8 Things To Do This Month In Charlotte
Comics, performances, and a look at the history of the annual Thanksgiving Eve parade
Before you gather around a table of turkey, check out these performances, comedy shows, and our annual parade.
Six: The Musical
Nov. 4-9, Belk Theater
Not many Broadway musicals have a tagline this compelling: “Divorced, beheaded, died, divorced, beheaded, survived.” This show is led by the historical figures Catherine of Aragon, Anne Boleyn, Jane Seymour, Anna of Cleves, Katherine Howard, and Catherine Parr—all ill-fated wives of Henry VIII. The musical’s heartbreaking, pop-infused songs were recognized as “Best Original Score” during the 2022 Tony Awards. Tickets run $52.77 and up.
Brandy & Monica: The Boy Is Mine Tour
Nov. 13, Spectrum Center
In 1998, R&B stars Brandy and Monica tag-teamed a track that spent 13 weeks at the top of Billboard’s Hot 100 list. Now, the duo sets out on a co-headline tour, one year after Ariana Grande released her own version and introduced new generations to the 26-year-old original. (Yes, it feels strange to type that.) Tickets currently start at $104.
The Lone Bellow with Caroline Spence
Nov. 20, Neighborhood Theatre
Alt-country act The Lone Bellow returns to Charlotte with a stop at Neighborhood Theatre. Fans can expect some familiar tunes, a few covers, and per the band, “perhaps a few new tunes.” An upcoming sixth album was recently announced for the New York act. Tickets range between $42.21-$222.71.
Comics to See in November
A few of the major touring comedians coming through Charlotte this month:
Rob Anderson: Are You Afraid of the 90’s?
Nov. 6, Comedy Zone
Bald Brothers: KevOnStage and Tony Baker
Nov. 8, Ovens Auditorium
Nate Bargatze: Big Dumb Eyes World Tour
Nov. 20-21, Spectrum Center
Fortune Feimster: Takin’ Care of Biscuits Comedy Tour
Nov. 28, Ovens Auditorium
The Novant Health Thanksgiving Eve Parade Through the Years
Nov. 26
The 79th Annual Novant Health Thanksgiving Eve Parade returns to uptown this month. The Tryon Street procession—the largest in the Carolinas—has performances, floats, celebrities, marching bands, balloons, and a few surprises. Last year, trusted travel website The Lonely Planet named the event one of “America’s best Thanksgiving parades.”
Charlotte’s population has grown tenfold since the parade’s 1947 founding, and the event itself has changed several times over the years—most recently in 2021, when it returned from COVID as a nighttime event on Thanksgiving Eve instead of a daytime event on Thanksgiving Day. Four of the major steps in its evolution:
1969: The first major route change—with many others to follow. This one, altered so that cameras didn’t have to point toward the sun, shifted to a start at 11th and Tryon streets and ended at East Morehead Street. Today, the parade still runs along Tryon Street, but between 9th Street and Good Samaritan Way.
1981: The parade added a marching band competition. Last year, 10 high and five community marching bands competed. Other performers included country singer Tyler Rich, Presley Aronson, Austin McNeill, Anna Rae, and Krystal King.
2013: Novant Health takes over as the event’s title sponsor. Other names for the event over the years include the Carolinas’ Carrousel Parade and the Carolinas’ Thanksgiving Day Parade. Prior to Novant’s sponsorship, Belk was a major sponsor during much of the event’s history.
2021: The parade switches to a nighttime format. This year, step-off happens at 5:45 p.m., and the parade will air on WCCB at 6 p.m. In its early years, the parade swapped between afternoon and morning formats.
