Enjoy the cooler temperatures, fall foliage, and Christmas lights in November in Charlotte. You’ll find craft markets, nature activities, Veterans Day events and more. Plan November 2024 with this list of the top things to do in the Charlotte area.
We’ve highlighted a few activities and events, but please scroll down for our huge (and we do mean huge) calendar of things to do in the Charlotte area in November. This calendar will be updated all the time. You can also jump right to the day by day calendar.
We focus on the free and cheap, but we do include some great activities and events that cost a little bit more if we think readers would like to hear about them.
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Top Things To Do in November
Diwali Mela at Botiwalla
Diwali Mela at Botiwalla
Date: Friday, November 1, 2024
Time: 5 to 10 p.m.
Place: Botiwalla at Optimist Hall, 1115 N Brevard Street, Charlotte, NC
Cost: Free
Features: Food and drink specials, free Henna, sparklers, glow sticks, Bollywood DJ and more.
Day of the Dead Celebration at Camp North End
Day of the Dead Celebration
Date: Saturday, November 2, 2024
Time: 12 to 8 p.m.
Place: Camp North End, 300 Camp Road, Charlotte, NC
Cost: Free
Features: This celebration features traditional music and dancing, face painting, an expansive altar exhibition, a Catrina parade and much more.
Inner Peaks NoDa Grand Opening Week
Inner Peaks NoDa Grand Opening Week
Date: November 2 to 8, 2024
Time: Various times
Place: 1837 N Tryon Street, Ste. 101, Charlotte, NC
Cost: Most activities are free
Features: Free climbing on November 2. Vendor village, free yoga, massage demo, game nights, more.
Drop Dead 5K
Drop Dead 5K
Date: Saturday, November 2, 2024
Time: 9 a.m.
Place: Historic Elmwood Pinewood Cemetery, 700 West 6th Street, Charlotte, NC
Cost: $45, but use promo code CLTCHEAP for 25% off. Free kids’ fun run and cemetery tours
Features: Run through one of Charlotte’s most historic cemeteries. The event is a fundraiser to help support HEPI, a 501(3) non-profit dedicated to preserving, restoring, enhancing, and sharing the original historic and park-like atmosphere of Elmwood, Pinewood and Settlers’ Cemeteries.
Santa’s Arrival at Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s (plus free pictures and more)
Santa’s Arrival and Santa’s Wonderland
Date: Santa’s arrival is November 2, 2024, at 5 p.m. Santa’s Wonderland takes place every day from November 3 to December 24, 2024
Time: Santa’s arrival is at 5 p.m. Santa’s Wonderland varies by day.
Place: Bass Pro Shops, at Concord Mills, and Cabela’s, at 1000 Cabela Drive, Fort Mill, SC
Cost: Free
Features: Santa’s arrival features a parade, with Santa arriving in a boat. There will be free treats and giveaways for the kids. Then, starting November 3, kids can get a free 4×6 photo with Santa, plus participate in giveaways, games, crafts and more.
Carolina Renaissance Festival
Carolina Renaissance Festival
Date: Saturdays and Sundays from October 5 to November 24, 2024
Time: 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Place: 16445 Poplar Tent Road, Huntersville, NC
Cost: $34 for adults, $20 for children 5-12. Free for children 4 and under. Multiple discount offers and ticket giveaways (follow link above.)
Features: Jousting knights, multiple shows, mermaids, falconry, artisan market and more. More than 14 stages of entertainment and 500 costumed villagers.
Pawsitively Matthews
Pawsitively Matthews
Date: Saturday, November 2, 2024
Time: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Place: Stumptown Park, 120 S Trade Street, Matthews, NC
Cost: Free
Features: This pet-focused festival features demos, music, pet-friendly vendors, a beer “pawvilion,” food trucks and more.
Rural Hill’s Sheepdog Trials and Dog Festival
Rural Hill’s Sheepdog Trials and Dog Festival
Date: November 2 and 3, 2024
Time: Check back soon.
