End the busy work week with grabbing a spooky themed drink at BackStage Lounge, showing your support at Charlotte Craft Beer Week, take a ride on a hot air balloon during Carolina Balloonfest, shop at several markets, watch a movie in the park, and much more.
THINGS TO DO THIS THURSDAY, OCTOBER 17
Haunted Pop Up Bar at BackStage Lounge
October 2nd through November 2nd, Tuesdays – Saturdays, 5p – 12a
BackStage Lounge is turning into a spooky speakeasy for Halloween! Check out their Haunted Pop Up Bar, created by Black Lagoon Pop Ups. There will be a DJ every Friday and Saturday. Walk-in only, reservations are not available.
Vinos de Espana Wine Dinner at Reid’s Fine Foods
Thursday, October 17,
Uncork the essence of Spain for a Spanish Wine Tasting and five-course dinner. Seating is limited, email Morgan@reids.com to reserve now. Tickets are $125 plus tax & gratuity.
THINGS TO DO THIS FRIDAY, OCTOBER 18
Charlotte Craft Beer Week
October 18 – 27
From Oct. 18 – 27, the QC will be celebrating the people behind the taps with CRAFT BEER WEEK, where you can enjoy special events and offers at participating breweries, and show your support by saying Cheers! to Charlotte’s craft brewers. More info can be found here.
Ghouly Gala: A Science Spooktacular Family Adventure
Friday, October 18, 5 – 8p
Get ready for a night of magical fun at the annual Ghouly Gala. This family-friendly Halloween party offers a perfect blend of education and entertainment for kids of all ages, including a dance party, science experiments, hands-on activities, animal encounters, a magic show, and more.
Carolina Balloonfest, Statesville
October 18 – 20
Save the date for Carolina’s epic Hot Air Balloon Festival that is approaching nearly fifty years of vibrant, floating fun. The three-day event will feature special hot air balloon shapes, competitions, three mass ascensions, evening balloon glows, festival food, beer and wine garden, live music, kid’s activities (inflatables, magic show, bungee jump), and more! You can also book a full ride on one of the hot air balloons, or take a tethered balloon ride that rises 30 to 50 feet while being anchored to the ground (on a first come first serve basis). Check out the full schedule for Carolina BalloonFest here.
THINGS TO DO THIS SATURDAY, OCTOBER 19
Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk
Saturday, October 19, 9a
The American Cancer Society Making Strides Against Breast Cancer is a celebration of courage and hope, a movement uniting communities to end breast cancer as we know it, for everyone.
Carolina Clay Matters Fall Pottery Festival
Saturday, October 19, 10a – 4p
Experience the ceramic work of 60+ local artists of the greater Charlotte area, including long-time professionals and emerging artists. There will be food vendors, coffee, flowers, live music, a raffle and more. Register here to enter into a raffle for a $50 gift certificate that can be used at the pottery festival.
Windy O’Connor Sample Sale
Saturday, October 19, 10a – 2p
Today only, head to Windy O’Connor for savings up to 80% off on samples, prints, pillows and more. There will also be light refreshing to enjoy while you shop.
October Rail Trail Clean-Up
Saturday, October 19, 10a – 1p
Spend your Saturday morning doing some good for the community. The Rail Trail Cleanup will take place in person at the New Bern Light Rail Station anytime between 10am-1pm. All supplies will be provided. Following the Cleanup, The Union will host a Volunteer Appreciation Event, beginning at 12pm, to celebrate all volunteers’ efforts and raffle off prizes from 30+ local business sponsors. The first 100 Volunteers will also receive a custom event drawstring bag with giveaway items.
VTGCLT Fall Market
Saturday, October 19, 11a – early bird admission is 10a
VTGCLT is back and bigger than ever! Mark your calendar for the 2024 VTGCLT Fall Market on Saturday, October 19 from 11 am – 5 pm. Early Bird Admission at 10 am is $8 and General Admission at 11 am is $3.
Frank’s Chili Fest
Saturday, October 19, 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! End the evening watching the Charlotte skyline turn yellow in honor of the organization and its families.
