It’s finally starting to feel like fall in the Queen City! Well … it’s finally not 90° and we’re heading outdoors for more fun activities to do on the weekends. Start by enjoying delicious food and live music in the garden at Wing Haven, celebrate Mecktoberfest Weekend at The Olde Mecklenburg Brewery, take the family to stroll through the Charlotte International Arts Festival in Ballantyne, find your inner zen at Flow Fest, watch Sunday football on Birkdale’s big screen, and much more.
THINGS TO DO FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 15
Renata x Aubrey Capsule Collection Launch
Friday, September 15, 5 – 7p
Calling all tweens and fashionistas! Renata x Aubrey is launching an age-appropriate and comfortable collection for tweens and teens to wear. Come support this limited line at Hilliard Studio Method this Friday from 5 – 7 p.m. Best of all, 10% of proceeds will go directly to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital via “Team Cameron Gray”.
Mecktoberfest Weekend 1 at The Olde Mecklenburg Brewery
Friday, September 15 – Sunday, September 17
It’s finally that time of year, Mecktoberfest is back at The Olde Mecklenburg Brewery! This is your chance to experience Charlotte’s most recognized fall beer festival. Enjoy traditional German fare alongside live music performances in the spacious Biergarten. Make it a night to remember with a 1-liter DAS BOOT and stein holding contests. Can’t make it this weekend? They’ll be back for a second weekend of fun September 22 – 24, 2023.
CHICAGO at Belk Theater
September 12 – 17
Come see the award-winning Broadway musical CHICAGO at Blumenthal’s Belk Theater, only in town for one week! Tickets start at just $25 and can be purchased here.
Charlotte International Arts Festival
September 15 – October 1
The Charlotte International Arts Festival annually celebrates imaginative visual and performing arts from the most creative international and local minds. Fun for everyone, from families to individuals ~ stay awhile, play, and welcome curiosity. With over 200 attractions, many for free, this festival has something for everyone.
Scarowinds Opening Weekend
Select Nights, September 15 – October 29
SCarowinds, the Carolinas’ premier Halloween event, is back with a vengeance. Among this year’s new attractions is the Procession of Nightmares parade, where all of your deepest, darkest dreams have come to life on the park’s midways. You’ll sleep with the lights on after experiencing this new season of SCarowinds with nothing but pure fear straddling the North Carolina-South Carolina state line. Every corner has a fresh coat of fright with horrifying haunted mazes, spine-tingling scare zones, and live entertainment. Online tickets can be found here.
THINGS TO DO SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 16
Fall Fest at Sycamore Brewing
September 16 & 17
Come celebrate fall at Sycamore Brewing’s South End taproom. The weekend will be filled with fall-themed games, specialty cocktails, exclusive beer releases, giveaways, seasonal cafe specials, live music, and more.
Flow Fest at U.S. National Whitewater Center
Saturday, September 16
This one-day festival is centered around yoga and wellness and offers more than 40 yoga practices, specialty workshops, local vendors, kombucha, and live music. Flow Fest is free to attend but requires registration. The Whitewater Center has a daily parking fee of $6 per vehicle or an annual parking pass available for $60 per pass per calendar year.
South End Little Free Libraries: Book Drive and Shopping Tote Giveaway
Saturday, September 16, 8a – 1p
Doing some fall cleaning and notice your bookshelf looking a little tight? Donate new or gently used books to restock the South End Little Free Libraries. The books will be used to restock the five Little Free Libraries across the neighborhood. As a thank you, you’ll receive a South End shopping tote when you make a book donation (limit 1 bag per person, while supplies last).
Taste of Italy Wine Festival Tour
Saturday, September 16, 10:30a – 4p
Take a trip to Italy for the day during the Italian Festival at Raffaldini Vineyards. Head to NC Wine Country for an afternoon filled with Italian wine, food, music, and more. For $125 per person, you get roundtrip group transportation from Charlotte (uptown and Northlake Mall), general admission to the festival, a souvenir wine glass, and a glass of wine. Reserve your spot here.