Place: Historic Rural Hill, 4431 Neck Road, Huntersville, NC
Cost: One day tickts range from $16 to $18 for adults and $8 to $9 for youth. Two day tickets are $28 for adults and $15 for youth. Children under 5 are admitted for free.
Features: Watch trained dogs compete in herding, obedience and agility. There will be a variety of other activities and attractions. Admission grants you access to the Amazing Maize Maze.
Best of Charlotte Bridal Show
Best of Charlotte Bridal Show
Date: Sunday, November 3, 2024
Time: 1 to 3:30 p.m.
Place: Pine, 4100 Raleigh Street, Charlotte, NC
Cost: Free
Features: Unique vendors to help you plan the perfect wedding.
Family Day at McColl Center
Family Day at McColl Center
Date: Saturday, November 9, 2024
Time: 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Place: McColl Center, 721 N Tryon Street, Charlotte, NC
Cost: Free
Features: Several hands-on art projects for all ages, as well as the chance to tour the artist studios.
Tree Lighting Celebrations
Tree Lighting Celebrations
Date: Multiple
Time: Varies
Place: Many places
Cost: Usually free
Features: There are many tree lighting celebrations throughout the Charlotte area. They typically are the first event to welcome in the holiday season, and often feature music, kids’ activities, crafts and more. Santa is present at many of them.
The Geekery Market
The Geekery Market
Date: Saturday, November 9, 2024
Time: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Place: Cabarrus Arena & Events Center, 4751 NC Highway 49, Concord, North Carolina
Cost: Free admission. Parking is $8.
Features: This festival features artists and artisans who create products across all fandoms. There will also be geeky music, pictures with Geeky Santa, kids’ crafts and a treasure hunt, Star Wars costumers, swordfighting demonstrations, medieval courtyard demonstrations and more.
Salute to Veterans Parade and Carolinas Veterans Festival
Salute to Veterans Parade and Carolinas Veterans Festival
Date: Saturday, November 9, 2024
Time: Parade: 11 a.m. Festival: 12 to 4 p.m.
Place: The parade takes place on Tryon Street. Directly after the parade, head to Romare Bearden Park, 300 S Church Street, Charlotte, NC, for the festival.
Cost: Free
Features: Military tributes, live music, activities, vendors, food.
EpicFest Literary Festival for Kids and Teens
EpicFest Literary Festival
Date: Saturday, November 9, 2024
Time: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at ImaginOn; 12 to 2 p.m. at North County Regional Library
Place: For kids: ImaginOn, 300 E 7th Street, Charlotte, NC. For teens: North County Regional Library, 16500 Holly Crest Lane, Huntersville, NC.
Cost: Free
Features: Author visits, maker activities, balloon twisting, book giveaways, games, more.
Coulwood Hills Fall Festival
Coulwood Hills Fall Festival
Date: Saturday, November 9, 2024
Time: 3 to 5 p.m.
Place: Coulwood Clubhouse and Park, 506 Coulwood Drive, Charlotte, NC
Cost: Free
Features: touch-a-truck, face painting, chili cook-off, games and more.
Warbirds Over Monroe Air Show
Warbirds Over Monroe Air Show
Date: November 9 and 10, 2024
Time: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day
Place: Charlotte-Monroe Executive Airport, 3900 Paul J Helms Drive, Monroe.
Cost: $20 for adults; $15 for ages 12-18; $5 for current and former military members; free for children under age 12
Features: Flight performances, jumpers, speakers, music, several planes from the WWII era and more.
Veterans Day Ceremonies and Special Deals
Veterans Day ceremonies, events and food deals
Date: Most are on Monday, November 11, 2024
Time: Varies (most ceremonies are in the morning)
Place: Various
Cost: Most are free
Features: Check out our list of events that are honoring veterans throughout the Charlotte region. There are also a lot of food freebies and deals (and more) for those who have served.
