Another beautiful week in spring has come and gone, and now it’s time to plan for the weekend. See an independent LGBTQ film, hike during the New Moon, celebrate honey bees, sink your teeth into BBQ, spend an afternoon with pups, and much more.
FEATURED EVENT
Enjoy Fun & Freebies and Get Summer Ready with the #SugarMama Fun Days at LA Bikini Stonecrest
Thu – Sat May 18-20
THINGS TO DO THURSDAY, MAY 18
Reel Out Film Festival
May 17 – 21
The Queen City’s Annual LGBTQ Film Festival is back in-person after two years of virtual and small-scale events. Join in to celebrate the beauty of independent cinema and see LGBTQ lives, loves, and triumphs on the big screen at the new venue, The Independent Picture House, in partnership with the Charlotte Film Society. Visit here to browse film screenings and events.
MAY-di Gras Block Party
Thursday, May 18, 6p
Break out the beads, bring the Krewe, & come ready for a night out for Charlotte’s own BIG EASY Celebration! The evening will be filled with live music and entertainment, artisan vendors, food and drink specials, and masks and beads giveaways. Located at the lively Brevard Court in Uptown, there will be much to do and see. Purchase your tickets here.
Charcuterie Class at Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden
Thursday, May 18, 6 – 7:30p
Learn how to make an epic charcuterie board with Chef Shonali at Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden. She will teach techniques on how to make gorgeous meat roses, garnishes, and decorations, as well as the “art” of arranging the board and how to pair cheeses and garnishes. You will receive a kit to build your own board to share with friends and family. Purchase your tickets here.
Thursday Night Yoga at Lenny Boy Brewing Co.
Thursday, May 18, 7 – 8p
End the day with Vinyasa-style yoga at Lenny Boy Brewing Co. For $5, you get access to an hour-long Vinyasa-style yoga class and a 6 oz kombucha afterward.
THINGS TO DO FRIDAY, MAY 19
Girl Supply Closing Sale
May 19 – 21
We’re so sad to see the Birkdale Girl Supply location close this week 🙁 As part of their mission to empower women, they’re offering a 20-50% off discount on select Girl Supply products this weekend only, including 50% off VESTIQUE. Come by for sales, treats, jewelry pop ups, and more.
Third Friday Market At Catawba Brewing
Friday, May 19, 6 – 9p
There’s nothing quite like ending a workweek with brews and a little bit of shopping. Join Catawba Brewing for their third Friday celebration filled with local vendors to shop from, food trucks, live music and new small-batch beers.
New Moon Hike and Fire at Reedy Creek Nature Center
Friday, May 19, 7 – 9p
Celebrate the New Moon by coming together for a two-mile hike along the trail at Reedy Creek Nature Center. After the hike, settle around settle in around a fire, and enjoy some marshmallows and community time together. Adult participation is required if under 18.
Stonecrest Summer Concert Series
Friday, May 19, 7 – 10p
Head to Stonecrest at Piper Glen every Friday and Saturday for the Summer Concert Series live at the Fountain Stage. This Saturday, watch the Jeff Edwards Duo perform. View the full band/artist lineup here.
THINGS TO DO SATURDAY, MAY 20
Pineville Arts in the Park
Saturday, May 20, 10a – 6p
Stroll Lake Park in Pineville where over 75 vendors will gather, along with food trucks, a children’s art show, live entertainment, a children’s activity zone, and more.
ONE Fest at Lenny Boy Brewing Co.
Saturday, May 20, 10a
Join the Dancing Lotus Yoga group for ONE Fest at Lenny Boy Brewing Co. for a celebration of yoga, arts, and commUNITY healing. Bringing more than 45 classes & workshops, vendors, an opening ceremony, sound healing, reiki healing, live music, food trucks, DJ Glow Dance party and so much more. Purchase your ticket here.
Midwood Maynia
Saturday, May 20, 10:15a – 7p
Plaza Midwood’s official event to welcome warmer weather, the blossoms of spring and the beginning of the outdoor festival season with live music, food, beer from a local brewery, a pet parade, great local merchants, and fun activities for the kids. This event is free to all, so bring your friends, family, neighbors, artisans, and local businesses to beautiful Midwood Park for the annual Midwood Maynia festival.
World Bee Day at Waverly
Saturday, May 20, 11a – 2p
Fun fact: Waverly is the proud home of two honey bee hives and 13,500 honey bees. To celebrate World Bee Day, stop by the Terrace at Waverly to learn and celebrate honey bees. This family-friendly event will include learning about the importance of bees and beekeeping from a professional beekeeper, giveaways featuring honey from their very own honey bees, delicious honey desserts, a large coloring wall, and the opportunity to plant a pack of wildflower seeds at Waverly (and take home your own!).
