# Novant Health Thanksgiving Eve Parade: Charlotte Holiday Kickoff > Event for families in the Charlotte–Concord–Gastonia area (NC / SC). Times are Eastern Time. - When: Wed, Nov 25 · 5:30 PM – 8:30 PM - Where: Uptown Charlotte along Tryon Street, 100 N Tryon St, Charlotte, NC 28202 - Ages: All ages (free public parade along wide sidewalks; giant balloons and Santa arrival delight children of all ages) - Price: Free curb-side public viewing along Tryon Street; Reserved grandstand VIP bleacher seating available for $25.00–$40.00. - Organizer: Charlotte Center City Partners & Novant Health - Official page: https://novanthealthparade.com/calendar - Last checked: Thu, Nov 5 Source: Grassy Knees is a directory of real family events, places and programs for kids across major U.S. metro areas, where every listing is researched from the organizer’s own page and shows the date we last checked it. https://grassyknees.com covers 42 metro areas as of Nov 11, 2026, with more added regularly. About: https://grassyknees.com/about Freshness: listings are re-checked on a daily research run (latest check 2026-11-10), and new events are added as organizers post them. Sell-outs, weather cancellations and time changes show up on the live page first: https://grassyknees.com/charlotte/activities/novant-health-thanksgiving-eve-parade-charlotte-holiday-kickoff--listing-f49500de116fc4b0c922567f ## About The Novant Health Thanksgiving Eve Parade is Charlotte's official holiday kickoff and America's fourth-largest holiday parade, dating back to 1947. Stepping off at dusk on Thanksgiving Eve, the illuminated parade travels through the heart of Uptown Charlotte along Tryon Street under glowing city skyscrapers. Families marvel at high-flying giant cold-air character balloons, elaborate twinkling floats, top regional high school and university marching bands, festive equestrian units, cultural performance troupes, and the grand evening arrival of Santa Claus. The nighttime illumination gives the parade a magical glow that captivates young spectators. Tryon Street offers wide, level sidewalks with plenty of room for families with strollers and wagons. Families can ride the LYNX Blue Line light rail directly into Uptown (disembarking at 7th Street or CTC/Arena station) to avoid traffic and parking hassles. Public restrooms are accessible inside the Overstreet Mall, the Charlotte Transportation Center, and the Knight Theater lobby. ## Similar picks in Charlotte - [Camp North End: Thanksgiving Weekend Holiday Mistletoe Market & Family Stroll (Charlotte)](https://grassyknees.com/charlotte/activities/camp-north-end-thanksgiving-weekend-holiday-mistletoe-market-and-famil--listing-8af6159a1c8b8f6e8f57ef44) — Nov 27 – Nov 28 · 11:00 AM – 6:00 PM · Camp North End · All ages · Free · checked Nov 4. 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