It’s almost Halloween weekend, and like everything else in 2020, we know it’s going to look a little bit different. Whether you’re planning to stay in and celebrate virtually, or get your tricks and treats by venturing out, we’ve got 25+ ways to enjoy this Halloween weekend in Charlotte.
#1 Thing to Do This Week. VOTE.
Last day for early voting is Saturday, 10/31. Lines have not been long at many polls thus far, although Saturday and Tuesday will certainly be crowded. But worth it.
OPENINGS & CLOSINGS
Link & Pin Huntersville – Open Now
Link & Pin’s second location is now open in NorthCross Shopping Center in the former Mickey & Mooch building. Expect lunch, dinner and brunch on weekends. Find them at 9723 Sam Furr Road, Huntersville.
Farm Haus – Open now
On the south side of town, the newly opened Farm Haus offers guests an expansive beer garden, a meat-focused menu, outdoor games and a stage for live music. Find them at 9762 Charlotte Highway, Indian Land, SC.
La Belle Helene – Closed
The Uptown favorite, which opened in 2018, has closed. Parliament Espresso & Coffee, owned by the same operating group, has also closed.
Ilios Noche Quail Corners – Closed
After eight years, Ilios Noche at Quail Corners has closed. Their location in Rea Village will remain open.
Rita’s in Plaza Midwood – Closed
Per Unpretentious Palate via Instagram, the Rita’s location in Plaza Midwood closed on Oct. 25. Be on the lookout for a new location to open in the University area in February.
VENTURING OUT
Editor’s Note:
We try to screen each entry below to make sure safety protocols are in place. If the venue or situation doesn’t look like safe to you, please avoid it and let us know as we will discontinue promotion. Please use safe or even overly safe practices if you do go to a gathering…masks on, hands washed or sanitized frequently, glasses or sunglasses when possible, and maintain plenty of distance.
Featured Event: Uptown Weekends,
The Events for Weekend of October 30
Uptown Weekends
Oct. 30-Nov. 1
#ShowUpForUptown
Celebrate Uptown and the comfortable fall temperatures with on-street entertainment, pop-up vendors, green spaces and plenty of outdoor dining options. Stroll down Tryon St. (which will be closed from 5th – 6th) to enjoy safe dining, live music and more. Movies, Parties, Halloween Festivities, and more. This week, don’t miss the Art Exhibition on the Pedestrian Plaza, a collaboration between 20 artists featuring plywood murals, plus an open mic poetry event and music. Start planning here.
Opera Dinner with Chef Luca
Oct. 29 | Forchetta Restaurant, rooftop terrace
The final event in Opera Carolina’s Response Fund series will include cuisine by Executive Chef Luca Annunziata, Winner Of Food Network’s ‘Chopped’ and performances by:
- Amanda Sesler, soprano
- Jennifer Wiggins, mezzo
- Johnathan White, tenor
- David Clark, baritone
- Zaiba Sheikh, pianist
Panthers vs. Falcons with the Roaring Riot
Oct. 29 | Bank of America Stadium
Enjoy Thursday Night Football from inside Bank of America Stadium as the Panthers take on the Falcons. Join the Roaring Riot in their reserved sections for a spirited game right behind the goalpost. Don’t wait: tickets are assigned in the sections on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Wine Dinner: Brunello di Montalcino
Oct. 29 | Foxcroft Wine Co., Waverly
Reserve your seat now for a wine dinner in Waverly featuring seven wines from the Brunello di Montalcino collection.
Socially Distanced Howl-o-ween Pawty
Oct. 29 | Lucky Dog Bark & Brew Charlotte
Dress up with your pup at this “Howl-o-ween Pawty” featuring free photos, giveaways, apple cider mimosas, a costume contest and more.
Ballantyne Drive-In Movie Series: Hocus Pocus
Oct. 30 | 6 pm
Next up in the Ballantyne Movie Series is the Halloween classic Hocus Pocus. Wear your costumes and enjoy music, a special pre-order menu from Shake Shack and the movie on the big screen.
