January seemed like two months combined, but it’s finally over. Whew. We’re excited to welcome February with open arms. This week is busy in Charlotte – with the return of the Rail Trail Lights, First Friday Gallery Crawl, a Valentine’s Day themed Pop-Up bar, ice cream for breakfast at Jeni’s, a doggie kissing booth, and much more.
FEATURED EVENT
Charlotte Rail Trail Lights
February 3 – 19
Rail Trail Lights is coming back! From February 3-19, the Rail Trail will be lit with six interactive light installations, all created by local artists. The festival is part of the I Heart Rail Trail initiative, a partnership between the Charlotte Rail Trail, Charlotte Center City Partners, and U.S. Bank. Read about each installation and meet the artists behind them here.
THINGS TO DO WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 1
Lark & Key’s 15 Year Anniversary Exhibit, AVIAN.
Wednesday, Feb 1, 12p
Join Lark & Key for their bird-centric 15 Year Anniversary Exhibit, AVIAN. The show begins at 12 p.m. Wednesday, February 1st and will remain online to view and shop through March 31st. Expect 15 new works from 15 artists with lots of birds!
Wednesday Night Live: Fashion Night at the Mint
Wednesday, Feb 1, 6p
Head to the Mint Museum Uptown for a night of fashion and design programming to celebrate the exhibition Fashion Reimagined: Themes and Variations, 1760-NOW. The night begins with a curator-led tour, followed by a Fashion House Ball + Vogue performance and a graphic GarMINT opening reception. Wednesday Night Live includes free admission to the museums (Bechtler Museum of Modern Art, The Harvey B. Gantt Center for African-American Arts + Culture, and the Mint Museum) from 5 to 9 p.m. every Wednesday, as well as live entertainment or programming at one of the five participating institutions each week.
THINGS TO DO THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 2
Walkers Club at Outdoor Voices
Thursday, Feb 2, 6:30 – 7:30p
Up for a leisurely neighborhood walk around the neighborhood? Get your body moving with Team OV and CLT Hot Girls with a recreational ~2 mile walk along the Rail Trail. The walk will begin at 6:30 p.m., but all attendees are invited to come early for refreshments, shopping new gear and a raffle to win an OV outfit of choice.
THINGS TO DO FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 3
Susie Lou Grand Opening Weekend
February 3 – 5
Susie Lou is having its Grand Opening Weekend with events and giveaways in-store ALL weekend long, located at 318 E South Main Street, Suite G in Waxhaw.
- Friday (10a – 6p): Purchase Lilly Pulitzer and receive a gift, 40% off Winter, and our Ribbon Cutting!
- Saturday (10a – 6p): Mimosa Bar, 40% off Winter, and Princess Meet + Greet!
- Sunday (12 – 5p): Link X LC Permanent Jewelry, Swag Bags if you bring a Bestie!
First Friday Gallery Crawl in South End
Friday, Feb 3, 5 – 9p
The monthly gallery crawl in South End returns Friday, February 3 and will feature an evening where galleries and shops offer extended hours, special receptions, live painting and music. More information can be found here.
Rail Trail Lights “Flip the Switch,” with U.S. Bank and the Charlotte Rail Trail
Friday, Feb 3, 6:30 – 7:30p
Help flip the switch on the Rail Trail Lights installations, lighting them up for the first time and kicking off the magical 17-day event! Meet at The Pavillion at 222 E Bland St. (next to Futo Buta Ramen). The first installation, Cheeks Laboratory, will be lit at 6:30 p.m. Walk the Trail, stopping at Flower Child, The Wedge Patio, Kingston Connection, Design Center Plaza, and the Atherton Plaza. Expect live music from local musicians at the end of the event.
Be Kind, Rewind 90s Movie Series: Groundhog Day
Friday, Feb 3, 7:30p
Take a trip to Camp North End for this free indoor movie series featuring iconic films from the 90’s. This Friday, BYO-CHAIR + cozy blanket, and meet inside “the box” previously used by Immersive Van Gogh + BLKMRKT Hunnid Dollar Art Exhibit (located inside the Ford Factory at 1774 Statesville Ave) for a special showing of Groundhog Day.
Innovative Works at Charlotte Ballet
February 3 – 25
It’s officially opening weekend of Innovative Works by Charlotte Ballet! This fan-favorite series includes two world premieres and the Charlotte premiere of their Artistic Director’s own work. THIS FRIDAY AND SATURDAY ONLY, there will be a Post-Performance Mix and Mingle and Post-Performance Talkback that you can attend after attending their first performances.
THINGS TO DO SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 4
Cars and Coffee Charlotte
Saturday, Feb 4, 8 – 10a
Take all the automotive enthusiasts in your family to Cars and Coffee Charlotte, a monthly gathering on the first of the month to talk all things cars while enjoying sips of delicious coffee. The event will be held at the Whitehall Corporate Center off 485.
Jeni’s Ice Cream for Breakfast
Saturday, Feb 4, 9a – 12p
It’s almost time to put on your best day PJs and eat ice cream before noon. Join Jeni’s on Saturday, Feb. 4 from 9 a.m. to noon for the annual Ice Cream for Breakfast Day celebration. The first 50 Splendid Rewards members at each shop get a free, very limited Ice Cream for Breakfast Day mug. Plus, 10 lucky customers will win ice cream for a year!
