Thanksgiving in Charlotte brought together community traditions, holiday events and plenty of local dining options in 2025. Residents and visitors could begin the celebration with the annual Uptown parade, participate in a Thanksgiving morning race or explore seasonal attractions opening throughout the weekend.

This guide reflects events and dining options offered for Thanksgiving 2025. Dates, prices and availability have since changed.

Charlotte Thanksgiving Events in 2025

Novant Health Thanksgiving Eve Parade

The 79th annual Novant Health Thanksgiving Eve Parade took place in Uptown Charlotte on Wednesday, November 26, 2025.

The parade stepped off at 5:30 p.m. along Tryon Street, beginning at 9th Street and ending at Good Samaritan Way. Free public viewing was available along the route, while the live WCCB broadcast began at 6 p.m.

Review the archived route and event information through the official Thanksgiving Eve Parade website.

Charlotte Turkey Trot in SouthPark

The CPI Security Charlotte Turkey Trot returned to SouthPark on Thanksgiving morning, Thursday, November 27, 2025.

The event included an 8K, 5K, one-mile run and tot trot, giving participants several ways to take part. Race activities began during the morning before most Thanksgiving gatherings.

Visit the Charlotte Turkey Trot website for information about the annual event.

Holidays at the Garden

Holidays at the Garden opened at Daniel Stowe Conservancy on Friday, November 28, 2025, the day after Thanksgiving. The seasonal event continued on select evenings through December 27.

Visitors could explore illuminated pathways, fountains and holiday displays at the Gardens at Stowe in Belmont. The attraction generally operated from 5 to 10 p.m. on scheduled evenings.

See the archived 2025 Holidays at the Garden guide for additional details.

Light the Knights at Truist Field

Light the Knights opened at Truist Field on Wednesday, November 26, 2025, and continued through January 4, 2026.

The seasonal festival included holiday lights, ice skating, snow tubing, entertainment and local vendors. Admission prices and activity availability varied by date.

A Note About the NoDaHood Holiday Market

The NoDaHood Holiday Market at Divine Barrel Brewing took place on Saturday, November 15, 2025, from noon to 5 p.m.

Because the market occurred before this article’s November 19 publication date, it was no longer an upcoming Thanksgiving activity when the original guide went live. It has therefore been removed from the primary event recommendations.

Thanksgiving Dining in Charlotte

Several Charlotte restaurants offered special menus on Thanksgiving Day in 2025. Reservations were recommended, and menu prices generally excluded taxes, gratuities and optional beverages.

Church and Union

Church and Union in Uptown offered a three-course Thanksgiving menu from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. The 2025 price was listed at $70 per adult and $30 for children 12 and younger.

La Belle Helene

La Belle Helene offered a French-inspired three-course Thanksgiving menu in Uptown. The 2025 menu was priced at $75 per adult and $30 for children 12 and younger.

Steak 48

Steak 48 in SouthPark opened from noon to 9 p.m. It offered its regular menu along with Thanksgiving dishes such as roasted turkey, stuffing, cranberry sauce and seasonal sides.

Napa Restaurants

Participating Napa locations offered a three-course Thanksgiving menu for $60 per person. Individual locations, reservation times and menu selections varied.

These offerings were reported in a 2025 Charlotte Thanksgiving dining guide. Holiday menus change annually, so diners should always confirm directly with the restaurant.

Thanksgiving Takeout and Preorders

Charlotte-area restaurants also offered prepared meals, smoked meats, sides and desserts for pickup before Thanksgiving Day.

• Improper Pig: Offered a family-style smoked turkey meal with sides. The 2025 ordering deadline was November 21, with pickup available November 25 and 26.
• Midwood Smokehouse: Accepted preorders for smoked meats and holiday sides through November 21.
• Reid’s Fine Foods: Accepted Thanksgiving orders through November 23, with pickup before the holiday.
• Chef Alyssa’s Kitchen: Offered seasonal sides and desserts with a November 20 preorder deadline.
• City Barbeque: Offered ready-to-serve packages with smoked turkey or ham for groups of different sizes.

Preorder deadlines frequently arrived several days before Thanksgiving. Customers needed to confirm pickup instructions, reheating requirements and cancellation policies when ordering.

Planning for Thanksgiving Weekend in Charlotte

Holiday events and restaurant reservations can fill quickly. A few planning steps helped make the weekend easier:

• Purchase event tickets or register for races in advance
• Confirm Thanksgiving Day restaurant hours directly
• Review parade parking and public transportation options
• Check outdoor event policies in case of rain
• Place takeout orders before the published deadline
• Allow additional travel time around Uptown and SouthPark

Frequently Asked Questions

When was Thanksgiving in 2025?
Thanksgiving fell on Thursday, November 27, 2025.

When was the 2025 Thanksgiving Eve Parade?
The Uptown Charlotte parade took place Wednesday, November 26. It stepped off at 5:30 p.m., followed by a live television broadcast at 6 p.m.

Was the Charlotte Turkey Trot held on Thanksgiving Day?
Yes. The 2025 Charlotte Turkey Trot took place in SouthPark on the morning of November 27.

Was the NoDaHood Holiday Market part of Thanksgiving weekend?
No. The 2025 market occurred November 15, nearly two weeks before Thanksgiving.

Were reservations required for Thanksgiving dining?
Policies varied, but reservations were strongly recommended for restaurants offering fixed Thanksgiving menus. Takeout meals generally required advance ordering.

Celebrating Life in Charlotte

From the Thanksgiving Eve Parade and Turkey Trot to local dining and holiday lights, Charlotte offered several ways to celebrate Thanksgiving in 2025.

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