From our Scoop patio meet-up to a trip to the beach in downtown Matthews, you’ve got no excuse not to explore all that the Queen City has to offer. Our round-up of where to go and what to do this weekend in Charlotte:
Thursday, May 11
Meet Up With The Scoop Girls on the Patio at REID’s SouthPark
Can’t resist a good patio and a great cocktail? Same. Join us for a scoopcharlotte happy hour on the patio at Reid’s Fine Food SouthPark Thursday, May 11. We’ll be there from 6 p.m. – 8 p.m. raising a half price cocktail and sampling complimentary selections from Reid’s appetizer menu.
Steele Creek Live Spring Concert Series
Ayrsley Town Lawn
It’s your last chance to enjoy beverages, food, games and live music on the lawn at Ayrsley. Kick off the pre-weekend with live music from Voltage Brothers. 5 p.m. – 9 p.m. Free admission.
Poptopia Mother’s Day
Independence Center Atrium
Wednesday, May 10- Friday, May 12
Stumped on what to get Mom this year? Poptopia, the pop-up shopping experience in Uptown, is here to help. Drop by on your lunch break or right before a dinner out on Thursday to browse offerings from local and well-known vendors including Kendra Scott, Elsa Fine, Mallory’s Candles and Potts Chocolate. Hours:
Wednesday, May 10, 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Thursday, May 11, 11 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Friday, May 12, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Friday, May 12
BeachFest Matthews
Stumptown Park
Friday, May 12- Saturday, May 13
Take a mini vacation to the coast with boardwalk-style foods, shagging, beach music and more at the 9th Annual Beach Fest Matthews. The fun kicks off Friday evening with live music beginning at 6:30 p.m., and continues through Saturday evening. There will also be tons for the kids, including inflatables and carnival rides.
Mahler Symphony No. 2
Friday, May 12- Saturday, May 13
Belk Theater
Treat your ears to an immersive exploration into the full range of human emotion as over 250 musicians perform Mahler’s Second Symphony on one stage. Both performances are at 8 p.m. Buy tickets and preview the work here.
Shake Stir Sip Socialize Cocktail Class: It’s A Spring Thing
Hygge Coworking
Backyard patio weather is here…is your bar cart ready? Spruce up your summertime cocktail know-how with a hands-on class led by Bar Consultant Emily Elda. You’ll learn how to make classic Spring cocktails including Dark n’Stormy, Mint Julep and Moscow Mule. Party at your house. $65 per person.
Saturday, May 13
Tour of Italy Wine Class
Corkbuzz Charlotte
1 p.m.
With over 1,000 native grape varieties and hundreds of regional styles, it’s easy to be overwhelmed by the endless variety of Italian wines. The experts at Corkbuzz have you covered with a wine class dedicated to decoding what you need to know. Learn all about the major winemaking regions of Italy and their most well-known styles and grapes. Taste your way from North to South with six different wines, each with their own story. 1 p.m. $55 per person. Reserve your spot here.
Mother’s Day Weekend and Wine Walk
Saturday, May 13-Sunday, May 14
Daniel Stowe Botanical Gardens
Take Mom to the gardens this year for a weekend full of the things she loves most. On both Saturday and Sunday, moms and their families can enjoy a beautiful day among the blooms with live music, mimosas, carriage rides, family activities and more. Activities will go from 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. The first 250 moms admitted each day will receive a free potted plant courtesy of Rountree Plantation Garden Center.
On Saturday, stroll through the gardens with a glass of wine in hand. The DSBG Wine Walk combines a wine tasting (five wines will be featured) and garden tour just in time forMother’s Day. Admission is free for mothers and garden members. Tickets are available online or by calling 704.825.1252.
Bold Missy Grand Opening
Bold Missy Brewery
5 p.m.
Who doesn’t love a brew with some character? Bold Missy Brewery will open its doors in NoDa on Saturday at 5 p.m. Seven beers are available on draft, accompanied by a menu of hot dogs, snacks and flatbreads. Stop by on the first Wednesday of each month as the brewery donates taproom proceeds to a local charity as part of their community “Drink One Down for Our Town” program.
Gardeners’ Garden Tour
Wing Haven Gardens & Bird Sanctuary
The Gardeners’ Garden Tour is back for its 23rd year at Wing Haven Gardens. The weekend features tours of Wing Haven, five picturesque private gardens as well as the Elizabeth Lawrence House and Gardens. Live music at Wing Haven sets the scene for a day of garden strolling on Saturday.
Tour hours are Saturday from 10 a.m.- 4 p.m. and Sunday 1- 5 p.m. Tickets are good for both days, and are $30 in advance and $35 on the day of the tour. Learn more and start planning your visit here.
Beer, Bourbon & BBQ Festival
Symphony Park
2 p.m.
It’s a celebration of the Southern trifecta at Symphony Park as they welcome the Beer, Bourbon & BBQ Festival this Saturday. Guests will enjoy unlimited beer from over 60 offerings and bourbon tastings from over 40 options, as well as a selection of the best BBQ in the region. Round out the day with seminars led by distillers, brewmasters and pit masters and live music on the Main Stage. 2 p.m.-6 p.m.
Paws for the Cause
C3 Lab
Share your love for pups at Paws for the Cause, an evening event supporting the mission of the Greater Charlotte SPCA. General admission tickets are $35 and include two drink tickets, food samplings, live music and entertainment. Purchase tickets here.
South End Hops Festival
308 W Carson Blvd.
2 p.m.
Sip and sample brews from over 35 breweries from Charlotte and beyond at the South End Hops Festival. Admission includes unlimited beer samplings, live music, and a souvenir tasting glass. Food trucks will also be on-site to curb your hunger. Proceeds benefit the local non-profit RescuedMe. Tickets begin at $35.
BBQ and Bluegrass Festival
Sycamore Brewing Company
12 p.m.
Dig into your choice of local BBQ and jam along to live bluegrass music from the patio at Sycamore Brewing. BBQ selections provided by OooWee BBQ, The Improper Pig and Queen City Q.
Sunday, May 14
Mother’s Day 5K
Symphony Park
Start a new tradition with mom by lacing up for the 2017 Mother’s Day 5K benefitting Running Works. The whole family can challenge themselves to the course that winds through Sympony Park and then celebrate crossing the finish line with kids activities, free mimosas and wine for the well-deserving moms and more.
Sunday Supper with Momma Krenz
The Asbury
5:30 p.m.
In a twist on the traditional Mother’s Day outing, Executive Chef Matthew Krenz will open his kitchen up to someone who helped shape his craft: his own mom. The menu, available for your browsing pleasure here, features dishes from Mathew’s childhood and make for the perfect family-style Sunday supper. $45 per person. Call 704.42.1193 to reserve or book online.
Mother’s Day Out
Mud. Facial Bar – Charlotte
11 a.m.
Treat yourself or your mom to some well-deserved “me time”. Challenge yourself with a $5 aerial yoga class led by Natalie Michele Hoffert at 11, then stick around for a facial appointment and complimentary champagne. Claim your spot in class here, and book a facial here.
