Make plans to stay in town this Labor Day Weekend. Entertain guests or make the most of your staycation with these fun events to fill your calendar. Looking for things to do to the South or the North of town? Read our posts on:
What To Do This Weekend In Lake Norman
News & Notes from South South Charlotte ~ Things To Do From Ballantyne To Rock Hill
THURSDAY
Cocktail Class, Bar Tips & Lite Bites
WP Kitchen + Bar | 4:30 p.m.
Whip up those end-of-summer cocktails with local spirits from Great Wagon Road Distilling Company. Learn bar tips and snack on a chef’s selection of locally-sourced small plates. $45 per person. Call 704.295.0101 to reserve your spot.
Collaborative Dinners: Beef + Bourbon
The Asbury | 6:30 p.m.
Collaborators John May, Brianna Shaw and Matthew Weiss have teamed up for this special five-course menu highlighting beef and bourbon pairings. Preview the menu here. $65 per person. Reserve online or call 704.342.1193..
Instabeerupclt
Resident Culture Brewing | 6 p.m.
Check out Resident Culture Brewing before their official grand opening on Saturday at Instabeerup. Network, meet new friends and check out Plaza Midwood’s newest brewery.
Gourd Have Mercy Release Party
Sycamore Brewing | 4 – 10 p.m.
Ease into the weekend with a can of Sycamore’s seasonal brew: Gourd Have Mercy. Pap Queso Food Truck will be serving up a special harvest melt grilled cheese to match the occasion, plus enjoy live music from Steven Metz.
Summer Concert Series
Comporium Amphitheater, Fort Mill | Thursdays through August 31 | 6:30 p.m.
Grab a lawn chair, pack a picnic and easy into another summer weekend with live music on the greenway from Flashback, the Party Band.
ALL WEEKEND
Labor Day Celebration
U.S. National Whitewater Center | September 2-3
Spend the last days of summer in the great outdoors with a weekend-long celebration at the USNWC. Kick off the festivities with a 5k and 15k trail race, followed by outdoor activities, live music and yoga. Stick around for fireworks Sunday night. View the full schedule of events here.
2017 Matthews Alive Festival
Downtown Matthews | September 1-4
This beloved family festival will celebrate its 25th anniversary with a plethora of live music acts on stage, performances, artisan vendors, thrilling rides, carnival games and more. Don’t miss the fireworks show Saturday night. Proceeds benefits Matthews community non-profit organizations.
FRIDAY
Jazz at the Bechtler: Great Jazz Bassists
Bechtler Museum of Modern Art | 6 p.m.
The Zia Jazz Quartet pays tribute to some of the most iconic bassists at this monthly jazz event. Concerts are performed at 6 and 8:15 p.m. Tickets are $14 for the public and just $8 for museum members.
South End Gallery Crawl
South End Neighborhood | 5- 9 p.m.
The first Friday gallery crawl is back for September. Walk from gallery to gallery browsing the best art and exhibits South End has to offer. Start planning your night out here.
SATURDAY
2017 Belk College Kickoff Game: NC State vs. South Carolina
Bank of America Stadium | 3 p.m.
Be in the stands as the NC State Wolfpack challenges the University of South Carolina Gamecocks as part of college football’s opening weekend. Individual tickets start at $55 each.
Lenny Boy Q & Brew Day
Lenny Boy Brewing Co. | 11 a.m.
The first Saturday of each month, Lenny Boy celebrates with BBQ, music and a new bottle release. Start September off right with their award-winning Burn Down for What in 12 oz. bottles. Also enjoy live music from Caleb Davis and local vendors and artists on site.
Best Wines You’ve Never Heard Of
Heirloom | 6:30 p.m.
Join Heirloom Chefs in pairing some of the best wines you’ve never heard of with a five-course meal. Learn about each wine and the art of pairing with seasonal dishes. $65 per person. Preview the menu and buy tickets here.
Queen City Improv Room: Clash of the Comedians
Stage Door Theater at Blumenthal Performing Arts Center | 8 p.m.
The best comedians in Charlotte compete for your laughs at this improv battle for the ages. 16 improvisors will take the stage, but only four will will be crowned the ultimate improv champions. General admission tickets begin at $9.32 online.
Ride! Ballantyne
9405 Bryant Farms Road | September 2 | 7:30 a.m.
Ready your bike for this community ride benefitting the YMCA Annual Campaign and their life-changing programs. Choose from 30, 45, 63 and 80 mile options. After your ride, celebrate with a cookout at Bojangles’ Pavilion.
East Side Block Music Festival
Albemarle Road Recreation Center | All day
The Inaugural East Side Block Music Festival features local talent, food and merchandise vendors, a health fair, kids activities and more.
Resident Culture Brewing Grand Opening
2101 Central Ave. | All day
Help welcome Plaza Midwood’s newest brewery to the neighborhood. Resident Culture Brewing Company will open its doors this Saturday to serve local, wild ales and hoppy beers.
SUNDAY
Ed Sheeran
Spectrum Center | 7:30 p.m.
Sing along to your favorite tunes as Ed Sheeran takes the stage this Sunday at the Spectrum Center.
September Front Porch Sundays with Beer, Pups, and Yoga
2151 Hawkins St. | Noon – 5 p.m.
Spend your Sunday Funday shopping, biking and sipping at this month’s Front Porch Sunday. Expect over 50 local vendors, yoga, live music, beer, adoptable pets and more.
LABOR DAY MONDAY
Blue Blaze Brewing Labor Day Celebration
Blue Blaze Brewing | September 4 | All day
Enjoy your day off with $2 off all Blue Blaze brews, plus a free taco bar and live music.
Yard Art Day
View the map here | September 4 | All day
Display or perform your own works of art for the public for 24 hours as part of this year’s Yard Art Day. Register your home, business or studio to get on the YAD map. Looking for some inspiration? Like their Facebook Page.
The 4th Annual Charlotte Kosher BBQ Championship
Levine JCC | September 4 | 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Charlotte’s Kosher BBQ Championship is back with the best ‘que in town, live music, a watermelon and pickle eating contest, plus activities for the kids. Tasting tickets to sample all of the competitors’ BBQÂ can be purchased at the event.
Funky Farm Day
Free Range Brewing | September 4 | 2 p.m.
Round out your Labor Day weekend with a line-up of live music on the front lawn at Free Range Brewing. In addition to beer and music, expect food trucks on-site and activities for the kids.
Here’s the music line-up:
2:15-3:15pm: Sinners & Saints
3:45-5:00pm: Devon Gilfillian
5:30-7:00pm: Forlorn Strangers
