Fall is officially here, the weather has finally started to turn, and it’s the perfect time to get out and explore all that Charlotte has to offer. From a wine festival, art shows, foodie tastings and fundraisers, here’s your guide to what to do this weekend in Charlotte:
ALL WEEKEND
Opening weekend of African-Print Fashion Now!
October 5 – 7 | Mint Museum Randolph
African-Print Fashion Now! A Story Of Taste, Globalization, And Style will open this weekend, and The Mint Museum is planning multiple events to celebrate. The exhibition invites museum-goers to discover the bold, colorful designs of garments created by internationally-renowned designers, local African seamstresses and tailors and up-and-coming breakout designers. Members will enjoy a special exhibition reveal on Friday and Saturday, while Crown Society patrons and exhibition sponsors also enjoy a VIP brunch on Saturday. Budding artists ages 14 – 18 are invited to NextGen Design Lab on Saturday to meet featured designers and try contemporary fashion design for themselves.
On Sunday, celebrate the exhibit’s public opening with drumming, art activities and a public talk by featured fashion designers Titi Ademola and Alexis Temomanin at 2 p.m. (pre-registration required).
Fall Plant Sale – Wing Haven
October 4 – 6 |Â Wing Haven
Wing Haven’s bi-annual plant sale offers a variety of familiar favorites and unique finds, Wing Haven legacy plants and shrubs to boost your curb appeal. Shop with the assistance of knowledgable staff and volunteers October 4 – 6, with a members only day on October 3. Proceeds benefit Wing haven gardens and educational programs.
2018 Charlotte Rose Show
October 6 – 7 | Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden
Step into a garden in full bloom as The Charlotte Rose Society presents the 2018 Charlotte Rose Show. See hundreds of different kinds of roses as they compete for “Queen of Show” and other awards, plus vote for the title of “most fragrant”. Guests can also explore the gardens and enjoy live music in the Beer Garden from 1 – 2 p.m. General admission is $12.95 per adult.
Fall Festival
October 5 – 6 |Â U.S. National Whitewater Center
the USNWC knows that fall is the perfect time to get outdoors, and they’re making it easy with a two-day festival with something for everyone. Put your creativity to the test in the build your own boat competition, lace up for the Scrambler Obstacle Trail Race, practice yoga under the trees, find a new favorite in a cider sampling, jam along to live music and more. View the full schedule here.
14th Annual Blues & Jazz Festival
October 4 – 5 | Baxter Village and Old Town Rock Hill
Celebrate the past, present and future of blues and jazz music at this 14th annual festival in York county. On Thursday, the festival kicks off with concerts at Springmaid Park in Baxter Village and in Clover. The fun continues on Friday as attendees can enjoy live music at eight Rock Hill restaurants and venues throughout the night.
Fall Plant Sale – UNC Botanical Gardens
October 5 – 6 |Â UNC Botanical Gardens
Find your green thumb at this weekend-long plant sale. Shop native and non-native shrubs, trees, ferns, cold-weather annuals and more with the help of staff and volunteers. Preview sale for campus community and garden members is Thursday from noon – 3 p.m.
THURSDAY
Art Show featuring Susan Shoemaker
JSam’s | 7:30 p.m.
Kick off the weekend with wine, art by Susan Shoemaker and a DJ beginning at 7:30pm.
ART VIBES
Art House Charlotte | 9:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.
Shop local and affordable art by over 25 artists, plus enjoy a complimentary wine tasting. A portion of sales will go to Go Jen Go!, providing critical financial assistance to Charlotte area families fighting breast cancer.
Sunset at Metropolitan
METROPOLITAN | 5:30 – 8:30 p.m.
Sunset at Metropolitan continues with live music by Simplified. Enjoy the sunset and restaurant specials from the Metropolitan’s lively patios.
MHA’s 2nd Annual Art In Mind Exhibition and Auction
Mint Museum UPTOWN | 6 – 8 p.m.
