Read on to find out what to do now (and later) with festival fun, books, shows, movies, cupcakes, art, nature and more!
Budding Adventures
Reedy Creek Nature Preserve
Start off by exploring various nature topics in the classrooms by using the best tools – your hands, eyes, nose and ears. Then head into the forest to uncover the wonders of the natural world. Parent participation required. Register online.
Rookie Science: Fairy Tale STEM
ImaginOn: The Joe & Joan Martin Center
Discover the world of science through books, hands-on educational activities, and experiments. Using the story of The Three Little Pigs, design and test a house that the Big Bad Wolf cant blow down. Registration for individuals is not required.
Coffee with a Cop
Nova’s Bakery
Coffee with a Cop provides a unique opportunity for community members to ask questions and learn more about the department’s work in Mint Hill’s neighborhoods.
Time Travel Tuesday: School Days
Historic Brattonsville
See what school was like for the Bratton girls at their very own Brattonsville Female Seminary, and try your hand at learning without smart boards and computers.
Regal’s Summer Movie Express – The Boss Baby and Minions
Regal Entertainment Cinemas
Regal Entertainment Cinemas, which includes Regal Phillips Place Stadium 10, Regal Starlight Stadium 14 – Charlotte, Regal Stonecrest At Piper Glen Stadium 22, Regal Franklin Square Stadium 14, Gastonia, and Regal Birkdale Stadium 16, Huntersville, offers $1 movies as part of its Summer Movie Express.
Pinkalicious Story Time and Craft
SAS Cupcakes
Listen to the adorable book, “Pinkalicious” before frosting your own Pinkalicious cupcake! Also make a take-home craft.
Summer Break Finale
Multiple Library Locations
Celebrate what you read this summer. Some locations will have ice cream and toppings for sundae building.
‘Appetizer’ Culture Bites
Pineville Lake Park at Belle Johnson Lake Park
Culture Bites is a fun-for-the-whole-family evening, and the perfect way to enjoy the final days before school starts and life gets real again.
Food and drinks are available for purchase from local favorites Sabor Latin Street Grill, Bombay Grille, Ooo Wee BBQ, Chen Fu, Icy Soft and Unwind Coffee & Tea. Cultural performances include pop-up theatre, dance, visual art, interactive experiences, science and music of all varieties.
Acne solutions for back-to-school – free consults, product demonstrations and discounts
A special evening dedicated to teen acne solutions from the folks at The Facial Center in South Charlotte.
Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams Grand Opening
Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams
Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams scoop shop opening day on Camden Road in the Design Center. To commemorate the grand opening there will be free scoops from 7 p.m. until 11 p.m. and a chance to meet ‘the’ Jeni.
Speedway Classic of the Carolinas
Cabarrus Arena and Events Center
This fun dog show tests a variety of breeds on their agility, obedience and showmanship. See website for times.
Music with Mindy
Mooresville Public Library
Explore music with Mindy at the Mooresville Public Library.
Kid’s Night Out
Sports Connection – Ballantyne or Northlake Locations
Drop off your children for a night of fun. Activities include laser tag, jump-n-play, rock climbing, mini bowling, ropes courses, bumper cars, and arcade games. Children receive pizza, chips and a drink. This event is hosted by both the Ballantyne and Northlake Sports Connections locations.
Old Town Cornelius 2nd Friday Street Festival
Oak Street Mill
2nd Friday is Old Town Cornelius’s monthly throw-down featuring a jam-packed lineup of live music, food trucks, craft breweries, local artists, and kids activities. The event is rain or shine.
Experience a 10-minute art chat in the Mint Museum Galleries. Look for the “Mint on the Dot!” signs on the gallery floor.
Free with museum admission. Also on Wednesdays.
Seventh Inning Stretch
Uptown Shelby
This American Legion World Series event features a 5K race, pageant, festival, and live music. At the festival, families can expect to see sports team mascots, children’s inflatables, a corn hole tournament, food vendors, and a zip-thru obstacles course. Check website for schedule of events.
Botany for Kids
Latta Nature Center
Use microscopes and field guides to explore the world of wildflowers. Take home a nature journal to record your observations and create art with pressed flowers. Registration is required.
Callaloo Puppeteers
The Harvey B. Gantt Center for African-American Arts and Culture at Levine Center for the Arts
The authors of “Callaloo” children’s books stop in Charlotte on their multi-city tour to bring their third book release to the Gantt Center with a live reading and their award-winning puppetry performance. From 10:30 a.m.-12:15 p.m., children ages three to seven can enjoy a book reading with the puppets, as well as a book signing.
Miss May’s Garden Tea
Historic Rural Hill
Sunday, August 12, 2:00 p.m.
Miss May’s Tea will feature tasty sweets and savories, along with various delectable teas and lemonade. Guests can enjoy good conversation in a beautifully decorated setting dressed in their tea finery. Gloves are optional, yet hats are encouraged.
Buy Tix Now For These Upcoming Scoop-approved Events:
The Lighting Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical
Disney On Ice presents Worlds of Enchantment
E.T.: Movie In Concert – The Charlotte Symphony Orchestra
*All images sourced from Facebook page of events listed or free sources.
