwrapped toys as a donation to Little Smiles.
Double-Check Before You Head Out!
We make every effort to make sure that everything on Charlotte on the Cheap is 100% accurate.
However, sometimes things change without notice, and we are not always notified. It’s also possible that we can make a mistake.
Please verify all deals and events with the venue or organizer before you go.
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More Holiday Events
Check out our comprehensive day-by-day list of holiday events in the Charlotte area.
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