Novant Health Thanksgiving Parade is scheduled for Wednesday, November 24th, 2021, at 6 p.m. It will end around 8 p.m.
Yes, it’s taking place on Thanksgiving Eve, rather than on Thanksgiving morning. This change to a nighttime parade comes on the 75th anniversary of Charlotte’s Thanksgiving Parade. You can expect plenty of lights, music and fun.
Bundle up! The temperature is forecasted to be 45 degrees at 6 p.m. and 39 degrees at 8 p.m. Clear skies, though!
Check out a big list of holiday and Christmas parades in the Charlotte region, both on land and water!
The parade will travel on Tryon Street, from 9th Street to Stonewall Street.
It’s free to watch, of course, but premium seating is available for $25. Tickets here.
It will be broadcast live on WBTV and re-aired throughout the holiday season.
Parking for the Thanksgiving Parade
Use this parking map to find the parking lots in Uptown Charlotte for the Thanksgiving Parade. If you park at 7th Street Station, you can get your parking validated for an hour and a half (with purchase) and enjoy the Thanksgiving Market at The Market at 7th Street before heading over to the parade.
Alternately, take the light rail. The LYNX Blue Line has several stops that are convenient to the parade, including 7th Street, Charlotte Transportation Center, 3rd Street/Convention Center, and Stonewall.
While You’re in Uptown for the Thanksgiving Parade
If you’re heading Uptown, here are some other things going on! Make an evening or a day of it!
Charlotte Christmas Village and Light the Knights: Wednesday, November 24th, is the first evening for Charlotte Christmas Village and Light the Knights at Truist Field. It will be going on from 5 to 10 p.m. Stop by after the parade to enjoy holiday entertainment, get a great view of the lights of the ballpark, with Charlotte’s skyline as a backdrop. Shop for holiday specialties from local vendors. Tickets are $10.
Thanksgiving Market: Stop by The Market at 7th Street (see above note about parking there!) and shop for local goodies. They’ll be open from 4 to 8 p.m. It’s also a great spot to grab dinner.
Wednesday Night Live: The Bechtler Museum and the Gantt Center will all be free to visit from 5 to 9 p.m. And there will be free entertainment — content from the Nerdy Night out series — in the Knight Theater lobby. All free! (Normally the Mint Museum Uptown also participates in Wednesday Night Live, but they announced on Facebook that they’re closing at 5 p.m. today.)
Thanksgiving Eve Party at Pinhouse: It’s not in Uptown, but in nearby Plaza Midwood. Pinhouse is hosting a FREE Thanksgiving Eve party, including free duckpin bowling all day (noon to midnight) and a free s’more buffet around the firepit!
Segwalloons at the Thanksgiving Parade
One tradition that we hope will remain at the parade are Segwalloons! If you’re not a Charlotteean (or even if you are) you might be asking “What are Segwalloons?”
Segwalloons are a Charlotte original. Introduced at the 2013 Thanksgiving Day Parade, they are a cross between balloons and Segways. The design allows the driver to interact with the crowd in a unique way. The original two Segwalloons were an elf and a snowman. Since then they’ve taken different forms, including Colonial characters, which are also in operation on Meck Dec Day.
You will find Segwalloons only in Charlotte.
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Lisa C Rudisill says
Couldn’t get to Parade video. All I saw was a bunch of people painting “Black Lives Matter” all over the streets.Very disappointing. Was this the ML King Jr. Day Parade link?
Jody Mace says
So sorry that you missed all the musical performances, the salute to the police and first responders, and to healthcare workers, and Santa, and the dancing elves and so much more.
As far as the MLK Day Parade, unfortunately, due to Covid-19, it won’t be taking place in person in 2021, but there will be lots of virtual events that will honor Dr. King’s legacy. I’ll be sure to include them on this website so that you can honor him as well.