11 Festivals + 5 Walks + 4 Shopping + 2 Puppy Events, One Gala, a Macabre Masquerade and More Things to Do This Weekend (10/19)

This week’s to-do round up is sponsored by SouthParkCLT Community Partners.

This weekend is all about getting out and enjoying the cooler temps at the many fall festivals happening around town. There are also plenty of shopping pop-ups, pup-centered events, an eerie night at Discovery Place Science, a Chalk Art Festival, and much more.

THINGS TO DO THURSDAY, OCTOBER 19

Dilworth Tasting Room SouthPark is making it easy to enjoy seasonal cocktails during Elijah Craig Bourbon Week, happening now through October 22. 

Fall Sip & Shop at The Village at SouthPark: Thursday, October 19 4PM–6PM
Enjoy sips and snacks, in-store specials and giveaways.

See Funny Girl at the Belk Theater at Blumenthal Performing Arts Center
October 17 – 22
Funny Girl is in town for one week only which means NOW is the time to get your tickets! The bittersweet comedy is loosely based on the life and career of performer and comedienne Fanny Brice, and her stormy relationship with entrepreneur and gambler Nicky Arnstein. If you missed it in NYC, your best chance to see it will be here in the QC this week. Tickets can be purchased here.

Re’s Beauty Extravaganza
Thursday, October 19, 6 – 8:30p
Grab the girls and head to Re Salon & Medspa for a night of pampering. This event is exclusive to women and will feature complimentary medspa & wellness services, education, food, and cocktails. RSVP by texting your first + last name and ‘Re Beauty’ to (704) 334-8087.

Pineville Fall Fest
October 19 – 21
Pineville Fall Fest is now 3 DAYS!! Starting Thursday, October 19th with ride all night wristbands and @rivermistband on the main stage! Friday, October 20th with @the_chairmen_of_the_board and Saturday, October 21st with @brandondavidsonmusic and @landslidenc – A Tribute to Fleetwood Mac. Nightly family stage entertainment, arts and crafts vendors, food trucks and more.

Mint Hill Madness Festival
Thursday, October 19, 2023 4:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Friday, October 20, 2023 4:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Saturday, October 21, 2023 11:00 am – 10:00 pm
Mint Hill Madness at Veterans Memorial Park is a festival to celebrate the founding of the Town. Mint Hill Madness has something for everyone in the family; delicious food; great music ranging from country to rock; a fantastic family carnival; the Miss Mint Hill Scholarship Pageant, the Mint Hill Lion’s Club 5K and of course, a spectacular firework show on Saturday at 9:30 pm.

October Trunk Shows at Paul Simon Women:

THINGS TO DO FRIDAY, OCTOBER 20

Round Up Your Check All October at Napa at Kingsley
All October long, you can round up your check at Napa at Kingsley to benefit Nothing Pink, an organization with a mission to create awareness of hereditary breast and ovarian cancer and provide personalized support to individuals at high risk. For every “Watermelon Causmos” ordered in October, they will also donate $1.00 to Nothing Pink.

Carolina Balloonfest, Statesville
October 20-22, 2023
The Carolina BalloonFest, known as the second oldest hot air balloon festival in the country, features hot air balloon morning competitions, mass ascensions, and evening balloon glows in addition to live entertainment on two stages, a kids’ zone, marketplace and artisan village, NC wine and craft beer garden, plus aerialist circus performances and skydiving exhibitions.

SAINT LAURENT Trunk Show at Neiman Marcus SouthPark: OCTOBER 18^TH – OCTOBER 22^ND

Halloween Cult Classics Drag Show
Friday, October 20, 8 – 10p
See some of your favorite Halloween classics come to life at Skiptown for the Halloween Cult Classics Drag Show. Bring your pups and let your friends tag along for a screaming good time complete with Halloween-inspired cocktails and a costume contest. Proceeds from the event will be donated to Time Out Youth.

THINGS TO DO SATURDAY, OCTOBER 21

Runway 5k at Charlotte Douglas Airport
Saturday, Oct 21, 2023 NOTE Last bus leaves at 6:45 AM. 5K starts at 7:30 AM
The 16th Annual CLT Runway 5K is a flat and fast course that offers runners and walkers a unique opportunity to run one of the country’s busiest airport runways. This run will take place completely on the runway and taxiways. Children 12 and under must be accompanied by a registered adult.

Making Strides Against Breast Cancer
Saturday, October 21, 9a – 12p
Head to Symphony Park in SouthPark to join Making Strides Against Breast Cancer in their celebration of survivors and remembering those they’ve lost. The MSABC raises money to help put an end to breast cancer as we know it, and on Saturday, you too can join the movement and walk to save lives. Visit here to make a donation and to register for the free event.

Fall South End Wine & Hops Festival
Saturday, October 21
The 9th Annual Fall South End Wine will feature wonderful wines, cider and brews paired with live music. Your ticket includes boundless sampling of wines, ciders & craft brews all paired with the live music of local bands Josh Gallon and the Galloway Band.

2023 Walk to End Alzheimer’s
Saturday, October 21, 2023
At Truist Field with Registration 9am | Opening Ceremony 10am  | Walk Start after the Opening Ceremony. The Alzheimer’s Association Walk to End Alzheimer’s is the world’s largest event to raise awareness and funds for Alzheimer’s care, support and research.

