Settling in to enjoy a nice long Christmas weekend? Whether you’re looking for festive ways to cheers to the season or creative options to entertain out-of-town guests, our day-by-day guide has you covered for what to do this weekend in Charlotte:
FRIDAY
Ugly Sweater Party
Howl at the Moon | Doors open at 5 p.m.
Hit the thrift store or dig way back into your closet to find the best ugly sweater in time for Howl at the Moon’s bash. The night includes a contest for ugliest sweater, drink specials, live music and a visit from Santa.
Unwind & Dine in Historic South End
South End Neighborhood | 4-7 p.m.
Perfect for out-of-town guests, this happy hour inspired tour will have you wining and dining through breweries, restaurants and food markets in Charlotte’s South End neighborhood. $60 per person.
Live Christmas Music
7th Street Public Market | 5:30-8:30 p.m.
Kick off a festive holiday weekend (and check those final items off your list) with live holiday music from Sarah and Michael Bowman.
Power of the Purse
Hickory Tavern Metropolitan | 7 -10 p.m.
Using the vacation time to clean out your closet? Bring your new or gently used purses to benefit the homeless women at the Center of Hope Shelter as they wrap up their purse drive.
Cookie & Cider Pairing
Red Clay Ciderworks | 7-8:30 p.m.
Red Clay Ciderworks and A Smart Cookie team up for a seasonal pairing just in time for the holidays. Cider maker Jay Bradish and baker Monica Nye will walk you through four different pairings. Purchase tickets here.
SATURDAY
Christmas Eve Eve’s Dinner
McNinch House Restaurant | 5 p.m.
On Christmas Eve Eve, treat out-of-town guests to a uniquely Charlotte dining experience at McNinch House. The multi-course dinner features creations by Executive Chef Matthew Sheppard and Sous Chef Corey Thomas, along with wine pairings by Wine Steward Anthony M. Wesley. $175 per person. Call 704.332.6159 or reserve your table online.
Tacky Christmas Sweater Brewery Tour
Three Spirits Brewery | 12:30 -5 p.m.
Show guests Charlotte’s brewery scene with a tour that takes guests to NoDa Brewing Company, Sycamore, Olde Mecklenburg Brewing Company and Sugar Creek Brewing Company. The tour includes two complimentary drinks, tours and raffles. $30 per person.
Last Minute Day
Charlotte Regional Farmers Market | 8 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Swing by the Charlotte Regional Farmers Market for all of your last-minute gifting needs. Shop baked goods, crafts wines, produce and more.
Community Blood Drive
Legion Brewing | Noon – 2 p.m.
Looking for an easy way to give back? Donate blood at Legion Brewing to support the Community Blood Center of the Carolinas’ 13th Annual Puppies for Patients. Each donor will sign a gift tag to accompany a stuffed toy puppy, which will bring joy to kids in local hospitals and care centers this holiday season. Make an appointment online or by calling 1-888-59BLOOD.
Charlotte Hornets vs. Milwaukee Bucks
Spectrum Center | 7 p.m.
Head Uptown to see the Charlotte Hornets take on the Milwaukee Bucks. Search tickets here.
The Black Christmas Party
Three Spirits Brewery | 6 p.m.
Three Spirits Brewery will host a number of black-owned food trucks, a DJ, local vendors and Santa for this pre-Christmas celebration.
Ugly Christmas Sweater Party
Ed’s Tavern | 9 p.m.
Ed’s Tavern’s 10th annual Christmas party features an ugly sweater contest, $300 worth of giveaways, food and drink specials, live music and more.
A Christmas Carol
Three Spirits Brewery | 4:30 – 6:30 p.m.
Three Spirits Brewery and Blue Monkey Theatre present a production of A Christmas Carol, the tale that influenced the brewery’s name. Admission is free, but donations of a new, unwrapped toy are encouraged.
Christmas Matinee at Flight
Flight | Noon – 6 p.m.
Come cozy in your Christmas jammies as Flight shows your favorite Christmas movies, complete with a spiked hot chocolate bar.
Christmas Yard Sale
Flight | 8 p.m.
Continue the fun at Flight as they kick the holiday off with $1 shots and $1 drafts.
Quinn’s Day
The Broken Spoke | Noon – 11 p.m.
At The Broken Spoke, Quinn’s Day includes free tours from 1-6 p.m. (on the hour), drink specials, barrel tastings, bottle wax dippings, live music and a barrel and bottle auction benefitting the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.
Ugly Christmas Sweater Party
The Blind Pig | 5 p.m.
Don your ugliest sweater at The Blind Pig for the chance to win a gift certificate. Contest begins at midnight.
SUNDAY
Carolina Panthers vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Bank of America Stadium | 1 p.m.
Spend Christmas Eve with thousands of your closest friends cheering on the Carolina Panthers as they face off against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Kick-off is at 1 p.m.
Panthers Xmas Eve Watch Party
The Brass Tap – South End | 1-4 p.m.
Can’t make the game? Bring your crew to The Brass Tap to cheer on the Panthers as they tap Wicked Weed’s Barrel Aged Milk and Cookies beer.
PLAN AHEAD
Undeck the Hall
NASCAR Hall of Fame | Doors open at 10 a.m.
The gifting continues at the NASCAR Hall of Fame as they invite visitors to help undeck the hall. Guests are welcome to select a gift off of one of the Hall’s trees decorated with NASCAR items like autographed souvenirs, race tickets, die-cast cars, sheet metal and a few surprises. Plan to get there early! Event is included with  admission to the Hall.
Twas the Day After Christmas
Blue Blaze Brewing | 2-9 p.m.
Bring guests and family members to Blue Blaze for $8 pitchers, live music and eats from Dr. Noodle. Their “Don’t Hate It, Donate It” drive is the perfect solution for all of your unwanted gifts or donation items to benefit The Salvation Army of Greater Charlotte.
Wine & Cheese Class
Wednesday, December 27 |Â 7th Street Public Market | 6-7:30 p.m.
Josh of the Assorted Table and Rachel from Orrman’s Cheese Shop lead a tasting of local and globally-sourced cheeses and wines.  $25 per person and 10% off any cheese purchases the night of the event. Purchase tickets here.
Cutthroat Xmas Party
Thursday, December 28 | Draught Charlotte | 6:30 p.m.
Whether you call it yankee swap or dirty Santa, one thing’s for sure: this isn’t your typical gift exchange. Bring a gift and get ready to trade your way to take home the best gift in the bunch. Enjoy $5 Jack Daniels, $5 Titos vodka and a cocktail special.
