Thanksgiving is all about celebrating all of life’s blessings and spending quality time with your loved ones. And to make things even better, there are always fun things going on in the Charlotte area during this time. Whether you live in Charlotte or you will be visiting the Queen City for Thanksgiving, following are a few fun activities that you may want to add to your calendar this year.

30th Annual Turkey Trot
Thursday, November 22 at 8:00 am

The 30th Annual Turkey Trot will take place on Thanksgiving Day, with the race beginning at the Dillard’s parking deck at South Park Mall. This event hosts several different races, so runners of all levels can participate. There will be an 8K, 5K, 1 mile, and 26.2-yard tot trot. The event will also feature a costume contest, and participants with the best costumes will be awarded. There is no better way to begin Thanksgiving Day than by getting in a good run with other members of the community.

Novant Health Thanksgiving Day Parade
Thursday, November 22 at 9:00 am

One of the biggest events taking place in the Charlotte area will be the Novant Health Thanksgiving Day Parade. This is the largest Thanksgiving parade that takes place in the southeast, and it has been entertaining the community for 71 years. Last year, the parade featured 18 floats, 15 marching bands, 12 larger-than-life balloons, 11 performances, and more! Over 110,000 people watched the parade in Uptown Charlotte, making it a fun event that the whole family can enjoy.

The parade will start at 9:00 am on November 22, and you do have the option to purchase tickets for reserved seating. The parade route will head South on Tryon Street from 9th St. to Stonewall Street. You also have the opportunity to upgrade to a VIP Experience, which includes VIP seating and breakfast with Santa.

South End Small Business Saturday
Saturday, November 24 from 11:00 am – 5:00 pm

The holiday season officially begins right after Thanksgiving, and there is no better way to start your holiday shopping than by checking out all the local businesses. Small Business Saturday in the South End area of Charlotte will involve over 200 local businesses, 70 spots to eat and drink, and free trolley rides to take you everywhere you want to go. With everything from clothing to art to home furnishings, you will be able to browse and buy a variety of items during this special day.