It’s a busy weekend here in the Queen City! From Juneteenth celebrations all weekend long, to special activities to take Dad this Fathers Day, Pride events, music and food festivals, and much more — there’s truly something for everyone to enjoy this week.
THINGS TO DO THURSDAY, JUNE 15
Garden Nights With Free Admission to Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden
Thursday, June 15, 4 – 9p
Guests can enjoy the Garden in the beautiful evening hours during Garden Nights on select Thursdays from 4 to 9 p.m. throughout the summer. Enjoy a beverage from one of the Garden’s bars, while you take a stroll around the garden. This Thursday, enjoy a live musical performance from Mike DeLaura and eats from Vita Da Pizza.
Sips & Sabor at Resident Culture South End
Thursday, June 15, 7 – 9p
Resident Culture’s own Chef Jose Magana has prepared an INCREDIBLE tasting menu, and what better way to enjoy it than with Chris Thomas from Johnson Brothers bringing the HEAT with a wine lineup. Expect a mixture of three red & white wines, finishing off with an amazing Dessert Wine. Cost is $35 per person with bottle discounts available.
Foraged Art Workshop at North Corner Haven
Thursday, June 15, 10:30a – 1:30p
Let nature inspire your creativity! Head into the woods and explore the acres of native flora and fauna living in the North Corner Haven forest. In this 3 hour, guided experience, guests will will identify and collect forest finds before returning to the Five Acres to create a unique piece of art to take home as a souvenir. Tickets include Guided Foraging experience in their 500+ acre mixed hardwood forest led by Proper Flower and fresh “Picnic Lunch” after the Art Workshop Concludes. *All Supplies and safety equipment provided, dress code is outdoor casual – we’re headed into the woods! This event is rain or shine.
THINGS TO DO FRIDAY, JUNE 16
Grand Opening of Wentworth & Fenn UPTOWN
Wentworth & Fenn opens a second location in The Alley at Latta Arcade on Friday, June 16, at 9 a.m. The 400-square-foot space Uptown location will serve more savory items than its spot in Camp North End, including breakfast sammies, savory dishes, scones, and fresh bread. Patrons can also order fan favorites like Chocolate Chunk Cookies, Bourbon Butter Oatmeal Creme Pies, and Salted Caramel Bread Pudding, plus drip and iced coffee, sparkling tea, sodas, and other non-alcoholic beverages. The gourmet bakery is the brainchild of executive chef, owner, and James-Beard nominated pastry chef Sam Ward.
Pride vendor market at Hi-Wire Brewing
Friday, June 16, 5 – 9p
Get ready for an amazing evening of shopping with 10+ local vendors, delicious bites from Deejai Food Truck, mimosas, beer slushies, and a DJ to keep the party going. In partnership with PFLAG Charlotte, Hi-Wire Brewing will be donating $1 from every Pride Lager sold during the event to support LGBTQ+ communities and create a more equitable future for all.
Live Music at the Gateway Canteen
Friday, June 16, 6 – 9p
Join us at the Anne Springs Close Greenway’s Gateway Canteen for good food and good music. With a talented line-up of local singers/songwriters scheduled Friday and Saturday evenings until November 4, the Canteen will offer guests a laidback outdoor setting, along with delicious food and beverage options to make dinner easy. View the full lineup here.
JUNETEENTH CELEBRATIONS
Juneteenth Festival of The Carolinas
June 15 – 18
The Juneteenth Festival of The Carolinas is back for its 26th year. Join Pape Ndiaye in the heart of Plaza Midwood as they come together to honor the past, celebrate the present, and look toward a brighter future. The celebration will take place over three days and is free to attend.
Black Food Truck Fridays – Juneteenth Edition
Friday, June 16, 4 – 9p
BBOC invites the Entire Public to to Join us during Juneteenth and all summer long, in support of Black Entrepreneurs and get a ‘Taste of Black Charlotte’! Black Food Truck Fridays gives local residents the opportunity to taste an array of cuisines ranging from seafood, to soul-food, to amazing desserts (and everything in-between). Beyond food, local merchants will be selling body products, jewelry, clothing & much more! Bring the entire family and we are certain you will leave craving more!
2023 North Carolina Juneteenth Festival
Saturday, June 17, 1 – 5p
The 2023 North Carolina Juneteenth Festival themed “Educating, Empowering, Entertaining” will feature 100 black-owned companies. Crafts, culture, performances, art, kids’ games, information, and more are some of what attendees can expect. Free giveaways, discounts, and coupons make the vendor shopping experience like no other.
Inaugural Juneteenth Cookout & Father’s Day Celebration
June 17 – 18
Victoria Yards, Uptown
Saturday, 6/17: Free live music & entertainment, food & merchant vendors, Spades Tournament. Hosted by Charlotte’s very own – Eddie O.!
Sunday, 6/18: Father’s Day Celebration, food & merchant vendors
THINGS TO DO SATURDAY, JUNE 17
FRESH2DEATH: It’s Giving Ballroom
Saturday, June 17, 2023
It’s Giving Ballroom at the Harvey B. Gantt Center has a full day of activities planned, including:
- IT’S GIVING GOOD BREAD: Rooftop drag brunch featuring performer Erica Chanel, DJ Micki Blendz and food from Chef Renaldo’s Culinary Experience. 11 a.m.-2 p.m.; $35 per person.
- IT’S GIVING RUNWAY: Fashion show featuring Venchi Love Club, Haus of NiVet, Inkkdup, Allodari, Blvssom and William Walker, with DJ Dexter Dynamite. 4:30-6 p.m.; $60 per person, price includes seat and swag bag with treats from sponsors and vendors. Limited tickets available at door (increased price).
