--- title: Thanksgiving Week in Charlotte With Kids (2026) description: Discover Hall Family Farm in Lancaster, SC, where delicious apple cider donuts and family fun await. Plan your visit for the best experience. image: https://www.thecharlottesprout.com/hubfs/Copy%20of%20Copy%20of%20Events%20226%20-%2031.png --- [Go Back Up](https://www.thecharlottesprout.com/the-charlotte-sprout-blog/thanksgiving-week-in-charlotte-with-kids-2026#top) [Skip to Content](https://www.thecharlottesprout.com/the-charlotte-sprout-blog/thanksgiving-week-in-charlotte-with-kids-2026#body) - ![ChatGPT Image Oct 20, 2025, 09\_53\_40 PM](https://www.thecharlottesprout.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Logos/ChatGPT%20Image%20Oct%2020%2c%202025%2c%2009_53_40%20PM.png?width=1536&height=1024&name=ChatGPT%20Image%20Oct%2020%2c%202025%2c%2009_53_40%20PM.png) Toggle Menu - [Home](https://www.thecharlottesprout.com) - [About](https://www.thecharlottesprout.com/about) Toggle children for About Main Menu (Press to Return) \> About - [Past Issues](https://www.thecharlottesprout.com/past-issues) - [Contact](https://www.thecharlottesprout.com/contact-us) - [Gift Guide](https://www.thecharlottesprout.com/charlotte-sprout-gift-guide) - [This Week](https://www.thecharlottesprout.com/events-this-week) - [Pregnancy & Newborns](https://www.thecharlottesprout.com/the-charlotte-sprout-blog?tags=Pregnancy+and+Newborns) Toggle children for Pregnancy & Newborns Main Menu (Press to Return) \> Pregnancy & Newborns - [Getting Out of the House with a Baby](https://www.thecharlottesprout.com/the-charlotte-sprout-blog/the-charlotte-baby-playgroups-actually-worth-getting-dressed-for) - [Baby Registry Advice](https://www.thecharlottesprout.com/the-charlotte-sprout-blog/the-baby-registry-list-i-wish-id-had-the-first-time) - [Childcare Guide & Research Template](https://www.thecharlottesprout.com/the-charlotte-sprout-blog/free-charlotte-childcare-guide-daycare-research-template) - [Where to Deliver](https://www.thecharlottesprout.com/the-charlotte-sprout-blog/where-to-deliver-in-charlotte-a-completely-unscientific-crowdsourced-guide) - [Toddlers & Preschoolers](https://www.thecharlottesprout.com/the-charlotte-sprout-blog?tags=Toddlers+and+Preschoolers) Toggle children for Toddlers & Preschoolers Main Menu (Press to Return) \> Toddlers & Preschoolers - [What We Love](https://www.thecharlottesprout.com/the-charlotte-sprout-blog?tags=What+We+Love) - [Where We've Been](https://www.thecharlottesprout.com/the-charlotte-sprout-blog?tags=Places+to+Go) - Guides Toggle children for Guides Main Menu (Press to Return) \> Guides - [Fall Farm & Festival Guides](https://www.thecharlottesprout.com/fall-farm-and-festival-guides) - [Rainy Day Survival Guide](https://www.thecharlottesprout.com/the-charlotte-sprout-blog/rainy-day-guide) - [Indoor Play Spaces Guide](https://www.thecharlottesprout.com/the-charlotte-sprout-blog/a-parents-guide-to-indoor-play-spaces-around-charlotte) - [Daylight Savings Time Guide](https://www.thecharlottesprout.com/the-charlotte-sprout-blog/daylight-saving-time-prep-your-survival-guide) - [Subscribe](https://www.thecharlottesprout.com/grow-with-us) - [Blog](https://www.thecharlottesprout.com/the-charlotte-sprout-blog) - [Changing Tables](https://www.thecharlottesprout.com/charlotte-area-changing-tables) [back to blog](https://www.thecharlottesprout.com/the-charlotte-sprout-blog) # Thanksgiving Week in Charlotte With Kids (2026) Nov 11, 2026, 2:56:00 PM • Written by: Emily Share article [mailto:?subject=Thanksgiving%20Week%20in%20Charlotte%20With%20Kids%20%282026%29&body=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.thecharlottesprout.com%2Fthe-charlotte-sprout-blog%2Fthanksgiving-week-in-charlotte-with-kids-2026](mailto:?subject=Thanksgiving%20Week%20in%20Charlotte%20With%20Kids%20%282026%29&body=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.thecharlottesprout.com%2Fthe-charlotte-sprout-blog%2Fthanksgiving-week-in-charlotte-with-kids-2026)   Thanksgiving is almost here, and there is actually a lot happening around Charlotte for little kids. I pulled together the turkey trots, Friendsgiving events, ways to give back and a few things to do once everyone is ready to start talking about Christmas. Here’s what’s happening from November 17 through Thanksgiving weekend. ### Tuesday, November 17: Panthers and Charlotte FC Tree Lighting A stage show, a 50-foot