Help Mental Health America of Central Carolinas further their mission to promote mental wellness in our communities with an evening of art exhibitions, appetizers, a cash bar, raffle prizes, a silent auction and more. $50 per person.
Maroon 5: Red Pill Blues Tour 2018
Spectrum Center | 7:30 p.m.
Maroon 5 will take the stage at the Spectrum Center to play all of your favorite hits. Grab your tickets here.
FRIDAY
10th Annual Oyster Bash
Upstream Seafood | 6:30 p.m.
Upstream’s 10th annual oyster bash is an all-you-can-eat party featuring oysters from some of the best artisanal farmers around the world (including fire-roasted oysters prepared New Orleans style) and wine pairings. The evening also includes live entertainment and a raffle benefitting Share Our Strengths No Kid Hungry. View the wine and oyster pairings here. $125 per person.
South End Gallery Crawl
South End neighborhood | 5 – 9 p.m.
A monthly favorite for South End neighbors and visitors alike, this month’s gallery crawl is the perfect opportunity to discover our local art scene. Visit multiple galleries for new exhibitions, opportunities to meet artists, special events and more. View all participating galleries here.
Lady Antebellum & Darius RuckerÂ
PNC Music Pavilion | 7 p.m.
Head to PNC Pavilion to see Lady Antebellum and Darius Rucker take the stage in this night of powerhouse country. $34+.
Small Batch Release: Hopped Peach
Red Clay Ciderworks | 3 – 11 p.m.
Be there as Red Clay Ciderworks releases this month’s small batch: citrusy hops and sweet peaches. Wraps Around the World food truck will also be on site.
Murder Mystery Dinner
Rock Bottom Restaurant & Brewery | 7 – 10 p.m.
Play whodunnit amongst the silk and feathers of the Billionaires’ Club Annual Masquerade Ball
SATURDAY
TreesCharlotte Annual Tree Giveaway
Camp North End 10:30 AM – 12:00 PM
TreesCharlotte is bringing its Regional TreeStore to Camp North End and each Charlotte household is eligible for up to two free trees. To help the City of Charlotte reach their goal of 50% tree canopy by 2050, the tree giveaway is limited to Charlotte residents only (unfortunately, not Matthews, Mint Hill, Pineville, Huntersville, Davidson, Cornelius, other municipalities outside Charlotte, or Mecklenburg County) and proof of Charlotte residency must be shown. There will be a long line, so plan to arrive early!!
South End Fall Craft Crawl
South End Neighborhood | 2 – 8 p.m.
Explore South End’s best craft beer spots with free trolley rides from stop to stop. Participating spots include Craft tasting Room and Growler Shop, Hyde Brewing, Pop the Top Craft Beer Shop, Lenny Boy Brewing Co. and more.
Legion Brewing SouthPark Grand Opening
5610 Carnegie Boulevard | 11 a.m. – 11 p.m.
Help welcome Legion Brewing to the Southpark neighborhood with chances to win giveaway prizes, exclusive tee-shirts from Glory days apparel, coffee from Farmers First Coffee Company and more.
Fall Music Festival
The Suffolk Punch | All day
If you like music and beer, The Suffolk Punch has just the thing. A full day of live music kicks off with a performance by the The Jolly Lollies, a treat just for kids, followed by a DJ and live music by Kip Wolfe, Leffty and The Last Bison.
Sycamore 4 Year Anniversary
Sycamore Brewing | Noon – 10 p.m.
Sycamore Brewing will celebrate their fourth anniversary with a special beer releases, two stages with live music, multiple food trucks and special vendors on site.
Race for the Cure presented by Novant Health
In front of Bank of America Stadium | 6 a.m.
Susan G. Komen Charlotte’s 22nd annual Race for the Cure includes a 5k walk/run, a 1-mile route, survivor parade, family activities and more. 75% of net proceeds fund local breast health services, while 25% fund breast cancer research.
