Clear your calendar: the Queen City’s got plenty of weekend events that will have you shopping, sipping, exploring and definitely embracing the holiday spirit. Read on for our day-by-day guide to what to do this weekend in Charlotte:
ALL WEEKEND
Fourth Ward Holiday Home Tour 2019
December 6-8 | Fourth Ward Neighborhood
Get tickets now for the 42nd Annual Fourth Ward Holiday Home Tour to tour the vast array of homes in the neighborhood, from historic Victorians to modern condos, all decked out for the holidays. The self-guided, walkable tour also includes festive live music, horse-drawn carriage rides and complimentary small bites.
Christmas Market (Weihnachtsmarkt)
December 6-8 | The Olde Mecklenburg Brewery
The 8th Annual Weihnachtsmarkt (Christmas Market) at OMB returns for three weekends this month offering more than 40 vendors within the German-style village, festive decorations, spiced wine, fire pits, and seasonal brews.
Jersey Boys
December 6-8 | Ovens Auditorium
Enjoy all of your favorite songs by Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons as Jersey Boys comes to the stage at Ovens Auditorium. Tickets start at $35.50.
Annual Holiday Sale & Open House
December 6-7 | Clayworks
Clayworks’ annual Holiday Sale and Open House features a diverse selection of handmade pottery and ceramic sculpture, studio tours, and a chance to meet the artists.
Poptopia Holidays
December 4-7 | 101 N Tryon St.
Poptopia Holidays pop-up market returns inside the atrium of 101 N Tryon Street with 14 local vendors, music, “insta-llations” specials and more.
THURSDAY
Small Works Show + Holiday Pop-Up
Anne Neilson Fine Art | 6-8 p.m.
Anne Neilson Fine Arts’ annual Small Works Show and Holiday Pop-Up will feature a range of work by new artists as well as gallery favorites. Laura James Jewelry and Jillian Gray Collection will also be there to help with your holiday shopping.
Holiday Open House at Theory Design Studio
Theory Design Studio | 5-8 p.m.
Make plans to attend Theory Design Studio’s Holiday Open House complete with cocktails, giveaways and holiday cheer.
9th Annual Holiday Party
KK Bloom Boutique | 6-9 p.m.
Get the holidays started by heading to KK Bloom for their ninth annual holiday party, complete with heavy hors d’oeuvres catered by Copain Gatherings, sparkles by Shimmer Down Girls, a store discount, a trunk show featuring Mere Jewelry’s Holiday Collection, cake by Kathy Allen Cakes and store giveaways.
Bubbles Around the World
Vin Master Wine Shop | 6:30-8:30 p.m.
Vin Master will host a Holiday Sparkling Wine Tasting featuring 20 sparkling wines from around the world, appetizers, live music, discounted bottles and souvenir Vin Master tasting glasses. $45 per person.
Open House
Fashion & Compassion | 5-7 p.m.
Fashion and Compassion will team up with Healing Hands of Joy share their mission and vision and offer a chance to shop Artist Caroline Simas’ hand-painted Multiple Blessings artwork and selections from the Fashion and Compassion. Light bites and beverages available.
Build the Perfect Christmas Charcuterie Board Hands-On Class
The Loyalist Market | 6:30-8 p.m.
Learn how to create the perfect holiday charcuterie board from Alisha Kaiser of The Table Fix and all about paired wines from Stephanie Roberts of Corks & Boards. $55 per person. After the class, enjoy 15% off all retail products in the shop (excluding beer and wine).
Winter Wonderland Holiday Light Show
Phillips Place | 6:30 and 7:30 p.m.
Twice each night, the Hampton Inn & Suites at Phillips Place will be transformed into a six-story canvas with dramatic digital 3-D holiday effects. Guests can also visit with Mr. and Mrs. Claus, entertainment, snow and goodie bags for the first 300 kids.
Holiday Entertaining: Hands-on Cocktail Class
BLOC.clt | 7 p.m.
Brush up your cocktail making skills with a hands-on class led by the professionals at Liberate Your Palate. You’ll make three full-size cocktails using seasonal flavors and festive holiday flair. $75 per person.
FRIDAY
First Friday Gallery Crawl in South End
South End Neighborhood | 5:30-9 p.m.
The monthly South End gallery crawl returns Friday with lively receptions for new art exhibitions with music, refreshments and opportunities to meet the artists.
Ugly Christmas Sweater Party
Birch Fine Tea | 6-9 p.m.
