Hope you weren’t planning to skip town this weekend. From Speed Street and cheering on the home team to food trucking it or catching a concert in Uptown, it’s shaping up to be a great Memorial Day weekend in the Queen City.
Starting with weekend-long events perfect for entertaining out-of-town visitors, here’s our round-up of where to go and what to do this weekend in Charlotte:
WEEKEND-LONG EVENTS
Charlotte Speed Street Festival
Thursday, May 25 – Sunday, May 27
Uptown Charlotte
The excitement of the track roars through Uptown during this three-day street festival. Each day starting at noon, attendees will celebrate the culmination of the month-long 600 Festival and the upcoming Coca-Cola 600 race with vendor displays, kid’s activities, a chance to mingle with the stars of racing and more.
Lace up for the PNC Speed Street 5K on Thursday evening, then stick around as live music acts fill two stages. Concerts continue through the weekend, with notable appearances by Granger Smith, Billy Currington and Jake Owen. Thursday’s concert will run you $10 per ticket, while tickets for Friday and Saturday’s shows are $15 each. All other activities are free.
Memorial Day Celebration
Friday, May 26- Sunday, May 28
U.S. National Whitewater Center
It’s the perfect weekend to get outdoors and enjoy a jam-packed schedule at the U.S. National Whitewater Center. The three-day Memorial Day Celebration kicks off with a Friday evening trail race and Sunset Film Series. Saturday’s activities include The Dry Tri, yoga and River Jam, while Sunday features a corn hole tournament, live music performances and a fireworks display. View the full schedule of events here.
Ramsey Creek Park Beach
Open now through Labor Day
18441 Nantz Road Cornelius, NC 28078
Get into vacation mode with a day of fun in the sun at Ramsey Creek Park Beach. The county’s first public beach officially opened for the season last weekend, and there are some important changes to know before you pack the beach bag. Admission to the beach for those parking is $5 for county residents and $10 for non-residents Monday-Thursday, going up to $10 and $15 per vehicle on weekends. Walk-in admission is $5 per individual over 14, $3 for children up to age 13 and free for those five and below. To ease parking concerns, the beach has added a free shuttle that runs from Northcross Park. View the schedule and more information on the shuttle here.
Catch a game at the ballpark
BB&T Ballpark
Join family and friends at the ballpark as the Charlotte Knights take on the Buffalo Bisons for a series spanning through the weekend. Friday, Saturday and Sunday games are at 7:05 p.m., with post-game fireworks on Friday and Sunday. On Monday, hot dogs are just $1 and the first pitch is at 2:05 p.m. Buy tickets.
Mint Hill Madness
Friday, May 26 – Sunday, May 28
Mint Hill Veterans Memorial Park
The 34th Annual Mint Hill Madness festival is your family’s one-stop Memorial Day destination for carnival rides, games, board-walk style food and live music. The festival will be open Friday from 4 – 11 p.m., Saturday from 11 a.m. – 11 p.m. and Sunday from 12 – 6 p.m.
The Actress
Friday, May 26- Saturday, May 27
Duke Energy Theater at Spirit Square
8 p.m.
Bring your out-of-town guests to the theater for a performance of The Actress, a heartfelt comedy that follows a colorful star during her last evening in the spotlight. Performances are Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings at 8 p.m. Purchase tickets.
THURSDAY
Wine and Chocolate Pairing
Seaboard Taproom & Wine Bar
6:30 p.m.
Head to downtown Matthews for a seated wine and chocolate tasting at Seaboard Taproom and Wine Bar. Experts from The Secret Chocolatier and the wine bar have paired five chocolates with five wines for a task way to kick off the holiday weekend. $30 per person. Email kyle@seaboardbrewing.com or call 704.246.246.8323 to reserve your spot.
National Chardonnay Day at Vintners Hill
Vintner’s Hill, Mint Hill
6 p.m.
Vintner’s Hill is getting ready to celebrate a holiday we can all get behind. National Chardonnay Wine Day calls for samples from Wente Vineyards, raffles and prizes.
FRIDAY
Sound on the Square
Spirit Square
7 p.m.
The outdoor music series is back with musical theater selections performed by The Blumey Awards nominees and winners. Concessions and beverages all be available for purchase.
Food Truck Friday in South End
Sycamore Brewing
5 p.m.
Consider Friday night dinner planned. Whether you’re craving a gourmet grilled cheese or something sweet, Charlotte’s array of food trucks at South End’s Food Truck Friday won’t disappoint. While you’re there, grab a seat in the beer garden to enjoy live music and an award-winning cold brew. Stay tuned to their Facebook page for this week’s food truck line-up.
Matthews Food Truck Fridays & Concert Series
120 S Trade St, Matthews, NC
5 p.m.
Bring your appetite to Matthews’ food truck Friday in Stumptown Park. In addition to a wide food truck offering, the whole family can enjoy kid’s activities, games and live music from Right Turn Clyde.
SATURDAY
Charlotte Harmony Fest 2017
McGlohon Theater at Spirit Square
7:30 p.m.
Ditch the background music. The biggest a cappella event in the Southeast is coming to Charlotte this Saturday night with performances from YouTube star and international medalist Main Street Quartet, college world champions The Newfangled Four, Charlotte’s own Zero Hour and Gold Standard Chorus as well as a special appearance by the Charlotte Harmony Explosion Youth Chorus. Tickets begin at $25.
Fat Tire Presents: Tour de Fat Charlotte w/ A Thousand Horses
Charlotte Metro Credit Union Amphitheatre
4 p.m.
Prepare for a break from the everyday with the Charlotte Tour de Fat. The festival features musicians, circus performers, vaudeville acts, magicians and a concert from A Thousand Horses. Buy tickets.
SUNDAY
KellyFest
Bonterra Dining & Wine Room
4 p.m.
Bob and Kelly Foley are hosting a celebration of Kelly’s favorite southern dishes, and you’re invited. The afternoon features a mouthwatering menu, wine and beer, music and more. On the menu is fried chicken, Carolina BBQ and all the fixin’s. Wash it down with wines from Robert Foley Vineyards and beer from Triple C Brewing Company. There will also be plenty of fun surprise giveaways throughout the afternoon, as well as live music.
$100 per person, includes all you can eat and drink. 4- 8 p.m. Call 704.333.9463 to reserve.
Movie Nights at The Cotton Room: Mr. & Mrs. Smith
The Cotton Room at Belfast Mill
7 p.m.
Break out of your date night rut with a movie night with a twist. The Cotton Room at Belfast Mill is rolling down the big screen for a showing of Mr. & Mrs. Smith and making the experience complete with free popcorn and drink specials.
Crawfish Boil
Birdsong Brewing Co.
1 p.m.
Enjoy a bucket of crawfish on the patio as Birdsong Brewing and Rocksalt Charlotte serve up boiled crawfish, freshly shucked oysters and an Oyster Stout with cajun spices. Live music will be provided by The River Ratz from 2 – 4 p.m. Proceeds from the event will benefit the Villalobos Rescue Center, a pitbull rescue based in New Orleans, Louisiana.
Crawfish wil be sold by the bucket, so although RSVPs are encouraged, no advance tickets are required.
MONDAY
The Patriot Festival 5K & Go The Extra Mile
4401 Barclay Downs Dr.
7:30 a.m.
Honor our military heroes and veterans this Memorial Day by running or walking a 5K route in South Park. Just as they have done for us, opt to “go the extra mile” after crossing the finish line, adding up to a total route of about four miles. Proceeds benefits the Patriot Military Family Foundation, a non-profit that supports service-disabled veterans and their families. Register here.
