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 26, through Sunday, November 30, 2025. 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 26, 2025
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 26, 2025, to Monday, January 4, 2026 (selected days)
Time: Time varies. November 26: 5 to 10 p.m.; November 27: Closed. November 28 and 29: 12 to 10:30 p.m. November 30: 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. (Please note that we are working on adding the Christmas houses now!)
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. This list will be updated soon!
Christmas Market at Olde Mecklenburg Brewery
OMB Christmas Market
Date: November 28 to 30, 2025 (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 15 to December 30, 2025, 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
14th Annual Light Up Cornelius
Date: Saturday, November 29, 2025
Time: 4 to 7 p.m.
Place: Downtown Cornelius, NC
Cost: Free
Features: Tree lighting, a sledding hill, 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: Every day through January 4, 2026
Time: 5 to 10 p.m.
Place: High Seas Miniature Golf, 10001 Charlotte Highway, Indian Land, South Carolina
Cost: $18 for adults, $13 for kids and seniors; age 3 and under free. Free for fire fighters, police, EMT and military. $11 for walkers (not playing golf)
Features: Elaborately detailed, decorated miniature golf course. Play all the holes or just gawk at the lights!
Light the World Giving Machine
Light the World Giving Machine
Date: Every day that the mall is open from November 19 to December 7, 2025
Time: Mall hours
Place: Carolina Place Mall, 11025 Carolina Place Parkway, Pineville, NC
Cost: Items start at $5
Features: Swipe your card at this vending machine and buy something to give to a nonprofit to help neighbors. Anything from school supplies to laundry detergent to baby pajamas.
Outdoor Ice Skating
Outdoor Ice Skating
Date: Various
Time: Various
Place: Various
Cost: Various
Features: There are several outdoor skating rinks this season in the Charlotte area. 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. The movie on November 28 is Elf.
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 Fun Run
Date: Saturday, November 29, 2025
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
Features: During the long holiday weekend, hit the trails to enjoy the crisp fall air and some friendly competition. Choose your course and pace – walk or run ~2 miles or ~4 miles over natural surface trails, suitable for all levels. The first adult (16+) 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.
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