Looking to get out and enjoy the (finally) fall-like weather? This weekend is full of ways to explore. Here’s your guide to what to do this weekend in Charlotte:
THURSDAY
Big View Pumpkin Baking Class
Thursday, October 19th | Big View Diner | 6:30 p.m.
Don’t just pin all the fall recipes, learn how to whip them up yourself! The chefs at Big View Diner will teach you how to make pumpkin gooey butter cake with spiced ice cream, pumpkin sticky buns and classic pumpkin pie. Plus, dinner is included! $45 per person.
Chefs for Kids’ Cancer – The Carolinas
Fillmore Underground | 6:30 p.m.
Celebrated chefs from around the Carolinas are cooking up funds and awareness for childhood cancer research. The 3rd annual Chefs for Kids’ Cancer event features chef-prepared heavy hors d’oeuvres, local bakeries offering a variety of cookies and a live auction with once-in-a-lifetime experiences.
Wine 101 class
Corkbuzz Charlotte |Â 6:30 p.m.
Ever wondered how those grapes got in your glass? Find out with this back to basics class. Discover which flavors you like best (so next time you can order with confidence), learn how wine is made and taste the differences between different styles. $55 per guest.
Movies on the Deck: Hocus Pocus
400 S Tryon St. | 6:45 p.m.
Something will be brewing on Thursday eve on the 4th level of an Uptown parking garage. Join Charlotte Center City and Susie Films for a free showing of Hocus Focus. The fun starts with live music at 6:45 p.m, followed by the movie at dusk. Grab dinner from Rhino Market  & Deli Downtown or a hot dog from JJ’s Red Hots. Free admission and popcorn.
ALL WEEKEND
Designer Warehouse Sale at Evaru Design
2226 Hawkins Street | Thursday – Saturday
Evaru Design is working on some fall cleaning, and you’re the one who benefits. Take advantage of designer finds (think furniture, art, accessories and more) at lower than retail prices.
Fall Works
Knight Theater | Thursday – Sunday
Charlotte Ballet’s Fall Works performances feature three works – Johan Inger’s Walking Mad, George Balanchine’s Apollo and Cole Porter’s Elsa Canasta – that explore the future, legacy and diversity of the ballet. Ticket prices start at $25.
Harry Potter and The Sorcerer’s Stone™ In Concert
Ovens Auditorium | Friday – Sunday
Relive the magic as The Charlotte Symphony performs each note from Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone ™. Audiences will follow along as the film plays on a 40-foot screen. Times vary by performance date.
FRIDAY
Let’s Glow Crazy! The Duke Mansion’s Glow Party
The Duke Mansion | 8 p.m.
Wear your best all-white ensemble or go all out in neon for The Duke Mansion’s Glow Party. Hosted every year as a fundraiser by The Duke Mansion Preservation Society, the event features over-sized outdoor games, dance-themed video games, a silent auction, black light dancing to the sounds of HeyDJ and food and drink from the Mansion’s Chef Harrison. Tickets are $75 per person with $25 deductible. Get your tickets online and register for the Silent Auction, or call 704.714.4453.
Bechtler By Night
Bechtler Museum of Modern Art | 5-9 p.m.
Explore exhibits by moonlight – with a fun twist – at this month’s Bechtler by night. The theme is Dia de los Muertos, and guests will enjoy free admission, special exhibitions that match the theme, gallery games and scavenger hunts, light bites and a cash bar, pumpkin painting and the featured cocktail of the night, a mint mojito.
Pressing Strings LIVE at Reid’s SouthPark
Reid’s Fine Foods | 7 p.m.
Grab some friends and a cocktail, the next edition of Reid’s Patio Concert Series is the perfect way to enjoy the fall weather. Annapolis-Maryland based Pressing Strings will play blues, folk, funk, soul and reggae the patio at Reid’s SouthPark this Friday night. Tickets are $10 and can be purchased in person at Reid’s SouthPark.
Bridal Walk Around Party at Corkbuzz
Corkbuzz Charlotte | 1-3 p.m.
Looking for that perfect venue for wedding festivities? Consider Corkbuzz for your bridal shower, rehearsal dinner, bachelorette activity or even the wedding itself! Tour the spaces at their Bridal Walk Around Party, featuring local industry professionals, wedding planners, plus snacks and wine. Registration is free.
SATURDAY
Stilo by EMC Design Home Decor & Interiors Fall Tent Sale
2318 Crescent Avenue | 10 a.m. -2 p.m.
Give your home a fall refresh with the help of EMC Design + Stilo. Their tent sale this Saturday features a designer-selected compilation of furniture, accessories, lamps, mirrors and more. Designers will be onsite to help your interior design ideas come to life.
Ballantyne Whiskey Fest
The Ballantyne | All day beginning at noon
Calling all whiskey lovers! The Ballantyne Whiskey Fest is an all-day celebration featuring tastings from around the world, educational seminars, cocktail demonstrations and a Bourbon Ball Dinner. $275 per person, includes admission to the tasting, two educational seminars, cocktails and dinner. Twenty percent of the event’s proceeds will benefit Second Harvest Food Bank of Metrolina. Reservations are required at (704) 248-4100.
