Looking for something new to discover this weekend? We’ve got just the thing. Start planning with our day-by-day guide to what to do this weekend in Charlotte:
ALL WEEKEND
Charlotte Pride Festival & Parade
August 17 – 18 | Uptown Charlotte
The Charlotte Pride Festival & Parade returns to Uptown this weekend with live entertainment, a miniature arts festival and more in addition to Sunday’s parade. View all events here.
Midsummer Nights @Queens
August 15 – 17 | Queens University.
Bring a picnic, a blanket and the whole family to enjoy this new, free to the public “Shakespeare in the Park” experience, starting with the classic “A Midsummer Night’s Dream.” Run time is 90 minutes.
CATS
August 13 – 18 | Belk Theater
via Facebook
Grab your tickets now as CATS, the beloved musical by Andrew Lloyd Webber comes to Belk Theater in Charlotte. Tickets start at $25.
The Band’s Visit
August 6 – 25 | Knight Theater
This 10-time Tony Award-winning musical makes a stop at the Knight Theater August 6-25. Tickets start at $25.
THURSDAY
Culture Bites: West End
3241 New Renaissance Way | 5:30 – 8 p.m.
via Facebook
ASC’s Second Annual Culture Bites offers something for everyone in the name of arts and culture: live music, kids activities, pop-up performances, food vendors, giveaways and more. Free admission.
80s, 90s, and 00s Music Trivia
NoDa Brewing Company | 6 p.m.
How well do you know your 80s, 90s and 00s? Put your skills to the test and get a healthy dose of nostalgia as Tyler Norris leads trivia night at NoDa Brewing.
Wine and Chocolate Pairing
Seaboard Brewing – Taproom – Wine Bar | 7 p.m.
Seaboard and The Secret Chocolatier team up for a seated tasting of five wines and five handmade chocolates. $35 per person, $30 for Seaboard wine club members.
Dilworth Laughs
Dilworth Neighborhood Grille | 7 p.m.
Kick off the weekend early with comedy night. Host Crystalle Ramey spotlights comedians Chris Monds, Evan Pittfield and headliner Melissa Douty. $10 tickets online, $15 at the door.
Summer Wine Walk Series
Blakeney Shopping Centers | 5 – 8 p.m.
As part of Blakeney’s Summer Concert Series, attendees 21 and up can take part in a Summer Wine Walk to sip, shop and stroll through select Blakeney retailers while sampling wine and enjoying exclusive sales and promotions. Admission is a $25 donation to Ace & TJ’s Grin Kids.
FRIDAY
Science on the Rocks: Art Deconstructed
Discovery Place Science | 5 – 9 p.m.
Discover the art that exists all around us at the next Science on the Rocks. You’ll explore various mediums of art, from dance to drawing and photography, while enjoying cocktails and a live performance by artist Emily Sage. $12 in advance.
Carolina Panthers vs. Buffalo Bills
Bank of America Stadium | 7 p.m.
Don’t miss the preseason kick-off at Bank of America Stadium, where the Carolina Panthers take on the Buffalo Bills. Grab tickets here.
Laugh at Lenny- Free Comedy Night
Lenny Boy Brewing Co. | 8 – 10 p.m.
Lenny Boy’s next free comedy night features comedians Glenn Lurie, Evan Pittfield, Drew Harrison and host Tyler Deese.
SATURDAY
OrthoCarolina 10K Classic
1915 Randolph Rd. | 7:30 a.m.
The area’s premier 10K running event returns for its 10th anniversary with routes including a 5K run/walk, kids dash and “rookie run”, an untimed 5K. Afterward, celebrate with beer samples from local breweries and offerings from multiple food trucks. Find more information and sign-up here.
Summer Harvest Cooking Class
Upstream Seafood | 10 a.m.
Chef Sam Diminich will share sweet and savory approaches to tomatoes, melons and stone fruit during this four-curse menu tasting with wine pairings. View the full menu here. $55 per person.