Christmas tree and a free night Uptown. The only catch? You need a mobile ticket to get through the door, so grab yours ahead of time. - **Where:** Bank of America Stadium - **Neighborhood:** Uptown - **Time:** Gates open 5:30pm, ceremony 6:30pm, tree lighting 7pm - **Best for:** All ages - **Parent tip:** Entry requires a mobile ticket, so don't wait until you're standing outside the stadium to figure that out. - **Cost:** Free - [**Get Tickets**](https://www.panthers.com/treelighting2026) ### Wednesday, November 18: Friendsgiving Storytime A Friendsgiving that actually works for the toddler crowd. South Boulevard Library is turning family storytime into a little Thanksgiving celebration with activities, a Friendsgiving feast and a puppet show. - **Where:** South Boulevard Library - **Neighborhood:** South Boulevard - **Time:** 10am to 11am - **Best for:** Families - **Parent tip:** A particularly cute one if you have more than one little kid to entertain. - **Cost:** Free - [**See Details**](https://cmlibrary.bibliocommons.com/v2/events/6ae37d6c9dbc2b002c91ee7f) ## Thursday, November 19: Mecklenburg Interfaith Friendsgiving A community Friendsgiving that's a little different from the usual neighborhood potluck. MeckMIN is bringing together people of different faiths, cultures and traditions for an evening that's described as family-friendly. - **Where:** Heaton Hall at Myers Park Covenant Church - **Neighborhood:** Myers Park - **Time:** 6pm to 8pm - **Best for:** Families - **Parent tip:** Registration is required. Tickets are $25, $15 or $5, and no one is turned away for lack of funds. - **Cost:** Sliding scale, $5–$25 - [**Get Tickets**](https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/mecklenburg-interfaith-friendsgiving) ## Saturday, November 21: Common Heart's Great Turkey Countdown A very good way to spend a Saturday if your family wants to do some good before Thanksgiving arrives. Common Heart volunteers deliver Thanksgiving groceries to families in Union County, Matthews and Mint Hill, including a turkey, potatoes and nonperishable sides. - **Where:** Deliveries across Union County, Matthews and Mint Hill - **Neighborhood:** Matthews, Mint Hill and Union County - **Time:** Saturday, November 21 - **Best for:** Grownups - **Parent tip:** The volunteer page doesn't list a minimum age, so I'd check before signing up with kids. - **Cost:** Free - [**Volunteer Here**](https://serve.commonheart.org/acts/console.php?console_id=0386&console_type=event_list&ht=1&event_id=427) ## Tuesday, November 24: Preschool Friendsgiving Tea Party Your preschooler gets a Friendsgiving, a tea party and an excuse to bring their favorite stuffed animal. Pineville Library is filling its regular preschool series with party games, "tea," snacks, stories and drama activities. - **Where:** Pineville Library - **Neighborhood:** Pineville - **Time:** 2pm to 2:45pm - **Best for:** Ages 3 to 5, with a parent or caregiver - **Parent tip:** It's limited to the first 20 families, so grab a storytime ticket at the front desk 15 minutes before. Snacks are provided, and you can bring your own pre-packaged snack if allergies are a concern. - **Cost:** Free - [**See Details**](https://cmlibrary.bibliocommons.com/v2/events/6a79f07ce30fe48459685a1d) ## Wednesday, November 25: Novant Health Thanksgiving Eve Parade It's the 80th year of Charlotte's Thanksgiving Eve Parade, so we're talking floats, balloons, marching bands, dance teams and nationally known recording artists making their way down Tryon Street. It happens rain or shine, and with no school Wednesday, the 5:30pm start time feels a lot more manageable for families. - **Where:** Tryon Street, from 9th Street to Good Samaritan Way - **Neighborhood:** Uptown - **Time:** Steps off at 5:30pm - **Best for:** All ages - **Parent tip:** The parade recommends taking the LYNX Blue Line or CityLYNX Gold Line, which could save you the headache of parking Uptown. - **Cost:** Free - [**Show Up**](https://www.novanthealththanksgivingparade.com/parade-info) ## A Friendsgiving idea you can do at home Not every Friendsgiving needs to involve a giant table, six hours of cooking and somebody asking where the good serving spoon went. **Invite a couple of families, make the kids' table the main event, have each family bring one side, and let the kids decorate place cards or a paper tablecloth.