Things to Do in
Charlotte This Week.
November 23 through November 29, 2026. Thanksgiving week is one of the most festive stretches on the Charlotte calendar: the Hornets host three home games at Spectrum Center, the Charlotte Turkey Trot fills SouthPark on Thanksgiving morning, and the holiday lights turn on across the metro with Light the Knights, Carowinds WinterFest, and Speedway Christmas. There is no shortage of things to do in Charlotte this week and weekend.
Thanksgiving week in Charlotte is all about family, football, and the official start of the holiday season. The headline events are three Charlotte Hornets home games at Spectrum Center (the Grizzlies on Monday, the Bulls on Wednesday, the Nets on Saturday), the 80th Novant Health Thanksgiving Eve Parade on Tryon Street, and the CPI Security Charlotte Turkey Trot on Thanksgiving morning. If you are looking for things to do in Charlotte this weekend, the holiday lights come alive: Light the Knights opens at Truist Field, Carowinds WinterFest opens Friday, Speedway Christmas is rolling in Concord, and A Beautiful Noise plays the Belk Theater. It is a cozy, golden, light-filled week in the Queen City.
Monday through Friday.
The Hornets host the Grizzlies Monday and the Bulls on Thanksgiving Eve, the Novant Health Thanksgiving Eve Parade marches down Tryon Street, the Charlotte Turkey Trot and University City Turkey Trot take over Thanksgiving morning, the Checkers play the Hershey Bears on Friday, and Carowinds WinterFest opens its holiday season.
Charlotte Hornets vs. Memphis Grizzlies
Spectrum Center - 333 E Trade St, Uptown
The Charlotte Hornets open Thanksgiving week at home against the Memphis Grizzlies on Monday night at Spectrum Center. It is the start of a three-home-game stretch in six days, a rare chance to catch the new-look Hornets three times in one week in the fully renovated arena. Grab dinner in Uptown or South End before the 7:00 PM tip-off. Tickets through the Hornets and Ticketmaster.
Novant Health Thanksgiving Eve Parade
Tryon Street, Uptown Charlotte
Charlotte's beloved Thanksgiving Eve Parade, the 80th edition, marches down Tryon Street in Uptown on Wednesday evening. Expect giant balloons, marching bands, floats, and a special appearance from Santa as the city kicks off the holiday season. It is free to watch, draws a big crowd, and the lights of Uptown make it a festive night out for the whole family.
Charlotte Hornets vs. Chicago Bulls
Spectrum Center - 333 E Trade St, Uptown
The Hornets host the Chicago Bulls on Thanksgiving Eve at Spectrum Center. With the Novant Health Thanksgiving Eve Parade on Tryon Street just a few blocks away earlier that evening, you can catch the parade, then walk over for a big NBA matchup to officially start the holiday. Tickets through the Hornets and Ticketmaster.
CPI Security Charlotte Turkey Trot
SouthPark, Carnegie Blvd, Charlotte
The Charlotte Turkey Trot at SouthPark is North Carolina's largest road race, returning for its 37th year on Thanksgiving morning. Runners line up at Carnegie Boulevard for the 1-mile, 8K, and 5K courses plus a 50-yard Tot Trot for kids, all supporting the CMPD Toy Drive. It is the classic Charlotte way to earn your turkey and pie, and it draws more than 12,000 participants.
University City Turkey Trot 5K
University City, Charlotte
If SouthPark is too crowded, the University City Turkey Trot 5K is a great east-side alternative on Thanksgiving morning. It is a shorter, lower-key race with the same holiday spirit, and it keeps the morning open for family time and a big meal later in the day.
Charlotte Checkers vs. Hershey Bears
Bojangles Coliseum - 2700 E Independence Blvd, Charlotte
The Charlotte Checkers return to Bojangles Coliseum on the day after Thanksgiving for an afternoon tilt against the Hershey Bears. A 4:00 PM puck drop makes it a perfect family-friendly outing on Black Friday, when the mall crowds are at their peak and the rink is a fun escape. Tickets through the Checkers.
Carowinds WinterFest Opening Night
Carowinds - 14523 Carowinds Blvd, on the NC/SC line
Carowinds flips into holiday mode on Friday with the opening of WinterFest, running November 27 through January 3. The park transforms into a winter wonderland with millions of lights, festive entertainment, seasonal treats, and family-friendly rides. It is a can't-miss kickoff to the holiday season at the state line.
Saturday & Sunday.
