Don’t let the first real chill of the season keep you indoors this weekend. Grab your coat (one of these picks, perhaps?) and enjoy these fun events around the Queen City:
THURSDAY
WP Feeds the Need for Pancreatic Cancer Action Network
WP Kitchen + Bar | 5-10 p.m.
It’s easy to dine out for a cause. On World Pancreatic Cancer Day, WP Kitchen + Bar will donate 10% of sales to the Charlotte Affiliate of the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network. Make reservation by calling 704.295.0101.
Chalk Hill Winery Dinner
Bonterra Dining & Wine Room | 6:30 p.m.
Join host Matt LeBlanc from Chalk Hill Winery and special guests from the Wine Vault for a wine and tasting menu. The evening begins with a tasting of four wines followed by a farm-driven four course dinner with pairings. Â View the full menu. Only 50 seats available! Call to reserve your spot: 704.548.9463. $75 all-inclusive.
Traditions Local Artisan Holiday Event Pop-up Shop
4317-A Park Rd. | 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Don’t miss this holiday event featuring local artisans. 19 of Charlotte’s most talented artisans will have plenty of gift options to shop at Traditions’ pop-up shop =Â Lauren Bolshakov, Amy Early, Erin McDermott, Pam Wingard, Doughlicious Yummy, Cloister Honey, La Piccola Gabbia, Indigo Tilt, Beautiful Idiot Clothing, Madison Sumner, Carolyn Johnson, Dunx Coffee, Kristin Dills, Sienna Stone Designs, Sandra McCaslin, Mary McGarity, Mallory Candles, Holly Graham Fine Art, Artaccent, Light Your Wick Candles.
Turkey Day Pairing
Roots Café | 6-8 p.m.
Don’t bring the same old wine to this year’s Thanksgiving table. Sip and sample a complimentary selection of unique wines and ciders and wow your friends and family with your pick. Small bites provided and their new winter menu will be available. RSVP to jaime@rootscafesouthend.com.
24th Beaujolais Festival of Charlotte
Levine Museum of the New South | 6:30 – 9:30 p.m.
Each year during the third week of November, the Beaujolais Nouveau is released as the first grape harvest of the season. Be a part of this authentic French tradition complete with wine tastings, delicious French fare, live jazz and silent auctions. $45 for Alliance Française of Charlotte members, $55 for non-members.
Beaujolais Nouveau Day
Seaboard Taproom & Wine Bar, Matthews | 5-11 p.m.
In France, fireworks and festivals mark the release of the first wine of the season. In Matthews, Seaboard Taproom & Wine Room is celebrating Beaujolais Nouveau day with an inaugural all day event. Enjoy the new wine, a featured wine list from the region and more. Before heading out, grab a bottle or case to-go for the holidays. Plus, a food truck onsite and music from Lisa deNovo.
Ten Paces Dinner Series Round 2 – A Culinary Duel
Loft & Cellar | 6:30 p.m.
Ready, set, sear! Experience chefs Chris Coleman of Stoke Charlotte and Nicolas Daniels of Loft & Cellar as they meet again in the second round of the Ten Paces dinner series, a 5-course culinary battle where you pick the winner.
The Fall Art Salon
900 Ardsley Road | Thursday: 6-9 p.m., Friday: 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.
View the largest collection of works yet at the fall Art Salon. 23 emerging and established artists, including 10 new artists, will be displaying work at the pop-up art show.
FRIDAY
Sisters First Tour
McGlohon Theatre | 8 p.m.
Grab a sister – biological or not – for a special event with former first daughters Jenna Bush Hager and Barbara Pierce Bush. The Sisters First Tour promising an evening of personal stories and universal revelations all with a sister, or friends who have become sisters, will relate to. Tickets start at $40, purchase yours here.
Bechtler By Night: Fall in Love with Art
Bechtler Museum of Modern Art | 5 – 9 p.m.
Rekindle your love of the arts with a free night of browsing two exhibitions at the Bechtler. Your night also includes gallery games, scavenger hunts, raffle prizes, light bites and the featured cocktail, an apple cider mimosa.
Science on the Rocks:Â In a Galaxy Far, Far Away
Discover Place Science | 5-9 p.m.
Get ready for a night out at the Museum with a Star Wars theme. Take aim in a Stormtrooper blaster tag, race a droid in a Sphero Race, make your own Jabba the Hutt slime, fight with your lightsaber with dueling tips from Swordwind instructors and more.
9th Annual Tree Lighting Celebration
Piedmont Town Center | 6 p.m.
