Looking for something to do to get out of the house on Thanksgiving Weekend?
We are highlighting a few events you shouldn’t miss, but then, scroll down for a huge list of events we have on the calendar from Wednesday, November 27, through Sunday, December 1, 2024. Or just jump to the day-by-day list.
On Charlotte on the Cheap we focus on free and cheap events, and we have lots of those on the calendar. But we’re also including events that cost a little bit more, just in case a splurge is in your budget.
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Thanksgiving Weekend Highlights in Charlotte
Novant Health Thanksgiving Eve Parade
Novant Health Thanksgiving Eve Parade
Date: Wednesday, November 27, 2024
Time: 5:45 p.m.
Place: Tryon Street, from 9th Street to Good Samaritan Way
Cost: Free
Features: Lights, music, floats, segwalloons.
Light the Knights
Light the Knights
Date: Wednesday, November 27, 2024, to Monday, January 3, 2025 (selected days)
Time: Time varies. November 27: 5 to 10 p.m.; November 28: Closed. November 29 and 30: 12 to 10 p.m. December 1: 12 to 8 p.m.
Place: Truist Field, 324 S Mint Street, Charlotte, NC
Cost: Admission only is $12. Admission plus skating and tubing is $40.
Features: Holiday lights, live entertainment, gift vendors, concessions, Santa pictures, ice skating and tubing. Please note: it’s closed on Thanksgiving Day.
Christmas Lights
Visit Christmas Lights
Date: All days
Time: Evening
Place: Many places
Cost: Many are free, but the list includes paid attractions to.
Features: Our list of the best Christmas lights around Charlotte includes commercial attractions, municipal and neighborhood displays and the best Christmas houses.
Pick out a Christmas Tree
Choose a Christmas Tree
Date: Varies
Time: Varies
Place: Varies
Cost: Varies
Features: Check out a list of Christmas tree farms and lots near Charlotte! It’s prime time for picking out the perfect tree. At many of the farms there are additional holiday activities.
Christmas Market at Olde Mecklenburg Brewery
OMB Christmas Market
Date: November 29 to December 1, 2024 (And the next three weekends)
Time: 11 a.. to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday.
Place:Both locations of Olde Mecklenburg Brewery: 4150 Yancey Road, and 15025 Bowl Street, Charlotte, NC
Cost: Free
Features: This German-style Christmas market is one of the biggest and most popular in Charlotte. Shop from tons of artists each day. Santa will be at both locations on Saturday from 2 to 5 p.m. There’s no charge for pictures with Santa.
Kannapolis Celebration of Lights
Kannapolis Celebration of Lights and Winterland Express
Date: November 16 to December 30, 2024, with the exception of Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day
Time: 6 to 9 p.m. Sunday to Thursday; 6 to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday.
Place: Village Park, 700 West C Street, Kannapolis, NC
Cost: Free admission. $2 for Winterland Express train or the carousel.
Features: The park is full of twinkling light displays. The celebration also includes performances (including by animatronic bears), free visits with Santa, food for purchase and more.
Light Up Cornelius
13th Annual Light Up Cornelius
Date: Saturday, November 30, 2024
Time: 4 to 7 p.m.
Place: Downtown Cornelius, NC
Cost: Free
Features: Tree lighting, children’s activities, model train display, performances, visit from Santa and Mrs. Claus, more.
Pirates Christmas at High Seas Miniature Golf
Pirates Christmas at High Seas Miniature Golf
Date: November 22, 2024, to January 19, 2025
Time: 5 to 10 p.m.
Place: High Seas Miniature Golf, 10001 Charlotte Highway, Indian Land, South Carolina
Cost: $17 for adults. $12 for kids (4-12) and seniors (65+) and free for kids 3 and under. $10 for “walkers” (those not playing mini golf.)
Features: Elaborately detailed, decorated miniature golf course. Play all the holes or just gawk at the lights!
Queen City Nerve’s Inclusive Thanksgiving Dinner
Queen City Nerve’s 6th Annual Inclusive Thanksgiving Dinner
Date: Thursday, November 28, 2024
Time: 2 to 5 p.m.
Place: Resident Culture Brewing (South End), 332 W Bland Street C, Charlotte, North Carolina
Cost: Free
Features: A warm, welcoming FREE community dinner especially for those in the LGBTQIA+ community who are excluded from their family meal. Register in advance for your free tickets. Space is limited. All food that is not served goes to Block Love CLT, who will serve dinner to homeless neighbors.
Light the World Giving Machine
Light the World Giving Machine
Date: Every day from November 22 to December 8, 2024
Time: Use the machine any time. Special events most days, including Carolina Panthers night (November 27), Family carnival and Santa pictures (November 29), Crafts and games with PGA Golf Store and Santa pictures (November 30), Live Nativity (December 1.)
Place: Promenade on Providence, 10822 Providence Road, Charlotte, NC
Cost: Items start at 5 p.m.
Features: Swipe your card at this vending machine and buy something to give to a nonprofit to help neighbors. Anything from fresh produce, children’s antibiotics, snacks for a hospital, chickens and more.
Outdoor Ice Skating
Outdoor Ice Skating
Date: Various
Time: Various
Place: Various
Cost: Various
Features: There are six outdoor skating rinks this season in the Charlotte area, not counting the skating at Carowinds. Check out our list of all of them for details.
Outdoor Movie Night
Outdoor Movie Night at Seoul Food Meat Co. Mill District
Date: Friday, November 29, 2024
Time: 6 to 8 p.m.
Place: Seoul Food Meat Co., 421 E 26th Street, Charlotte, NC
Cost: Free
Features: Seoul Food Meat Co. is hosting outdoor movie nights every Friday through December 27, 2024.
Shop Small Saturday
Shop from a local store or artist!
Date: Saturday, November 30, 2024
Time: Varies
Place: Many
Cost: Varies
Features: There are many Small Business Saturday events on our calendar. In addition, check out this list of holiday markets! Many are happening this weekend.
Turkey Trot 5K
Turkey Trot 5K and Fun Run/Walk
Date: Saturday, November 30, 2024
Time: 8:30 to 10:30 a.m.
Place: Stevens Creek Nature Center and Nature Preserve, 15700 Thompson Road, Mint Hill, NC 28227
Cost: Free (make sure to register)
Features: Walk/run either an (approximately) 5k or 1 mile course over natural surface trails, suitable for all levels, even off-road strollers. The first adult and child to return from each course will be awarded a special prize! After crossing the finish line, head into the nature center for free refreshments and guided recovery stretches. Alternately, just head to one of Mecklenburg County’s greenways or parks and go for a hike!
Family Hanukkah Breakfast with Clifford the Big Red Dog
Family Hanukkah Breakfast with Clifford the Big Red Dog
Date: Sunday, December 1, 2024
Time: 9:30 to 11 a.m.
Place: Lerner Hall, Levine Jewish Community Center, 5007 Providence Road, Charlotte, NC
Cost: $12 for JCC members and $18 for non-members. Tickets for kids are $6. Children one year and under attend for free.
Features: The event includes breakfast, activities and lots of fun with Clifford the Big Red Dog. Registration is required by November 29 and space is limited.
