From the return of Poptopia pop-up shop to art shows and soirée, Charlotte’s got plenty of ways to spend the first weekend of December. Find holiday and non-holiday events in our round-up of what to do this weekend in Charlotte:
ALL WEEKEND
Poptopia Holidays: A Pop-Up Shop
November 28 – December 1 | Foundation For The Carolinas
Check off everyone on your list with this four-day pop-up shop in the galleries at the Foundation for the Carolinas. Shop a curated selection of men and women’s fashions, local gifts and delicious bites. Free admission.
Weihnachtsmarkt
November 30 – December 15
For three weekends, the biergarten at OMB transforms into a Weihnachtsmarkt (Christmas market) complete with more than 45 vendors, spiced wine, beer, bonfires and more. Fridays 4 – 9 p.m. and Saturdays 2 – 9 p.m.
Annual Holiday Sale & Open House
November 30 – December 1 |Â Clayworks
Clayworks, Charlotte’s largest clay studio, will host their annual holiday sale and open house featuring a range of pottery for sale. Tour the studio, meet the artists and stock up on holiday gifts.
McGill’s Twelve Days of Christmas
November 29 – December 1| McGill Rose Garden 5 – 9 p.m.
On weekends in December, take a stroll through McGrill Rose Garden as it’s transformed into a winter wonderland complete with s’mores and hot chocolate. Admission is $3 with snacks and beverages available for purchase.
FRIDAY
Winter Lodge Launch Party
Imperial | 8:30 p.m.
Think rooftops are only for summer? Think again. At Imperial, they’ve turned their tented rooftop into a Winter Lodge for the season. Celebrate at a private launch party where the first two drinks are on the house. You must RSVP to be added to the guest list, four ticket limit per person.
The Whiskey Club at Ballantyne: Laphroaig Tasting
The Ballantyne | 6:30 – 9:30 p.m.
Enjoy tastings of Laphroaig including 10 year, Triple Wood, Quarter Cask and 27 year paired with light hors d’oeuvres. $95 per person plus tax and gratuity. Call 704.248.4100 to reserve your spot.
Goodyear Arts: November/December Residency Showcase
Goodyear Arts | 6 – 9 p.m.
Goodyear Arts’ October/November residency showcase celebrates the works of Justin Evans, Barbara Schreiber and Jason Watson. Free beer while supplies last, plus tamales from The Masa Casa will be available for purchase. Admission is free.
Work For Your Beer’s 2nd Birthday Bash
Free Range Brewing | 7 – 10 p.m.
Help Work For Your Beer celebrate their two-year anniversary with beer (first drink free for first 75 guests) and complimentary cupcakes and kombucha. Attendees will also have the chance to win giveaways including USNWC passes and tickets to the Queen City Brewers Festival.
Comedy Night at Barista Craft
Barista Craft Highland Creek | 8 – 10 p.m.
Kick off your weekend with an evening of belly laughs courtesy of local comedians. The show, hosted by Don Garrett, will follow a free beer tasting.
SATURDAY
Opening of ‘Under Construction: Collage from The Mint Museum’
Mint Museum UPTOWN | 1:30 – 6 p.m.
‘Under Construction: Collage from The Mint Museum’, The Mint Museum’s first large-scale collage exhibition, opens to the public on Saturday. Explore the exhibition, create your own collage, listen to an artist talk and enjoy a cash bar. $15 general admission, $10 for seniors and students, $6 for children 5 – 17 and free for children under four and Mint Members.
Holiday Soirée – Benefiting the Children’s Home Society of NC
Myers Park | 7:30 – 11 p.m.
Community leaders and CHS supporters will gather at a private home in Myers Park to raise funds to support children and families both locally and state-wide. A $150 ticket include complimentary food and beverage and entertainment by The Bad Daddies.
Jazzy Holiday Benefit Gala
Harvey B. Gantt Center for African-American Arts + Culture | 6 – 10 p.m.
This annual event honors the work of individuals and organizations impacting the community through arts, history and culture. This year, the black tie gala will recognize retired educator Dorothy Counts-Scoggins, Northwest School of the Arts and actress Karyn Parsons.
Cookies & Cocoa with Santa and Market
Metropolitan | 1 – 4 p.m.
