Say goodbye to your boring weekend plans. We’ve got plenty of ways to make the most of all the Queen City has to offer. Our day-by-day guide to what to do this weekend in Charlotte:
ALL WEEKEND
The 55th Annual Festival in the Park
Freedom Park | September 20 – 22
Since 1964, Festival in the Park has been a beloved Charlotte tradition. Celebrate their 55th year by enjoying the arts and crafts, music, carnival attractions, food, entertainment and more that the festival has to offer. Free admission.
Flow Fest
U.S. National Whitewater Center | September 20-22
Find your zen at the USNWC’s weekend-long Flow Fest, featuring multiple classes and workshops, plus kombucha samples and a flow session with live music on Saturday evening.
OMB’s 11th Annual Mecktoberfest
The Olde Mecklenburg Brewery | September 20-22
Charlotte’s original Oktoberfest features three days of beer drinking, one liter glass boots and games and competitions including a stein hoisting competition, beer stein race, costume contest and more.
THURSDAY
Music at the Met
METROPOLITAN | Every Thursday through October 17 | 6 – 9 p.m.
The fall series of Music at the Met continues with your chance to enjoy live music, food ad drink specials from participating restaurants and a sunset over the city. This week, Thirsty Horses takes the stage.
Roses and Rosé
Wing Haven | 6 p.m.
Celebrate fall with a visit to Wing Haven’s beautiful Rose Garden, sample rosé wines from the Assorted Table Wine Shoppe and paired light hor d’oeuvres and enjoy music from harpist Marianna Adelman. $35 per person.
September MEGA Wine Tasting
Vin Master Wine Shop | 6:30-8:30 p.m. (arrive by 7:45 p.m.)
Don’t miss the next Mega Wine Tasting at Vin Master, where they host a public tasting of up to 20 wines from all over the world for just $15.
Friends of James Beard Foundation Dinner
Haymaker | 6:30 p.m.
In a unique culinary celebration, five well-known Charlotte chefs will prepare a five-course dinner with paired wines, preceded by hors d’oeuvres and handcrafted cocktails. $150/person plus tax (includes gratuity). Proceeds benefit the James Beard Foundation and its Impact Programs.
More Sephora to Love: SouthPark
4400 Sharon Road | 5:30-8:30 p.m.
Celebrate Sephora SouthPark’s new look with an opening party co-hosted by BABE. The evening includes free makeup mini services, a photo booth, DJ, drinks and gifts with $75 purchase for Beauty Insiders.
Indaco at Savory Spice Charlotte
Savory Spice Charlotte | 1-4 p.m.
Be among the first to sample flavors from Indaco, the anticipated Italian spot coming to Atherton Mill this fall. Try Indaco small bites made with Savory Spices.
Kasey Musgraves
Charlotte Metro Credit Union Amphitheater | 8 p.m.
See Kasey Musgraves as she brings her Oh, What a World Tour II to Uptown’s Charlotte Metro Credit Union Amphitheater.
paco’s tacos and tequila presents: dulce & amargo
Paco’s Tacos & Tequila | 6:30 p.m.
Kick off the weekend with this four-course tequila dinner featuring special offerings from the Executive Chefs and El Tesoro tequila. $50 per person.
Artist Talk + Photo Portrait Sessions
McColl Center for Art + Innovation | 4 – 7 p.m.
Discover the concepts and inspiration behind fall 2019 artist-in-residence Lacey McKinney’s work, and then be photographed to become part of it. The portraits will become the source material for paintings McKinney will create during her residency.
Dilworth Laughs – Third Thursdays
Dilworth Neighborhood Grille | 7 p.m.
The next Comedy Night at Dilworth Neighborhood Grille features special guest host Tara Brown and comedians Alex Spears, Vannessa Rae and Andy Slye. $10 in advance online, $15 at the door.
FRIDAY
Ve-Go Vegan Pop-Up Dinner
Pilot Brewing | 5:30-9 p.m.
Enjoy a tasting vegan dinner from Ve-Go Food Truck as they come onsite at Pilot Brewing. Guests can also enjoy live music by Analog Crash from 7 – 9 p.m.
High West Whiskey | The Whiskey Club of Ballantyne
The Ballantyne Hotel | 6:30 p.m.
Enjoy a tasting of High West Distillery paired with Chef prepared bites and small plates. $65 plus tax and gratuity. Call 704.248.4100 to reserve your spot.