3rd Annual Pup-O-Ween
Saturday, October 19, 12:30 – 3:30p
Head to Hi-Wire Brewing for a tail-wagging, fur-tastic celebration of Halloween with our four-legged friends. This event is in partnership with Humane Society of Charlotte and a portion of the ticket price will be donated back to them as well as $1.00 from every Howl-O-Ween Lager sold throughout the day. Get your tickets here.
Triple C Halloween Barktacular
Saturday, October 19, 2 – 5p
Bring your furry friend to Triple C Brewing as they partner with the Carolina Boxer Rescue to raise awareness and funds for foster dogs. Costumes are encouraged for furry friends. Come out drink some beer, have some food and support the cause. There will be prizes and lots of fun for the whole family.
Pop Up Picnic at Ballantyne’ s Backyard
Saturday, October 19, 4 – 7p
Spend an evening outside at one of Charlotte’s newest outdoor venues, enjoying food, fun, music and nature. Bring your own picnic meal, purchase a curated picnic basket, or enjoy food from a local restaurant or food truck. Don’t forget to bring a blanket or chair! Pop Up Picnic benefits Catawba Lands Conservancy and Carolina Thread Trail.
Ghosts and Legends Tour
October 19, 6-10p
As a part of “NoDaWeen” this spooky season, Stu’s Barrel House will be offering free tours of NoDa history by the Back in the Day Committee. The tours begin at 6 pm and will run nonstop throughout the night until the last tour leaves at 10:15 pm.
Movies in the Park: Remember the Titans
Saturday, October 19, 6 – 11p
Grab your favorite picnic blankets and go to Wilmore Centennial Park (1711 S Tryon St.) for free activities, music, and movies in the park! Pre-movie activities will begin at 5 PM, and the featured movie will begin at 8 PM. October’s featured movie is Remember the Titans. There will also be free pumpkin painting for the first 200 attendees.
Charlotte Chalk Art Festival
October 19-20
This FREE two-day event will be held outside at NoDa Brewing Company North End, 150 W 32nd Street, Charlotte, NC 28206. Festival-goers will have the opportunity to watch a colorful street art gallery come to life. A variety of music offerings, family-friendly fun activities, food, beverages, arts, crafts, and retail vendors will be on hand for all to patronize.
13 Days of Spooktown
October 19 – 31
The 13 Days of Spooktown are here once again! Join Skiptown October 19 through October 31 as they celebrate Halloween with a scary fun time. You can expect a Halloween photobooth, spooky-themed specialty cocktails, costume contests, a Pup Up Market, and more. Full event schedule is here.
THINGS TO DO THIS SUNDAY, OCTOBER 20
Drag me to the Show with Real Housewives Vicki Gunvalson
Sunday, October 20, 11a – 3p
The Vanity Houses Signature Drag brunch Hosted By Special Guest Vicki Gunvalson from The Real Housewives of Orange County.
Party in the Park at Mint Museum Randolph
Sunday, October 20, 1 – 5p
Enjoy a festive time at Party in the Park with art projects, food trucks, live music, and a cash bar on the front terrace (weather permitting).
NEXT WEEK
Boutique Fine Wine Dinner at Salted Melon
Tuesday, October 22, 6p
Enjoy a five-course meal curated with wine pairings, featuring Certified Sommelier and Owner of Scale Wine Group, Desmond Echavarrie. Tickets are $125 per person plus tax & gratuity. Email Morgan@reids.com to purchase your tickets.
My Breast Friend’s Wedding
Thursday October 24, 6 – 9p
Join us in supporting a truly unique and magical women’s business networking event and fundraiser supporting Go Jen Go. Every My Breast Friend’s Wedding ticket and sponsorship goes directly to this incredible cause which provides financial support to individuals facing breast cancer in our community. Join 200+ attendees, dress up in your favorite wedding attire {the more brides the merrier!}, make lasting business connections and friendships, and help us meet our 2024 Go Jen Go Fundraising Goal!