Free Kids Workshop at The Home Depot
Saturday, Feb 4, 9a – 12p
Head to The Home Depot on the first Saturday of every month for Free Kids Workshop. This month, kids are invited to come and make Valentine’s vases, from 9 a.m. till noon.
Valentine’s Day NoDaHood Market
Saturday, Feb 4, 12 – 5p
The very first NoDaHood Market is here just in time for Valentine’s Day! Shop for your sweetie (or for yourself) amongst 70 eclectic small businesses, eat at yummy food trucks, and enjoy drinks and music all afternoon! The market will be located at Divine Barrel Brewing, Free Will Craft & Vine, Great Wagon Road Distilling, and Crown Station.
Doggie Kissing Booth at Hi-Wire Brewing
Saturday, Feb 4, 1 – 4p
Get all of the wet, slobbery kisses you’re dreaming of this V-Day from the pups of Charlotte’s Catering to Cats & Dogs Rescue, and maybe even find fur-ever love while you’re at it! Make a donation to get your professional photo taken at the dog kissing booth. Plus show your puppy love with some Valentine’s Day treats from Yappy Hour Bakery.
2023 Winey Grapes: Charlotte Wine Festival
Saturday, Feb 4, 2 – 5p
Wine-o’s, this one is for you. Winey Grapes Premier Wine Festival is coming to Charlotte, bringing us over 100 different wines from across the globe to sip on. Try everything from crisp white wines, dry/zesty sparkling wines, and bold reds. There will also be an incredible lineup of local vendors to shop while enjoying your wine, as well as fun activities and raffles.
WWE NXT Vengeance Day
Saturday, Feb 4, 7:45p
WWE NXT Vengeance Day is coming to Charlotte for the first time ever. Watch NXT men and women battle to win championship live at the Spectrum Center.
Visit the New Valentine’s Day Themed Pop-Up Bar at BackStage Lounge
Open Feb 1st-9th & Feb 16th-18th, 5p – 12a
Backstage Lounge is transforming into an even more intimate speakeasy with all the valentines vibes. Reservations will not be needed for this Pop-Up Bar.
Charlotte Jewish Film Festival
February 4 – 26
Don’t miss opening night of the Charlotte Jewish Film Festival, beginning on February 4. Opening night will feature the film ‘Fiddler’s Journey to the Big Screen’ with a Q&A and Meet & Greet with Neva Small, who stars in the film. Admission for this special night is only $25 and includes the Opening Night Reception and Q&A.
THINGS TO DO SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 5
Muggles Market
Sunday, Feb 5, 10a – 4p
The return of Muggles Market is here, just in time for Valentine’s Day! A place where you and like-minded geeky artisans can buy handmade items of ALL fandoms (not just Harry Potter) that you might not find anywhere else. Come check out over 50 unique artisans selling their sci fi, fantasy and nerdy wares!
NEXT WEEK
FREE Yogurt at TCBY
Monday, Feb 6, at participating locations
Head to the nearest TCBY for six-ounces of free frozen yogurt, all day long to celebrate National Frozen Yogurt Day.
Wednesday Night Live: Passport to Europe at Bechtler Museum of Modern Art
Wednesday, Feb 8, 5 – 9p
Travel abroad with the Bechtler through this special Wednesday Night Live “Passport to Europe ” edition. Experience this FREE first-class journey learning about the diverse European influences that inspired the paintings, prints, and sculptures found within the Bechtler collection. Grab your Passport to Europe and experience the wonder of the world through the lens of artists featured in the Bechtler galleries. As you travel throughout the museum, get your passport stamped. Once you’ve collected your stamps from all destinations, you will be entered to win a Bechtler prize pack.
Annual Double Dozen Rose Promotion at Whole Foods
February 8 – 14
Make this Valentine’s Day special with the help of Whole Foods. Get two dozen roses for $24.99, originally $34.99, for Amazon Prime members only.
Wine Tastings at Napa on Providence and Napa at Kingsley
February 8th at Napa Kingsley and February 23rd at Napa on Providence. $25 for 4 pours, small bites, and exclusive discounts on retail wine purchases. Stay for dinner after the tasting and receive 10% off your meal.
Purchase Tickets to Picasso Landscapes: Out of Bounds at The Mint Museum
February 11 – May 21
Charlotte is in for a treat! Picasso Landscapes: Out of Bounds, organized by American Federation of the Arts, is the first of only two venues in the United States — and the only venue on the East Coast — to feature this exceptional exhibition filled with works from private collections and international museums together. The dynamic grouping of works in the exhibition offers visitors an unparalleled window into the artist’s creative process, from his earliest days in art school (1896 when then artist was just 15 years old) to months before his passing in 1973. Tickets can be purchased here.
Sign Up to Volunteer at Pretty Things Valentine’s Day Widow Outreach 2023
February 13 or 14
Ashley Manning of Pretty Things of Charlotte and founder of the Valentine’s Day Widow Outreach Project is searching for volunteers this Valentine’s Day to help support widows in the Queen City. Sign up here to be a volunteer and help support this loving project!
Day 1 Volunteers are needed 10a – 2p and 2 – 5p to help with:
- Processing Flowers; Opening, trimming, removing leaves and hydrating
- Organizing and Unpacking Gifts
- Unpacking Vases
- Assembling Gift Bags
Day 2 Volunteers will help with:
- Arranging Flowers and Tidying 9:00 to 12:00pm
- Arranging Flowers and cleaning up 12:00 to 3:00pm
- Delivery – Multiple Windows
