Plus, take a MICHELIN-inspired road trip.
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There are just two days left to choose the best of the best in Charlotte. Don’t miss out + vote for CLTtoday’s Best before voting ends tomorrow, Nov. 25.
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Plan Ahead

🎁 Holiday festivities

An aerial view of Truist Field in the early evening with people getting on an ice rink.
Truist Field is transforming into a winter wonderland for the annual Light the Knights Festival. | Photo via Charlotte Knights
Thanksgiving week is upon us, and we’ve rounded up the top events you can attend with friends and family in tow.

(Don’t see anything you like? Check out our full events calendar.)

Sports

Charlotte Checkers vs. Toronto Marlies | Friday, Nov. 28 + Saturday, Nov. 29 | 4 p.m. | Bojangles Coliseum | $29+ | The Checkers hit the ice at home — plus, Saturday’s game is the annual Teddy Bear Toss.

Carolina Panthers vs. Los Angeles Rams | Sunday, Nov. 30 | 1 p.m. | Bank of America Stadium | $53+ | The Panthers are set to charge the Rams in a gridiron battle you won’t want to miss.
An aerial view of Truist Field in the early evening with people getting on an ice rink.

Truist Field is transforming into a winter wonderland for the annual Light the Knights Festival.

Photo via Charlotte Knights

Seasonal + family-friendly

Light the Knights | Wednesday, Nov. 26- Sunday, Jan. 4 | Times vary | Truist Field | $44+ | Ice skate, savor holiday treats, shop local vendors, and more.

2025 Novant Health Thanksgiving Eve Parade | Wednesday, Nov. 26 | 5:45 p.m. | Uptown | Free+ | Head to North Tryon Street as dozens of floats, organizations, and musical groups parade the streets ahead of Thanksgiving.
Comedy, theater, and ice skating ahead

Asked

What’s your favorite holiday tradition in Charlotte?

A. Tubing at Light the Knights in Uptown
B. Marveling at the menorah lighting at Birkdale Village
C. Attending the Novant Health Thanksgiving Eve Parade
D. Ice skating at the US National Whitewater Center
Get excited

Events

Monday, Nov. 24

Craft Burger Workshop: Chicken Sandwich Edition | 6-9 p.m. | Chef Alyssa’s Kitchen | $85

Mindless Minutia Trivia with Dave Chase | 7-10 p.m. | Divine Barrel Brewing | Free+

Tuesday, Nov. 25

Birkdale on Ice | 10 a.m.-9 p.m. | The Plaza at Birkdale Village | $14+

SkillPop: Ceramic Leaf Dish Workshop | 6:30-8:30 p.m. | Divine Barrel Brewing | $65

Northeastern Technical College Theatre Club Presents: “A Christmas Carol” | 8 p.m. | Booth Playhouse | $65+

Wednesday, Nov. 26

Sip in South End: Gobble til You Wobble | 4-11 p.m. | Must Be Nice | Cost of purchase

2025 Novant Health Thanksgiving Eve Parade | 5:45-8 p.m. | Uptown Charlotte | Free

Thursday, Nov. 27

Thanksgiving Brunch | 7 a.m.-2:30 p.m. | The Ballantyne Hotel | Cost of purchase

Ice Skating at Camp North Pole | Times vary | Camp North End | $16+

Friday, Nov. 28

Charlotte Checkers vs. Toronto Marlies | 4 p.m. | Bojangles Coliseum | $29+

Marlon Wayans | 7 p.m., 9:45 p.m. | The Comedy Zone | $48+

Charlotte Hornets vs. Chicago Bulls | 7:30 p.m. | Spectrum Center | $35
See our full events calendar
Feature your event here, or make a bigger splash

Try This

🧌 Discover Thomas Dambo’s Trolls in Asheville

Presented by Explore Asheville
Thomas Dambo's Trolls: A Field Study exhibit in Asheville, NC. Unique wooden troll sculptures sit in a wooded area.
Danish Artist Thomas Dambo’s Troll sculptures can be found all over the world. | Photos courtesy Thomas Dambo
Asheville has new, whimsical residents: 12 of Thomas Dambo’s Trolls are now on display at The North Carolina Arboretum.

The Danish artist’s towering wooden troll sculptures can be found all over the world, but until February 2026, Trolls: A Field Study is just a short drive away.

