In 2026, Christmas parades near Charlotte run Nov 21 through Dec 5. Concord Christmas Parade is Nov 21 and is free to watch. Mooresville Christmas Parade is Nov 24. This page lists eight parades and tree lightings with 2026 dates.
By date
Filter to what fits your evening, then tap one for its time, price and kid notes.
Tree lighting · 6–9 p.m.21NovSatUniversity City WinterfestTree lighting · 4–8 p.m.21NovSatConcord Christmas Parade
Parade · 2:30 p.m.24NovTueMooresville Christmas ParadeParade · 3 p.m.28NovSatLight Up CorneliusTree lighting · 4–7 p.m.3DecThuChristmas in Davidson Tree LightingTree lighting · 6 p.m.4DecFriHuntersville Town Tree LightingTree lighting · 6–8 p.m.5DecSatMint Hill Christmas Parade & Tree LightingParade · 5:30–9 p.m.Nothing matches that filter yet.
Christmas parades
Start time, price and what to know with little kids, from each organizer’s own page.
Church St. N at Lake Concord Rd. to Union St. at Corban Ave. · Concord
Good to know: The 98th year of one of the oldest Christmas parades in the state. Grab a spot along Union Street downtown for the best view.
Main Street · Mooresville
Good to know: The 82nd annual parade, on a Tuesday afternoon this year.
Bain School Road to Publix along Matthews Mint Hill Road · Mint Hill
Good to know: The parade runs from Bain School down Matthews Mint Hill Road to Publix. After it ends, the tree lighting at Town Hall has food trucks and entertainment, and Santa stops by.
Know one we missed?Send us the organizer’s page and we’ll check the date and add it.Suggest a parade
Tree lightings
Most lightings are short and happen at dusk, often with Santa, music or cocoa.
Downtown Concord · Concord
Good to know: Concord’s 29th tree lighting. Kids can visit Santa and Mrs. Claus in a snowy Courthouse Plaza, and fireworks close out the night.
The Boardwalk at University City · 8931 J M Keynes Dr, Charlotte, NC 28262
Good to know: Santa and Mrs. Claus, ornament making, hot cocoa and a Polar Express ride, then the tree by the lake lights up at 7. Formerly UCity Lights Festival. At The Boardwalk at University City, also called The Shoppes at University Place.
Downtown Cornelius · Cornelius
Good to know: Santa shows up at 4:30. Kids can go sledding or decorate cookies while they wait for the tree to light.
Davidson Town Green · Davidson
Good to know: Opening night of Christmas in Davidson starts with the tree on the Town Green. The festival carries on downtown for the next two evenings.
Veterans Park · Huntersville
Good to know: The town says all Holidays in Huntersville events are free to attend.
More to come.Tree lightings are often announced late. We recheck every week through early December.Email me when one’s addedBefore you go
SpotGet there earlyA curb spot near the start means little ones see everything and you can leave before the end.
WarmDress for standing stillWatching is colder than walking. Bring a blanket for the stroller and an extra layer.
TimingCheck the start timeLighted parades start after dark. Daytime parades are easier for nap schedules.Every year
Each of these comes back every year. Its page keeps the last confirmed dates, and the new ones go up there once they’re posted. Every year in Charlotte
Keep planning
November: things to do in CharlotteEvery dated listing for the month, by weekDecember: things to do in CharlotteEvery dated listing for the month, by week
Free things to do in CharlotteFree days, free events and places that never charge
Free museum days in CharlotteFree days, Museums on Us and EBT discounts, with who gets in
Indoor play in CharlotteIndoor playgrounds, toddler times, museums and classes, with prices
Library storytimes in CharlotteStorytimes for ages 0–6, by day and branch
Ice skating in CharlotteHoliday and indoor rinks, skate aids and prices
Thanksgiving weekend in CharlotteParades, turkey trots and what’s open on ThursdayChristmas trains in CharlottePolar Express, Santa and lights trains with datesThe Nutcracker in CharlotteBallet and touring shows, sensory-friendly flagged
Christmas markets in CharlotteChristkindlmarkts and winter wonderlands with hoursChristmas tree farms in CharlotteChoose-and-cut farms, wagon rides and kid notesTree lighting in CharlotteDates, times and what the organizer posts for kidsChristmas break in CharlotteWhat’s open on Dec 24, Dec 25 and Jan 1
Splash pads in CharlotteSpraygrounds with addresses and last season’s hours
Birthday party places in CharlotteStarting prices, ages and what’s included
Youth soccer and T-ball in CharlotteSoccer and T-ball for kids under 6, with sign-up dates
More things to do with kids in Charlotte this weekDated outings for ages 0–6, checked every ThursdayGood questions
Concord Christmas Parade: Sat, Nov 21, 2026, 2:30 p.m. (Concord). Mooresville Christmas Parade: Tue, Nov 24, 2026, 3 p.m. (Mooresville). Mint Hill Christmas Parade & Tree Lighting: Sat, Dec 5, 2026, 5:30–9 p.m. (Mint Hill).
Concord Tree Lighting at Downtown Concord: Fri, Nov 20, 2026, 6–9 p.m. University City Winterfest at The Boardwalk at University City: Sat, Nov 21, 2026, 4–8 p.m.; tree lighting 7 p.m. Light Up Cornelius at Downtown Cornelius: Sat, Nov 28, 2026, 4–7 p.m.; tree lit at 6:30. Christmas in Davidson Tree Lighting at Davidson Town Green: Thu, Dec 3, 2026, 6 p.m.; the festival runs 6–9 p.m. Dec. 3–5. The full list is on the tree lighting page.
Five of the eight we list are free to watch: Concord Tree Lighting, University City Winterfest, Concord Christmas Parade and Light Up Cornelius. Some charge for extras like Santa photos or rides, and each card says so.
Daytime ones are easiest with little kids: Concord Christmas Parade and Mooresville Christmas Parade. Evening ones start after dark and are colder, so bring layers and a blanket for the stroller. Get there early for a curb spot near the start so little ones can see.
Each listing comes from the venue’s or organizer’s own page and links to it. We only list a date, time or price when that page shows it, and anything we can’t confirm stays off. These were last checked Oct 21, 2026, and we recheck them every week through early December. How we choose and check.
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University City Winterfest