Novant Health Thanksgiving Day Parade
Downtown Charlotte
9th Street to Stonewall Street
November 22, 9:00am, All ages, Free, See website for details
Summary:The Charlotte Thanksgiving Parade started out in 1947 as a small-town community event. Now, 71 years later, it has grown to become the number one destination for folks who want to celebrate their family, friends and neighbors over the Thanksgiving holiday.
Last year’s parade consisted of over 18 floats, 12 larger than life balloons, 7 Segwalloons, 15 marching bands, and 11 performing acts. Appearances included Lexi Walker, Miss North Carolina, the United States Army Old Fife and Drum Corps, the cast of Carowinds’ Winterfest, and an appearance by Santa himself!
Tree Lightings
November 24
Kannapolis, 6:00pm-10:00pm, Village Park, 700 West C. Street
Cornelius, 4:00pm-7:00pm, Cornelius Town Hall, 21445 Catawba Avenue
Charlotte, 5:00pm-9:00pm, 400 E. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard
Charlotte, 5:30pm-7:00pm, 2000 South Boulevard
November 28
Mount Holly, 4:00pm parade, 5:30pm tree lighting, downtown Mount Holly
November 29
Fort Mill, 7:00pm, the Bandstand on Main Street
Uptown Charlotte, 5:30-7:30,E. 7th & N. Tryon
Mint Hill, 7:00pm-8:00pm, 4430 Mint Hill Village Lane
The Polar Express Train Ride
North Carolina Transportation Museum
411 S. Salisbury Ave, Spencer NC
November 16-December 23, See website for schedule and prices, Advanced ticket purchase only
Summary: Inspired by the hit movie, this holiday favorite comes to life as you and your family take a ride on The Polar Express
Winter Wonderland Skating Rink
Southpark Mall
4400 Sharon Road, Charlotte, NC
November 16-January 20, See website for schedule, All ages, $12-$17
Summary: Relish the magic of the season at SouthPark’s own Winter Wonderland, Charlotte’s newest open-air ice skating rink and ultimate holiday destination. Winter Wonderland’s ice skating rink features fun for the entire family including holiday lights and decor as well as attractions, such as Santa’s Pub.
WinterFest
Carowinds
300 Carowinds Blvd., Charlotte, NC
November 18-December 16, 5:00pm-10:00pm, All ages, $26-$47
Summary: Get a sneak peak of the Carolinas’ most sought-after holiday experience before anyone else! As a Gold, Platinum or Pre-K Passholder, you have the exclusive opportunity to attend Carowinds’ WinterFest Preview Night on Saturday, November 17 from 5pm-10pm.
Speedway Christmas
Charlotte Motor Speedway
5555 Concord Pkwy., S., Concord, NC
Summary: Speedway Christmas presented by Disconnect and Drive has returned to Charlotte Motor Speedway for the ninth edition of the holiday spectacular, and it’s bigger and better than ever! This year’s drive-through light show features more than 3.5 million lights over a remarkable, 3.75-mile course that includes most of the oval as well as the infield and the ROVAL™!
Discovery Place
301 N. Tryon Street, Charlotte, NC (704) 372-6261
Summary: Step into a world where science is brought to life through interactive exhibits and explosive experiments during daily programs. Connect with the past and visit the future with groundbreaking exhibitions, larger-than-life IMAX Dome films and hands on activities that let you explore more. Plan your visit today. Click on the links below for detailed information on special events, featured exhibitions, featured shows and IMAX.
Featured Exhibitions: For information on all exhibitions click here.
Featured Shows: For information on all featured shows click here.
IMAX: For information on all featured movies and showtimes click here.
Discovery Place Kids – Huntersville
105 Gilead Road, Huntersville, NC (704) 372-6261
Summary: Explore the theme of I CAN at Discovery Place KIDS-Huntersville. The children’s museum features developmentally-appropriate experiences that encourage imagination and offer the opportunity to build confidence while testing skills by trying new things. The exhibits, themed around a small town, allow children to learn through play.