Great Grapes! Wine & Food Festival
Symphony Park | 11 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Great Grapes, a casual wine tasting offering hundred of different options, returns to SouthPark this Saturday. Get tickets now to try wines from more than 20 wineries, enjoy live music, nibble on festival eats and more. $33+.
Bet on Blakeney
Blakeney Shopping Center | 6 – 9 p.m.
Practice your poker face for the second annual Bet on Blakeney event benefitting Ace & TJ’s Grin Kids. Visit Blakeney retailers to sample your choice of red, white or sparkling wine and accumulate stamps on your card. Then trade in your completed card for casino dollars to spend on games under the main tent. At the end of the night, exchange chips for raffle tickets and use them to win a variety of gift baskets. Admission is a $20 donation to Ace & TJ’s Grin Kids.
Ballantyne Beer Fest
Blackfinn Ameripub – Ballantyne | 1 – 6 p.m.
Discover new favorites or sip on trusted classics as Blackfinn Ameripub pours local beer from Sycamore, NoDa, Birdsong Brewing  and more. Mix and match your top picks into.a four pack you can take home. $15 general admission includes 10 beer samples.
HOLA Charlotte Festival
Uptown Charlotte | 12 – 7 p.m.
The Hola festival returns for its 7th year in Uptown, bringing celebrations of Latino culture, authentic cuisine, a Latin American Art Street Show, dance performances and more. .
Sweet Potato Pie Release
Lenny Boy Brewing Co. | 11 a.m. – 11 p.m.
Sweet Potato Pie Kombucha is back at Lenny Boy. Try it on its own or as part of a beer blend at the brewery. You can also look for them in select grocery stores and retailers.
Third Annual Fine Art and Craft Festival
5803 Wilkinson Blvd, Hwy. 74, Belmont | 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
The third annual fine art and craft festival in Belmont will showcase pottery, jewelry, photography, paintings, textiles, stained glass and more from local artisans. The day also features art demonstrations and live music byDemperio-Hertz Music, The Spencer Mountain Boys and Cedric Guthrie.
FALL Into NoDa Day / Fall Festival
NoDa neighborhood | Noon – 5 p.m.
This free street festival invites neighbors to discover the work of more than 40 local artists, plus enjoy music and food trucks. A portion of proceeds will benefit Crisis Assistance Ministry, who will also be on site collecting clothing and gently used article donations.
22nd Annual Carnival
St. Ann Catholic Church | 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
The 22nd annual St. Ann’s Parish Carnival features a full day of carnival rides, games, festival fare, a silent auction and more.
SUNDAY
Exhibition opening for African-Print Fashion Now!
Mint Museum Randolph | 1 -5 p.m.
Discover the colorful and bold designs of garments created by local designers across Africa, international runway fashions and boundary-breaking youth styles in African-Print Fashion Now! The new exhibition will be on display through April 28, 2019. Celebrate the exhibit’s opening with drumming, art activities and a public talk by featured fashion designers Titi Ademola and Alexis Temomanin at 2 p.m. Mint members can preview the exhibition on October 5 and 6.
October Front Porch Sundays Market
2151 Hawkins Street | 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Front porch Sundays is back with more than 60 vendors, three food trucks, a micro-farmers market, pet adoptions and more. While shopping and browsing, enjoy Sycamore Brewing beer, coffee from Lincoln’s Haberdashery, kombucha from UpDog Kombucha and treats from King of Pops Charlotte.
Carolina Panthers vs. New York Giants
Bank of America Stadium | 1 p.m.
Don’t miss the Panthers take on the New York Giants at the next home game. Grab your tickets here.
Monkey-Mosa Brunch
Brewers at 4001 Yancey | 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Try a new take on brunch as Brewers introduces Golden Monkey, Sour Monkey, and Sour Monkey Remix beermosas. Pair them with beer-infused menu items like monkey bread, french toast crumble or a sausage and egg skillet with crab. Make your online reservations here.
