If you’re planning on staying around town for the holiday weekend, we’ve got plenty of events to fill your calendar. Read on for the best in CLT happenings for Black Friday and the rest of Thanksgiving weekend:
ONGOING HOLIDAY FUN
McGill’s Winter Wonderland
Rosie’s Wine Garden | Through December
Grab some hot chocolate or glass of wine for a stroll through Rosie’s Wine Garden’s winter wonderland. Enjoy festive lights, beverages and s’mores through the entire month of December. Bring a new unwrapped toy with you when you visit to benefit the U.S. Marine Corps Toys for Tots. Free admission.
Winter Wonderland Grand Opening
Winter Wonderland SouthPark | 11 a.m. – 11 p.m.
SouthPark’s Winter Wonderland offers something for everyone: outdoor ice skating, holiday lights, Santa visits, ultimate Instagram photo opps and even a pub. The 2019-2020 season kicks off Friday, where the first 100 people in line receive free skate rental.
Miracle off 4th Street: A Winter Wonderland Pop Up Bar
Nov. 29 – Dec. 24 | Tin Roof Charlotte
Starting November 29, The Green Room at Tin Roof will transform into a Miracle off 4th Street: A Winter Wonderland Pop Up Bar complete with festive decor, cocktails specials, holiday-themed special events, visits with Santa and more. Use the password MIRACLE to gain entry to the “First Snow” private grand opening Nov. 29 from 6-8 p.m.
Charlotte Christmas Village
Open Nov. 22 – Dec. 24 | 406 N.Tryon
Charlotte’s European-inspired Christmas Market returns to Uptown through December 24. Shop gifts, traditional German foods, classic Austrian strudels and beverages including hot mulled wine. The Annual Uptown Christmas Tree Lighting at the market will be December 3 at 5:30 p.m.
Holidays in the Garden
November 29 – January 5 | Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden
Stroll through the Mile of a Million Lights to see topiaries dancing, trees glowing and trains running at Daniel Stowe Botanical Gardens’ Holidays in the Garden through January 5. Visits also include marshmallow roasting, live holiday music, kids activities, warm beverages and more. Santa will be visiting December 2, 9 and 16.
ALL THANKSGIVING WEEKEND
Queenflea Holiday Makers Market
Nov. 29-30 | summerbird
Shop more than 50 local artists and makers at the two-day Queenflea Holiday Makers Market, with a twilight market Friday and daytime market Saturday. Market is kid and dog-friendly and free to attend.
Black Friday Pop-Up Market
The Hobbyist | 7-10 p.m.
Get your holiday shopping done without the Black Friday crowds. The Hobbyist will host local vendors including Rowan’s Haberdashery, Johnny Fly and more, plus live music.
Holiday Central
Nov. 29-30 | Plaza Midwood neighborhood
Plaza Midwood is kicking off the holiday season with a weekend full of events. Start at The Pizza Peel Plaza Midwood on Friday for caroling, a tree lighting, hot chocolate (alcoholic and non) and a visit from Santa. The fun continues Saturday with a stocked line-up of ticketed and non-ticketed events and Small Business Saturday sales throughout the neighborhood including ornament decorating, pop-up markets, food and drink specials, a toy donation drive and more. View all events here.
Victorian Christmas
Nov. 29-30 | Historic Latta Plantation, Huntersville
Head to Latta Plantation to experience early holiday traditions like open hearth cooking, horse-drawn wagon rides, Victorian carolers, crafting and more. Other festivities include marshmallow roasting, a local artisan market and visits with St. Nick. Fill up with offerings from an on-site food truck and free samples of Mrs. Latta’s 19th century gingercake recipe and complimentary whiskey tastings on Friday.
BLACK FRIDAY
For Our Black Friday Sales & Store Event Round Up, link here.
Charlotte Symphony: Home Alone
Belk Theater | 7:30 p.m.
The classic holiday favorite comes to life as the Home Alone score is performed live by the Charlotte Symphony as the film is projected on a big screen above the orchestra. Tickets start at $19.
Post Thanksgiving Hayrides, Fire Pits, and Cider
Windy Hill Orchard & Cider Mill | 1-9 p.m.
After polishing off the turkey, head to Windy Hill for hard cider tastings, hayrides, and fire pits.
Black Friday Market
Lenny Boy Brewing Co. | 12-5 p.m.
Shop local at Lenny Boy’s first Black Friday Market, featuring a robust list of vendors plus a mobile axe throwing area.
Fourth Annual Blue Friday
Blue Blaze Brewing | 12-9 p.m.
If beer is on your holiday shopping list, head to Blue Blaze for $12 select pitchers, specials on four-pack cans and 20% off merchandise. There will also be a food truck onsite and live music from 3-5 p.m.
SATURDAY
South End Small Business Saturday
South End Neighborhood | 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.
It’s easy to shop local this Small Business Saturday when you visit South End. Explore more than 200 shops, 70 places to eat and drink, holiday festivities, maps, complimentary shopping totes and free trolley rides throughout the district. View all shopping area here.
Metropolitan Market – Small Business Saturday
1111 Metropolitan Ave. | 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Enjoy a pet-friendly Small Business Saturday at the Metropolitan as they host multiple handmade artists and vendors including Lilly Valley Pottery, Point of hues, The Copper Sphinx, White Island Candle Co. and more. Check out all Merry Midtown events here.