Great Pumpkin Kids Night Out
Oct. 30 | Flour Power Kids Cooking Studios: Charlotte Quail Corners
Chefs-in-training will enjoy celebrating the spookiest night of the year by making “Mac-o-lantern” Stuffed Peppers, Dog Bone Breadsticks, Blue Blanket Punch, and Homemade Brownie Pumpkin Patches. $39 (dinner included), ages 5-12.
Movies at Victoria Yards: The Rocky Horror Picture Show
Oct. 30 | 408 N Tryon St.
As part of #ShowUpforUptown, enjoy a screening of The Rocky Horror Picture Show, plus food trucks and live music. Seating is extremely limited and attendees must follow CDC guidelines. Free.
NoDa Brewing 9-Year Anniversary
Oct. 28 – Nov. 1
Help NoDa Brewing cheers to nine years with a week-long celebration, featuring a new release each day and a special that includes a $9 pour of any beer and an IPA glass to take home. View the full schedule here.
Charlotte Black Restaurant Week
Oct. 19-31 | Various locations
Support local, Black-owned businesses during the 4th annual Charlotte Black Restaurant Week. On Oct. 30, don’t miss Black Food Truck Friday from 3-9 pm at 3148 Freedom Drive, which will feature tastes of seafood, soul food, desserts and more. There will also be local artisan merchants on site.
Fall Pop Up Market
Oct. 30 | 4-8 pm
Get a head start on holiday shopping and support local businesses at Huntersville’s Downtown Pop Up Market. Feel free to wear your costume to get into the Halloween spirit.
Halloween Movie Night: Hocus Pocus
Oct. 30 | Optimist Hall | 5 pm
This socially-distanced Halloween Movie Night at Optimist Hall will feature the classic film, Hocus Pocus. They’ll also have tarot card readings from 5-8 pm.
Parent/Teen Halloween Harvest Cooking Class
Oct. 30 | Chef Alyssa’s Kitchen
At this in-person class for ages 11 – 18 and their parents, attendees will learn how to make a fall-inspired menu, including Beef and Black Bean Chili, Pumpkin and Sage Spoon bread and Candy Apple Cookies.
Kids Go Free at NASCAR Hall of Fame
Oct. 30 – Nov. 1 | NASCAR Hall of Fame
Spend Halloween weekend at the NASCAR Hall of Fame where kids’ admission is free on Saturday and Sunday. Kids can find festive treats throughout the Hall, wear their costumes and enjoy a prepackaged craft activity and individually wrapped goodie bags. Purchase tickets online or at the Box Office with promo code GHOST.
Lanterns & Legends Tour
Oct. 29-31 | Fort Mill
The Fort Mill History Museum presents the 4th Annual Lanterns & Legends, a walking tour featuring Fort Mill history and local ghost stories held through the heart of Fort Mill. Attendees can also enjoy discounts at participating restaurants. Tickets are $16 each.
BOO at the Ballantyne Staycation Weekend
Oct. 30-31 | The Ballantyne Hotel
Book a fall staycation at The Ballantyne complete with complimentary distanced hayrides for guests, a cookie baking and decorating class, a complimentary pumpkin carving contest, Trick or Tea Afternoon Tea for guests, costume parade for guests, a dive-in movie screening of Hocus Pocus and turndown candy. Call (888) 627-8048 to book your room.
Drive-In Movie: Nightmare Before Christmas
Oct. 30 | Forest Hill Church, Waxhaw | 7-9 pm
In Waxhaw, the whole family can enjoy a drive-in screening of The Nightmare Before Christmas. Wear your costume to participate in a costume contest.
Tiff’s Treats Halloween Drive-Thru
Oct. 31 | Uptown Location ONLY
The Uptown location will participate in the Halloween Trick or Tiff’s Treats Drive-Thru, where participants will receive a dozen warm Halloween-inspired cookies, a $10 gift card and other goodies for just $10.
