North Carolina events › Thanksgiving Weekend Events in North Carolina
Turkey trots, craft fairs, a boat parade and the first holiday light shows around Thanksgiving in North Carolina, each read on the organizer’s own page. The lists below rebuild themselves from our calendar and drop events once they pass.
Thanksgiving Day and The Weekend Around It
Races, fairs, games and on-the-water events on our calendar.
| Event | When | Where | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| UNCW Seahawks Live Oak Bank Holiday Classic (Trask Coliseum) | Nov 25-28 | Wilmington · Coast | See event page |
| Dix Park: Trophy Trot 5k (Thanksgiving Day race) | Thu, Nov 26 (Kids' race 8:45 AM; 5K 9:00 AM; ends 10:30 AM) | Raleigh · Triangle | See event page |
| Fayetteville Turkey Trot 5K and 1 Mile Run/Walk | Thu, Nov 26 (8:30 AM-11:00 AM) | Fayetteville · Sandhills | See event page |
| Carolina Raptor Center: Thanksgiving with the Raptors | Fri, Nov 27: Raptor Trail open 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM (event time not published) | Huntersville · Charlotte Region | See event page |
| Craftsmen's Christmas Classic Art & Craft Festival | Nov 27-29 (Fri 9 AM-6 PM; Sat 10 AM-6 PM; Sun 10 AM-4 PM) | Greensboro · Triad | See event page |
| Dick Vitale Invitational: West Virginia vs North Carolina | Fri, Nov 27 (12:00 PM) | Charlotte · Charlotte Region | See event page |
| Festive in Flight: A Holiday Drone Show Celebration | Fri, Nov 27: Event 5:00 PM; 500-drone show begins 7:00 PM (about 15 min) | Pinehurst · Sandhills | See event page |
| North Carolina Holiday Flotilla at Wrightsville Beach Our guide | Nov 27-29 | Wrightsville Beach · Coast | See event page |
| Rock N Roll Rewind: 4th Annual Black Friday Show | Fri, Nov 27 (Doors 7 PM; show 8 PM) | Asheville · Asheville & Foothills | See event page |
| Carolina Hurricanes vs Ottawa Senators (Thanksgiving week home game) | Sat, Nov 28 (Puck drop time not published in the team's schedule release) | Raleigh · Triangle | See event page |
Add to your calendar: UNCW Seahawks Live Oak Bank Holiday Classic (Trask Coliseum) (Nov 25); Dix Park: Trophy Trot 5k (Thanksgiving Day race) (Nov 26); Fayetteville Turkey Trot 5K and 1 Mile Run/Walk (Nov 26); Carolina Raptor Center: Thanksgiving with the Raptors (Nov 27); Craftsmen's Christmas Classic Art & Craft Festival (Nov 27); Dick Vitale Invitational: West Virginia vs North Carolina (Nov 27); Festive in Flight: A Holiday Drone Show Celebration (Nov 27); North Carolina Holiday Flotilla at Wrightsville Beach (Nov 27); Rock N Roll Rewind: 4th Annual Black Friday Show (Nov 27); Carolina Hurricanes vs Ottawa Senators (Thanksgiving week home game) (Nov 28). Times and tickets are on each organizer’s page.
Holiday Lights Opening Around Thanksgiving
Light shows and displays that run for weeks; some open only on certain nights.
| Event | When | Where | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tanglewood Festival of Lights: Paws in the Park Our guide | Nov 9-10: not published (reserve a spot online) | Clemmons · Triad | See event page |
| Tanglewood Festival of Lights Our guide | Nov 13-Jan 1, 2027 (6:00 PM - 11:00 PM daily) | Clemmons · Triad | Per family vehicle (cars, vans, trucks): Mon-Thu $20 cash / $23 card; more prices on the event page |
| Winter Lights at the North Carolina Arboretum | Nov 13-Jan 3, 2027 (Gates open 6:00 PM, last entry 9:00 PM) | Asheville · Asheville & Foothills | See event page |
| Speedway Christmas (drive-thru light show) | Nov 20-Jan 3, 2027 (6:00 PM - 10:00 PM, rain or shine) | Concord · Charlotte Region | See event page |
| North Carolina Chinese Lantern Festival (11th year) Our guide | Nov 21-Jan 10, 2027 | Cary · Triangle | See event page |
| Carowinds WinterFest | Nov 27-Jan 3, 2027: not published (page says check the Carowinds app for show times) | Charlotte · Charlotte Region | See event page |
| Sandhills Garden of Lights | Nov 27-Jan 9, 2027 (5:00 PM - 10:00 PM, Wednesdays through Sundays) | Pinehurst · Sandhills | See event page |
| Christmas Town U.S.A. light display (McAdenville) Our guide | Dec 1-26 (5:30 PM - 10:00 PM nightly; walk or drive through downtown) | McAdenville · Charlotte Region | See event page |
| McAdenville Yule Log Parade | Thu, Dec 10 (Singing begins 5:30 PM at 100 Main Street near the Yule Log) | McAdenville · Charlotte Region | See event page |
| 29th Annual Blowing Rock WinterFest | Jan 28-31 (Schedule at blowingrockwinterfest.com; not published on page read) | Blowing Rock · High Country | See event page |
Add to your calendar: Tanglewood Festival of Lights: Paws in the Park (Nov 9); Tanglewood Festival of Lights (Nov 13); Winter Lights at the North Carolina Arboretum (Nov 13); Speedway Christmas (drive-thru light show) (Nov 20); North Carolina Chinese Lantern Festival (11th year) (Nov 21); Carowinds WinterFest (Nov 27); Sandhills Garden of Lights (Nov 27); Christmas Town U.S.A. light display (McAdenville) (Dec 1); McAdenville Yule Log Parade (Dec 10); 29th Annual Blowing Rock WinterFest (Jan 28). Times and tickets are on each organizer’s page.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are restaurants and attractions open on Thanksgiving?
Hours change for the holiday. We list an event only when the organizer posted it; check the organizer’s page for holiday hours.
Where can I find a turkey trot?
The first list shows the turkey trots on our calendar. Send us one we are missing through submit an event.
Keep Planning
- Holiday lights and Christmas events
- North Carolina events, next 30 days and events by month
- Festivals and fairs
Sources
- Each event links to the organizer’s own page, where its date and price were read.
- North Carolina events open dataset, with a checked date on every row.
How we check: editorial standards, verification log, corrections.
Cite this page: It's North Carolina, “Thanksgiving Weekend Events in North Carolina”, itsnorthcarolina.com/thanksgiving-weekend-in-north-carolina/ (updated ). By the It's North Carolina editorial team. Free to quote with attribution and a link to this page; data and tables are licensed CC BY 4.0.