Longing for a weekend full of gallery visits, water adventures and craft brews? No need to reach for the getaway bags, we’ve got everything you need for an action-packed spring weekend right here. Your guide to this weekend’s events around Lake Norman:
ALL WEEKEND
2018 Loch Norman Highland Games
April 20 – 22 | Rural Hill, Huntersville
Celebrating its 25th year, the Loch Norman Highland games feature a weekend of Highland dancing, bagpipe bands, athletics, kids activities, Scottish merchants, traditional performances, historic reenactments, hearth cooking demonstrations, beer and wine tastings and much more.
Art on the Green
April 20-22 | Town of Davidson
North Mecklenburg’s largest annual art festival returns with Davidson’s Gallery Crawl and Art of the Green. On Friday, join in the Gallery Crawl by traveling by trolley to Main Street and South Main Street as businesses and sidewalks are transformed into lively art galleries. The fun continues with a two-day juried art show showcasing over 50 artists from the region, with works spanning from sculpture to watercolor and photography. In addition to browsing art on display and for sale, guests can stroll around the green, listen to live music and enjoy local cuisine.
18th Annual Lake Norman Hospice Regatta
April 21-22 |Â Lake Norman Yacht Club, Mooresville
The 2018 Lake Norman Hospice Regatta includes a Friday evening social, the Regatta, an action and raffle, shore side activities, games and a Sunday donation cookout. To date, the Lake Norman Hospice Regatta & Party has raised over $873,800 for Hospice and Palliative Care Lake Norman.
Big Al-A-Palooza Music Festival
April 20 – 22 |Â Big Al’s Pub & Grubberia, Mooresville
Head to Big Al’s Pub & Grubberia for a whole weekend of musical entertainment. 14 musical acts will take the stage and the patio, and guests will enjoy beer samples and offerings from local vendors. A portion of proceeds go to Rolling Bones Rescue.
THURSDAY
Sip & Paint Night in Birkdale
Fox & Hound, Huntersville | 7 – 9 p.m.
Create your own work of art with the help of a trained artists and a drink specials from Fox & Hound. $35 includes materials and two hour painting session.
An Evening with Radney Foster
Main Street Books, Davidson | 7 p.m.
Enjoy a special performance from singer, songwriter and author Radney Foster at Main Street Books. His album For You to See the Stars will be available for purchase at the event.
Big Day at the Lake Beach Bash
Peninsula Yacht Club, Cornelius | 6 – 10 p.m.
Join Big Brothers Big Sisters for an evening of fun and fundraising on the beautiful waters of Lake Norman. Music, appetizers, cash bar, fundraising auction and more will be on tap. $25 in advance, $30 at the door. All proceeds donated to Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Carolinas.
Loch Norman Highland Games Kickoff Party
Galway Hooker Irish Pub, Cornelius | 6:30 p.m.
The Piper Jones Band will kick off the 25th Loch Norman Highland games with live music at Galway Hooker.
FRIDAY
Pints & Pups
Bottled & Tapped, Cornelius | 6 – 10 p.m.
Bottled & Tapped teams up with Happy Hour Bakery to support Catering to Cats and Dogs. Support the non-profit by grabbing pint, stopping by the Happy Hour truck, visiting with adoptable pups and entering to win raffle prizes.
April Fools Foxes Show
Warehouse PAC, Cornelius | 8 p.m.
Laugh along as improv group Now Are The Foxes presents a special April fools edition of their “Who’s Line Is It Anyway” style improv. Tickets are $8 each.
Lagunitas The Waldo’s Special Ale Tapping
Duckworth’s Grill & Taphouse Huntersville | 5 – 8 p.m.
Cheers to the weekend with swag and special tappings of Lagunitas The Waldo’s Special Ale, Scarecity #2 Rye Cocoa Porter and Scarecity #3 High West-fied Imperial Stout.
SpringFest Opening Reception & After-Party
103 W Center Ave, Mooresville
The 40th Anniversary SpringFest Reception and After Party celebrates the center’s spring show. View over 100 works from local artists, enjoy a performance by Virginia Herrick of Opera Carolina, celebrate award winners and more.
SATURDAY
Hooked on Cornelius
Robbins Park, Cornelius | 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Multiple community partners team up to present Hooked on Cornelius, an Earth Day celebration in Robbins Park. The day features free “green” activities, from arts and crafts to tree planting demonstrations, nature walks and more. Free but online registration is required.
Davidson Farmer’s Market
442 South Main Street, Davidson | 8 a.m. – Noon
Whether you’re on the hunt for a fresh bouquet, baked goods, local produce or simply a Saturday morning spent with neighbors, you’ll find what you’re looking for at the Davidson Farmers Market. Help them kick off their 10th season!
PMFF’s 5th Annual Casino Night
The Peninsula Club, Cornelius | 7 p.m.
Support the Patriot Military Family Foundationwith an evening of Vegas-style fun including music, heavy hors ‘doeuvres, an open bar, a silent auction and more. Proceeds benefit treatment and service dogs for Veterans, and the 555’s Charity mission of building homes for service-disabled Veterans and their families.
VermilliRUN 5K and Kids Fun Run
Harvey’s in Huntserville | 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.
The VermilliRUN 5K and Kids Fun Run takes participants through the streets of the Vermillion residential community in the name of raising awareness of Ocular Melanoma. Proceeds benefit A Cure In Sight. Online registration has ended, but you can still register to participate at the registration tent on race day from 7:30 – 8:30 a.m.
Block Party
Harvey’s in Huntersville | 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
After the VermilliRun 5K, the party continues with a DJ, live band, vendors, beer and wine vendors, kids activities and more.
2 Year Anniversary
Ghostface Brewing | 11 a.m. – 11 p.m.
Celebrate two years of beer and good times at Ghostface Brewing with a craft market, special beer releases, live music and a 50/50 raffle for local charities.
Davidson Tour De Food Foodie Tour
Departs from The Brickhouse Tavern | 1:30 p.m.
Sip and taste your way through one of North Carolina’s favorite downtowns. Start off at Brick House Tavern, followed by a tour through historical Davidson, stopping in 5-6 bars and restaurants along the way.  You’ll receive tastings and an insider’s look into the places that make Davidson a culinary destination.
SUNDAY
Concert on the Green
Davidson Village Green | 6 – 8 p.m.
The Davidson College Symphony & Jazz Ensemble takes the stage as Davidson’s Concerts on the Green returns for the season. Bring a blanket and lawn chairs to enjoy the concert from the village green.
Beer Yoga
Primal Brewery, Huntersville | 1 p.m.
via Facebook
Yoga is back at Primal Brewery. $10 includes class and a beer. Bring your own mat.
