9 Best Thanksgiving Activities and Events in North Carolina!

Are you ready to embrace the true meaning of Thanksgiving this 2023? Check out the North Carolina events and activities for a memorable holiday season. Here are the top 9 picks for the Tar Heel State Thanksgiving festivities, from festivals to family-friendly entertainment.

Thanksgiving Eve Parade, Charlotte, NC

November 22, 2023 at 5:30pm

The Thanksgiving Eve Parade is a beloved tradition in Charlotte, and it has been a part of the fabric of the season in this community for 77 years…and counting. Check it out live the evening before Thanksgiving.

Beech Mountain Holiday Market, Beech Mountain, NC

November 25, 2023 at 10:00am

Enjoy the Thanksgiving weekend tradition of jumpstarting your shopping at the Beech Mountain Holiday Market. This market is packed with small vendors from the local area and beyond, so you can find outstanding, special gifts for your loved ones or yourself.

Chinese Lantern Festival, Cary, NC

November 17, 2023

At the Booth Amphitheatre in Cary, you can take part in a popular tradition: the town's annual Chinese Lantern Festival. It begins just before Thanksgiving, so it's the perfect way to start feeling festive and enjoy stunning works of art in the process.

Turkey Trot 5K Run, Apex, NC

November 18, 2023 at 10:00am

Why not start your Thanksgiving season with some exercise? You can do that in a fun atmosphere at the Turkey Trot 5K Run. This Apex race offers a competitive and recreational division so you can run at your speed.

Thanksgiving-Themed Wine and Design, Raleigh, NC

What's better than enjoying a great Thanksgiving-themed activity? Having a custom memento of that activity. That's what you'll get at any of Wine and Design's fantastic wine-friendly art classes that guide you through creating a Thanksgiving or fall-themed painting.

Calabash Turkey Trot, Calabash, NC

November 23, 2023 at 7:00am

In stunning coastal North Carolina, the Calabash Turkey Trot is a fantastic way to start your Thanksgiving morning. Choose your favorite distance because this Turkey Trot includes a 10K, 5K, and 1-miler.

Thanksgiving Twilight in the Treetops Night Climb, Asheville, NC

November 25, 2023 at 5:00pm

Take flight at the largest adventure park in Western North Carolina. Climb 40 feet and soar across the sky on a hang glider or sky kayak. As the sun sets, the park is lit up with 15,000 colorful sparkles and lights, creating a magical atmosphere for the five aerial trails.

Wood-Fired Kiln Opening, Blowing Rock, NC

Traditions Pottery is a beloved pottery studio that has hosted six generations of family potters. While most of its pottery is fired in electric kilns, it offers specialty wood-fired kiln pieces twice per year, and one of these kiln openings is the Saturday after Thanksgiving. This is a premium time to get rare and special pottery pieces.

Ice Skating at The RINK, Raleigh, NC

Launch into the winter season in a fully festive way with outdoor ice skating. The RINK at the Red Hat Amphitheater in Raleigh is known for offering a great time for all.

This text was created by the author with the assistance of GPT-3, a large-scale language generation model developed by OpenAI. The author reviewed, edited, and revised the draft language to their satisfaction and is fully responsible for the content of this publication.

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