Summer is flying by. Don’t let another weekend slip away without trying one of our top picks for what to do in Charlotte. Our day-by-day guide to this weekend:
ALL WEEKEND
Queen’s Feast: Charlotte Restaurant Week
Ends Sunday | Various locations
Try something new or visit a tried and true favorite during Queen’s Feast. 125 area restaurants will offer special menus and prices (typically three courses for $30-$35) til July 29. View our picks here.
24 Hours of Booty
July 27 – 28 | 7 p.m. – 7 p.m.
If you’re not one of the 1,200 riders or 200 walkers making your way through Myers Park’s 3-mile Booty Loop this weekend, there are plenty of chances to cheer on participants and support local organizations. Bands, expo vendors and more will line the route, while the entire event supports the Levine Cancer Institute, Levine Children’s Hospital, The LIVESTRONGFoundation. View the full event schedule here.
The Book of Mormon
July 24 – July 29 | The Belk Theater
Don’t miss your chance to see The Book of Mormon, the nine-time Tony Award®-winner for Best Musical, when it comes through Charlotte. Tickets start at $25.
THURSDAY
Reid’s Uptown Opens
Reid’s Uptown is opening on Thursday, July 26, at 7 a.m at 121 West Trade St.. The store is adding long awaited breakfast and coffee menus to their Uptown location, making it the perfect stop on your way to work. The menu is below, the Grand Opening is Thursday, tag us if you go!
Rose Wine Dinner
WP Kitchen + Bar | 6:30 p.m.
Cheers to summer as Executive Chef Stephen Schmitt serves a seasonally-inspired menu perfectly paired with rosé wines. $55 per person. Call 704.295.0101 to reserve your seat.
Jeni’s at Reid’s Fine Foods on Selwyn
Reid’s Fine Foods Myers Park | Noon – 2 p.m.
Who else is counting down the days until Jeni’s opens in South End on August 9? Satisfy your sweet tooth before the official grand opening with free scoops from Jeni’s Street Treats truck, popping up at Reid’s Fine Foods at Myers Park.
Radiant: A Conversation By and About Women
Harvey B. Gantt Center for African-American Arts + Culture | 6 – 9 p.m.
Celebrate the closing of “By and About Women: The Collection of Dr. Dianne Whitfield-Locke and Dr. Carnell Locke” with a discussion of women and art with some of Charlotte’s creative influencers. Cultural curator Jasiatic Anderson will lead the conversation along with artists Bree Stallings, Carmen Neely, Georgie Nakima and Rosalia Torres-Weiner.
Plumpjack Wine Dinner
Dogwood Southern Table and Bar | 6:30 p.m.
Dogwood Southern Table and Bar will serve a four-course menu paired with Plumpjack wines. Selections include scallop with smoked tomato, shishito vinaigrette and fennel slaw paired with Plumpjack chardonnay as well as grilled octopus, carrot and truffle aioli paired with Plumpjack cabernet. $95 per person. Call 704.910.4919 to reserve your seat.
Uptown Crawl
Uptown Charlotte | 6 – 9 p.m.
Discover Uptown’s art scene as art galleries and museums along the Tryon Street corridor open their doors for free during this monthly event. Plus, there are free trolley rides from stop to stop.
FRIDAY
Taylor O Thomas: Re-Lined Opening Reception
Sozo Gallery | 7 p.m.
Adam Justice, Director of Galleries at UNC Charlotte’s College of Arts + Architecture, will lead an artist talk and discussion in celebration of the opening of Taylor O. Thomas: Re-Lined.
7th Street Public Market Vegan Dinner ft. Chef Majid
7th Street Public Market | 6:15 p.m.
Market vendors Viva Raw, Assorted Table Wine Shoppe & Chef Majid of Zia Pia Imports + Italian Kitchen will team up to host this six-course vegan dinner featuring wine, cashew cheese, tapas and dessert. $55 per person.
Live on the Green featuring Time Sawyer w/ Scott Moss Band
First Ward Park | 7 p.m.
Live on the Green, First Ward Park’s music series, continues with performances from Scott Moss Band at 7 p.m. and Time Sawyer at 8:30 p.m. The concerts are free and there will be food and craft beer available for purchase.
Comedy Night at Barista Craft
Barista Craft Highland Creek | 8 p.m.
On the last Friday of each month, Barista Craft hosts a free comedy night. This time, the evening will be hosted by Micah Sean, who will be joined by local comedians Don Garrett, Crystalle Rammey, Chris P, Alex Spears, Chris Monday, Jiwan Kapp, Aric Allen and Kevin Duf.
Pie & Cider Pairing
Red Clay Ciderworks | 7 p.m.
Indulge in the tart and savory flavors of cider and pie in this sweet pairing. Jay Brandish of Red Clay Ciderworks and Monica Nye of A Smart Cookie will talk you through four different pairings, each with their own unique flavors. $19 per person.
Christmas in July DIY Workshop
AR Workshop Charlotte | 7 p..m.
