Fall has arrived, with the Thanksgiving holiday just around the corner! Charlotte is bustling with fall fun, and plenty of ways to celebrate the upcoming holiday season. Whether you’re searching for a pre-feast workout or want to lay low and take in the sights, let this guide lead you to a great Thanksgiving spent with family and friends.
TURKEY TROTS
Start Thanksgiving on the move
Whether hitting a quick mile before the turkey, or locking in for a 5K or more, turkey trots are a Thanksgiving holiday tradition for many. Walk, jog, run, roll, or sit back and cheer, however you plan to enjoy, a turkey trot is always a festive and fun way to start the holiday!
Bright Lights 5K & Fun Run
DANIEL STOWE CONSERVANCY, BELMONT, NC | WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 2026 | 6 PM
Bright Lights is a truly unique race experience in the Charlotte area. Enjoy a sneak peek of the Stowe Garden holiday lights before the public, with a race through the beautiful Conservancy’s gardens and nature trails.
CPI Security Charlotte Turkey Trot
SOUTHPARK MALL | THANKSGIVING DAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2026 | 8 AM
Join Charlotte’s largest running event of the year! The 38th annual CPI Security Charlotte Turkey Trot kicks off the holiday season with a healthy morning of activity before heading home to spend time with friends, food, and family.
This race also serves as an annual fundraiser for CMPD’s Explorer’s Holiday Toy Drive. Bring a new, unwrapped toy to race day to donate!
Mooresville/Lake Norman Turkey Trot 5K
MOORESVILLE, NC | THANKSGIVING DAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2026 | 8:30 AM
Join the 16th annual Turkey Trot 5K in Mooresville, NC. Every registration supports providing food, clothing, housing assistance, educational programs, and more to 6,000 local individuals and families each year.
University City Turkey Trot
3024 PROSPERITY CHURCH ROAD, CHARLOTTE | THANKSGIVING DAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2026
Wake, Run, Feast! The University City Turkey Trot is all about coming together to run or walk to jump-start your Thanksgiving holiday, before indulging in a post-race mini-feast with drinks, games, and music.
PARADES & CELEBRATIONS
Festive sights and holiday traditions
Novant Health Thanksgiving Eve Parade
UPTOWN CHARLOTTE | WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 2026 | 5:45 PM
Join the fun in Uptown at the 80th annual Novant Health Thanksgiving Eve Parade! Floats, marching bands, giant balloons, music and more. The perfect way to head into the holiday!
Speedway Christmas
CHARLOTTE MOTOR SPEEDWAY | NOVEMBER 20, 2026 – JANUARY 3, 2027 | 6–10 PM
At Speedway Christmas, you’ll find 5 million lights along a 4-mile drive on the speedway. As the Southeast’s largest drive-thru holiday light show, there’s nothing else like it! Additional highlights include the music-synchronized light show, Christmas movies, and Christmas Village.
Light the Knights Festival
TRUIST FIELD | NOVEMBER 25, 2026 – JANUARY 3, 2027
Truist Field transforms into a holiday wonderland every year for the Light the Knights Festival, with ice skating, snow tubing, holiday treats, a Christmas market, and more! Jumpstart the holidays by heading to the ballpark for this one-of-a-kind festival.
WinterFest
CAROWINDS | NOVEMBER 27, 2026 – JANUARY 3, 2027
Step into a world of holiday fun at WinterFest! This seasonal celebration transforms the Carowinds amusement park into a holiday wonderland, all with dazzling holiday lights, live entertainment, special food, and Santa visits!
A season of traditions, togetherness, and holiday cheer.
The fall and winter holiday season has officially begun, and with it comes family fun, festive traditions, and beautiful Carolina weather. From turkey trots to parades, to holiday shopping and light displays, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. Enjoy exploring these Charlotte-area events during the Thanksgiving holiday weekend!