There’s something for everyone at Metropolitan’s annual Cookies & Cocoa with Santa. Little ones will love the outdoor train ride, face painting, visits with Santa and sweet treats, while adults enjoy samples from nearby restaurants, wine tastings and a pop-up market featuring local vendors.
Paws with Claus
Bulldog Beer and Wine South End | 1 – 4 p.m.
Bulldog Beer and Wine will host their first Paws with Claus fundraiser in support of RescuedMe. A $10 donation includes photos of your dog, kids and family with Santa. The first 50 participants will also receive a free drink ticket.
12 Bars of Christmas Crawl
Uptown Charlotte | 12 – 8 p.m.
Break out your holiday onesies, ugly sweaters, Santa suits and other festive outfits for the 12 Bars of Christmas Crawl. General admission includes entry and drink specials at participating bars, a commemorative stadium cup and more. View all drink specials here.
Queen Flea Holiday Makers Market
2424 N Davidson Suite 105 A | 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Shop a curated mix of local art, vintage, one of a kind jewelry, home decor, clothing and more from over 40 local vendors at this indoor makers market. An optional $5.73 admission fee qualifies attendees for special discounts, promotions and entry to win raffle prizes.
NoDaHood Holiday Market
Divine Barrel Brewing | Noon – 4 p.m.
Visit the NoDaHood Market to get a jump start on your holiday shopping. 20 vendors will be on site at Divine Barrel Brewing, plus enjoy live music.
Mistletoe Market 2018
Camp North End | 5 – 10 p.m.
Camp North End’s Mistletoe Market has everything you need to get in the holiday spirit: 25+ local vintage vendors, a festive dog parade, live music and storytelling, bonfires, an indoor beer garden, a holiday movie screening and more.
Plaza Midwood Holiday Bazaar & Workshop
Resident Culture Brewing Company | Noon – 11 p.m.
Learn how to make the Christmas Light Balls you see throughout the neighborhood at this community workshop. Plus, enjoy carols from opera Carolina, food trucks, a holiday vendor market and more.
CSYO Winter Concert
Belk Theater | 3 – 5 p.m.
The Charlotte Symphony Youth Orchestras’ first performance of the season includes works by Rossini, Bizet, and Haydn. $10+.
Reindog Parade
Camp North End | 5 – 10 p.m.
As part of the Mistletoe Market, Camp North End will host a Reindog Parade featuring the best-dressed holiday pups. Pre-register and preview the parade route here.
SUNDAY
5th Annual NoDa Christmas Tree Lighting
December 2 | Johnston YMCA | 5:30 – 8:30 p.m.
The NoDa neighborhood will mark the official start of the holiday season with the decorating and lighting of the community tree. The whole family can enjoy making ornaments, enjoying seasonal treats and visiting with Santa himself.
Charlotte Hornets: Yoga on the Court
Spectrum Center | 1:30 – 5 p.m.
Find your zen on the Hornets’ basketball court with a one-hour yoga flow class led by instructor Rob McAllen, followed by a pre-game shoot out. Then, grab a complimentary glass of wine or beer in the beer garden before watching the Hornets take on the New Orleans Pelicans. Bring your own mat, bottle and towel. $27+.
PCG Chefs: A Collaboration Dinner
Catawba Brewing Company Charlotte | 5 – 9 p.m.
Catawba Brewery will team up with eight local chefs for this showcase of flavors and dishes from NC farms. Guests will enjoy six savory courses and two sweet courses paired with Catawba beer, and hear from each chef. $80 per person. Proceeds benefit the Piedmont Culinary Guild and our local food economy.
Reynolds Family Wine Dinner
Napa on Providence | 5 p.m.
Steve Reynolds, Reynolds Family Winery owner and winemaker, joins the Napa on Providence team to share his five favorite vintages paired with custom dishes by Executive Chef, Ashley LaRose. $110+ per person.
NEXT WEEK
Circle De Luz Spark Holiday Pop Up Shop
Monday, December 3, 6 pm | Poplar Tapas
For the past 10 years Circle de Luz has radically empowered young Latinas by supporting their transformation through extensive mentoring, holistic programming and scholarship funds for further education. At their annual holiday party you can shop for holiday gifts at a discounted price and give back to their community. All sales of the items will benefit our hijas directly.
