One of the holiday season’s most exciting activities is the annual holiday parades that make their way down main streets across the country. You’re in luck if you are looking for Christmas parades. Charlotte, NC has a range of local parades, including wholesome community gatherings and spectacular celebrations. There is even a Thanksgiving parade and several boat parades to check out!
We have gathered a list of the best parades in the Charlotte area, kicking off with the area’s oldest parade, Concord’s historic annual parade. We also have the annual Novant Health Thanksgiving Eve Parade listed, one that you will not want to miss!
You will not want to miss all the dancers, marching bands, parade floats, and even Santa at these parades.
2026 Christmas Parades Near Charlotte at a Glance
Take the kids to the 98th Concord Christmas Parade, one of the oldest continuously running Christmas parades in North Carolina! Wholesome family fun with floats, bands and holiday cheer along Church Street, Buffalo Avenue and Union Street.
🎟️ Cost: Free
📍 Location: Concord Christmas Parade Route, Church Street N & Lake Concord Road, Concord, NC
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The City of Monroe (formerly the Union County Christmas Parade) now runs this parade through historic downtown Monroe. New this year: a Sensory Area, a quieter stretch near E. Jefferson and N. Church Street for guests with sensory sensitivities.
📍 Location: Monroe Christmas Parade Route, Monroe, NC
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Area first responders kick off the 82nd Annual Mooresville Christmas Parade at 3 pm with lights and sirens, and the rest of the parade follows around 3:30 pm along Main Street with floats, marching bands, the Grinch and Santa! Wear green for the Grinch or red for Santa.
🎟️ Cost: Free
📍 Location: Mooresville Christmas Parade Route, Main Street, Mooresville, NC
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One of the most fabulous parades of the year in Charlotte, the 80th Annual Thanksgiving Eve Parade is a spectacle of sight and sound through Uptown Charlotte that families have loved for generations.
📍 Location: Uptown Charlotte, Charlotte, NC
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Belmont’s Christmas Parade marches through historic downtown with festive floats, vintage cars, area school marching bands and Santa Claus himself, starting on S. Main Street, along Catawba Street to Dwight Frady Fields.
📍 Location: Main & Catawba Street, Belmont, NC
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Celebrate the season at the 79th Annual Fort Mill Christmas Parade in Historic Downtown Fort Mill, a festive morning of colorful floats, marching bands, holiday music and Christmas cheer.
📍 Location: Fort Mill Christmas Parade Route, Fort Mill, SC
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Enjoy this Charlotte-area Christmas parade through the Town of Davidson! For 2026 the parade follows a shorter alternate route (a little less than 1 mile) because of NCDOT road construction on Hwy. 115. The Merry Main Street Tricycle Race follows on Main Street in front of the Town Green.
📍 Location: Davidson Christmas Parade Route, Davidson, NC
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Over 100 floats, live performances and an appearance by Santa as he arrives in Kings Mountain for the holiday season! The parade fills the downtown streets from Deal Street to Railroad Avenue.
📍 Location: Kings Mountain Christmas Parade Route, Deal Street to Railroad Avenue, Kings Mountain, NC
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Mount Holly’s annual Christmas Parade moves down Central Avenue and Main Street in historic downtown with magical and creative displays of Christmas spirit for spectators of all ages. Grab a bite at a local restaurant before the parade!
🎟️ Cost: Free
📍 Location: Mount Holly Christmas Parade Route, W. Central Avenue & S. Main Street, Mount Holly, NC
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Get into the holiday spirit at Indian Trail’s Annual Christmas Parade with festive floats, marching bands and Santa Claus! The town’s free Winterfest follows at Chestnut Square Park from 6 to 9 pm.
🎟️ Cost: Free
📍 Location: Indian Trail Road, Indian Trail, NC
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Ring in the season with the Town of Mint Hill! The parade travels from Bain School down Matthews Mint Hill Road, then head to Town Hall for food trucks, entertainment and the tree lighting — Santa will stop by to see the kids!
📍 Location: Mint Hill Town Hall, 4430 Mint Hill Village Ln, Mint Hill, NC 28227
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The Mint Hill Christmas Parade travels from Bain School down Matthews Mint Hill Road to Publix. The annual tree lighting follows at Town Hall with food trucks, entertainment and a visit from Santa!
📍 Location: Mint Hill Christmas Parade Route, Matthews Mint Hill Road, Mint Hill, NC
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Christmas in the City brings holiday fun to the Rotary Centennial Pavilion and downtown Gastonia, including the Gastonia Christmas Parade.
📍 Location: Rotary Centennial Pavilion, Gastonia, NC
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A holiday parade after dark! Colorful lighted floats and marching bands travel down Laureate Way and West Avenue in downtown Kannapolis, one of few nighttime holiday parades in North Carolina.