Santa is making his grand arrival at Piedmont Town Center just in time from the tree lighting. Families can enjoy arts and crafts entertainment and sweet treats before and after their visit with Mr. and Mrs. Claus. Consider bringing an unwrapped toy to support Toys for Tots Charlotte.
Charlotte Moonshine Festival
Rooftop 210 | 7 p.m.
Charlotte’s Moonshine Festival is back for its fifth year with sampling, unique flavors and live music. General admission, which includes unlimited samples is $18.19 online.
ALL WEEKEND
Beethoven & Brahms
Belk Theater | Friday and Saturday, 7:30 p.m.
Hear Beethoven’s Violin Concerto and Brahms’ Symphony No. 4 in this weekend’s symphony performance, featuring violinist Benjamin Beilman and conductor Christopher Warren-Green.
Holidays at the Garden 2017
Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden | Daily 5-9 p.m.
Stroll the gardens by twinkling lights as Holidays at the Garden opens for the season. Each night visitors will enjoy music, shopping, crackling fires, horse-drawn carriage rides and more. Keep up with special events through the season on their website.
Winter Wonderland SouthPark
4400 Sharon Rd. | Opens at 3 p.m. on Nov. 17, open through January 7
Be one of the first to glide across South Park’s Winter Wonderland ice rink when it opens this weekend. The 5,000 square foot skating rink is next to a pub and coffee shop and features live music and special events throughout the season.
Speedway Christmas
Charlotte Motor Speedway |Â The Egg Nog Jog 5K Fun Run on Saturday, light show opens Sunday
Race into the holiday spirit with The Egg Nog Jog 5k on Saturday. Then return on Sunday for the first night of Speedway Christmas, a three-mile course of over 3 million lights spanning the racetrack and grounds. Drive through the larger-than-life displays and tunnels before visiting with Santa at the Christmas Village. Speedway Christmas is open every night November 19 – Sunday, December 31st 6 – 10 p.m., except for Christmas Day.
SATURDAY
Champagne Class
Vin Master Wine Shop | 5 p.m.
Just in time for toasting season, Vin Master and ‘Bordeaux Fine and Rare Distributing’ are teaming up for an educational class that teaches attendees about 5 French Champagnes. Nibble on complimentary local cheeses. Call 704.307.5565 or email vinmasterclt@gmail.com to reserve your spot. $35 per person.
2017 Vintage Charlotte Winter Market
The Fillmore Charlotte | 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Keep all your shopping local this holiday season with the help of VTGCLT’s Winter Market. This all-in-one market features over 60 of the region’s best vintage and handmade vendors, HEX Coffee and food trucks on site. Tickets are $7 for early bird entry (10 a.m.) and $2 general admission beginning at 11 a.m.
Charlotte ART Collective Holiday Show and Sale
Avondale Church | 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Check everyone off you holiday shopping list – including yourself! – with a visit to the Charlotte Art Collective Holiday Show and Sale. Over 25 area artists will be showcasing a variety of media spanning photography, pottery, jewelry, fine arts and more.
South End Tree Lighting
Atherton | 5:30 p.m.
The countdown is on before the tree in the heart of South End will illuminate, inviting Santa himself to make an appearance. Enjoy music and performances beginning at 5:30 p.m. with the official lighting at 6.
Tree Lighting at Blakeney
Blakeney Shopping Center | 5-9 p.m.
It won’t be long before Santa himself makes his appearance at Blakeney Shopping Center. Gather ’round for the tree lighting then pose for pictures and visit with Santa until 9 p.m. See here for Santa’s Workshop’s hours of operation.
Ink N Ivy’s 1 Year Anniversary
Ink N Ivy Charlotte | 9 p.m.
Raise your glass to one year for Uptown’s Ink N Ivy. Check out their new heated tent, sample featured items from their new menu and dance the night away to the sounds of local DJ Rowshay.
SUNDAY
Hennessy Moet Cognac Dinner
Ruth’s Chris South Park | 6 p.m.
​Hosted by Chip Hamner and Jessica White of Hennessy Moet, this Cognac dinner features four chef-crafted courses with pairings. View the full menu here. $100++/person. Call 828.398.6200 to RSVP.
Fall Oyster Roast by Birdsong & RockSalt
Birdsong Brewing Co. | 1-4 p.m.
Get ready to shuck as Birdsong Brewing and Rocksalt team up for a Sunday oyster roast. Buckets of roasted oysters will be available for $15, while raw oysters will be available for just $1 each. Birdsong will be complementing the roast with a fresh batch of their Clustershuck Oyster Stout.
