GO. PLAY. SEE.: 4 Fun Things to Experience in Charlotte This Month

Taylor Bowler,
Festival G7881a0048 1920

 

CELEBRATE DIWALI AT OPTIMIST HALL

Come to Botiwalla on Thursday, November 4 and celebrate Diwali, a festival of lights that marks India’s biggest and most important holiday of the year. The family-friendly evening includes traditional décor, lights, special menu items, photo ops, and a henna artist. The celebration takes place at Botiwalla’s restaurant inside Optimist Hall from 5:30 to 9 p.m., and seating is first come, first served. optimisthall.com/events

HAVE A NIGHT OUT IN UPTOWN

Bundle up the kids and check out the Novant Health Thanksgiving Parade, which is back in person this year. Instead of Thanksgiving morning, it’ll take place in uptown the night before on Wednesday, November 24. The parade kicks off at 6 p.m. and runs along Tryon Street between 9th and Morehead Streets. See dance and choral performances, marching bands from around the region, floats, and balloons. Purchase tickets for $25 in advance or $30 the day of the parade. If you can’t make it in person, the parade airs live on WBTV at 6 p.m. novanthealththanksgivingparade.com

TAKE A TROT THROUGH SOUTHPARK ON TURKEY DAY

Kick off Thanksgiving Day with a family run/walk before heading home for your feast. The Charlotte Turkey Trot begins with a pre-race festival at 6:30 a.m. on Thursday, November 25 at SouthPark Mall near Symphony Park. The race includes an 8K, 5K, and 1 mile run, followed by a Tot Trot at 9:10 a.m. for kids ages 8 and under. Your registration helps provide shoes to more than 750 Charlotte-area children through Samaritan’s Feet, which distributes Hope Totes filled with new shoes, socks, and hygiene kits to children in need. Register online through November 24 and bring donated shoes to the registration area on race day. cltturkeytrot.com

LIGHT THE KNIGHTS

Charlotte Christmas Village returns to uptown on Friday, November 26. Bring the kids to Truist Field for Light the Knights, a walk-through holiday experience with thousands of lights, trees, and displays. Shop for Christmas ornaments, jewelry, and local artwork. Treat the kids to hot cider, fudge, burgers, strudel, pretzels, and more. Purchase tickets in advance and check the schedule to see when Santa will be at Christmas Village.

Related