Science on the Rocks: Survival Skills
Discovery Place Science | 5-9 p.m.
From wilderness survival to office stress, this adults-only night at the museum teaches you the must-know skills for making it out in the real world. Practice your knot tying skills, make a stress ball to keep on your desk, eat an edible insect and more. $12 in advance, $14 at the door.
Jammin’ by the Tracks Concert Series
Town of Waxhaw | 7-9 p.m.
Bring a chair and your dancing shoes and enjoy the tunes in downtown Waxhaw under the Water Tower as Off the Record takes the stage.
SATURDAY
Beers & Burpees Charity Event
CrossFit Charlotte – 9535 Monroe Road Suite 100
Join the movement as more than 40 local gyms come together to workout, drink beer and raise money for Dream on 3, a local wish-granting organization. Join in heats every 40 minutes from 9am to 7pm. In addition to the workout, there will be a Craft Beer Garden, food trucks, free kids activities, mini competitions, music and more throughout the day.
Italian Workshop: About the Toscana Region
September 21 | Reid’s Fine Foods SouthPark | 12-2 p.m.
Explore the Bolgheri area, one of Italy’s most prestigious wine regions, through tastings of five wines paired with cheeses in this class conducted by Paolo Pellizzari, President of Bacco Selections, a fine Italian wine importer. $45 per person.
Fall Market at Lenny Boy
Lenny Boy Brewing Co.| 1-6 p.m.
The Starving Artist Market returns with more than 25 local handmade vendors set up inside and outside. Grab a bite from the Lenny Boy kitchen, beer or kombucha, and shop ’til you drop.
25th Anniversary Greater Charlotte Heart Walk
First Ward Park | 7:30 a.m.
Celebrate 25 years of Heart Walk and the work of the American Heart Association in this annual three-mile walk throughout Uptown Charlotte. In addition to the route, the day includes fun and interactive physical activities, health screenings, a kids zone and more.
September Uptown Flea
406 N Tryon Street | 11 a.m.- 4 p.m.
Uptown Flea returns this weekend with vendors offering handmade goods, vintage finds and more.
Bends, Brunch, and Bubbly
GoodRoad CiderWorks | 11 a.m.
Save your spot now for this yoga inspired charity brunch featuring a class led by Sydney Duart. Stick around for a champagne tasting, massages and more benefitting The Project Outpour, which helps the homeless restore dignity through a mobile shower service. $25+.
Museum Day Workshop: Bearden and Jazz
Harvey B. Gantt Center for African-American Arts + Culture | 1-3 p.m.
As part of the Smithsonian Magazine’s Museum Day, the Harvey B. Gantt Center will host a special drop-in art workshop inspired by Charlotte’s own Romare Bearden and his jazz-influenced techniques. Free admission.
Woofstock 2019
NoDa Brewing Company | 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.
NoDa’s 11th annual Woofstock event will feature plenty for you and your pup, from vendors to a silent auction, food trucks, craft beers and adoptable pups. $5 donation to Great Dane Friends of Ruff Love and Mid Atlantic Pug Rescue includes your first beer.
Scent Sensations DIY Class
Charlotte Flower Market | 10 a.m.
Master Designer Tammy will teach participants how to create a stunning and aromatic arrangement using garden roses, stock and other highly fragrant blooms. $40+.
Carolina Seafood Boil – The Cajun Seafood Feast!
Heist Brewery and Barrel Arts | 3-11 p.m.
Enjoy some Cajun flavor at the Carolina Seafood Boil, featuring communal tables filled with seafood and all the fixings, plus live music. $30 per person.
South African Wine and Braai
Vin Master Wine Shop | 3 p.m.
Indaba Wines of South Africa and Vin Master team up for a traditional South African braai (a type of backyard cookout) featuring traditionally prepared South African meats, side dishes. dessert and wines. Proceeds benefit the Indaba Education Fund which supports vulnerable children in the South African Winelands. $35 ticket includes wine tasting, one drink ticket and food.
SUNDAY
End of Summer BBQ
Birdsong Brewing Co. | 12-4 p.m.
Celebrate the last official day of summer with Birdsong Brewing Co. and Farmhouse BBQ. Expect your favorite Birdsong craft brews, plus wood-fired BBQ and live music by River Ratz from 2-4 p.m.