** Much less work than hosting Thanksgiving for 14 people, and they still get their own little Thanksgiving dinner with friends. ## Thursday, November 26: Pick Your Turkey Trot Thanksgiving morning is apparently Charlotte's favorite time to put on running shoes. There are a surprising number of options this year, including several with free kids' races. #### Charlotte Turkey Trot The big one. Charlotte's Turkey Trot has been a Thanksgiving morning tradition for 38 years, and the best part for little kids is the **free Tot Trot for ages 8 and under**, complete with a bib and medal. There's also a 1-mile, 5K and 8K, plus a costume contest, coffee trucks, Harris Teeter snacks and a beer garden for the grownups. They're also collecting new toys for the CMPD Explorers Christmas Project, so you can bring a little something along while you're at it. - **Where:** SouthPark Mall - **Neighborhood:** SouthPark - **Time:** 1 mile at 8am, 8K at 8:10am, Tot Trot at 8:30am, 5K at 9:10am - **Best for:** Kids 8 and under, especially the Tot Trot - **Parent tip:** Packet pickup is available at nine locations, including Birkdale, Fort Mill, Matthews, Myers Park, Pineville and Waverly, so you don't have to make an extra SouthPark trip on Thanksgiving morning. - **Cost:** Tot Trot is free for kids 8 and under. 1 mile is $35, or free for kids 8 and under. 5K and 8K are $55, with a $50 price for ages 18 and under. Prices increase after November 21. - [**Register Here**](https://runsignup.com/Race/NC/Charlotte/CHARLOTTETURKEYTROT) #### Turkey Dash Charlotte A 4-mile run/walk and a 1-mile fun run/walk, plus a whole Family Village with bounce houses and other activities. It's also a nice option for stroller people because strollers are welcome. The event benefits the Changing Lives Together Foundation, which supports Charlotte kids with special needs and serious medical conditions. - **Where:** Village at Robinson Farm - **Neighborhood:** South Charlotte, Rea Road - **Time:** 4 mile at 8:30am, 1 mile at 9:30am - **Best for:** Families with strollers - **Parent tip:** The kid riding in the stroller doesn't need a bib. Start toward the back if you're pushing one. Dogs aren't allowed. - **Cost:** 4 mile $49, 1 mile $35 - [**Register Here**](https://runsignup.com/Race/NC/Charlotte/TurkeyDashCharlotte) #### University City Turkey Trot A smaller neighborhood option with a 5K and a 1K kids' fun run. Kids get guaranteed finisher medals, and there's also a costume contest, music and a post-race feast. - **Where:** 3024 Prosperity Church Road - **Neighborhood:** University City - **Time:** 5K at 8am, kids' 1K at 8:45am - **Best for:** Kids who care more about the medal than the miles - **Parent tip:** There's no race-day packet pickup. Pick up your packet at Run For Your Life University on Saturday, November 21 or Wednesday, November 25. - **Cost:** $50 plus a $4 signup fee - [**Register Here**](https://www.givesignup.org/Race/Events/NC/Charlotte/UniversityCityTurkeyTrot5K) #### NorthStone Turkey Trot This one is hard to beat on price. There's a **free kids' fun run for ages 7 and under**, and every kid gets a medal. There's also a free untimed 5K if you want to get some miles in without paying for a timing chip. All proceeds benefit A Giving Spirit Foundation. - **Where:** NorthStone Country Club - **Neighborhood:** Huntersville - **Time:** Kids fun run at 8am, 5K at 8:30am - **Best for:** Kids 7 and under - **Parent tip:** Race-day registration is available for the free untimed 5K and kids' fun run, but not for timed entries. - **Cost:** Kids fun run free, or $12 with a shirt. Untimed 5K free, timed 5K $20. - [**Sign Up**](https://runsignup.com/Race/NC/Huntersville/Lincolnton) #### Angels & Sparrows Thanksgiving Family 5K This one sounds less like a race and more like a Thanksgiving morning party, which honestly may be the better option for families with little kids. It's the 15th year of the event, with coffee, hot chocolate and donuts before the race. Strollers, walkers and dogs are welcome, and it benefits Angels & Sparrows, which supports local families. - **Where:** Fleet Feet, Birkdale Village - **Neighborhood:** Huntersville - **Time:** Festivities start at 7am, race at 8am - **Best for:** Families with strollers - **Parent tip:** Strollers, walkers and dogs start toward the back. Park in the movie theater lot. - **Cost:** $25, kids under 6 free - [**Register