Things to do in Charlotte
Things to do in Charlotte, newest first: events, festivals, parks and family days out, with dates, times and the organizer's own link.
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Duke's Mayo Bowl in Charlotte Dec. 26: Big Ten vs. ACC
The 2026 Duke's Mayo Bowl kicks off at 3:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 26, at Bank of America Stadium, a Big Ten vs. ACC matchup. Tickets, parking, bag rules.
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Things to do
Things to do in Charlotte this month: November 2026
Charlotte Nov. 2 to Dec. 13: the Veterans Day parade Nov. 7, the marathon Nov. 14, the tree lighting Nov. 17, the Thanksgiving Eve Parade and Nutcracker.
Greenways
Parks and trails in Charlotte
Mecklenburg County runs Charlotte's parks: 290 parks, 85.5 miles of greenway and four nature centers. Little Sugar Creek Greenway runs 17 miles. Call 980-314-1000.
Fourth of July
Charlotte Fourth of July fireworks
Charlotte's 2026 July 4 show paired the Charlotte Symphony and the WBT SkyShow fireworks at Truist Field. 2027 plans are not out yet; this page will update.
Halloween
Charlotte trick-or-treat hours: 2026 over, 2027 is Oct. 31
Halloween 2026 has passed; Charlotte set no official trick-or-treat hours. Halloween 2027 is Sunday, Oct. 31, and this page is updated each fall with the hours.
Christmas
Charlotte tree lighting Nov. 17, Thanksgiving parade Nov. 25
Charlotte's stadium tree lighting is Tuesday, Nov. 17, free with a mobile ticket; the Thanksgiving Eve Parade steps off 5:30 p.m. Nov. 25 on Tryon Street.
Fall
Fall festivals near Charlotte: Rural Hill sheepdogs Nov. 14
Pumpkin season near Charlotte ended Oct. 31. Still ahead: Rural Hill's Sheepdog Trials and Dog Festival, Nov. 14-15 from 10 a.m. in Huntersville.
Halloween
Halloween in Charlotte 2026: SCarowinds last nights Nov. 6-7
Halloween 2026 in Charlotte is over except SCarowinds, which adds final nights Friday, Nov. 6, and Saturday, Nov. 7. Halloween 2027 is Sunday, Oct. 31.
Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving in Charlotte 2026: turkey trot, closings, trash
Thanksgiving 2026 in Charlotte: the Turkey Trot at SouthPark Mall Nov. 26 (fees rise after Nov. 21), county offices closed Nov. 26-27 and trash a day late.
Christmas
Holiday lights and Christmas events in Charlotte 2026
Holiday lights in Charlotte 2026: the stadium tree lighting Nov. 17, Speedway Christmas from Nov. 20, WinterFest from Nov. 27, Billy Graham Library Dec. 1-23.
New Year's Eve
New Year's Eve in Charlotte 2026: CLT NYE, fireworks, events
New Year's Eve 2026 in Charlotte: what we know about CLT NYE at Truist Field, family noon celebrations Dec. 31, and what is closed on Jan. 1.
Valentine's Day
Valentine's Day in Charlotte 2027: shows, dinners, date ideas
Valentine's Day 2027 in Charlotte falls on a Sunday. Death Becomes Her plays the Blumenthal Feb. 9-14, plus symphony concerts and date ideas.
Mother's Day
Mother's Day in Charlotte 2027: brunch, events and gardens
Mother's Day 2027 in Charlotte is Sunday, May 9. The Wiz plays the Blumenthal May 7-9, Wing Haven's gardens mark 100 years, and brunch ideas.
Father's Day
Father's Day in Charlotte 2027: events, outings and brunch
Father's Day 2027 in Charlotte is Sunday, June 20. Buena Vista Social Club plays the Blumenthal June 15-20; the Whitewater Center, splash pads and brunch.
Labor Day
Labor Day in Charlotte 2027: Knights, closings, trash pickup
Labor Day 2027 in Charlotte is Monday, Sept. 6. The Knights are home Aug. 31 to Sept. 5, splash pads close for the season and CMS is off.
Dogs
Dog-friendly Charlotte: dog parks, patios, trails, leash rules
Dog-friendly Charlotte: county dog parks open 7:30 a.m. to sunset, 70 off-leash acres at the Whitewater Center, dog-friendly breweries and the leash law.
