Another weekend, another opportunity to get out an explore all that the Queen City has to offer. No need to be overwhelmed by options; we’ve made planning easy with a day-by-day guide of the best events going on this weekend.
ALL WEEKEND
Stars, Stripes and Sousa
November 15-16 | Knight Theater
In celebration of Veterans Day weekend, enjoy the Charlotte Symphony’s tribute with performances of “America the Beautiful,” “1812 Overture,” “Fanfare for the Common Man,” “God Bless the USA” and Armed Forces Medley.
THURSDAY
Standing Still: Marcy Gregg
November 14 | 532 Governor Morrison Street | 6-8 p.m.
Make plans to attend the opening reception of Standing Still, a solo exhibition featuring Marcy Gregg’s new collection of abstract paintings. The exhibition runs through December 27.
The Outcome
November 14 | McColl Center for Art + Innovation | 6-9 p.m.
Head to the McColl Center for The Outcome, a party celebrating the closing of the fall artist residency season. View works completed in residency, meet the artists, and enjoy live music, complimentary sparkling wine and light bites.
Wine and Dine with Chef Luca
November 14 | forchetta | 6 p.m.
Join Chef Luca Annunziata for a thoughtfully prepared four-course meal with wines paired to each dish. $75 per person.
Vegfest Jr.
Camp North End | 7-9:30 p.m.
Vegfest Jr. offers an all-vegan food court with small, reasonably priced bites and sweets from Nourish, Cooking with Joya, Ve-Go, Title Belt Ice Cream, Viva Raw and more. There will also be a donation-based bar serving alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages and additional vegan vendors. Event benefits Vegfest in 2020.
FRIDAY
Bid & Brew 6th Annual Silent Auction Event
Town Brewing Company | 6-8:30 p.m.
Bid on gifts or a little something for yourself at this charity silent auction. The night also features beer, hors d’oeuvres, a wine pull and more. Proceeds benefit Florence Crittenton Services, whose mission is to provide comprehensive trauma-informed health, educational and social services to women, adolescents and babies in the foster care system. $35 presale and $40 at the door.
Science on the Rocks: Sweet Carolina
Discovery Place Science | 5-9 p.m.
Celebrate the Carolinas at Discovery Place Science with hands-on activities like a First in Flight paper airplane contest, Field Goal Challenge, Carolina reaper pepper tastings and home-brewing demos from Carolina Brewmasters. $12+.
Happier Hour: An Evening with Gretchen Rubin and Elizabeth Craft
November 15 | Booth Playhouse | 8 p.m.
Sisters and co-hosts of the podcast Happier, Elizabeth Craft and Gretchen Rubin are taking their show on the road with a stop at Charlotte’s Booth Playhouse. You and your girlfriends can participate in real-time enlightening activities, including a “Happiness Hack” lightning round, hear personal stories and more. Tickets start at $25.
Food Truck Friday Plaza Midwood
Resident Culture Brewing Company | 5-11 p.m.
Don’t miss the finale of food truck Friday at Resident Culture with food trucks including The Dumpling Lady, Streamline Kitchen, What the Fries CLT and more. Guests can also enjoy live funk, soul, jazz and R&B by Menastree.
Opening of Holiday on Ice
NASCAR Hall of Fame | 5-10 p.m.
The outdoor ice rink returns to Uptown for the holiday season this weekend. In addition to skating, pose for photo opps, browse holiday-themed merchandise and enjoy snacks and hot cocoa from the concessions hut. $12 if you bring own skates and $16 with skate rental.
Warmup Finale Party
Dilworth Neighborhood Grille | 7 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Celebrate the end of Charlotte’s three-month Coat Drive benefitting the Salvation Army. The day includes your final chance to contribute new or gently used coats and enjoy workout classes, photo opportunities, free food while it lasts and music all day.
SATURDAY
Seafood Thanksgiving
Upstream Seafood | 10 a.m.
Join Chef Sam Diminich for a Seafood Thanksgiving Cooking Class featuring a four course tasting menu with wine pairings. View the entire menu here. $55 per person.
Demystifying Designer Jewelry
Elder Gallery of Contemporary Art | 11 a.m.
Head to Elder Gallery of Contemporary Art for coffee and conversation with jewelry designers Joanna Gollberg and Lauren Markley. RSVP to ashley@eldergalleryclt.com.
Red Clay Cider Day Fall Fest
Red Clay Ciderworks | Starts at 12 p.m.
Red Clay’s Cider Day Fall Fest includes an apple pressing demonstration, ten cideries on site to sample, hatchet throwing, hot donuts, live music, cider releases and a pumpkin patch for the kids.
Italian Wine Dinner
POPLAR – Tapas Restaurant & Bar | 6:30 p.m.
Take a quick trip to Italy at Poplar’s four-course dinner crafted by Chef Bruno Macchiavello and Edwin Cruz of Edwins Organix featuring the wines of Cantine Tinazzi.$65 per person plus tax and gratuity.
2019 Novant Health Charlotte Marathon
Uptown Charlotte | 7 a.m.
The 15th Annual Novant Health Charlotte Marathon has something for everyone: a full marathon, half marathon, marathon relay, 5K and kid’s run.
Artist Talk: Cristina Córdova
Hodges Taylor Art Consultancy | 11 a.m.
Hear current exhibiting artist Cristina Córdova chat with The Mint Museum’s Senior Curator of Craft, Design, & Fashion Annie Carlano to discuss her current exhibition cuerpo exquisito, which includes new large-scale installations and figural sculptures.
7th Annual Puppy Up Lake Norman Walk
Davesté Vineyards, Troutman | 11:30 – 2:30 p.m.
Lace up for this two-mile walk by Lake Norman to promote awareness of canine cancer and raise funds for cancer research that benefits both pets and people.
Holiday Market at Eleven Lakes
Eleven Lakes Brewing, Cornelius | 1-5 p.m.
Shop local Lake makers at the Holiday Market at Eleven Lakes Brewery. Vendors include NB Organics, Hi-End Pottery and more.
Santa’s Arrival and Tree Lighting
Birkdale Village, Huntervsille | 3-8 p.m.
Santa makes his arrival at Birkdale Village in Lake Norman this weekend. Festivities include the lighting of the tree, a parade and food and drink vendors. Event proceeds benefit Ace & TJ’s Grin Kids.
SUNDAY
OrderFire S5E3 ft. Soul Food Sessions
Free Range Brewing | 12-3 p.m.
Be there for the screening of Season 5, Episode 3 of OrderFire featuring the chefs of Soul Food Sessions: Jamie Barnes, Greg Williams, Jamie Turner, Mike Bowling, Subrina and Greg Collier. Meet the chefs and participate in a raffle benefitting Soul Food Sessions.
Carolina Panthers vs. Atlanta Falcons
Bank of America Stadium | 1 p.m.
See the Carolina Panthers take on the Atlanta Falcons this weekend at Bank of America Stadium. Find tickets on TicketMaster.