Halloween @ Strawberry Hill
Oct. 31 | 1-3 pm
This family-friendly, drop-in Halloween event at Strawberry Hill Shopping Center will include goodie bags for the first 100 kids, a photo backdrop and a special guest character available for pictures. Costumes are encouraged and masks are required.
‘Mask’erade Ball Concert Event and Trunk or Treat
Quail Corners Shopping Center will host two nights of Halloween fun: a ‘Mask’erade Ball featuring curbside Halloween entertainment from Split Second Sound on Friday, followed by a safe trunk or treat event on Saturday.
Pandemic-friendly Halloween Experience in SouthPark
Don’t miss this pandemic-friendly Halloween experience in SouthPark. The Meade family has invented a contactless, drive-by, Frankenstein-themed candy dispensary for Charlotte families to enjoy. The “TransylVending” machine essentially works like this: When you drive up to their house – which, by the way, is elaborately decorated for the season – you’ll see a phone number to text to let the machine know how many people are in your party. The dispensary will then deliver the requisite number of candy bars, which you can collect from a bowl. Once the transaction is finished, the machine self-sanitizes for the next customer! Open every evening 7:30-9:30 p.m. through Halloween. Find it at 4225 Wild Partridge Rd., Charlotte, NC 28226.
Curbside Trick-or-Treat with Lowe’s
Multiple dates and times
Join Lowe’s to celebrate Halloween at a Drive-through Trick-or-Treating event at all stores nationwide. Be sure to register so your little ghost or goblin can enjoy free sweet treats and a small pumpkin.
STAYING IN
McColl Center Benefit Art Sale
Oct. 26 – 29 | Virtual
Both new and seasoned art collectors have the opportunity to support artists and McColl Center for Art + Innovation while enjoying art inspired by change, growth, and connectedness. The Benefit Art Sale features 75 original pieces of art created by artists in Charlotte and across the United States. With pieces starting at $250, the virtual sale + auction will begin with bidding at 70% of the retail price. Use code SCOOP10 for $10 off your ticket (here) and be entered to win a framed piece by Amy Cheng.
SkillPop: Fall Watercolor Florals
Oct. 28 | 5 pm
Celebrate the season by learning how to paint loose florals with autumn inspired colors with guidance from watercolorist and calligrapher Ali Loncar-Bridges. $20.
10th Annual Charlotte Coat Drive
Through Nov. 13 | Multiple drop-off locations
Make a difference by donating a coat during the 10th Annual Charlotte Coat Drive, presented by Charlotte Mechanical. Simply drop a new or gently used coat – adult or youth – at a barrel partner location now through Nov. 13. 100% of donations go to the Salvation Army of Greater Charlotte. Find the location nearest you CharlotteCoatDrive.com.
The Light Factory Virtual Art Auction
Through Oct. 30 | Virtual
The 38th Annual Art Auction is going virtual this year, now through Friday, October 30. Bidding is now open and the Auction will end with a “live” closing, starting at 1pm on Oct. 30.
Running Scared 5 Miler/5K & Monster Mile
Oct. 31 | All weekend
The 5th Annual Running Scared 5 Miler/5K & Monster Mile is a virtual race in 2020. Choose from a 5 mile or monster mile route anytime on your own during Halloween weekend. Costumes encouraged.
Wine Essentials
Nov. 3 | 5:30 pm
Spend election night with a glass in hand and enjoy an introduction to the basics of wine – where it comes from, how it’s made and popular styles and well-known regions. $20.
Save the Date: #DoYouSeeMeCLT?
Nov. 5 | 8 pm
Get your tickets now for this live, virtual event where you’ll hear first-hand experiences from kids and others in the foster care community of Charlotte and Mecklenburg County. The third annual Do You See Me Now Charlotte? event will include a livestream of speakers and stories, plus ways you can get involved.