House of Nomad Grand Opening Celebration
Saturday, May 20, 11a – 4p
House of Nomad has officially settled into its new place in SouthPark which calls for a celebration. Stop by for bites, bubbly on tap, special guests, and an exclusive in-store discount you won’t want to miss.
Secret Gardens of Fourth Ward
Saturday, May 20, 12 – 4p
The Friends of Fourth Ward will take you through a tour of private gardens, courtyards, and unique outdoor living spaces that are rarely open to the public, all in Uptown Charlotte. The walkable, self-guided tour allows for exploration of Fourth Ward in full bloom, complete with food and beverage tastings at gardens and restaurants along the way. In addition to the featured gardens, the tour will highlight public art, historic homes, and special points of interest along the tour route. Saturday Only, from 2-5: Optional “Voices from the Past” event at Elmwood/Pinewood Cemetery. Voices is a unique living history event that tells the stories of our founding fathers, civic leaders, pioneering women, and a few interesting characters. Click here to buy tour tickets.
Beer, Bourbon & BBQ Festival
Saturday, May 20, 12 – 6p
Taste your fill of bourbon and beer at Ballantyne’s Backyard with the annual Beer, Bourbon & BBQ Festival featuring over 60 beers, 40 bourbons, and all the BBQ you can handle. Your admission buys you a sampling glass so you can enjoy an ALL-YOU-CARE-TO-TASTE sampling of beer and bourbon. Tickets can be purchased here.
Raise the Woof at NoDa Brewing
Saturday, May 20, 1 – 4p
Dog lovers, this one’s for you! NoDa Brewing Company and Paul Piacentino Real Estate are presenting the second annual Raise the Woof Dog Adoption Event, benefitting North Meck Animal Rescue. The afternoon will be filled with adoptable pups, a live DJ, dog photography, Makers Market CLT vendors, food trucks, painted pet portraits, and more. There will also be a raffle with the chance to win some fun prizes.
CLTS R&B Vibes Picnic Food Truck Festival @ Symphony Park
Saturday, May 20, 2 – 10p
Don’t miss Charlotte’s first Annual R&B Vibes Picnic and Food Truck Festival at Symphony Park next to SouthPark Mall. Enjoy the best of Classic and New R&b Music, a designated kids section from 2 – 6:30 p.m., and yummy food trucks. Don’t forget to bring your own blankets and lawn chairs. Tickets can be purchased here.
THINGS TO DO SUNDAY, MAY 21
Camden Commons
Sunday, May 21, 11a – 5p
South End’s main street, Camden Road, will transform into an outdoor living room. Come spend your day shopping local, discovering new food, playing games, listening to music, and getting creative as if you are own living room. This family-friendly event is free and open to all.
Lily Fest at Lansford Canal State Park, Catawba SC
Sunday, May 21, 2023 – 10:00am until 5:00pm
Lilyfest is back to celebrate the peak bloom of the rare rocky shoals spider lilies at Landsford Canal State Park. These beautiful flowers that only bloom for a very short, but predictable, window of time. Take a short walk (3/4 mile one way) down the historic Canal Trail to the viewing platform to see the largest population of spider lilies in the world, so dense that they cover the Catawba River in a blanket of white flowers. Musical groups will be playing on the porch of the historical log house as well as other activities in the day use area. Drinks and snacks will be available for purchase or bring your own picnic lunch to enjoy along the banks of the Catawba River.
Sunday Funday Free Lunch at NoDa Company Store
Sunday, May 21, 12 – 2p
Join the folks at NoDa Company Store as they grill up a variety of tasty foods for their weekly Sunday Funday Free Lunch event. Hamburgers, hotdogs, tacos, and lots more! Get there early, grab a drink and meet them there on the patio.
Closing celebration for Picasso Landscapes: Out of Bounds
Sunday, May 21, 12 – 6p
It’s the final day to see Picasso Landscapes: Out of Bounds and Bearden/Picasso: Rhythms and Reverberations at Mint Museum Uptown, and to celebrate, they will have an afternoon filled with live music, a cash bar, and make-your-own art stations for all ages to enjoy. Tickets are $25 and include general museum admission. Purchase tickets here.
Music in the Garden Series at The Duke Mansion
Sunday, May 21, 5 – 7p
Join The Duke Mansion for music and cocktails in the garden featuring “Swing & Upbeat Gypsy Jazz with One Leg Up Band”. Valet parking is included with your ticket. Cash bar available. Add an individual charcuterie box to your order for an additional $15 per person with an advance order.
SAVE THE DATE
scoop’s VIP Coffee Tour at The New Suffolk Punch in SouthPark
Tuesday, May 23, 9 – 11a
We’re hosting a small VIP gathering on Tuesday, May 23rd from 9 am to 11 am for coffee, with a tour of the new concept at Suffolk Punch Brewing SouthPark — a brewery, cafe, taproom and coffee bar — along with BELK who will do some Spring Beauty Trends & Demos while we enjoy a cup of HEX coffee. Register here.
