When you’re ready to emerge from your post-turkey coma, Charlotte’s got plenty of ways to spend the rest of your weekend. Whether you want to dig deep into the Holiday spirit, get to shopping at local small businesses, or avoid the holidays all together for just a few more days, here’s our day-by-day guide to what to do this weekend in Charlotte:
For comprehensive Holiday Cheer, our Running List of all the holiday things to do in CLT is here.
ALL WEEKEND
Charlotte Symphony Pops: Home Alone, Movie in Concert
November 23 – 24 | Knight Theater
The score of the favorite holiday classic comes to life with help from Charlotte Symphony Pops as the full-length film is projected on a big screen above the orchestra. Tickets start at $19 each.
FRIDAY
Black Friday Blow Out
Resident Culture Brewing Company | Noon – 11 p.m.
Prefer sipping over shopping? At Resident Culture, they’re offering $6 prosecco and mimosas all day, 25% off merchandise, beer releases, a food truck, DJ and extended hours.
Hoppy Holidays Release
NoDa Brewing Company | Non – 10 p.m.
Get your dose of holiday cheer with NoDa’s newest release, an IPA brewed with spruce. Plus, enjoy a free tour at 6 p.m., live music at 7 p.m. and TIN Kitchen food truck on site.
Schwarzbier Release
Catawba Brewing Company | 3 – 10 p.m.
Join Catawba for the release of this “black beer” perfect for keeping warm on cold winter nights.
Black Friday Wine Tasting
Cork & Crate | 7 – 9 p.m.
Perfect for out-of-town guests, this $10 wine tasting offers two convenient times: 7 and 8 p.m. A food truck will be on site.
SATURDAY
South End Tree Lighting
November 24 | Atherton Mill | 5:30 – 7:30 p.m.
After shopping Small Business Saturday, officially kick off the season with the lighting of South End’s tree. The fun starts with holiday music, cocoa from Not Just Coffee, live performances, hot doughnuts and continues with the lighting of the tree and visits with Santa.
South End Tree Lighting After Party
Sycamore Brewing | 6 p.m.
Once the tree is lit, take a short stroll down the Rail Trail to Sycamore for seasonal craft beer, hot cider, fire pits and a food truck on site.
Pie & Cider Pairing
Red Clay Ciderworks | 7:30 p.m.
Put a spin on your traditional holiday flavors by discovering the ciders that best pair with your favorite pies. $19 per person.
NASCAR Hall of Fame Tree Lighting Celebration
NASCAR Hall of Fame | 5 p.m.
Join special guests (including Santa himself!) for the fourth annual tree lighting on the NASCAR Hall of Fame Plaza. The evening also includes family-friendly activities, live music and entertainment.
Winter Wonderland Holiday Market
Dairy Barn at the Anne Springs Close Greenway, Fort Mill | 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Shop more than 150 local artisans and start grabbing gifts for everyone on your list at the annual Winter Wonderland Craft Fair. In addition to shopping pottery, jewelry, candles and more, enjoy a “sip & shop” bar and food vendors. Admission is free for Greenway members and children under 12, $5 entry fee for non-members.
Small Business Saturday in South End
South End Neighborhood | All day
Kick off your holiday shopping with the help of the ore than 200 local businesses around South End. On Small Business Saturday, visit local shops, restaurants and breweries with the help of free trolley rides, three festival hubs and helpful maps. Here’s our post will full details.
Ballet at the Bar with Alyce Vallejo
Legion Brewing | 12 – 1 p.m.
Discover your inner dancer as Alyce Cristina Vallejo leads this hour-long full-body workout class. $10 includes the class and a pint of beer.
Wilson’s Dudeapalooza
C3 Lab | 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Calling all men (or those who shop for them)! Wilson’s Dudeapalooza is a pop-up shop featuring retailers like Johnny Fly Sunglasses & Bags, Rebellious Beard and more local artists. Food trucks will also be on site.
Pictures with Santa
Lucky Dog Bark & Brew Steele Creek | Noon – 4 p.m.
Support Carolina Big Hearts Big Barks while snapping a pic of your pup with Santa. Pictures are free with a donation to the rescue, plus Lucky Dog will donate 10% of bar sales during the event.
Super Saturday
Historic Rosedale Plantation | Noon – 4 p.m.
At Historic Rosedale Plantation, enjoy live music, vendors, craft demonstrations and more. $10 in advance, $12 at the door.
Songwriter Showcase
Heist Brewery | 7 p.m.
See five local singer songwriters take the stage at Heist Brewery at this showcase hosted by Nate Randall Music. No cover charge.
SUNDAY
Holiday Concert
St. Nektarios Church | 7 p.m.
Take in the sound of seasonal tunes performed by the Opera Carolina chorus inside the stunning St. Nektarios Church. Free and open to the public with donations accepted for the Opera Carolina Chorus Association and A Child’s Place.
2018 Christmas Extravaganza from the Charlotte Civic Orchestra
Halton Theatre, CPCC Central Campus | 7:30 p.m.
Over 300 performers, including a 70-member orchestra, the Holiday Singers, the Charlotte City Ballet, the Encore Dancers and high school choruses perform seasonal favorites in the seventh annual Christmas Extravaganza.
Martina McBride: The Joy of Christmas 2018
Ovens Auditorium | 8 p.m.
Country music icon Martina McBride will celebrate the release of It’s the Holiday Season, a 9-song holiday set, with a limited run of The Joy of Christmas Tour. Don’t miss her stop in Charlotte at Ovens Auditorium.
Carolina Panthers vs. Seattle Seahawks
Bank of America Stadium | 1 p.m.
Round out the holiday weekend by watching the Carolinas Panthers take on the Seattle Seahawks. Kickoff is at 1 p.m.
Patio Pop-Up Shop
Brewers at 4001 Yancey | Noon – 5 p.m.
This curated pop-up includes vendors like Urban, Johnny Fly, Pet Wants Charlotte: The Urban Feed Store and more. Plus, enjoy beer, food, fire pits and a heated patio.
Awakened and Free: Half Day Art Retreat
Charlotte Art League | 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Release your inner artist with a half-day art retreat at the Charlotte Art League. Heather of BigHDesigns, Brooke Gibbons and Kimberly Moore will lead all skill levels in makings self-portraits, painting on canvas and experimenting through art journaling. $49 per person.