Here**](https://www.eventbrite.com/e/angels-sparrows-thanksgiving-family-5k-celebrating-15-years-registration-1993766600573) #### Davidson Turkey Trot A Thanksgiving morning 5K through downtown Davidson that supports local and regional nonprofits. - **Where:** Davidson Village Green, race village at 119 South Main Street - **Neighborhood:** Davidson - **Time:** 5K at 8am - **Best for:** Grownups and older kids - **Parent tip:** There isn't a separate kids' race, and registration is capped, so don't wait too long if this is your pick. - **Cost:** $45 plus signup fee - [**Register Here**](https://runsignup.com/Race/NC/Davidson/DavidsonTurkeyTrot) #### The Turkey Trot at MillBridge This Waxhaw Thanksgiving tradition has a 5K plus a **free Kids' Turkey Dash for kids under 10** before the main race. Donations support Special Olympics. - **Where:** MillBridge, 1401 MillBridge Parkway - **Neighborhood:** Waxhaw - **Time:** Kids' Turkey Dash at 7:30am, 5K at 8am - **Best for:** Kids under 10 - **Parent tip:** The Kids' Turkey Dash starts across from the Community House. Online registration closes Wednesday, November 25 at 11:59pm. - **Cost:** Kids' Turkey Dash free, 5K $30 plus fees - [**Sign Up**](https://raceroster.com/events/2026/165360/the-turkey-trot-at-millbridge) ### The Sprout's picks for little kids **Best overall family vibe: Angels & Sparrows** Coffee, hot chocolate, donuts, strollers and dogs welcome, plus kids under 6 are free. This feels like the easiest one to turn into a fun Thanksgiving morning instead of convincing a toddler that running is a fun family activity. **Best for toddlers: Charlotte Turkey Trot** The Tot Trot is free for kids 8 and under, and they get a bib and a medal. You really can't beat that. **Best bargain: NorthStone** A free kids' race, a medal and even a free untimed 5K for the grownups. Hard to argue with that. ## Friday, November 27: Start Christmas Because apparently we go straight from turkey to Christmas around here. #### Light the Knights If your family is ready to move straight from turkey to Christmas, this is one of the big ones. Truist Field turns into a holiday playground with more than 250,000 lights, ice skating, snow tubing and a holiday market. - **Where:** Truist Field - **Neighborhood:** Uptown - **Best for:** Families who want a full Christmas outing - **Parent tip:** You can buy an admission-only ticket or an all-activities ticket if your kids want to skate and snow tube. - **Cost:** Varies by ticket - [**See Details & Tickets**](https://www.milb.com/charlotte-knights/ballpark/christmas) #### OMB Weihnachtsmarkt This one is basically Christmas in a German beer garden, but make it family-friendly. Olde Mecklenburg Brewery's Weihnachtsmarkt returns for four weekends, with open-air booths selling gifts and baked goods. It runs at **both OMB locations**, so you can pick whichever is closer to you. - **Where:** OMB LoSo, 4150 Yancey Road, or OMB Ballantyne, 15025 Bowl Street - **When:** November 27–29, December 4–6, December 11–13 and December 18–20 - **Best for:** Families who want to wander around, shop for gifts and eat something festive - **Parent tip:** The gravel at the Ballantyne location is absolutely disastrous for stroller wheels, so consider a wagon or baby carrier. - [**See Details**](https://www.ombbeer.com/) #### Carolina Holiday Light Spectacular Carolina Holiday Light Spectacular returns to Ballantyne's Backyard for its fifth year with a half-mile walking trail, 40+ scenes and more than a million lights. The path is paved and stroller-friendly, and there are live performances, Santa, food trucks, shopping and rides. Santa is scheduled to appear nightly through December 23, and photos with him are included with admission. And because I went last year, you don't have to take the event's word for it. [**Read my review →**](https://www.thecharlottesprout.com/the-charlotte-sprout-blog/carolina-holiday-lights-spectacular) - **Where:** Ballantyne's Backyard, 11611 N. Community House Road - **Neighborhood:** Ballantyne - **Time:** November 27–December 30, 5:30–9:30pm - **Best for:** Families who want a full holiday outing - **Parent tip:** The trail is stroller and wheelchair accessible, parking is free, and weekday or later-evening tickets are the cheapest. - **Cost:** Varies by night and ticket type - [**Get Tickets**](https://ncholidaylights.com/) ### Subscribe to the Sprout! 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