The smell of fresh donuts in NoDa can be followed to Reigning Doughnut’s walk-up window. | Photo via Reigning Doughnuts
Small Business Saturday, an initiative dedicated to celebrating and supporting small and locally-owned businesses + their impact in our communities, arrives Saturday, Nov. 30.
The day falls between two of the biggest shopping days of the year — Black Friday and Cyber Monday — and has become an annual shopping tradition for many since its establishment by American Express in 2010.
If you’re looking to join this year’s festivities, check out City Editor Maria + City Editor Jack’s favorite small businesses in town — and some extra suggestions from our followers.
Mood House | With a location in Dilworth and Cotswold, City Editor Maria recommends melting stress away during a massage session.
Pro tip: There are two holiday packages being offered for a three-pack, 50-minute or 80-minute massage session.
Want to share some more small business love? Make sure to tag your favorite local businesses in the comments of our post.
Reminder: Shopping + supporting small isn’t limited to just this day — we love shining a light on local businesses all year long in our collection of City Guides.
Some Like It Hot Pre-Show Dinner | 5 p.m. | The Asbury | $40 | Dig into a Chicago-themed dinner before catching the Tony-winning musical at Belk Theater.
Light the Knights | 5-10 p.m. | Truist Field | $14+ | Glide around Truist Field’s outdoor ice rink before shopping local vendors + meet Santa.
Novant Thanksgiving Eve Parade | 5:30-9 p.m. | 200 S. Tryon St. | Free | Experience holiday magic as local organizations and business parade through Uptown.
Thursday, Nov. 28
Thanksgiving Dinner | 11 a.m.-7 p.m. | Ruth’s Chris SouthPark | $17+ | Tired of cooking? Consider dining out and spending time with family and friends.
The Muppet Christmas Carol in Concert | 7:30 p.m. | Ovens Auditorium | $24+ | The Charlotte Symphony Orchestra will perform as Kermit and the gang help Ebenezer Scrooge find the meaning of Christmas.
Saturday, Nov. 30
Small Business Saturday | 10 a.m.-7 p.m. | Good Postage | Cost of purchase | Purchase new charms to decorate notebooks for yourself or your loved ones.
Shop Small Saturday | 11 a.m.-5 p.m. | Camden Road | Cost of purchase | Support small businesses and vendors in the 12th annual open-air market.
Charlotte Checkers vs. Iowa Wild | 4 p.m. | Bojangles Coliseum | $25+ | Cheer on the Checkers + bring a teddy bear to toss on the ice as a donation to local nonprofits.
Solid Waste Services will not be collecting garbage, recycling, yard waste, or scheduled bulky waste tomorrow in observance of Thanksgiving, delaying pickups by one day. Expect collections to resume Friday, Nov. 29 and Saturday, Nov. 30.
Weather
Let’s talk turkey. Rain is likely for Thanksgiving day before temperatures start to drop to the 40s with lows below freezing. Check your forecast. (WCNC)
Travel
Today is expected to be one of the busiest travel days at Charlotte Douglas International Airport. To alleviate some concerns, CLT will have additional staff to assist with wayfinding + CMPD will oversee curbside traffic. The next busy holiday travel days: Sunday, Dec. 1 and Monday, Dec. 2.
Job
Freight transportation broker RXO is expanding operations at its Mecklenburg County headquarters. The company will invest $13.7 million + bring 216 new jobs to the Ballantyne area. RXO currently has 647 employees at its Charlotte headquarters.
Edu
Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools is launching a parent advisory council. The Parent Advisory Board will have 372 parents — two parents from each CMS school — and will meet twice a year to help district leaders find solutions to parents’ concerns. (WCNC)
Watch
Calling all Gamecock fans. Keep your eyes on the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. The Carolina Band will perform in the parade for the first time. Buses carried 400 band members and faculty to the Big Apple for the main event. (WBTV)
Plan Ahead
Going shopping on Friday? STIR and State of Confusion are hosting a special Black Friday brunch from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Diners can savor menu favorites like chicken and waffles, beignets, mimosas, and more. Reservations are recommended.
Active
Limited registration is open now for the 2025 Around the Crown 10K. Organizers released 277 spots, marking 277 days from race day. Prices start at $27. The race is scheduled for Sunday, Aug. 31, 2025.
Sports
Voting is underway for the 88-man roster for the NFL Pro Bowl. Panthers Andy Dalton, Chuba Hubbard, and Xavier Legette are among the contenders to compete in the multi-day AFC vs. NFC competition. Voting ends Monday, Dec. 23.
Listen
Hornets’ Forward Grant Williams is out for the season with a torn ACL. Can the team rebound from the loss? Go beyond the scoreboard for the biggest stories on the Charlotte Hornetswith Locked On’s daily, team-focused podcasts.
Finance
Did you know some credit cards can actually help you get out of debt faster? (Yes, it sounds peppermint-mocha nuts. But it’s true.) The secret: Find a credit card with a “0% intro APR” period for balance transfers. Here are hands down some of the best.*
You know how awesome your business is, but do our 33,981+ readers? Visit our self-service ad portal to learn how CLTtoday can help connect your business with our local audience — no long-term contract required.
Category
Plan Ahead
❄️ Frosty fun for everyone
Truist Field is transforming into a winter wonderland for the annual Light the Knights Festival. | Photo via Charlotte Knights
Get your fuzzy socks and hot cocoa ready, Charlotte. From light displays and holiday performances to festive parties and winter wonderlands, this is by far the coziest season in the Queen City.
Gather the family and friends to celebrate what makes the holiday season special with this guide featuring 30+ winter events happening between December and February.
Camp North Pole | Friday, Nov. 22–Sunday, Jan. 5 | Camp North End | $10-$15 per person | Go ice skating at this outdoor rink before shopping the Mistletoe Market on select Saturdays.
Holidays at the Garden | Friday, Nov. 29-Sunday, Dec. 29 | 5-10 p.m. | Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden | $15-$25 | Wander the grounds at the garden covered with twinkling lights, savor s’mores and hot cocoa + shop for everyone on your list.
A really good pickleball paddle — it’s rated 4.8 stars and is 62% off for early Black Friday. Notable features include: a larger sweet spot on the paddle + a handle with sweat-wicking ventilation for an anti-slip grip.
