Free Donuts, College Football, Gallery Crawls, Art Festivals, Food Truck Festivals, Around the Crown, Yard Art Day and More To Do This Labor Day Weekend

Labor Day marks the unofficial end to summer and the beginning of school days, fall leaves and a lot of exciting things to do in the Queen City. Celebrate the long weekend at the Whitewater Center, enjoy an evening walking around Downtown Concord, check out classic cars in Matthews and more as we enter another fantastic season in Charlotte.

EDITOR’S NOTE: At scoop, we believe in being vaccinated and wearing masks to protect ourselves, our loved ones, and our community. Please check the weblinks for the events listed to be sure you understand the safety precautions being taken, and don’t attend a gathering you believe will be unsafe. 

Labor Day Weekend:

Image: Krispy Kreme

Free Donuts for the Vaccinated from Krispy Kreme
Now through Sunday, September 5
Visit a participating Krispy Kreme in Charlotte, show proof of vaccination and receive two free donuts as a ‘thank you’ for doing your part to protect yourself and others against COVID-19.

Image: Duke’s Mayo Classic

Duke’s Mayo Classic
Thursday, September 2 & Saturday, September 4
College football opening weekend is here! Catch a double-header at Bank of America Stadium and enjoy an exciting FanFest event throughout the weekend.

Image: Historic Cabarrus Association

Colorful Lights Historic Concord Walking Tour
Friday, September 3 – Sunday, September 5
Take a leisurely stroll through historic downtown Concord and enjoy a colorful light display illuminating homes throughout the neighborhood. Maps and info packets are available at participating businesses.

Image: Onward Reserve

Georgia vs. Clemson Pre-Game Festivities with Onward Reserve
Friday, September 3 – Saturday, September 4
For many, the return of college football makes saying goodbye to summer just a little easier. If that’s you, join Onward Reserve in welcoming Georgia and Clemson to the Queen City with a weekend full of pre-game events.

Image: South End Charlotte

First Friday Gallery Crawl in South End
Friday, September 3, 5:00p – 10:00p
Immerse yourself in the local South End arts scene this Friday while galleries and shops in the neighborhood stay open late and welcome guests to enjoy special activities including live painting, music and more.

Food Truck Fridays:

Start your weekend with a stop at one of the many Food Truck Friday events going on around Charlotte every week. Here’s a few you might try:

Black Food Truck Friday – Stop by Vance High School in Charlotte this week for a line-up of black owned Food Trucks and other vendors

University City at Armored Cow Brewing – A Tana Empanada, Lobster Dogs, Perry’s a la Carte, ScratchKitchen CLT, Gnam Gnam & Yappy Hour Bakery

Resident Culture Brewing Company – swing by for a collection of your favorite food trucks plus live music

South End at Sycamore Brewing – a collection of local food truck favorites stop by each week

Cabarrus County at Cabarrus Brewing Co. – Plant 6 Provisions, JJ lange’s Beatz & Eatz, Carolina Smash Truck, Dumpling Girls, Ole Buddy’s Oinker Express, Mogogo Eatery and Cremoso Cheesecake

Image: USNWC

Labor Day Celebration at USNWC
Saturday, September 4 – Sunday, September 5
There’s something for everyone this weekend at the Whitewater Center’s Labor Day Celebration. Hit the trails for a 5k or 15k race, take a yoga class and enjoy live music throughout the weekend.

Image: Charlotte Black Film Festival

Queen City Art Fest at the Shoppes at University Place
Saturday, September 4, 2:00p – 9:00p & Sunday, September 5, 2:00p – 6:00p
Celebrate the end of summer at The Boardwalk for a weekend of art, culture, dance, drumming and more. Vendors and a youth area will be on-site throughout the event.

Image: Historic Rural Hill

The Battle of Charlotte at Historic Rural Hill
Saturday, September 4 – Sunday, September 5
Watch history come alive and mark the 241st anniversary of this pivotal time in Mecklenburg County. Tickets available now.

Image: Triple C Brewing Co.

9th Anniversary Celebration at Triple C Brewing Company
Saturday, September 4, 12:00p – 10:00p
After a week of exciting new releases from the brewery, stop by on Saturday and celebrate 9 years in the Charlotte beer community! Live music and local food trucks will be on-site for the festivities.

Festival of Food Trucks in Downtown Mooresville
Saturday, September 4, 5:00p – 8:30p
Check out a huge collection of local food trucks in charming downtown Mooresville! Bring chairs and some of your favorite dinner companions for an evening of delicious eats.

Image: Sycamore Brewing

Front Porch Sunday at Sycamore Brewing
Sunday, September 5, 11:00a – 4:00p
Spend a Sunday in South End and shop local vendors and artisans while enjoying an ice cold brew and lunch from a food truck.

Image: Around the Crown 10k

Around the Crown 10K presented by Truist
Sunday, September 5, 8:00a
Pound the pavement around Uptown Charlotte including a few miles on I-277 with a few thousand running buddies. Registration is now open.

Image: Yard Art Day

Yard Art Day
Monday, September 6
Enjoy this grassroots, community art exhibition by creating your own masterpiece or following the map to enjoy the work of others. A map of all participants can be found on the website.

Image: Matthews Chamber

Matthews Chamber 30th Anniversary Auto Reunion & Motorcycle Show
Monday, September 6, 9:00a – 3:00p
Be a part of this long-standing tradition and enjoy an afternoon of classic cars and small town festivities.

Next Week:

Image: JazzArts Charlotte

Talking Trumpet on Conversations with Curtis with JazzArts Charlotte
Tuesday, September 7, 8:00p
Listen in on a spirited conversation with a few of the influential jazz trumpet players in the area. Feel free to chime in with your comments and questions during this live, virtual event.

Image: Simplicity Organizers

Enhancing your Parenting & Organizational Skills Workshop with Simplicity Organizers
Wednesday, September 8, 10:30a
School is back in session and that means it’s time to get back into the routine of homework, practices, projects and all of the stuff that comes with it. Join Laurie Martin for a workshop full of tips and tricks to manage all the madness.

Save the Date:

Image: Bee Mighty

Bee Mighty Tennis Tournament
Friday, September 10, 9:00a
Join Bee Mighty in their mission to help NICU babies and their families thrive by participating in their 1st annual tennis tournament. Tickets are available now.

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scoop team
scoop team
This article was written by one of the many QC women who contribute to our website. They are out and about and around Charlotte digging up the latest & best scoop :)