Our Picks on The Best 35 Things To Do In CHARLOTTE Over Labor Day Weekend

Just because summer is ending doesn’t mean the fun is. Get ready for three days of festivals, live music, jazz, wine tastings and more. Here’s your guide to Labor Day weekend in Charlotte:

ALL WEEKEND

Go Apple & Fruit Picking

Here’s our round up of best spots to pick something fresh and have some fun.

Visit an NC Winery

Here are 5 NC wineries you can visit over the long weekend.

Labor Day Celebration
Saturday – Sunday | U.S. National Whitewater Center

At the USNWC, there are plenty of ways to get outside this Labor Day weekend. Saturday kicks off with The Dry Tri and continues with the Aqua Rock Deep Water Solo Climbing Competition and River Jam. Sunday’s festivities include the Labor Day 5k and 15k Trail Race followed by yoga, live music and a fireworks show after sunset.

Matthews Alive Festival
August 31 – September 3 | Downtown Matthews

This year’s Matthews Alive Festival has something for everyone. The whole family will love a jam-packed weekend of entertainment, Saturday’s parade, rides and games, and arts and crafts pavilion, over 160 artisan vendors, a petting zoo and more.   View all festival activities here.

THURSDAY

Paws on the Patio
WP Kitchen + Bar | 6 p.m.

Luna and Alicia Thomas and WP Kitchen + Bar host Paws on the Patio, a dog-friendly event featuring complimentary bites from Chef Stephen Schmitt, free treats for the pups from Woof Gang Bakery and cocktail specials. To RSVP, email callie@msquaredpr.com.

Italian Wine Takeover
Vin Master Wine Shop | 6:30 p.m.

The owner of Impero Wine Distributors and level 3 Advanced Sommelier leads this tasting of Italian wines. Featured wines will be available for purchase by the glass and bottle. $15 per person. Reservations encouraged.

Veuve Clicquot Dinner
Ruth’s Chris Steak House SouthPark | 6:30 – 8:30 p.m.

Ruth’s Chris’ popular champagne dinner pairs five Veuve Clicquot varieties with five delicious courses. Try the Yellow Label Brut, Veuve Clicquot Rosé, Veuve Clicquot Vintage and their Demi-sec with dessert. View the full menu and reserve your seat here.

Author Talk with Sarah Crosland
Levine Museum of the New South | 6 – 8 p.m.

Discover (or rediscover) your favorite Charlotte stories and things to do in this program led by Sarah Crosland, author of Secret Charlotte: A Guide to the Weird, Wonderful, and Obscure. You’ll also get a taste of local businesses including Lenny Boy Brewing and Chef Alyssa’s Kitchen. $10 tickets include the program, samples and cash bar.

Summer Concert Series
Anne Springs Close Greenway | 6:30 p.m.

The summer concert series at Anne Springs Close Greenway wraps up with a performance by Fantasy Band. There is also a weekly fun run and yoga before the concert beginning at 6 p.m. $5 parking, $5 concert admission fee, $5 entry fees apply to non-members for yoga and run club.

#Instabeerupclt
Sugar Creek Brewing | 6 – 9 p.m.

Don’t miss the next edition of #InstaBeerUpCLT. In celebration of U.S. Marine Week, the first 100 people to bring a Toys for Tots donation (toy or monetary) get a complimentary limited edition beer and glass.

Funky Buddha & Ballast Point 50+ Beer Tap Takeover
Duckworth’s Grill & Taphouse Ballantyne | 5 – 9 p.m.

Two all-time favorite breweries are joining forces to take over the taps at Duckworth’s Ballantyne. Enjoy over 50 beers on tap and giveaways including Panthers tickets, a Yeti cooler and brewery tours. View the full beer list here.

Peach Baking Class
The Big View Diner Bakery | 6:30 p.m.

Pastry chefs at Big View Diner host this cooking class in celebration of National Peach Month. You’ll learn to make peach hand pies and roasted peaches with brown sugar ice cream and almond oatmeal crumble, plus enjoy a three-course dinner. P.S. It’s also half-price wine night! $45 per person.

Sip & Stroll in the Garden
Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden | 5 – 9 p.m.

Each Thursday through the end of August, head to Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden for a summer evening of live music, blooms, libations and strolling. Garden admission applies: $12.95 per adult, $11.95 per senior 60+ and $6.95 per child ages 2-12.

Raclette Night
Orrman’s Cheese Shop | 4 – 8 p.m.

Each week, head to Orrman’s Cheese Shop to sample a new Raclette cheese served over roasted potatoes with cornichons and mustard. Plates are $10 each or $13 with charcuterie.

Atherton Jazz Jam
Not Just Coffee – Atherton Mills| 7 – 10 p.m.

Not Just Coffee in Atherton Mills hosts a Jazz Jam on the last Thursday of each month. BYOB, plus the coffee bar will be open. $5 admission.

Make & Mingle: Cornhole Boards
Discovery Place Science | 6 – 9 p.m.

Just in time for tailgating season, make your own cornhole set complete with a hand-painted design at this adults-only DIY night out. $55 per person, $62 per couple.

Appetite for Destruction at Alive After Five
Rooftop 210 | 5 – 10 p.m.

Alive After Five continues with a performance by Appetite for Destruction, the ultimate Guns N’ Roses tribute band. Enjoy the music, grab a beer and enjoy some of the best views in the QC.

Paint Your Glass Off
GoodRoad CiderWorks | 6:30 – 8:30 p.m.

Choose your own glass and uncork your creative side to paint your own design. One glass is $30, add an extra glass for $15 each.

