Charlotte Holiday Parade Up For ‘Best’ In U.S. Contest

CHARLOTTE, NC -- The lights, music and festive sparkle of Charlotte’s annual Thanksgiving Day parade are only two weeks away. It’s a holiday tradition that’s beloved throughout the region, and this year comes with an opportunity to be considered the best in the country.

Editors at USA Today have nominated the Queen City’s annual holiday parade as one of the 20 best in the country. The newspaper’s list of the 10-best parades from around the country will be narrowed down by reader votes.

You can cast your vote here one a day until voting ends Dec. 4 at noon. Winners of the “Readers’ Choice 2017” contest will be announced by USA Today on Dec. 8.

Here are the 20 best holiday parade nominees:

• America’s Thanksgiving Parade - Detroit
• Calistoga Lighted Tractor Parade - Calistoga, Calif.
• Children’s Christmas Parade - Atlanta
• Children’s Health Holiday Parade - Dallas
• Christmas Ship Parade -- Portland, Ore.
• Eastport Yacht Club Lights Parade - Annapolis, Md.
• H-E-B Thanksgiving Day Parade - Houston
• Holiday Boat Parade of Lights - Alexandria, Va.
• Hollywood Christmas Parade - Hollywood, Calif.
• Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade - New York
• Mayor’s Annual Christmas Parade -- Baltimore
• McDonald’s Thanksgiving Parade -- Chicago
• Mummers Parade -- Philadelphia
• Newport Beach Christmas Boat Parade -- Newport Beach, Calif.
• Novant Health Thanksgiving Day Parade -- Charlotte
• Philadelphia Thanksgiving Day Parade -- Philadelphia
• Reston Holiday Parade -- Reston, Va.
• San Diego Bay Parade of Lights -- San Diego
• Seminole Hard Rock Winterfest Boat Parade -- Fort Lauderdale
• Twinkle Light Parade -- Albuquerque