Don your ugliest holiday sweater to enjoy half off all drinks, shopping with local, women-owned businesses and more.
Grand Opening Holiday Party at Eight + Sand Kitchen
Eight and Sand Kitchen | 7:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.
Help officially welcome Eight and Sand Kitchen to the neighborhood just in time for the holidays. There will be free hot chocolate and cookies, new seasonal menu items plus festive decorations.
SATURDAY
Birdsong 8 Year Anniversary Party
Birdsong Brewing Co. | All day
Birdsong Brewing is turning eight and is celebrating with beer releases, food trucks, live music, a vendor market and more.
Mistletoe Market 2019
December 7 | Camp North End
Head to Camp North End, where you’ll stroll the outdoor market, stop by tenants’ holiday parties, see parade of dogs in sweaters, roast marshmallows by the fire, jam to live music, sip on festive drinks and more.
Holiday Spectaular at Ballantyne Village
Ballantyne Village | 12-3 p.m.
The whole family will enjoy a holiday celebration boasting visits with Santa, face painting, sugar cookie decorating, arts and crafts, and a special appearance by Sir Purr. Free and open to the public.
3rd Annual Holiday Soirée
QC Social Lounge | 6:30-11 p.m.
Help support the Children’s Home Society with an evening of cheer at Uptown’s QC Social. Celebrate the season with community leaders, friends, and CHS supporters while raising funds to help support children and families in Charlotte and throughout North Carolina.
Mingle with Kris Kringle
Fig Tree Restaurant | 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Fig Tree’s fifth annual holiday charity event supporting MiraVia, a local safe haven for pregnant women, offers brunch hors d’oeuvres, cookies, mimosas and pastries to enjoy while visiting with Kris Kringle. $20 per adult, $10 for kids 12 and under.
Holiday Festival of Lights 2019
Town of Waxhaw | 4-8 p.m.
Waxhaw’s holiday festivities officially kick off at the town’s Holiday Festival of Lights Ceremony, where downtown will be aglow with over 500,000 lights. The evening also features live musical performances, carnival games and rides, a live nativity, carriage rides and Santa’s arrival.
Ayrsley Holiday Celebration
9224 Kings Parade Blvd. | 3:30 – 8 p.m.
Families near Ayrsley shopping center can visit with Santa and enjoy a new holiday classic, Elf, on the big screen with free popcorn. Free and open to the public, bring your own chairs and blankets.
Ballantyne Arts Center Holiday Festival
Ballantyne Arts Center | 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Kick off the holiday season at the Ballantyne Arts Center with cookie decorating, seasonal art, a bounce house, face painting, music, gingerbread play dough and more. Festival is free and open to the public.
Wine Tasting – Champagne and Sweet Wine
Foxcroft Wine Co-Dilworth | 3-5 p.m.
Drop in anytime between 3-5pm for a $5 wine tasting featuring champagne and sweet wines.
Deck The Hall
Optimist Hall | 11 a.m. – 8 p.m.
Help deck the (Optimist) Hall at this all-day event featuring fun for all ages: photos with Santa Claus, a screening of Elf, holiday libations from Spindle Bar and crafting workshops from Archer Paper Goods.
SUNDAY
Holiday Front Porch Sunday
2161 Hawkins Street | 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.
At this special holiday edition of Front Porch Sundays, attendees can shop more than 64 local vendors, enjoy food from four food trucks, jam to live music and more. Don’t forget about the free bootcamp class with Jamie Scott Fitness South End at 11 a.m.
Flow for Fosters
Flower Child | 10 a.m.
Join Sweat Method for a yoga class supporting The Humane Society of Charlotte, plus take 10% off your meal after class and enjoy mini lemon cakes and rose petal lemonades. $5 participation fee.
Merchant Market
The Broken Spoke | 12-5 p.m.
Stop by The Broken Spoke to shop goods and gifts including original artwork from local vendors.
Shop, Drop N Roll Holiday Makers Market
NoDa Brewing Company | 12-6 p.m.
Shop hand-crafted goods as Crowned Sparrow Craft Co. teams up with NoDa Brewing Company. The market also features goodies and giveaways, plus they’ll also be donating a portion of proceeds to a local charity.
& BEYOND
SPARK! A Pop Up Shop
December 9 | Poplar Tapas & Spirits | 6-8 p.m.
Get an early start on your shopping this year while shopping unique gifts, sipping on wine and enjoying some delicious appetizers. All sales will support Circle de Luz and their mission to empower young Latinas in Charlotte. RSVP here.