Free Tuesday at Schiele Museum
Free Tuesday at Schiele Museum
Date: Tuesday, November 12, 2024
Time: 4 to 8 p.m.
Place: Schiele Museum, 1500 E Garrison Blvd, Gastonia, NC
Cost: Free
Features: Explore indoor and outdoor exhibits at this popular museum.
Open Demo at Hot Glass Alley
Open Demo at Hot Glass Alley
Date: Friday, November 15, 2024
Time: 6 to 9 p.m.
Place: Hot Glass Alley, 438 Atando Avenue, Charlotte, NC
Cost: Free
Features: Watch as talented artists transform a molten glob of glass into a unique piece of art.
WDAV Small Batch Concert Series
WDAV Small Batch Concert Series
Date: Friday, November 15, 2024
Time: 7 p.m.
Place: Free Range Brewing, 2320 N Davidson Street, Charlotte, NC
Cost: Pay what you can. If you pay $20 or more you will receive a limited edition Small Batch pint glass and a Free Range beer or nonalcoholic drink.
Features: WDAV Small Batch Concert Series presents great music in an unconventional, laid-back atmosphere. This concert features Andrea Mumm, harp, and Erinn Frechette, flute.
Fall Horse Show at Anne Springs Close Greenway
Fall Horse Show at Anne Springs Close Greenway
Date: Saturday, November 16, 2024
Time: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Place: Anne Springs Close Greenway Stables, 1046 Horse Road, Fort Mill, South Carolina
Cost: $15 for parking. No additional admission fee
Features: Watch 30 categories of competition by the local equestrian community.
Repair Café
Repair Café
Date: Saturday, November 16, 2024
Time: 1 to 5 p.m.
Place: Innovation Barn, 932 Seigle Avenue, Charlotte, NC
Cost: Free
Features: Partner with volunteers to learn how to fix your broken stuff!
Kannapolis Celebration of Lights and Winterland Express
Kannapolis Celebration of Lights and Winterland Express
Date: November 16 to December 30, 2024 (except Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day)
Time: Sunday to Thursday: 6 to 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday: 6 to 10 p.m.
Place: Village Park, 700 West C Street, Kannapolis, NC
Cost: Free to visit. $2 for train or carousel ride.
Features: The park is lit up 250,000 lights. You can walk around for free, or take the train for $2. Santa visits are free. Leonard Bearstein and his animatronic orchestra will perform nightly.
Outdoor Ice Skating
Outdoor Ice Skating
Date: Rinks open in November
Time: Varies
Place: Several: Camp North End, Whitewater Center, Birkdale Village, Truist Field, Indian Trail, Rock Hill.
Cost: Varies
Features: Check out our list of all the places in the Charlotte area to ice skate outdoors this winter.
Yap Yè Iswà Festival (celebration of Catawba culture)
Yap Yè Iswà Festival (celebration of Catawba culture)
Date: Saturday, November 23, 2024
Time: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Place: Catawba Cultural Center, 1536 Tom Steven Road, Rock Hill, SC
Cost: Free
Features: Celebrate Catawba cuture through drumming, craft vendors, traditional dances, demonstrations and more.
Novant Health Thanksgiving Eve Parade
Novant Health Thanksgiving Eve Parade
Date: Wednesday, November 27, 2024
Time: 5:45 p.m.
Place: Tryon Street, Charlotte, NC. From 9th Street to Good Samaritan Way.
Cost: Free, but VIP tickets are available and they provide bleacher seating.
Features: Lights, music, dancing, and plenty of holiday cheer.
Light the Knights
Light the Knights
Date: November 27, 2024, to January 3, 2025, except for select dates. It’s not open on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day.
Time: Time varies
Place: Truist Field, 324 S Mint Street, Charlotte, NC
Cost: Check back soon for prices
Features: Ice skating, snow tubing, lights, live entertaining, gift vendors, concessions and Santa.
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