- IT’S GIVING KIKI: Kiki ball with categories of runway, performance, sneaker vs. sneaker and face. Participating houses include: Haus of Wintour, Haus of Marie Laveau, House of Juicy Couture, Haus of Telfar, House of Bodega, Haus of Von Dutch and more; 7-10 p.m.; $60 per person (secures a seat, but not at a table), price includes seat and swag bag with treats from sponsors and vendors. Limited tickets available at door (increased price).
- IT’S GIVING GENERAL ADMISSION: Access to almost everything without the extra perks of seating, goodie bags; Free, but registration is strongly suggested.
There are a plethora of activities included in the free general admission, including IT’S GIVING TEA: Panel discussion featuring DJ Fannie Mae, Cathay Dawkins, Chef Joya, Sur Ellz and moderated by Tierany Griffin-Purdie. 2-3:30 p.m.
Free Truist Training Tour Pride Run
Saturday, June 17, 9a
Around The Crown 10K laces up with Stonewall Sports and Front Runners for a Truist Training Tour Pride Run/Walk in celebration and support of Pride Month at Common Market in South End. There will be freebies from Brooks, Truist, and Recover Brands’ Pride shirts.
Yoga at Hi-Wire Brewing
Saturday, June 17, 11a – 12p
Spend your Saturday morning at Hi-Wire Brewing for a pop-up yoga class with SPENGA. Sign up for REVIVE Yoga and get the yoga class and a beer afterward for just $10: CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP.
Tacos N Taps Festival
Saturday, June 17, 12 – 5p
This ALL YOU CARE TO TASTE Beer and Tequila Festival at Ballantyne’s Backyard offers up some of Charlotte’s Best Tacos and Mexican Food, the best dancing music from Triangle Area DJs, margaritas, piñata punching, contests, and many other surprises.
Pride Bar Crawl LGBTQ+ 2023 Event
Saturday, June 17, 3 – 10p
Celebrate Pride Month by hopping around the best bars and clubs in the city with hundreds of other crawlers! Your ticket gets you food and drink specials as well as access to the best bars and nightclubs with no door cover charge. Buy tickets here.
Hello, Future! A Divine Barrel Kpop Dance Party
Saturday, June 17, 7 – 11p
Join Divine Barrel & NC K-Pop Community for a night of K-pop fun. Spend the night dancing to the beat of a DJ remixing K-pop favorites, snagging some memory-saving photos at the Hello Future Photo Op, sipping on some special beer Divine Barrel will be serving up, and munching on food from Cutting Board & Be-Em Fo. Tickets are $10 per person and can be purchased here.
FATHER’S DAY CELEBRATIONS
Sporting Clays Adventure at North Corner Haven
Gather family or friends together for a truly unique Father’s Day gift when you treat him to a Sporting Clays Escape at North Corner Haven, where you’ll find a state of the art Five Stand and seven different machines throwing endless combinations. This package includes:
- Two Hours of Shooting with Instruction
- Protective Ear and Eyewear
- Beretta Silver Pigeon Gun Rental
- Ammo & Clays
- Boxed Farm Lunch & Refreshments Served Range Side
Pricing begins at $195 per person – booked by appointment. Groups of up to 12 permitted; 3 guest minimum. Price does not include applicable tax and fees. RESERVE YOUR FATHER’S DAY GIFT EVENT HERE.
Father’s Day Brunch at Link & Pin
Sunday, June 18
- The South End and Huntersville locations will feature brunch with a special expanded menu featuring some dinner favs like steaks, lobster tail, market fish and truffle lobster mac n cheese until 4pm. The full dinner menu will then start at 4pm.
- The Arboretum location will serve the full dinner menu all day long along with a smaller menu of brunch favorites (brunch will run til 4pm).
Dads Get Free Admission to Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden
Sunday, June 18, 10a – 4p
Take dad to Daniel Stowe where he gets in for free and gets a free Game Day koozie while supplies last. Guests will enjoy live music on the Visitor Pavilion Terrace. Enjoy cold brews and relax in the shade, grab a bite from a food truck and enjoy yard games (weather permitting). Lunch will be available from a food truck and snacks are always available in the Garden Store.
Father’s Day BBQ at Brewers at 4001 Yancey
Sunday, June 18, 11a
Celebrate Father’s Day at Yancey with a BBQ feature menu plus discounted CLT Brew’d Drafts! There will also be live music by Jarrett Raymond from 1 – 4 p.m.
Music in the Gardens at The Duke Mansion – Father’s Day Edition
Sunday, June 18, 5 – 7p
Head to The Duke Mansion this Father’s Day for Music in the Gardens featuring “Blues, Rock & Folk with HC Oakes Band”. Enjoy cocktails and live music in the Garden select Sundays this summer.
THINGS TO DO SUNDAY, JUNE 18
Camden Commons – Last One of the Season!!
Sunday, June 18, 11a – 5p
Head to South End for the last Camden Commons of the season where Camden Road transforms into an outdoor living room, presented by Lowe’s. Come spend your #SundayFunday shopping locally, discovering new food, playing games, listening to music, and getting creative as if in your own living room. This family-friendly event is free and open to all.
Cultural Music Fest 2023
Sunday, June 18, 11a – 8p
The Cultural Music Fest is here to celebrate blackness through art, food, and of course, music. Tickets can be purchased here.
Kicks & Fros: Grand Opening Party
Sunday, June 18, 1 – 4p
Celebrate the opening of Kicks & Fro’s new office in Camp North End. You’ll have the opportunity to meet the founder, tour the new K&F headquarters, shop merch pop ups, enjoy light notes, kids activities, giveaways, and more.
