Looking to mix up your own cocktails, don your best spring tailgating gear or take an art-filled stroll down the streets of the Queen City? You’re in luck – this weekend is bursting with must-try events. Here’s your day-by-day guide to what to do this weekend in Charlotte:
ALL WEEKEND
Secret Gardens of Fourth Ward
April 27 – 28 | Fourth Ward Neighborhood
Lean into spring with a weekend full of gardens and blooms around Charlotte’s Fourth Ward neighborhood. The walkable, self-guided tour takes participants into hidden oases, private gardens, courtyards, rooftop terraces, historic homes and other unique outdoor living spaces. Tour-goers can also enjoy free food and beverage tastings at gardens and restaurants along the way while supplies last, and take advantage of an optional docent-led tours of historic Elmwood/Pinewood Cemetery at 3 p.m. each day.
Charlotte Girl Tribe Pop Up
April 27 – 28 | Charlotte Convention Center
via Facebook
Shop ’til you drop as more than 140 women-led businesses, from boutiques, jewelry designers, paper goods, gifts to beauty, line the convention center for two days of shopping. In addition to the vendors, enjoy upbeat music, cocktails and brews along with photo opportunities and discounts. General admission is Saturday from 12-5pm and Sunday 12-5pm ($5 in advance, $10 at the door).
Charlotte Ballet’s Spring Works
April 25 – 27 | Knight Theater
The Charlotte Ballet’s Spring Works features performances of British choreographer David Dawson’s Opus 11, a new commission by choreographer Helen Pickett and Johan Inger’s Walking Mad.Tickets start at $15.
Louisiana Spring Fest
April 27 – 28 | The Olde Mecklenburg Brewery
The brewery’s ninth annual spring fest will feature two days of cajun food (including fresh crawdads and other staples from guest chef Brett Harris), bluegrass and jazz music and fresh OMB beer.
Tuck Fest
April 25 – 28 | U.S. National Whitewater Center
More than 55,000 attendees are expected at this year’s Tuck Fest, a multi-day celebration featuring various outdoor competitions including trail running, paddle boarding, kayaking and more. Tuck Fest also features a full line-up of live music performances.
THURSDAY
The Bechtler Modernism + Film: Big Time
April 25 | Bechtler Museum of Modern Art | 6 p.m.
Follow along the seven-year journey of innovative architect Bjarke Ingels as he struggles to finish his biggest project yet at the next Modernism + Film event. Tickets are $10 for the public, $8 for museum members and $5 for students.
The Outcome
McColl Center for Art + Innovation | 6 – 9 p.m.
via Facebook
Celebrate the closing of the winter/spring 2019 artist residency season at McColl Center with live music, art and a wine and beer cash bar. Free admission.
Make & Mingle: Modern Wooden Planter
Discovery Place Science | 6 – 8 p.m.
via Facebook
Build your own modern wooden planter to fit your spring and summer gardening needs at the next adults-only DIY craft workshop at Discovery Place Science. Plants are included in the $55 class fee.
FRIDAY
Spring Menu Release & Cocktail Event
The Broken Spoke | 7 – 10 p.m.
via Facebook
Be among the first to taste what The Broken Spoke has cooking up for spring at this exclusive food and cocktail tasting. Only 50 people will be able to experience the new offerings, which include a cocktail cart serving table side libations, tastings and a tour of the Great Wagon Road Distilling Company. $10 per person.
Hands-On Cocktail Class: Shake into Spring
Liberate Your Palate | 6:30 – 8:30 p.m.
via Facebook
Welcome spring with a fresh twist on classic cocktails. In this hands-on class, you’ll learn how to make drinks with fruit, flowers and fresh herbs. $70 per person.
Artist Reception: Colby Brown
Blue Blaze Brewing. | 6 – 8 p.m.
via Facebook
Celebrate the reclaimed wood art by Asheville’s Colby Brown during an artist reception at Blue Blaze Brewing. You’ll be able to meet the artist, purchase original work and enjoy dinner from a food truck onsite.
SATURDAY
Coveted Couture Gala and After Party
Mint Museum Randolph |9:00 for the after party (gala starts at 6:30)
The Mint Museum’s Coveted Couture Spring Gala, black-tie dinner dance, also serves as the closing celebration for African Print Fashion Now! A Story of Taste, Globalization, and Style.
Can’t attend the Mint’s big gala but still want to be in on the fun? Attend the After Party for $100 per person.