Vintage Charlotte Fall Market
Saturday, October 21, 11a – 5p
Get excited, the first ever VTGCLT Fall Market is here! Shop from over 80 vendors of vintage and handmade goods at the Ford Bulding at Camp North End. But don’t worry, there will still be plenty of shopping to do at the holiday market this winter. Stay tuned!

Frank’s Chili Fest
Saturday, October 21, 12 – 4p
Head to Plaza Midwood for an afternoon of chili-tasting and support the mission of Frank McLean Forever. This annual Chili fest is a community street festival raising funds for unexplained pediatric death research and family grief support. A $20 donation gets you a wristband for all the chili you can taste.

Hello Fall Festival at Blakeney Town Center
Saturday, October 21, 1 – 4p
Bring the whole family to Blakeney Town Center for a day of celebrating cooler temps and the beauty of Autumn. There will be fun family activities including balloon twisting, glitter tattoos, exciting games and prizes, crafts, free popcorn (while supplies last), roaming performers, and a great photo moment.

PAWS, PALMS, & PINTS presented by Lucky Dog Bark and Brew
Saturday, October 21, 1 – 5p
Bring your furry friend for an afternoon to remember at Lucky Dog Bark and Brew. There will be pet photography, palm reading for pups and humans, along with dog adoption through the Humane Society of York County. This event helps benefit SnipWell, a 501c3 nonprofit providing low-cost spay/neuter and vet care in Charlotte.

Das Best Oktoberfest at Ballantyne’s Backyard
Saturday, October 21, 1 – 5p
Celebrate the second annual Oktoberfest event by Drink.Eat.Relax. events in Ballantyne’s Backyard on Saturday, October 21. Sample over 120 beers, wines and Schnapps with food trucks, live music, traditional games and more.

Tricks & Treats at Charlotte Cirque & Dance Center
Saturday, October 21, 1 – 5p
Join the Charlotte Cirque & Dance Center for an afternoon of Halloween fun. Expect over-the-top performances, a costume contest, games, prizes, and more. Purchase your tickets here.

Pop Up Picnic at the Metropolitan for Catawba Lands Conservancy and Carolina Thread Trail
Saturday, October 21, 4 – 7p
Come spread a blanket and enjoy a relaxing evening outside with family and friends in support of the Catawba Lands Conservancy and Carolina Threat Trail. This free, family-friendly community picnic is open to all. Purchase one of the picnic meals curated by local chefs and restaurants in advance, or bring your own to enjoy. Local food trucks and beer vendors will also be available.

Davidson Fall Art Festival
Saturday, October 21, 4 – 8p
Celebrate all things fall with the Town of Davidson this Saturday from 4 – 8 p.m. The Fall Art Festival will feature 40 local artists, kids’ crafts, live music, fine art, and handmade gifts perfect for early Christmas shopping.

6TH Annual Pink Bow Gala for Madelyn’s Fund
Saturday, October 21, The Ruth 2122 Thrift Rd
TICKETS HERE. $250 pp
An incredible night full of delicious food and drinks, music, dancing, live & silent auctions, all to raise money to support NICU families in need.

Fort Mill Fall Festival
Saturday, Oct. 21, 3 – 7p
Experience Fall in Fort Mill at the Town’s Annual Fall Festival at the Amphitheater in Walter Elisha Park Tlive music at the Fort Mill Amphitheater, costume contests, vendors, food trucks, entertainment and more. Stay tuned for more details. 

Out of the Ashes Candlelight 5k
Saturday, Oct 21, 2023 6:30 pm
The Out of the Ashes 5k was born out of loss, but in time, has become a source of hope for both the founding family and the surrounding community of bereaved families. Now accepting applications for women and families to have any medical expenses associated with pregnancy loss, infant loss and infertility discovery covered by our grant fund.

Macabre Masquerade
Saturday, October 21, 7 – 11p
This adult-only event is sure to put you in the Halloween mood as you explore the Macabre at Discovery Place Science after dark. Lose yourself in an immersive experience complete with entertainment and music that will set the perfect backdrop for a night of dark indulgences. Tickets can be purchased here.

THINGS TO DO SUNDAY, OCTOBER 22

Strides for Shelter 5K RUN/WALK
Sunday, Oct. 22, 2023
Since the inception of the Strides for Shelter 5K in 2016, the Canopy Housing Foundation has returned more than $130,000 from the race proceeds to several worthy local beneficiaries who are all working to address the needs of the homeless.

Charlotte Chalk Art Festival 2023
October 21 & 22, 12 – 4p
The 2nd Annual Charlotte Chalk Art Festival is back and ready to make your weekend a little more colorful. This free-to-attend event will be held at NoDa Brewing Company’s North End Taproom and will feature local vendors, interactive offerings, music, and community chalking for EVERYONE to enjoy. Be ready to get creative and have some serious fun!

Sustain Charlotte’s Biketoberfest
Sunday, October 22, 12 – 6:30p
This family-friendly urban adventure benefitting Sustain Charlotte features a scavenger-hunt-style adventure where participants can walk, run, or bike around from one local business to the next to collect stamps for a chance to win prizes. Register today at biketoberfestclt.org.

NEXT WEEK

TRAIL OPENING: The Backlot Trail is officially opening on Tuesday, October 24.

Head to the Backlot Trail at 11:45am on 10/24 to help cut the ribbon and be one of the first to step foot on the new trail. The trail connects Park Road Park, Little Sugar Creek Greenway, X-CLT Trail, and Carolina Thread Trail to @theloopclt along Park South Drive.