📍 Location: Kannapolis Christmas Parade Route, Laureate Way & West Avenue, Kannapolis, NC
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Hosted by the Lake Wylie Chamber of Commerce at Papa Doc’s Shore Club, this festive boat parade has prizes for 1st-3rd Place, Most Creative and Holiday Spirit.
📍 Location: Papa Doc’s Shore Club, 3990 Charlotte Highway, Lake Wylie, SC
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Waxhaw’s Annual Christmas Parade fills Downtown Waxhaw with school marching bands, 70+ business and community floats and a special guest from the North Pole!
📍 Location: Waxhaw Christmas Parade Route, Waxhaw, NC
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Lake Norman’s Lighted Christmas Boat Parade is a festive holiday tradition on the water.
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Holiday and Christmas Parades Near Charlotte, NC
98th Concord Christmas Parade
Saturday, November 21, 2026 at 2:30 pm
If you are looking for those warm, fuzzy feelings around the holidays, then you have to take your kids to the Concord Christmas Parade! This parade is perfect for younger kids and families who are looking for wholesome family fun, and is one of the oldest parades in the area!
Monroe Christmas Parade (formerly the Union County Christmas Parade)
Sunday, November 22, 2026 at 2 pm
The City of Monroe now runs this parade through historic downtown Monroe. New this year, the route includes a Sensory Area, a quieter stretch for guests with sensory sensitivities, near the corner of E. Jefferson and N. Church Street.
82nd Annual Mooresville Christmas Parade
Tuesday, November 24, 2026 at 3 pm
Area first responders kick things off at 3 pm, and the rest of the parade follows at around 3:30 pm along Main Street in downtown Mooresville.
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80th Annual Novant Health Thanksgiving Eve Parade
Wednesday, November 25, 2026 at 5:30 pm
One of the most fabulous Charlotte, NC parades of the year, the annual Thanksgiving Eve Parade is something you have to see and fall in love with!
Belmont Christmas Parade
Tuesday, December 1, 2026 at 3 pm
Kings Mountain Christmas Parade
Saturday, December 5, 2026 at 3 pm
Mint Hill Christmas Parade
Saturday, December 5, 2026 at 5:30 pm
The annual tree lighting will follow the parade!
Fort Mill Christmas Parade
Saturday, December 5, 2026 at 11 am
44th Annual North Mecklenburg Holiday Parade
Saturday, December 5, 2026 at 1 pm
Enjoy this Charlotte Christmas parade through the Town of Davidson! For 2026, the town says the parade will follow a shorter alternate route (a little less than 1 mile) because of NCDOT road construction on Hwy. 115.
Mount Holly Annual Christmas Parade
Saturday, December 5, 2026 at 3 pm
Indian Trail Christmas Parade
Saturday, December 5, 2026 at 4 pm
The parade runs 4 to 6 pm on Indian Trail Road, followed by the town’s free Winterfest at Chestnut Square Park from 6 to 9 pm.
Christmas in the City: Gastonia Christmas Parade
Sunday, December 6, 2026; Christmas in the City runs 4:30 to 7:30 pm
Kannapolis Christmas Parade
Saturday, December 12, 2026 at 6 pm
Lake Wylie Holiday Boat Parade
Saturday, December 12, 2026 at 6:30 pm
Hosted by the Lake Wylie Chamber of Commerce at Papa Doc’s Shore Club in Lake Wylie, SC.
Waxhaw Christmas Parade
Sunday, December 13, 2026 at 3 pm
Lake Norman Lighted Christmas Boat Parade
Saturday, December 19th, 2026 5 pm
Toys for Tots Christmas Flotilla Parade
Lake Norman Yacht Club
2026 date TBA
Charlotte Christmas Parade FAQ
When is the Charlotte Christmas parade in 2026?
Uptown Charlotte’s big holiday parade is the Novant Health Thanksgiving Eve Parade. Its 80th edition is Wednesday, November 25, 2026. The parade site says step-off is 5:30 pm on Tryon Street, starting at 9th Street and ending at Good Samaritan Way.
Is the Thanksgiving Eve Parade free?
Yes. According to the parade’s FAQ, you don’t need a ticket to watch. Bring your own chairs and watch for free on Tryon Street from 9th Street to Brooklyn Village Ave. Tickets are only for the VIP seating section.
Which Christmas parade near Charlotte is the oldest?
The City of Concord says the Concord Christmas Parade is one of the oldest continuously running Christmas parades in North Carolina. The 98th parade is Saturday, November 21, 2026 at 2:30 pm.
Is there a sensory-friendly Christmas parade near Charlotte?
New for 2026, the Monroe Christmas Parade route includes a Sensory Area, a quieter stretch for guests with sensory sensitivities. The parade is Sunday, November 22, 2026 at 2 pm.
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