Charlotte Brunch Festival
Saturday, September 16, 12p
Start the day in Ballantyne’s Backyard for a Charlotte Brunch Festival Pop-Up presented by Blumenthal Performing Arts, Sipsy Cabanas, and The Charlotte Brunch Squad. Expect brunch samples available for purchase, yard games, drink pouches, and live entertainment. Tickets to the festival can be purchased here.
The Mint’s Mega Musical Chairs
Saturday, September 16, 12 & 2:15p
Join in one or two rousing rounds of musical chairs at Mint Museum Uptown as part of the opening celebration for the exhibition The Art of Seating: 200 Years of American Design. The event is hosted by Miguel of Miguel and Holly from 96.1 FM. Prizes include a $100 gift card to Little Mama’s Italian restaurant and the brand-new Chapter 6 restaurant, or any Rare Roots Hospitality-owned restaurant in Charlotte, plus a Contributor Level membership to the Mint. Registration is encouraged.
Fashion Funds the Cure at SouthPark Mall
Saturday, September 16, 2p
Support pediatric cancer research and join SP Mall for a fashion show featuring their hottest looks of the season. Saturday, September 16 at 2PM in Center Court. PURCHASE TICKETS ($75pp) HERE.
Electric Mountain’s DUSK Part 1
Saturday, September 16, 6p
DUSK is back in Plaza Midwood for an adventurous and creative 4-part series featuring musical acts from the region and beyond.
Acts for Part 1 of 4 will include:
- Jason Michel | 6 PM – Long-time audio experimenter exploring the edges of sound with modular synthesis, sampling, and effects processing.
- Dirty Art Club | 7 PM – Atmospheric, fanciful songs with stacked vocal loops, swelling keyboards, and sudden changes in tone and melody.
- Charlatan String Trio | 8 PM – Three talented Charlotte Symphony Orchestra members set free to make joyful noises on violin and cello.
Fall into September with OpenTap and ISF
Saturday, September 16, 6 – 9p
Head to OpenTap for good food, cold drinks, live music, and a chance to donate to the Isabella Santos Foundation. From 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., scan the QR codes at OpenTap make a donation to help their mission in spreading awareness and improving rare pediatric cancer treatment options for children.
Shelton Sunset Summer Concert Series – The Tams
Saturday, September 16, 6:30 – 9:30p
The Shelton Vineyards Summer Concert Series is BACK for 2023! Enjoy one ticket to The Tams – a beach music classic since the 60’s. The event will take place at the band shell located at Shelton Vineyards. Be sure to bring your own chairs and blankets to keep comfortable. Tickets are on sale now for $20 per person and can be bought here.
Women Supporting Women Gala
Saturday, September 16, 6:30 – 10p
The 2nd Annual Women Supporting Women Gala is a fundraiser produced by the women-owned businesses of Fellow Traveler Counseling and Toshkova Fine Art Advisory in conjunction with Crittenton. One hundred percent of all proceeds benefit Crittenton by going directly to operational support of their programs and clients. Join them for a night of cocktails, hors d’oeuvres, silent auction, and dancing at Bazal Gallery Nightclub at Charlotte’s NC Music Factory. Everyone is welcome. Tickets can be purchased here.
THINGS TO DO SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 17
Watch The Game On The Big Screen At Birkdale Village
Sunday, September 17
Sunday football is back and what better way to watch your favorite team than on the big screen? Head to Birkdale Village at 1 p.m. and 4:25 p.m. to watch the NFL Sunday games (still TBD, so be sure to check here for which game is playing).
Check Out New Menu Items at Link & Pin
Don’t spend the last day of your weekend cooking. Instead, head to Link & Pin for delicious new menu additions including a Dry-Aged Porterhouse for 2, Onion Ring “Loaf”, Steak and Chop Add Ons & Sauces, new house-made donuts, and more. Make reservations now by clicking here.