FRIDAY

Sounds on the Square: Aaron Burdett
Spirit Square | 7 – 8:30 p.m.

Aaron Burdette takes the stage at the next Sound on the Square concert in Uptown. Don’t forget your lawn chairs and picnic blankets for this free show.

Brad Paisley & Kane Brown Live in Concert
American Legion Memorial Stadium | 6 p.m.

Charlotte gets ready for college football with a kickoff concert from Brad Paisley, Kane Brown and special guests Davisson Bros Band and Dee Jay Silver. $39+.

The Best Of: Charlotte 48 Hour Film Project
McGlohon Theatre | 6:45 p.m.

See the best selections from the 2018 Charlotte 48 Hour film project in one night at the McGlohon Theater. Films were created by teams of local artists given a genre, a character’s name, a prop and a line of dialogue. $18 per person.

Pizazz Smooth Jazz Festival
Charlotte Metro Credit Union Amphitheatre | 6 p.m.

Kenny G, Dave Koz & The Summer Horns featuring Gerald Albright, the Bob James Trio and more take the stage at the Pizazz Smooth Jazz Festival. $48+.

SATURDAY

Belk College Kickoff
Bank of America Stadium | 3:30 p.m.

College football kicks off as West Virginia takes on Tennessee at Bank of America stadium. Get your tickets here.

Bearden Birthday Bash
Romare Bearden Park | 6 – 9 p.m.

Honor Romare Bearden’s 107th birthday with an evening of jazz in the park with saxophonist Shableek and violinist Ken Ford. Free admission.

Canniversary Can Festival – RC Turns One!
Resident Culture Brewing Company | Noon – 7 p.m.

Resident Culture is welcoming guest breweries from all over the country to help celebrate their first anniversary. Enjoy beer tastings straight from the can from participating breweries, plus a line-up of live music acts that continues into Sunday. General admission is $85 and includes three hours of unlimited tastings, a commemorative glass and koozie. VIP tickets are $225 and include four hours of tasting, a case of 24 assorted cans to take home, an insulated can cooler and cooler bag, tasting glass, and enamel pin.

Ride! Ballantyne
Morrison Family YMCA at Ballantyne | 7:30 a.m.

The 14th annual Ride! Ballantyne gives cyclists and triathletes multiple route options from 30 to 80 miles and flat roads or challenging hills. All participants help support the YMCA Annual Campaign, which funds everything from youth programs to cancer survivor support. Post-ride, enjoy a Labor Day cookout.

A Taste of Asheville
Carolina Beer Temple Charlotte | All day

Whether large or small, well-recognized or new on the scene, you’ll get a taste of Asheville’s breweries this Saturday at Carolina Beer Temple. Sip and try new flavors you’ll rarely find in Charlotte.

The New Gullah Supper Club Charlotte
5 – 7 p.m.

Food Television Personality and Chef Kardea Brown will offer New Gullah Supper Club guests an array of Gullah/Southern fare prepared with fresh, seasonal and local ingredients. Preview the menu here. $85 per person plus tax.

Heist Brewery Adoption Event
Heist Brewery | 5 – 8 p.m.

Meet the adoptaBULLS and learn all about the South of the Bully & Friends rescue at Heist Brewery. You just may find a new best friend!

Chef-Driven Dining in Uptown Tour
Uptown Charlotte | 3 – 6 p.m.

Go behind the scenes at some of Charlotte’s most popular culinary hotspots on this Uptown foodie tour. You’ll enjoy Chef’s choice food items at five upscale restaurants, tastings of local beer, wines or craft cocktails, cooking demonstrations, an introduction to Charlotte landmarks and more. $80 per person.

SUNDAY 

Big Blimpin Brunch
Zeppelin | 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Did you know Zeppelin is now serving Sunday Brunch? Make plans to try cereal milk cocktail, berry sumac French toast, scratch buns and more. View the full menu here.

September Front Porch Sundays Market
2151 Hawkins Street | 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Shop local this Labor Day as over 70 vendors line the rail trail for September’s Front Porch Sundays Market. Shop art and home goods, meet adoptable pets and enjoy live music, food and beer.

End of Summer Party & Scavenger Hunt
Seoul Food Meat Company | Registration begins at 11:30 a.m.

How well do you know your way around the Gold District? Learn about the neighborhood and work as a team to win this scavenger hunt hosted by Seoul Food. Afterwards, enjoy a party complete with a DJ, drink specials, prizes and a raffle supporting the Humane Society. Register online here.

MONDAY

Second Annual Labor Day Celebration
Blue Blaze Brewing | 2 – 8 p.m.

Blue Blaze Brewing’s second Labor Day celebration includes $12 beer pitchers, free hot dogs on the grill and live music by the River Ratz Band.

PLAN AHEAD

Siggy’s Good Food Grand Opening
September 4 | 1001 Belmont Avenue | 11 a.m. – 10 p.m.

Don’t miss the grand opening of Siggy’s, where comfort food and Mediterranean fare meet. Try their salads, sandwiches, juices and smoothies, all crafted with organic and locally-sourced ingredients.

14th Annual Potters Market Invitational
September 8 | 2730 Randolph Road | 10 a.m – 4 p.m.

This one day sale brings the work of over 65 North Carolina ceramic artists to the Mint Museum Randolph lawn on September 8. The day includes live pottery demonstrations of both wheel-thrown and hand-built pottery, a raffle, live bluegrass music, a beer garden and docent tours of the Mint’s ceramics collections. All tickets purchased before September 1 are $10. On the day of the event, tickets will be available at the entrance for $12 each.