The Novant Health Thanksgiving Parade is back with a big change -- it's taking place on Thanksgiving Eve!

On Wednesday, November 24th, Pinhouse is putting on a Thanksgiving Eve party. Duckpin bowling is free all day, and there will be free s'more buffet. 2306 Central Avenue. Noon to midnight.

Use this big list as a guide to the most spectacular Christmas light displays in the Charlotte area, including McAdenville, otherwise known as "Christmas Town USA."

Olde Mecklenburg Brewery transforms into a German-inspired Christmas market for four weekends, starting Thanksgiving weekend. It features tons of vendors, and lots of festive cheer. It is open Friday, Saturday and Sunday of Thanksgiving weekend.

Contactless pictures with Santa! You'll get a free 4x6 print. It's free, but you need to make a reservation.

Celebrate Small Business Saturday at Cabarrus Brewing's Christmas at Cabarrus on November 27th. Besides shopping from 120 local artisans and vendors, there will be entertainment for the whole family, including the Fun Size Equipment Experience, where kids can operate construction equipment.

Every Wednesday night for the rest of the year, get free admission to Bechtler Museum, Mint Museum Uptown and the Gantt Center. As part of the program on November 24th, enjoy Nerdy Night Out at Knight Theater. Please note that on the evening of November 24th, Mint Museum Uptown will NOT be open.

Meet more than 40 live-size animatronic and static dinosaurs at The Jurassic Encounter. It takes place at Ballantyne's Backyard, 11611 N. Community House Road. On Thanksgiving Day it will take place from 2 to 6 p.m. (and there will be a costume party that day!) and every other day of the weekend it is from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. $12 in advance and $16 at the gate.

Queen City Nerve is hosting a free Thanksgiving dinner on November 25th, from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m., at Billy Sunday, 1115 N. Brevard Street. This is an event meant to welcome members of the LGBTQIA+ community who might be excluded from their own family functions. Registration in advance is required.

Bring a main, a side, or a dessert to share at this potluck, which takes place November 25th, from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Please bring a $2 donation to charity, or a canned food item or pack of toiletries.

Bring the kids to Chanukah Wonderland at Stonecrest Shopping Center on Wednesday, Friday or Sunday of Thanksgiving weekend. They'll enjoy crafts, games, a photo booth, a scavenger hunt, snacks and more. $10 per child. Pre-registration is required.

Friday, November 26th, is one of the Schiele Museum of Natural History's free afternoons. Make your reservation in advance.

Carowinds transforms into a Winter Wonderland from November 13th to January 2nd. Follow the link for the specific dates. Do not buy tickets without reading our post, where we offer discounts!

This free festival on Saturday, November 27th, at Cabarrus Arena and Events Center, includes bounce houses, vendors, games, a pie eating contest and more.

November 27th is the first of four Small Business Saturday events in South End. Celebrate the holidays at South End Farmers' Market at Atherton Mill from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., and then enjoy the Camden Road Street Festival from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Shop for handcrafted and food gift items at Hot Stuff Holiday Pop-Up Market at Petra's, at 1919 Commonwealth Avenue, on Sunday, November 28th.

Enjoy live music and food trucks outside of Mint Museum Randolph on Sunday, November 28th, from 1 to 5 p.m. This is a free event, and also includes museum admission.

Charlotte Motor Speedway is once again hosting Speedway Christmas. The cost is $30 or $40 a car, depending on the day. It will be open from November 19 to January 16, with the exception of December 7th, December 8th, and Christmas Day. The walk-thru Christmas Village is back, Thursday through Sunday, as are the drive-in Christmas movies.

Get out and walk off some of that turkey! We include self-guided neighborhood walking tours, hikes through nature preserves, and much more.

Starting November 24th, go to Truist Field for Charlotte Christmas Village and Light the Knights. Shop for unique gifts, enjoy holiday treats, and take in the entertainment, all with Charlotte's skyline as the backdrop.

The Whitewater Center has transformed its upper pond into a huge ice rink. The rink has been expanded from last year, and is now 24,000 square feet. November 11th to mid February. It costs $25 to skate, including skate rental. Parking is $6.

It's definitely not cheap, but if you're up for a splurge, Immersive Van Gogh will be at Camp North End through January 2nd, 2022. If we hear of discounts, we will let you know. Make sure to visit all of Camp North End while you're there!