Hornets vs the Brooklyn Nets on Saturday, Light the Knights open at Truist Field, the Charlotte Christmas Village glows Uptown, Speedway Christmas rolls in Concord, the Carolina Holiday Light Spectacular opens at Ballantyne's Backyard, and A Beautiful Noise plays the Belk Theater all weekend.
Charlotte Hornets vs. Brooklyn Nets
Spectrum Center - 333 E Trade St, Uptown
The Hornets close out their three-game home week on Saturday night against the Brooklyn Nets at Spectrum Center. Three home games in six days is an unusually rich stretch of NBA basketball in Uptown Charlotte, and Saturday is the marquee night of the lot. Make a weekend of it: dinner in South End, then the game.
Light the Knights at Truist Field
Truist Field - 324 S Mint St, Uptown Charlotte
Truist Field transforms into a stadium-sized holiday light festival with Light the Knights, opening Wednesday, November 25 and running through January 3. The entire ballpark is strung with millions of lights, with an NHL-sized outdoor ice rink, a snow tubing hill, a holiday village, and festive food and drink. It is one of Charlotte's most magical family traditions, right in Uptown, and the kickoff overlaps with the Thanksgiving Eve Parade the same evening.
Charlotte Christmas Village
Uptown Charlotte
The Charlotte Christmas Village brings a European-style holiday market to Uptown with artisan vendors, warm drinks, holiday treats, and an ice rink. It is the perfect low-key weekend stroll between shopping trips, and it runs daily through the new year. Grab a hot chocolate and wander the booths under the Uptown lights.
Speedway Christmas at Charlotte Motor Speedway
Charlotte Motor Speedway - 5555 Concord Pkwy S, Concord
Speedway Christmas at Charlotte Motor Speedway is back with a 4-mile drive-through light spectacular through the infield and around the track. Stay in the car, tune the radio to the synchronized holiday music, and enjoy millions of lights from the comfort of your seat. It opened the week before Thanksgiving and runs through early January.
Carolina Holiday Light Spectacular at Ballantyne
Ballantyne's Backyard - 12220 North Community House Rd, Charlotte
The Carolina Holiday Light Spectacular at Ballantyne's Backyard lights up the south Charlotte gathering space with a walk-through holiday light experience starting the day after Thanksgiving. It is a newer addition to the metro's holiday lineup and a great option for families on the south side who want lights without the drive to Concord.
A Beautiful Noise, The Neil Diamond Musical
Belk Theater, Blumenthal Performing Arts - 130 N Tryon St, Uptown
The hit Broadway musical A Beautiful Noise, celebrating the music and story of Neil Diamond, plays the Belk Theater over Thanksgiving weekend. With dozens of beloved songs and a warm, crowd-pleasing story, it is a superb indoor option for the long weekend, especially if the weather turns cold. Tickets through Blumenthal Arts.
Ongoing & recurring.
Charlotte Hornets 2026-27 Home Stretch
Spectrum Center - Uptown
Three home games in six days this week: the Grizzlies on Monday, the Bulls on Wednesday, and the Nets on Saturday. The regular season is in full swing.
WinterFest at Carowinds
Carowinds - NC/SC line
Opens Friday, November 27 and runs through January 3, 2027. Millions of lights, holiday shows, and seasonal rides.
Speedway Christmas
Charlotte Motor Speedway - Concord
The 4-mile drive-through light show runs November 20 through January 3. Tune the radio and stay in the car.
Light the Knights
Truist Field - Uptown
Opens Thanksgiving night and runs through January 4. A stadium-wide light festival with skating and a holiday village.
Charlotte Christmas Village
Uptown Charlotte
The European-style holiday market with an ice rink runs daily through January 3.
Charlotte Regional Farmers Market
1801 Yorkmont Rd
Open Wednesday through Sunday year-round. Late-fall stock: winter squash, apples, pecans, and holiday baking staples.
Don't miss these.
The Charlotte Turkey Trot (Thanksgiving morning)
More than 12,000 runners line up at SouthPark on Thanksgiving morning for North Carolina's biggest road race. Even if you are not a runner, the energy at the start line is one of the most joyful things in Charlotte all year, and every entry supports the CMPD Toy Drive.
Three Hornets home games in six days
The Grizzlies on Monday, the Bulls on Wednesday, and the Nets on Saturday. If you love Uptown game nights, this is the week to see the new-look Hornets three times at the renovated Spectrum Center.
Light the Knights opening at Truist Field
The stadium-wide holiday light festival opens Thanksgiving night and runs through January 4. It is pure magic for kids and easily the most memorable family outing of the holiday weekend, right in Uptown.
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