# Thanksgiving weekend with kids in Charlotte, 2026

> The big one for little kids is Novant Health Thanksgiving Eve Parade (Wed 5:30 p.m.). In all we found eight Thanksgiving-weekend outings in and around Charlotte: one parade, one turkey trot with a kids’ race and six Black Friday weekend picks, and one is free. We also list one place and whether it’s open on Thanksgiving Day.

- Last checked: 2026-10-18
- 8 listings with dates; 0 not posted or announced yet
- Canonical page: https://littlesweekly.com/charlotte/thanksgiving/
- Free things to do (Markdown): https://littlesweekly.com/charlotte/free/index.md
- This week (Markdown): https://littlesweekly.com/charlotte/index.md
- City index for agents: https://littlesweekly.com/charlotte/llms.txt

## Thanksgiving parades

- **Novant Health Thanksgiving Eve Parade** at Tryon Street, Uptown. When: Wed, Nov 25, 2026. Time: 5:30 p.m. (Wednesday). The night before Thanksgiving. It runs along Tryon Street in Uptown and airs live on WCCB at 6 p.m. Free from the curb, or buy reserved seats. Official page: https://www.novanthealththanksgivingparade.com/parade-info (checked 2026-10-18)

## Turkey trots with kids’ races

- **CPI Security Charlotte Turkey Trot** at SouthPark Mall, SouthPark. When: Thu, Nov 26, 2026. Time: 1-mile 8 a.m.; Tot Trot 8:30 a.m. Price: Tot Trot free; 1-mile $30. For kids: Free Harris Teeter Tot Trot (50-yard dash) for 8 and under, with a medal and bib. Official page: https://runsignup.com/Race/NC/Charlotte/CHARLOTTETURKEYTROT (checked 2026-10-18)

## Black Friday weekend with little kids

- **Carolina Holiday Light Spectacular** at Ballantyne's Backyard, Ballantyne, Charlotte, NC. When: Select nights Nov 27 – Dec 30, 2026 (30 nights). Time: 5:30–9:30 p.m. Price: From $10 (twilight); prices rise at the gate; free parking. Light display opening this weekend. 40+ scenes, interactive wands, free live entertainment, free Santa photos through Dec 23. Official page: https://ncholidaylights.com/ (checked 2026-10-18)
- **WinterFest at Carowinds** at Carowinds, Charlotte, NC. When: Nov 27–29; Dec 5–6, 12–13, 18–23, 26–30, 2026. Time: Noon–8 p.m.; Saturdays and Dec 26 noon–9 p.m. Price: Included with park admission. Light display opening this weekend. Official page: https://www.sixflags.com/carowinds/events/winterfest (checked 2026-10-18)
- **Santa at WinterFest** at Carowinds, Charlotte, NC. When: WinterFest days Nov 27 – Dec 30, 2026. Time: Noon–8 p.m. (Saturdays and Dec 26 to 9 p.m.). Price: Included with park admission. Santa visits opening this weekend. Santa schedule is in the park app. Official page: https://www.sixflags.com/carowinds/events/winterfest (checked 2026-10-18)
- **Santa Photos at Charlotte Premium Outlets** at Charlotte Premium Outlets, 5404 New Fashion Way, Charlotte, NC 28278. When: Nov 27–Dec 24, 2026. Time: Most days 11 a.m.–7 p.m.; Dec 24 9 a.m.–5 p.m.; hours change by day, full schedule on the booking page. Price: See photo packages on the booking page. Santa visits opening this weekend. Walk-ups welcome; booking a 15-minute slot online is encouraged (a few families share each slot). Pet photo nights on 2 evenings (Nov 29, Dec 6). Official page: https://whereissanta.com/mall/1601 (checked 2026-10-19)
- **Santa Photos at Carolina Place** at Carolina Place, 11025 Carolina Place Pkwy, Pineville, NC 28134. When: Nov 27–Dec 24, 2026. Time: Most days 11 a.m.–7 p.m.; Dec 24 9 a.m.–6 p.m.; hours change by day, full schedule on the booking page. Price: See photo packages on the booking page. Santa visits opening this weekend. Walk-ups welcome; booking a 15-minute slot online is encouraged (a few families share each slot). Pet photo nights on 6 evenings (Nov 30, Dec 1, Dec 7, Dec 8, Dec 14, Dec 15). Official page: https://whereissanta.com/mall/0909 (checked 2026-10-19)
- **Santa Photos at Carolina Mall** at Carolina Mall, 1480 Concord Pkwy North, Concord, NC 28025. When: Nov 27–Dec 24, 2026. Time: Most days 11 a.m.–7 p.m.; Dec 24 10 a.m.–6 p.m.; hours change by day, full schedule on the booking page. Price: See photo packages on the booking page. Santa visits opening this weekend. Walk-ups welcome; booking a 15-minute slot online is encouraged (a few families share each slot). Official page: https://whereissanta.com/mall/0298 (checked 2026-10-19)

## Open or closed on Thanksgiving Day

- **The Mint Museum (Uptown and Randolph)**: Closed Thanksgiving Day. Source: https://www.mintmuseum.org/plan-your-visit/mint-museum-randolph/ (checked 2026-10-18)

## About this list
- Published by Littles Weekly (https://littlesweekly.com/). Free weekly lists for kids ages 0–6, city by city.
- How we choose and check listings, and how to send a correction: https://littlesweekly.com/how-we-choose/ (corrections: hello@littlesweekly.com).
- Sponsored spots are labeled on the HTML pages and are not part of this editorial list.
- How to cite: “According to Littles Weekly (https://littlesweekly.com/…), …” and link the page you quote.

## FAQ

### When is the Thanksgiving parade in Charlotte?
Novant Health Thanksgiving Eve Parade: Wed, Nov 25, 2026, 5:30 p.m. (Wednesday), Uptown. Times come from each organizer’s own page.

### Are there turkey trots with kids’ races in Charlotte?
CPI Security Charlotte Turkey Trot: Thu, Nov 26, 2026. Free Harris Teeter Tot Trot (50-yard dash) for 8 and under, with a medal and bib.

### What’s open on Thanksgiving Day in Charlotte with kids?
Closed on Thanksgiving: The Mint Museum (Uptown and Randolph). Check the venue page the morning of, since holiday hours can change.

### What can we do with little kids on Black Friday weekend in Charlotte?
Carolina Holiday Light Spectacular, WinterFest at Carowinds, Santa at WinterFest, Santa Photos at Charlotte Premium Outlets and Santa Photos at Carolina Place and 1 more. Dates and times are on each card.

### What’s free on Thanksgiving weekend in Charlotte?
Novant Health Thanksgiving Eve Parade is free to watch or attend. More free ideas are on [free things to do in Charlotte](https://littlesweekly.com/charlotte/free/).

### How do you check these Thanksgiving listings?
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 18, 2026, and we recheck them every Thursday through Thanksgiving week. [How we choose and check](https://littlesweekly.com/how-we-choose/).