Art & Soul of South End
Camden Road, South End | 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Explore South End with a self-guided tour of art, shopping, breweries or the Rail Trail. Along the way, you’ll meet local business owners and artists and explore pop-up shops lining the streets. This year, the festival will also feature themed tours of the neighborhood’s hot spots, history and public art.
Crawfish & Peanut Boil
Reid’s Fine Foods Myers Park | 4 – 6 p.m.
Head to Reid’s Fine Food Myers Park for $10 all-you-can-eat crawfish and boiled peanuts, available while supplies last.
Burgundy Workshop
Reid’s Fine Foods SouthPark
Craig Baker, Senior Vice President of Sales for Misa Imports, will host this educational tasting covering wines from the Burgundy and Rhone Regions of France. Each wine will be paired with a complementary cheese. $40 per person. Call the wine department at 704.377.7686 to reserve your spot.
Things That Bling Pop Up Market
Ballantyne Village | 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Get a head start on your Mother’s Day shopping at Ballantyne Village’s Things That Bling Pop Up Market. Shop from more than 30 local vendors as well as the center’s boutiques.
Charlotte Art Collective Spring Show and Sale
2821 Park Road / Avondale Church | 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
The Charlotte Art Collective presents this spring show and sale featuring work from more than 25 Charlotte-area artists spanning pottery, jewelry, fiber arts, glass mosaics and more. The day also includes a charity raffle supporting Dilworth Cares.
Spring Awakening featuring DJ A-Trak
Merchant & Trade | 5 p.m. -1 a.m.
Celebrate the official opening of Merchant & Trade’s patio season with DJ A-Trak, That Guy Smitty, DJ Trife and DJ Red. VIP tables available through info@merchantandtrade.com on a first come, first serve basis. You can even make it a mini-getaway with discounted rooms at the Tryon Park Hotel.
Queen’s Cup Steeplechase
6103 Waxhaw Hwy, Mineral Springs
via Facebook
Whether you go for the tailgates, the festive attire, the hats or the horses, the Queen’s Cup has something for everyone. Start planning your day here.
2019 Vintage Charlotte Spring Market
Camp North End | 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
The eighth annual VTGCLT Spring Market is your chance to shop more than 80 vintage and handmade vendors in one spot. $7 for early bird admission at 10 a.m., $2 general admission from 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Sweet Lew’s BBQ Spring Fling
Sweet Lew’s Barbeque | 12 – 4 p.m.
Get into the spring spirit with live music, giveaways, kids games and Sweet Lew’s menu featuring 100% wood smoked meats and sides. Plus, local breweries will be onsite pouring fresh beer.
Skill Sessions 2.4: Floral Design 101
Nectar | 3 – 4:30 p.m.
Residents of NoDa, Belmont, Villa Heights, Plaza Midwood, Commonwealth-Morningside, Chantilly, Commonwealth Park, Merry Oaks and Plaza Shamrock are invited to join this crash-course floral design demo that includes hands-on instruction, a meet-and-greet with instructors and light refreshments. In this crash course demo, Nectar’s floral designers will teach you the ins and outs with a great demo that should inspire you to do your own design work at home or try signing up for Nectar’s more advanced classes. Instructors will also provide a Q&A experience and meet-and-greet with light refreshments.
4th Annual International Sandwich Festival
Aldersgate Life Plan Communities | 12 – 6 p.m.
At the fourth annual Sandwich Festival, local restaurants and food trucks will serve up international flavors from Germany, India, Mexico, Vietnam and beyond. There will also be kids activities and cultural performances.
The Vodka Masters
Rooftop 210 | 12 – 6 p.m.
Charlotte-area bars and restaurants will compete for the title of Queen City Nerve’s “Vodka Master.” Each participant will concoct a variety of vodka-based cocktails to earn your vote.
Le Cochon d’Or French Bistro Cooking Class
Le Cochon d’Or French Bistro, Waxhaw | 11 a.m.
The next cooking class at Le Cochon d’Or includes instruction from Chef Helen Tobio, a three-course meal to enjoy with wine and recipes to take home. $50 plus tax and gratuity.
Pet Palooza 2019
McAlpine Creek Greenway Park | 12 – 4 p.m.
This annual pet-friendly 2K and festival includes an adoption area, yoga, food and beer trucks, live music, and a special appearance by professional wrestlers courtesy of The Crockett Foundation.
SUNDAY
Open Streets 704
A stretch of four miles between Plaza Midwood and NoDa | 1 – 5 p.m.
via Facebook
The streets of Charlotte will be open (and free of cars) throughout NoDa and Plaza Midwood for everyone to enjoy pop-up vendors, family-friendly activities, art and more. Start planning your day here.