Plus, troll-themed lodging packages near the Arboretum make it easy to plan your trip. Many hotels + inns are offering a full experience in addition to accommodations, like Arboretum passes, picnics, and fun trolls swag.
Explore lodging packages

News Notes

Mansion Monday

This Myers Park beauty was our most-clicked listing over the last four weeks. The 5,701-sqft home boasts custom features like five bedrooms each with en suite baths, a chef’s kitchen, a glass elevator, and stunning outdoor living areas. Can you picture yourself here?

Number

82 million. That’s how many Americans are projected to travel 50+ miles for Thanksgiving — a new AAA record. If friends and family are driving to you, make their trip even more memorable by taking them to visit Charlotte’s most iconic landmarks.

Feel Good

More than 100 local artists and arts organizations will receive grants from the City of Charlotte and Charlotte is Creative. The funds help support innovative ideas and community events across the Queen City. (WCNC)

Plan Ahead

USC Lancaster’s Native American Studies Center is hosting its 12th Annual Winter Native American Art & Craft Festival on Saturday, Dec. 6. Shop for crafts, decorative items, and more from over 30 artists from various Indigenous groups. Did we mention it’s free to attend?

Travel

Fuel up. Garden & Gun mapped a Michelin-inspired road trip through the Carolinas — and Charlotte made the cut. Their seven-day itinerary lands at Scoundrel for tableside tartare before sending travelers on to Asheville, Greenville, SC, and beyond for the ultimate Southern foodie tour.

Sports

With Brandon Miller out, who should be taking the final shot? Go beyond the scoreboard for the biggest stories on the Charlotte Hornets with Locked On’s daily, team-focused podcasts.

Eat

As the eternal starchy advice of Samwise Gamgee goes, “boil ‘em, mash ‘em, stick ‘em in a stew.” But if you’re looking for more from your potatoes this Thanksgiving, the New York Times has some delicious ideas. However you choose to cook them, Charlotte’s farmers markets are the way to go.

Jobs

Whether you’re a small business looking to grow your team or a large company filling a key role, our Job Board can connect you with engaged, qualified locals who are ready to work. Post your open roles for free + watch the applications roll in.

Travel

Looking for some non-traditional holiday entertainment? Enter: The Ultimate Driving Museum in Greenville, SC. The current exhibit will give the whole family something to enjoy together — automotive enthusiasts or not. Pro tip: Discounted admission is available online when you enter code VIPVisit2025 at checkout.*

Health

Stress isn’t just mental — it physically impacts your body. Chronic stress can lead to muscle tension, joint pain, and even weakened bones. Check out these strategies to alleviate stress-related physical discomfort.*

Read

Be the smartest person in the room by reading 1440, where 4.5 million Americans find their daily, fact-based news fix. It’s free to subscribe.*

Event Spotlight

A purple-y lit fountain with holiday light displays in the background.

Imagine wandering through the botanical garden’s light display with hot chocolate in hand.

Photo via Daniel Stowe Conservancy

Daniel Stowe Conservancy has transformed its gardens into a winter wonderland for its annual Holidays at the Garden. The family-friendly event in Belmont features stunning light displays with millions of twinkling lights, a glowing playground, trackless train rides, live music, food trucks, and an adults-only speakeasy. It’s recommended to buy tickets online, starting at $25.

Editor Maria, here. I attended a preview of the event last night — keep an eye on our Instagram for a full look.

The Buy

PSA: Amazon’s Black Friday Week sale is here. With temperatures continuing to drop, we’re stocking up on a few cold weather wardrobe essentials while they’re on sale. These are our top three:

🍂 This pair of ultra-soft wide leg pants are on sale for under $35. We can’t wait to wear them while running errands, lounging, and everything in between.
🍂 Score 30% off this ribbed long sleeve basic tee — perfect for layering under your favorite sweater, vest, or jacket.
🍂 Embrace cozy sophistication with this oversized cable knit sweater that’s marked down to under $28.
Shop all early Black Friday deals

Games

Games-Section Header-V2_Green.png
The fun doesn’t have to end here. After reading the newsletter, head over to our games page. Games refresh with new challenges every day at 6 a.m. from crossword puzzle to Sudoku to themed word search.
Let the games begin

The Wrap

Throwback alert. Nine years after going dark, Vine has made a comeback. The short-form video platform just relaunched as diVine, bringing 100,000 archived videos from before the app’s shutdown with it. Prefer punchlines in person? Check out these upcoming comedy shows in Charlotte.
A headshot of City Editor Maria with a green circular background and her name on the right.

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