Theme Areas: For a complete description of all nine theme areas click here.
Featured Shows: For a complete listing of all featured shows click here.
Current and Upcoming Events: For all current and upcoming events click here.
Charlotte Nature Museum
1658 Sterling Road, Charlotte, NC (704) 372-6261
Summary: Bring little ones for just an hour or the whole day and experience wildlife through live animal exhibits and interactive education programs. The Museum is easy to navigate with fun surprises around every corner. Kids can roam The Great Hall and visit Beginnings, an area filled with young animals and information on their lifecycles.
Featured Exhibitions: For complete details on exhibitions and exhibits click here.
Featured Shows: For a complete schedule of show times click here.
Carowinds
300 Carowinds Blvd., Charlotte, NC
See website for schedule and events
Explore: what’s new, calendar and hours, park map and directions
Play: rides and attractions, shows and entertainment, special events
Stay: camp wilderness, preferred hotels, special discounts, easy pay
Carolina Panthers
Bank of America Stadium
800 S Mint St, Charlotte, NC
2018 Schedule
Charlotte Checkers
Bojangles’ Coliseum
2700 E. Independence Blvd., Charlotte, NC
2018-19 Schedule
YMCA of Greater Charlotte Event Calendar
19 Locations throughout the Greater Charlotte Area
Summary: Most people know their neighborhood “Y” because of its incredible sports, camps and fitness programs but the “Y” has so much more to offer. Spend some time (it will take a while) on the website and learn about all the opportunities the “Y” provides. I promise, you will be amazed.
Free Wednesday Evenings At The Mint Museum
The Mint Museum – Randolph
2730 Randolph Road, Charlotte, NC
The Mint Museum – Uptown
500 S. Tryon Street, Charlotte, NC
Every Wednesday from 5:00pm – 9:00pm, All ages
Summary:Enjoy free access to both Mint Museum locations every Wednesday night.
Bank of America’s Museums On Us Day
Various locations around Charlotte
The first Sunday and Saturday of every month, All ages, Free
Summary: Now in its 20th year, this distinctive program offers Bank of America and Merrill Lynch credit and debit card holders the opportunity to visit more than 150 of the most popular cultural institutions in the United States free of charge on the first full weekend of every month.
ImaginON: The Joe & Joan Martin Center
300 E. 7th Street, Charlotte, NC (704) 416-4630
See website for hours of operation
Summary: This collaborative effort between the Charlotte Mecklenburg Library and Children’s Theatre of Charlotte is a 102,000-square-foot facility recently ranked by Livability.com as the No. 1 children’s library in the United States. ImaginOn features two state-of-the-art theaters, a dedicated library space for kids 11 and under, four multi-use classrooms, a teen-only library, a multimedia production studio, and interactive exhibit space.
Carolina Raptor Center
6000 Sample Road, Huntersville, NC (704) 875-6521
Summary: Carolina Raptor Center is dedicated to environmental stewardship and the conservation of birds of prey through education, research, and the rehabilitation of injured and orphaned raptors. As a charitable 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, CRC relies on public financial support to fulfill our mission. Supporters can release a raptor, adopt a bird, make a charitable donation, purchase a membership or sponsor a capital improvement project. CRC’s environmental education programs reach approximately 40,000 students each year. Our Raptor Trail hosts more than 35,000 visitors a year. Visit our calendar page for event times or just come and enjoy our nicely maintained trails and see all the amazing birds of prey.
The Schiele Museum of Natural History
1500 East Garrison Blvd, Gastonia, NC (704) 866-6900
Summary: The natural wonders of North America and North Carolina coupled with the rich history of our region are all reflected in The Schiele’s exceptional exhibitions and diverse programming. Whether you’re indoors or out, with the kids or your colleagues, by bringing you a lot closer to nature, The Schiele will bring you a little closer to yourself.
Featured Exhibits: For a complete listing click here
Planetarium: For a complete schedule click here
Events Calendar: For all events click here