Greystar South End Wine Fest
308 W. Carson Blvd. | 2-6 p.m.
Sip your way through offerings from 25 vineyards at this year’s South End Wine Festival. The day will also feature live music and food trucks. Proceeds benefit Classroom Central.
GUTS 2017
BB&T Ballpark | 2-5 p.m.
The 9th annual GUTS pumpkin carving competition is back. Watch Charlotte creatives carve their pumpkins, vote for your favorite and even take one home (your neighbors would be so jealous). While watching the live carving action, enjoy concessions, drinks, trick-or-treating with the kids, a raffle and more. All proceeds benefit Make-A-Wish Central & Western North Carolina. $10 per person.
24th Annual Apple Harvest Festival
Windy Hill Orchard & Cider Mill | 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
The apples are all picked and now it’s time to enjoy them. Celebrate with Windy Hill with live music, their hard cider bar, hay rides, apple butter making instruction, blacksmith demonstrations, food trucks and of course, their easy apple cider donuts. Tickets must be purchased in advance.
Sweetest Day
Charlotte Regional Farmer Market | 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Satisfy your sweet tooth on your weekend trip to the Charlotte Regional Farmers Market. Their bakers will offer special treats from cookies to brownies, pies and more.
Friends and Beerfest: Harvest Edition
Legion Brewing Company | 2-7 p.m.
The second annual Friends + Beerfest includes live music from Abbey Elmore and The Crystal Fountains, pumpkin painting, special beer releases, and even whiskey and cider pours from Great Wagon Road Distilling Company and Good Road Ciderworks. They will also be collecting canned, non perishable items for Loaves and Fishes of Mecklenburg County.
8th Annual Dogtoberfest
Heist Brewery | 2 p.m.
Join Dog Days of Charlotte for the 8th Annual Dogtoberfest. The day includes live music from Nate Randall, a dog costume contest, raffle prizes and two local rescue organizations bringing pups looking for their forever homes.
Guys with Ties Casino Night
Harvey B. Gantt Center for African-American Arts + Culture | 8 p.m.
Now in its eighth year, the Guys with Ties Annual Casino Night Gala offers guests a night of casino games, music from live bands and DJs, all-you-can-eat food and drink and a silent auction. General admission and VIP ticket packages available. Proceeds benefit The Isabella Santos Foundation to help end Neuroblastoma.
7th Annual Brewer’s Ball
Discovery Place Science | 7 p.m.
The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation’s Charlotte Chapter presents the 7th Annual Brewer’s Ball, the Charlotte area’s most unique beer, wine and food tasting event where the public and Charlotte’s brewers, restaurant owners and chefs mingle and connect over food and drink. Tickets include live music, auctions and unlimited samplings from local and regional breweries, cideries, wine distributors and restaurants. Regular admission and VIP packages available.
Arboretum Tricks ‘n Treats
The Arboretum Shopping Center | 3:30 p.m.
Tricks ‘n Treats is back for another round of pre-Halloween fun. The free family event features face painting, a pumpkin patch, a visit from some superheroes and of course, lots of candy! Proceeds from the pumpkin patch will go to the Autism Society of North Carolina.
SUNDAY
Journey Inside Yourself Masterclass Benefitting Carolina Breast Friends
Vibe5 Yoga and Fitness | 2 p.m.
Find your zen and support a great cause with this 75-minute master class led by instructor Terrie Reeves. This is a donation based class and all proceeds go to support Carolina Breast Friends whose mission is to provide education, encouragement and friendship to individuals diagnosed with breast cancer and to support them during any stage of their breast cancer journey.
Noah Graham Foundation 4 Miler
Sunday, October 22 |Â McAlpine Creek Park | 9 a.m.
Help support amilies who have suffered miscarriage, stillbirth or infant and child loss in honor of Noah Graham Williams. The four-mile race benefits the Noah Graham Foundation and KinderMourn.
BIKETOBERFEST! Presented by Charlotte Knights
Triple C Brewing Co. | 11:30 a.m.
You don’t have to travel by car to explore the city! Bike around town while collecting stamps in your official Passport as part of this year’s Biketoberfest. The stamps you collect on your passport will be entered in a raffle at Triple C Brewing Company for prizes. The more destinations you visit, the more chances you’ll have to win! Winners are announced at the afterparty which also features live music.
Burly Wine Dinner
Napa on Providence | 6:30 p.m.
Round out the weekend with a four-course dinner featuring Burly wines. Hosted by winemaker Hank McCrorie, the menu includes pan seared scallops, foie gras mousse, duck breast and braised short rib paired with a Burly wine. $125++.
Howl-O-Ween
Birdsong Brewing Co. | 4-7 p.m.
Bring Fido along to North Mecklenburg Animal Rescue’s inaugural Howl-O-Ween. Expect a per costume contest, raffle, live music from Tina Crapsi and adoptable pups.
PLAN AHEAD
Raid the Cellar w/ Laura Maniec Sonoma Cocktail Party
Corkbuzz Charlotte | Monday, October 23 | 6:30 p.m.
Master Sommelier and Corkbuzz co-owner Laura Maniec is back for the popular Raid the Cellar series. Head to Sonoma to taste some of Laura’s favorites in a casual and fun atmosphere, complete with snacks from the Chef’s menu. $85 per guest.