Uptown
A guide to Uptown Charlotte: parks, museums, arenas, getting around
A guide to Uptown Charlotte: Romare Bearden and First Ward parks, the Tryon Street museums, Discovery Place, the stadiums and how to get there.
Free
Free things to do in Charlotte: museums, parks, trails, events
Free things to do in Charlotte: the Mint and Bechtler free on Wednesday nights, the Billy Graham Library, Uptown parks, greenways and splash pads.
Charlotte Marathon
Charlotte Marathon Nov. 14: sold out, start times, expo
Every Charlotte Marathon race on Saturday, Nov. 14, is sold out with a waiting list. Starts are 7:10 and 7:20 a.m. at 525 S. Tryon St.; the expo is Nov. 13.
Restaurant week
Charlotte Restaurant Week: Queen's Feast dates and prices
Queen's Feast: Charlotte Restaurant Week returns Jan. 22-31, 2027, with three-course prix fixe dinners at $30 to $55 a person at 125-plus restaurants.
Charlotte Pride
Charlotte Pride Festival and Parade: dates, parade route, parking
Charlotte Pride's free festival and parade fill First Ward Park and Tryon Street each August. The 2026 event ran Aug. 15-16; 2027 dates are not out yet.
Yiasou Greek Festival
Yiasou Greek Festival Charlotte: dates, hours, parking
The Yiasou Greek Festival at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Cathedral on East Boulevard runs each September. 2026: Sept. 11-13; admission $5, under 12 free.
Festival in the Park
Festival in the Park Charlotte: 2027 dates, hours, parking
Festival in the Park, Charlotte's free arts festival at Freedom Park since 1964, returns Sept. 24-26, 2027. The 2026 festival ran Sept. 25-27.
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Nutcracker
Charlotte Nutcracker 2026: Belk Theater, Dec. 4-23 shows
Charlotte Ballet's Nutcracker runs Dec. 4-23 at the Belk Theater with 19 shows and the symphony live. Times, $10 parking, VIP add-on and the youth ballet show.
Concerts
Davidson stages Defiant Requiem: Verdi at Terezín Nov. 19
Davidson College choirs and orchestra perform Defiant Requiem, the story of Verdi's Requiem sung by Terezín prisoners, Nov. 19. Tickets $9-14, students free.
Christmas
Speedway Christmas 2026: Nov. 20 to Jan. 3, 6 to 10 p.m.
Speedway Christmas at Charlotte Motor Speedway runs nightly Nov. 20 to Jan. 3, 6 to 10 p.m., closed Dec. 24. Passes, Express Lane, Christmas Village, tubing.
Veterans Day
Charlotte Veterans Day parade Nov. 7: route, time, festival
Charlotte's Salute to Veterans Parade steps off at 11 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 7, on Tryon Street, with a free festival at Romare Bearden Park until 3 p.m.
ACC Championship
ACC Championship Game in Charlotte Dec. 5: noon kickoff
The 2026 ACC Football Championship Game kicks off at noon Saturday, Dec. 5, at Bank of America Stadium in Uptown Charlotte on ABC. Teams, tickets, getting there.
Arts
Arts and exhibitions in Charlotte: November 2026
Arts in Charlotte through Dec. 13: Joshua Bell Nov. 7, Bach 360 Nov. 13-14, Judith Leiber handbags at the Mint, the Grinch, Messiah and the Nutcracker.
Things to do
Things to do in Charlotte this weekend, Oct. 30 to Nov. 1
Halloween weekend in Charlotte: the free Safe Trick or Treat Zone at Revolution Park, the ImaginOn Teen Loft Halloween Bash and the last pumpkin patch days.
Thanksgiving
Free Thanksgiving outreach for girls in Gastonia Nov. 21
Becoming Her Initiative hosts The Hope Table in Gastonia Nov. 21: free beauty bar, glam bags, winter coats and a contest for girls 12 to 22. Turkeys are full.
Uptown
MLK Parade sign-ups, award nominations close Dec. 12
Groups can register for Charlotte's Jan. 16 MLK Parade and nominate people for 3 MLK awards until Saturday, Dec. 12. The 2027 theme is about faith and hope.