The countdown to the holidays (and holiday decorating) is officially on. Get ready early with a special AR Workshop class where you can choose one of many Christmas designs from wood signs to wall art and pillows. Plus, get in the spirit with cookies and holiday tunes as you craft.
Front Porch Friday
Catawba Brewing Co. | 5 p.m.
Head to the front porch at Catawba Brewing Co. for a skyline view and a great kick-off to the weekend. Enjoy live music, beer and food truck offerings from Fresh Med, Cousins Maine Lobster and Rocky Top BBQ Co.
Sounds on the Square: Temperance League
Spirit Square | 7 – 8:30 p.m.
Park your lawn chair in Spirit Square as Temperance League, a band covering everything from rock and roll to new wave, takes the stage. Free admission. Concessions and beverages available for purchase.
Cashiers Designer Showhouse Opening Night Gala
95 Bobcat Drive, Cashiers | 6:30 p.m.
Up for a road trip? Start the weekend at the Cashiers Designer Showhouse ‘s Preview Party and Opening Gala. The evening will include a performance from Motown band, The Business, and catering from cooking show host Vera Stewart.
SATURDAY
Bearden Music Series feat. Sidecar Social Club
Romare Bearden Park | 6 – 9 p.m.
Romare Bearden Park’s monthly music series returns with a free performance from Sidebar Social Club. Food and beverage vendors will be on site.
An Afternoon with Highwest Distillery
Dot Dot Dot Charlotte | 3 p.m.
Experience Utah’s award-winning distiller, High West, in a tasting led by Eric Jeter, Regional Sales Manager at Constellation Brands. Featured spirits include High West’s Rendezvous Rye, Double Rye, Campfire and American Prairie Bourbon. $45 per person.
Donut & Beer Pairing
Temple Mojo, Matthews | 11 a.m.
In Matthews, Temple Mojo will team up with Your Mom’s Donuts for a fun and flavorful donut and beer pairing. Try a lemon honey donut complemented by the flavors of a light beer, vanilla classic paired with a robust dark brew, strawberry donut with a mixed fermentation sour and more. $22 per person.
Opera Carolina & Mater Sammiches
NoDa Farmers Market | 9 a.m.
What do opera and tomatoes have in common? Both will share the spotlight this weekend at NoDa Farmers Market, where Opera Carolina will perform live and shoppers will enjoy free tomato sandwiches while supplies last.
August June Desserts Pop-Up
Williams Sonoma South Park | 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Sweeten up your shopping as August June Desserts hosts a pop-up at Williams-Sonoma. Special flavors include lemon dream (moist lemon cake with fresh lemon buttercream), ChocVan cupcake (rich chocolate cake topped with vanilla buttercream) and wild mushroom (savory cake with portobello mushrooms, sage and onion topped with goat cheese mousse).
Keith Urban: Graffiti U World Tour
PNC Music Pavilion | 7:30 p.m.
Head to PNC to see Kelsea Ballerini and Keith Urban take the stage. Tickets start at $39.
The New Familiars at The Music Yard
2344 South Blvd. | 7 p.m.
Catch The New Familiars, who play their own style of American rock and roll, at The Music Yard. While jamming to the band, grab dinner from SouthBound’s Taco Stand and full bar. Free admission.
2018 Homegrown Tomato Festival
NoDa Brewing Company | 1 – 6 p.m.
This all-day tomato themed event allows attendees to try dozens of different backyard tomatoes, purchase your own to take home and even crown the region’s best tomato grower. Live music from School of Rock Charlotte and The Hashbrown Belly Boys. $10 per person with all proceeds supporting 100 Gardens.
Pour Some 80’s on Me Crawl
Uptown Charlotte | 5 p.m.
Dust off your 80s gear for a blast from the past bar crawl in Uptown. Attendees will enjoy no cover, drink specials and contests at participating bars, which include Blackfinn, The Local, Ri Ra’s, Lucky’s Bar and Arcade and Roxbury. Plus get 20% off brunch at Vida Vida the following day. $8 in advance and $15 cash day of the event.
Sweet Bites for Animal Rights
Artisen, Matthews | Noon – 3 p.m.
Beat the heat and support the mission of The Humane league with vegan, organic and allergy-friendly ice cream and gelato. A portion of proceeds benefits The Humane League.
Tomato Day at the Market
Charlotte Regional Farmers Market | 8 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Celebrate the classic summer flavor of ripe tomatoes during your weekend trip to the market. Vendors will be showcasing their wide variety of tomatoes, as well as handing out free tomato recipes to take home.
SUNDAY
Picnic in the Park feat. Jason Atkins
Fourth Ward Park | 4 – 6 p.m.
Fourth Ward Park’s free summer music series continues with a performance from Jason Atkins. Pack a picnic to enjoy a Sunday funday in the park.
Dickens’ England
Charlotte Museum of History | 4 – 5:30 p.m.
Join the Charlotte Museum of History for the next event in their annual Teas of the British Isles lecture series. Attendees will explore England through the people and places featured in Charles Dickens’ novels. $40 per person for non-museum members.