Art Workshop: Painting with Plastic
McColl Center for Art + Innovation | 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.
After this hands-on workshop, you’ll never look at plastic bags the same way again. Alumnus artist Antoine Williams will teach attendees how to create their own mixed media collage paintings by melting plastic shopping bags. $35 for McColl Center members, $40 for non-members.
Lavender Breeze Bouquet Class
Charlotte Flower Market | 10 a.m.
Create a fragrant fresh lavender and mixed garden-style floral arrangement to take home and enjoy with the help of Charlotte Flower Market experts. $40+.
Triple C Brewing’s 7th Anniversary Party
Triple C Brewing Co. | All day
Help Triple C celebrate their seventh anniversary with the release of up to 25 new beers, live music, food trucks, a vendor market and more.
Lager Fest: A Celebration of Lager Beer
Resident Culture Brewing Company | 5 – 10 p.m.
In conjunction with Casita Cerveceria, Resident Culture will host their inaugural LAGER FEST, complete with a panel discussion featuring attending brewers and the chance to try lagers from around the world.
Pinhouse Fundraising Event: You Drink. We Donate.
Pinhouse | 11 a.m. – 6 p.m.
The newly opened Pinhouse in Plaza Midwood will donate a portion of beer and bowling sales to the Isabella Santos Foundation, an organization that helps fight pediatric cancer in Charlotte. Enjoy their 72 self-pour taps, two-story taproom and four duckpin bowling lanes for a great cause.
Flourish: A Celebration of LGBTQ Arts and Culture
Bechtler Museum of Modern Art | 1 – 5 p.m.
Celebrate the talents of local LGBTQ artists, including LGBTQ choral and other musical groups, dancers, theatre, spoken word, visual art more at this mini arts festival, a program of Charlotte Pride.
Four Corners Charlotte
Not Just Coffee – Jay Street | 7 – 10 p.m.
CLT Loft Sessions, TiMar Entertainment and Not Just Coffee team up for this celebration of four artists from four different genres, who will rearrange their songs with a house band to create new expressions of their work. Featured artists: Greg Cox, Dane Page, Ahji and Emily Sage. $17 in advance, $20 at the door.
QC Sip and Shop
Pour Taproom | 2:30 – 7:30 p.m.
Shop local handmade vendors, sip on self-poured beer and enjoy food trucks at the next QC Sip & Shop. View all vendors here.
Live Music – The Breakfast Club
Waverly Charlotte | 7 – 10 p.m.
Go back in time and jam out with 80s-inspired band The Breakfast Club as they take the stage as Waverly’s The Terrace. Guests can grab takeout for a picnic and enjoy local brews on tap in The Terrace Beer Garden.
SUNDAY
Disco Brunch
Common Market South End | 10 a.m.
Kick off your Pride Parade festivities on the patio at Common Market South End with brunch specials, mimosas, beer-mosas and DJ Huston.
Karaoke Brunch
7th Street Public Market | 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.
7th Street Public Market will feature brunch specials (including $1 off mimosas) and karaoke hosted by Hatties Tap & Tavern.
Annual Spanish Wine Dinner
AQUA e VINO | 5 – 10 p.m.
AQUA e VINO’s annual wine dinner features six courses of the best in Spanish food and wine. View the full menu here. $90 per person. Save your spot: 704.364.4455.
Community Feast: A Charlotte Collaboration
Camp North End | 6:30 p.m.
Enjoy a meal crafted by well-known Charlotte chefs including Jamie Lynch, Whitney Thomas, Clarke Barlowe, Bruce Moffett, Chris Coleman, Jim Noble and more. The meal will feature three proteins, three starches, four vegetable sides, three breads and three dessert options. Tickets are available on a sliding scale starting at $20. All proceeds from the event will benefit Heal Charlotte, which is working to serve the community, to build trust and legitimate bonds between citizens, police and elected officials.
Feature image via OrthoCarolina 10K Classic Facebook Page
