If you’re looking for things to do over Thanksgiving Break in Charlotte, NC, we have a list for you! Fall is a perfect time to enjoy some family fun, especially when school is out. Most schools in the area will observe Thanksgiving Break from November 25th, 2026 to November 27th, 2026. You can check our school calendar guide for your school district dates here.
Are you looking for restaurants that are open on Thanksgiving Day? Check out our 10+ Restaurants That Are Open on Thanksgiving list.
Events Happening Over Thanksgiving Break
Attend A Local Parade
November 25th, 2026
Novant Health will be putting on their annual Thanksgiving Eve Parade on November 25th, 2026. The parade will start at 5:30 pm and will begin at 9th Street in Uptown Charlotte. Find the best parking spot and learn more here.
Take A Family Walk/Run At The Turkey Trot 5K
Thursday, November 26th, 2026
The Charlotte Turkey Trot 5K was voted one of the best Turkey Trots in America. Organizers call it a Charlotte Thanksgiving tradition for the past 37 years. You can choose from an 8K, 5K, 1-mile fun run, and 50-yard Tot-Trot. This is a family-friendly event that you can run or walk. Register here for the race.
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Thanksgiving with the Raptors
November 27th, 2026, 11 am to 11:30 am
Keepers at the Carolina Raptor Center will share information about feeding raptors and how they build diets to keep their raptors healthy. You’ll get to watch the food be prepared and fed to the birds. Additionally, there will be Black Friday discounts in the gift shop.
Thanksgiving with the Raptors
Go See The Charlotte Checkers Play Hockey
November 27th and 28th, 2026
Charlotte’s hockey team, The Charlotte Checkers, will play at home on November 27th and November 28th, 2026 starting at 4 pm. The Saturday game is the Teddy Bear Toss, so bring a stuffed animal to throw on the ice after the Checkers’ first goal. The stuffed animals are donated to local non-profits. Learn more and grab tickets here.
Make a Free Christmas Car Ornament at Home Depot
Saturday, November 21st, 2026– FREE
Home Depot’s free Kids Workshop doesn’t land on Thanksgiving weekend this year, but on Saturday, November 21st, 2026 (the weekend before break) kids can visit Home Depot to build a Christmas car ornament. Decorate your tree or give it as the perfect gift! We’re telling you, Grandma is going to love this one!
Get all the details about these FREE Home Depot Kids Workshops.
Looking for more fun events in Charlotte, NC happening over break?
Check out our Charlotte, NC events calendar.
More Things to Do Over Thanksgiving Break in Charlotte
Go Ice Skating At The Whitewater Center
The Whitewater Center will open its ice skating rink in mid-November and they will be open on Thanksgiving Day from 4 pm to 10 pm.
You can enjoy ice skating, cask curling, and more! This is open to all ages and experience levels. We had such a blast skating here with our kids!
All the details! Ice Skating at the National Whitewater Center
Reedy Creek Nature Preserve
Visit this nature preserve. They have a playground, hiking trails, a nature center, and more.
Read our Kidding Around Reedy Creek Nature review.
Watch Airplanes Land & Play At CLT Airport Overlook
Spend the day running, sliding, jumping, and watching planes take off at The Charlotte Airport Overlook. This is a fun park where your kids can get their energy out and watch planes take-off and land. Read our Kidding Around Review of The Playground At CLT Airport Overlook.
Are you looking for another park in Charlotte, NC? Read our Best Playgrounds & Parks guide.
Check out The Kannapolis Christmas Lights
This annual event starts on November 13th, 2026 and runs through December 30th, 2026 (it’s closed on Thanksgiving Day). This event features over 250,000 lights and a beautiful Christmas tree throughout Village Park. Viewing the lights is totally FREE! You can even take a train ride through the park or ride the carousel for just a couple of dollars.
Read our Kidding Around Review of the Spectacular! Celebration of Lights: Kannapolis, NC.
🎅 Love holiday lights? Lots of displays in Charlotte open the week of Thanksgiving. Check out more places to see awesome holiday lights in Charlotte.
Visit with Santa and Get Your Photo Taken for FREE At Cabela’s & Bass Pro Shops
Cabela’s & Bass Pro Shops are offering a free visit with Santa and a complimentary 4×6 photo. Additionally, they will offer free games, activities, candy, and more.
Learn everything you need to know about visiting Santa at Cabela’s and Bass Pro Shops here in our review.
Make sure to make your reservation to visit Santa online.
- Bass Pro Shop Charlotte, NC: 8181 Concord Mills Boulevard, Concord, NC 28027
- Bass Pro Shop Fort Mill, SC: 1000 Cabelas Drive, Fort Mill, SC 29708
Visit Discovery Place Science Museum & Discovery Place Kids
Spend a day off school learning all about Science at the Discovery Place Science Museum and their sister properties. They have live demonstrations, learning labs, hands-on activities, and fun play spaces to explore. Although they are closed on Thanksgiving Day, they will be open all the other days of Thanksgiving break.
Read our Kidding Around review of Discovery Place Science Museum here.
Visit A Local Farm To See Animals
There are several farms in the Charlotte area for your family to explore, pet furry animals, pick pumpkins, and more.
Read our Charlotte farm guide to find a farm to visit this Thanksgiving Break.
Test Your Ninja Skills At Carolina Ninja Academy
Grab a gym pass and test your ninja skills at Carolina Ninja Academy in Huntersville, NC. This is a great way to move your body and learn more about Parkour. Read our Kidding Around review of Carolina Ninja Academy here.
Looking for more fun Fall things to do in Charlotte, NC?
Check out our Kidding Around Fall guide.
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