Novant Health Thanksgiving Parade is scheduled for Wednesday, November 22, 2023, at 5:30 p.m. It will end around 8 p.m.
For the third year it will be taking place on Thanksgiving Eve, rather than on Thanksgiving morning. This change to a nighttime parade was introduced for the 75th anniversary of Charlotte’s Thanksgiving Parade. You can expect plenty of lights, music and fun.
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 Brooklyn Village Avenue.
It’s free to watch, of course, but premium seating will be available along Tryon Street from Levine Avenue to Brooklyn Village Avenue. VIP ticket holders will receive a reserved seat in the designated are. Within the VIP section, chairs are first-come, first-served. Children under 2 years of age do not need a ticket for the VIP seating area.
VIP tickets are $25. Purchase tickets.
The parade will be broadcast live on WCCB Charlotte’s CW.
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.)
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 Brooklyn Village.
While You’re in Uptown for the Thanksgiving Parade
Light the Knights Festival, at Truist Field, opens on November 22 as well. It features snow tubing, ice skating, a light show, Santa, and a Christmas vendor market. Learn more about Light the Knights.
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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Please verify all deals and events with the venue or organizer before you go.
More Holiday Events
Check out our growing day-by-day list of holiday events in the Charlotte area or see a few here.
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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.
James O’Neill says
My family and I enjoyed it much more on Thanksgiving day. This night before parade wasn’t the greatest idea in my opinion.