From a Parisian tea party to a Mac and cheese bake-off, there’s plenty to fill your weekend. Plan yours with our day-by-day guide to what to do this weekend in Lake Norman:
ALL WEEKEND
Carolina Balloon Festival 2018
October 19 – 21 |Â 260 Hangar Dr., Statesville
Take a drive up to Statesville to see brightly colored balloons take off twice daily at the 45th annual Carolina BalloonFest. Bring your lawn chairs or blankets to enjoy the show. View ticket options, including weekend passes, here.
Miriam Schulman’s Garden Party Workshop
October 20 – 21 |Â Donna Downey Studios, Lincolnton
This two-day workshop teaches attendees mixed-media techniques for creating beautiful floral works under instruction by award-winning artist Miriam Schulman. Learn more here.
THURSDAY
Sip Savvy..A Mixology Workshop
Bells Box, Cornelius | 6:30 p.m.
Mixologist master Brandee from Shaken Or Stirred will teach participants about crafting the perfect specialty cocktail, what liquor choices say about personality and how to whip up your own special spirit at your next gathering. $40 per person.
Bella Love Presents: Open Mic
Brick Row, Cornelius | 7 p.m.
The first and third Thursday of each month means open mic night at Brick Row. Enjoy live performances from your neighbors and friends, and even take the stage yourself. $5 admission, $3 for performers. See the Facebook pagefor sign-up instructions.
FRIDAY
Hip Hop at the Mill
Studio 13, Cornelius | 7 – 11 p.m.
Each third Thursday of the month, Studio 13 hosts a star-studded lineup of local hip-hop artists. The whole family can enjoy a showcase of local talent for $5 per person.
SATURDAY
6th Annual Laketoberfest Music & Brew Festival
Bailey Road Park, Cornelius | 4 – 9 p.m.
Laketoberfest returns for its sixth year of food trucks, vendors, kids activities, live music and offerings from over a dozen local craft breweries. Admission and parking are free. A portion of proceeds benefit Lake Norman Wildlife Conservationists.
8th Annual Beauty Bash Event
H/K/B Cosmetic Surgery, Huntersville | 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Join the board-certified plastic surgeons, certified injectors, estheticians, anesthesiologists, staff and medical reps at H/K/B Cosmetic Surgery for demonstrations of facial injectables, micro-needling and hair restoration while enjoying drinks and appetizers. Sign up here.
Mac & Cheese Bake-off
The Cork and Cask, Cornelius | Noon – 3 p.m.
Put your Mac and cheese recipe to the test (or use your taste buds to vote for a winner) at Cork & Cask’s bake-off. 16 chefs will compete for the titles of “house champ”, “cheesiest”, “most creative” and more.$15+ for taste testers, with a portion of proceeds benefitting Carolina Big Hearts Big Barks.
BoatYard + CycleBar Ride to Survive
BoatYard Eats, Cornelius | 1 – 4 p.m.
Support the Young Survival Coalition and their mission to raise awareness of breast cancer with a ride at CYCLEBAR. Book your 1:30 p.m. ride here, or opt for the 2:30 ride here.
Halloween In Huntersville
Rural Hill, Huntersville | 4 – 8 p.m.
Celebrate an early Halloween at Rural Hill with live music, craft vendors, kids activities, food trucks and more. Seasonal activities include a trip through the Amazing Maize Maze, a Halloween Egg Dahs, hayrides, a pumpkin patch, costume contest and more.
Shirley’s Angels & Cans-4-Cause
Primal Brewery, Huntersville | 5 – 11 p.m.
Shirley’s Angels and Primal Brewery team up for Cans-4-Cause, a charity event with family-friendly activities, food trucks, raffles and music by DJ Festivus. A portion of all can sales benefit Shirley’s Angels.
AGSF 10th Anniversary- Bourbon & Boots
15300 Black Farms Rd, Huntersville | 7 – 11 p.m.
Celebrate 10 years of A Giving Spirit Foundation with a night of signature cocktails, a Southern barbecue dinner, live music by Kids in America and dancing. $150+.
Passport to Paris Afternoon Tea Party
French Market Cafe & Gourmet, Cornelius | 2 – 4 p.m.
Take an impromptu trip to the streets of Paris as Cornelius’Â French Market Cafe & Gourmet hosts a French-themed afternoon tea party. Expect a classic high tea with a four-course appetizer menu, tea sandwiches, desserts, a photo booth and door prizes. Â Preview the menu here. Don’t forget to wear your best tea attire!
Yacht Yoga for a Cause
Carolina Grace, Cornelius | 9 a.m.
Yacht Yoga for a Cause continues through October with a one-hour flow class aboard the Carolina Grace. Tickets include the class taught by a certified instructor, one hour of community and treats from Clean Juice. All proceeds benefit local charities.
HOWLoween with Long Trails to Happy Tails Rescue
Lucky Dog Bark & Brew LKN, Cornelius | 1 – 5 p.m.
Dress your pup to impress at Long Trails to Happy Tails Dog Rescue’s annual costume contest. There will be prizes for best human/dog costume, raffle baskets, food by B’s Grill, cocktails and more.
SUNDAY
Bowl for the Cure
Victory Lanes, Mooresville | 2 – 5 p.m.
Form a four-person team to help support a cure for breast cancer at Victory Lanes. $25 per person.
King Canary Fall Market
King Canary Brewing Company | 1 p.m.
The first fall market at King Canary Brewing Company will feature vendors offering homemade goods, home decor, live music, a food truck and plenty of beer, wine and cider.
Sunday Jazz
Corkscrew Wine Shoppe & Bar, Huntersville | 2 – 4 p.m.
Round out the weekend with a class of vino and live jazz from George Hoar and Mike Zinna Jazz.