Winter Wonderland Holiday Market
Dairy Barn at Anne Springs Close Greenway | 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Explore the offerings of more than 150 regional artists and crafters at the Winter Wonderland Craft Fair. Shoppable items include pottery, jewelry, clothing, gourmet foods and more. The “sip and shop” bar will offer hard cider, wine and beer from 11 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
South End Tree Lighting
Atherton Mill | 5:30 – 7:30 p.m.
The annual South End holiday tree lighting kicks off with holiday music and performances, cocoa, coffee, hot doughnuts, a visit from Santa and Mrs. Claus. After the tree is lit, stick around to take photos with Santa.
Papa Doc’s Shore Club’s First Annual Lake Wylie Tree Lighting
Papa Doc’s Shore Club | 5-8 p.m.
This family-friendly holiday event includes free hot chocolate, a visit from Santa, a bake sale, games and more. Bring lawn chairs/blankets to relax and enjoy. Tree lighting is at 7:30 PM.
Dudeapalooza Pop-Up Market
2517 Distribution St. | 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Looking for the perfect holiday gift for him? Start at Dudeapalooza, where you’ll find unique vendors offering vintage and handmade items. You can also expect food offerings and Christmas trees for sale.
Deck The Walls – Holiday Decor Workshop
AR Workshop Charlotte | 1:30-4:30 p.m.
Refresh your holiday decor by making your own porch sign, round door hanger, door mat or other wood projects at AR Workshop. Customize your project and get ready to deck the halls with your new pieces.
Cookie & Beer Pairing
Pilot Brewing | 11 a.m.-4 p.m.
Head to Pilot Brewing to try three holiday-inspired cookies and paired beers for just $10. Pairings:
- Chocolate Chip Cookie – Chocolate Raspberry Weizenbock
- Snickerdoodle Cookie – Cinnamon Brown Ale
- M&M Cookie – Citrus Red Ale
SUNDAY
The Daily’s 2nd Birthday
The Daily Tavern | 4 p.m.
Help The Daily Tavern celebrate two years in business with a toy drive benefiting Kids First for the Carolinas, a DJ, complimentary snacks, drink specials and raffle prizes.
Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony
The Ballantyne Hotel | 4:30 – 6:30 p.m.
Head to The Ballantyne lobby for the annual tree lighting featuring holiday carolers, hot cocoa and cookies. Requested entry donation of a new, un-wrapped toy for ages 0-12 for the CMPD Explorer Christmas Project.
Paper Skyscraper Sunday Anniversary Sale
Paper Skyscraper celebrates its 30th anniversary on Sunday, December 1st! To mark the occasion, the store will be offering gift card giveaways to its Instagram followers this week, leading up to the anniversary. On December 1st, in-store customers will be offered 5% – 30% off each purchase.
Museum Store Sunday at Mint Museum Uptown & Randolph
Join Mint Museum Uptown for the worldwide event of Museum Store Sunday this week on Sunday, December 1st. Mint Museum Uptown will be open extended hours from 11 am – 5 pm. Mint Museum Randolph will keep the same hours 1 pm – 5 pm. A discount of 25% will be offered at BOTH store locations on all merchandise that is regularly priced. The MMU will have interactive activities along with special guests:
-Live Music with Tom Billotto
-Book Signings with Gavin Edwards and Chef Peter Reinhart
-Food Tastings with Iva Jean Fudge
-Stocking Stuffer Activity
-Hands-On Toy Activity
-Barb Clawson new arrival trunk show (jewelry)
– Will have 2019 Mint Museum wooden snowflake ornament for sale
Assorted Table Wine Shoppe Turns 7
Assorted Table Wine Shoppe | 6:30 – 9:30 p.m.
Celebrate the Assorted Table Wine Shoppe’s 7th birthday with unlimited wine samples, food, a DJ and 15% off cases of wine. The fun attire twist? Formal wear and sneakers. bring toiletries, canned food or clothing items to donate to Urban Ministries.
The Prisoner Wine Company Pairing Dinner
Sullivan’s Steakhouse | 7-9 p.m.
Enjoy a four course menu created by Sullivan’s executive chef paired with four of Prisoner’s most popular wines. $100 per guest.
The Hip Hop Nutcracker
Belk Theater | 1 and 6:30 p.m.
The Hip Hop Nutcracker brings hip-hop choreography, an on-stage DJ, an electric violinist and contemporary New York City setting to Tchaikovsky’s classic score. Tickets start at $20.
Carolina Panthers vs. Washington Redskins
Bank of America Stadium | 1 p.m.
Don’t get burned out on weekend holiday football before the Carolina Panthers take on the Washington Redskins at Bank of America Stadium. Get tickets here.
& LATER THAT WEEK
Hello, Sailor Guest Chef Dinner Series
December 3 | Hello, Sailor | 7 p.m.
Head to the Lake for the second edition of Hello, Sailor’s chef series featuring James Beard Foundation semi-finalist Chef Cheetie Kumar. Tickets include multiple chef-prepared courses and paired drinks. $120 per person.
Cicchetti & Wine Pairing Dinner with DAOU Vineyards
December 3 | 100 N. Tryon Street (entrance on E. Trade at N. College) | 6:30 p.m.
Cicchetti and DAOU Vineyards team up for a five-course wine and food pairing dinner where guests will learn the producer’s sustainable, natural winemaking practice from DAOU Fine Wine Sales Director David Muir. View the menu here and RSVP to brion@sonomarestaurants.net or 980-299-0039. $100 per person.
