Agenda Weekender: 45 things to do including OMB’s Weihnachtsmarkt, Nutcracker and the Fourth Ward Holiday Home Tour

Weekend Forecast

Friday: 58. Sunny. 10% chance of rain.
Saturday: 56.  Mostly sunny. 0% chance of rain.
Sunday: 49. Showers. 70% chance of rain.

Friday, December 2

Food and Drink

Grand Opening Celebrations at Rise Ballantyne: Join for free donuts on a first come, first serve basis. 12-2 p.m. Free. Details.

Elf on the Rooftop at City Lights Rooftop Bar: Winter craft cocktails, bourbon infused marshmallows, Elfie Selfie Station and spiked hot chocolates. Fri-Dec 24: 4 p.m.-12 a.m. Free. Details.

Experience

7th Annual Weihnachtsmarkt at OMB: A traditional, German-inspired “Christmas Market” with open air booths selling gifts and baked goods from local, Charlotte vendors. Fri-Sat. Free. Details.

Festival of Trees at Hotel Concord: Annual fundraiser for the Boys & Girls Club of Cabarrus County; Deck the Halls Gala on 12/2, North Pole Party on 12/3, Tree Viewing on 12/3 and a buffet holiday lunch on 12/4. Fri-Sun. Details.

39th Annual Fourth Ward Holiday Home Tour: This walkable, self-guided tour includes admission to a variety of private homes in Fourth Ward; expect choirs and hand bell ensembles, free carriage rides, and wine, food and beer samplings. Fri-Sun. $30. Details.

Poptopia Holidays at Foundation For The Carolinas: Shop retailers and small businesses; expect receptions during the evenings. Fri:11 a.m.-8 p.m. & Sat: 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Free. Details.

Christmas at the Library at Billy Graham Library: Expect a live nativity display, horse-drawn carriage rides ($7 per adult; $3 per child), Christmas carolers, children’s story time and holiday shopping. Dec 2-23, Fri: 5-10 p.m. & Sat: 2-10 p.m. Details.

Finally Friday at Vida Vida: Games include Jenga, free throw contest, corn hole, ring toss and other opportunities to win prizes. 5 p.m.-2 a.m. Free. Details.

SportsLink Holiday Party: Deck the Balls at Roxbury: Expect games, giveaways, prizes and food; they’ll have gifts for anybody that brings a new, unwrapped toy (agest 5-15), new or gently used coat, or 4+ cans of food. 6-9 p.m. Details.

Mint to Move Special Edition: Dia de las Velitas (Day of the Candles) + Dance Party at Mint Museum Uptown: Enjoy Afro-Cuban and Latin-American dance rhythms with a DJ and live musicians; free dance lessons at 9 p.m. 6:30-11:30 p.m. $12. Details.

2016 Queen City Praise Jam at Victory Christian Center-Charlotte: Gospel concert featuring Trip Lee, William McDowell, Jermaine Dolly and Briana Babineaux. 7:30-10:30 p.m. $12. Details.

Second Chance Christmas Gala – 2016 Toy Drive at Flight Beer Garden: An annual event that collects Christmas toys for less fortunate children; expect a live band, photo booth, heavy appetizers and beer and wine. 8 p.m. $26-$100. Details.

Tacky South End Holiday Party at Charlotte Art League: Bring an unwrapped new toy to donate to Kids First of the Carolinas for admission; expect holiday themed comedy, food and drink, and a tacky sweater contest. 9:30-11:30 p.m. Free. Details.

Learn Things

Donate Your Laptop and Help Close The Digital Divide at Skookum: Donate your used laptop to Code for Charlotte and stay for a discussion about the Digital Divide and lunch. 12 p.m. Details.

Five Buck Friday Dance with guest instructors & DJs at Gottaswing Charlotte: The free introductory swing dance lesson will begin between 7:30 and 7:45 p.m. 7-11:30 p.m. $5. Details.

Art

South End Gallery Crawl at South End: Many of the galleries will stay open late to host lively receptions for new exhibits with music, food and drink, and an opportunity to meet the artists. 5-9 p.m. Free. Details.

ADORN Jewelry Art Show + Sale at McColl Center for Art + Innovation: An annual jewelry show + sale featuring unique wearable jewelry art from 23 regional, national and international artists. 6-10 p.m. Free. Details.

Annual Holiday Open House at Dilworth Artisan Station: 30+ artists will have their studios doors open; expect live music and an open bar. 6-9 p.m. Free. Details.

Jingle Bell Jazz at Bechtler Museum of Modern Art: Expect classic holiday favorites performed alongside other jazz holiday renditions; seating is first come, first serve. 6 & 8:15 p.m. $14. Details.

December All Arts Market at Behailu Academy: Expect 30+ artists and a cash bar. 6 p.m. Free. Details.

Saturday, December 3

Experience

Charlotte Ballet’s Nutcracker at Belk Theater: Choreographer Jean-Pierre Bonnefoux is collaborating with a world-renowned design team to re-imagine his Nutcracker production with all new sets and costumes. Sat-Dec 23. $25+. Details.

March For Love at Marshall Park: Expect a brief program of poetry, song and prayer, followed by a processional to three nearby monuments–each a testament to the power of love over hate. 12 p.m. Free. Details.

Winter Wonderland at Google Fiber: There’ll be holiday movies, live ice sculpting and treats from their hot chocolate bar. 2-7 p.m. Free. Details.

Charlotte Folk Society Annual Holiday Potluck and Jams at Dilworth United Methodist Church: Pre-dinner jamming and singing at 4 p.m. and potluck dinner begins at 5 p.m.; bring a veggie dish or a dessert to serve eight or contribute $5/person. 4 p.m. Free. Details.

Community Tree Lighting and Holiday Festival at McAlpine Business Park: Expect an annual tree lighting, food drive, costume parade, caroling, raffle and food from local restaurants. 5-8 p.m. Free. Details.

Holiday Dazzle: Black & White Party at 1801 N Tryon St, Suite 610: Expect music, food and a festive holiday atmosphere; includes a plated dinner meal. 7-10 p.m. $45. Details.

The Charlotte Concert Band at Dana Auditorium: Enjoy a holiday performance for all ages. 7 p.m. Free. Details.

8th Annual Red Pump/Red Tie Affair at LaCa Projects: A benefit gala to commemorate World AIDS Day and raise awareness about HIV and AIDS among women; expect live entertainment, cocktail reception, silent auction and runway fashion show  7-10 p.m. $40-$75. Details.

Learn Things

History Talks Lecture Series The Uncommon Bond of Julia and Rose with Ann Williams at The Charlotte Museum of History: She will talk about how the book came to be, do a bit of myth busting and cite historic sources for some of the story’s events. 1 p.m. Free. Details.

Art

Scandinavian Stars Workshop at Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden: Craft two old fashioned woven paper stars. 12:30-3 p.m. $25. Details.

Kids

Breakfast with Santa at NASCAR Hall of Fame: Enjoy breakfast with Santa; each child will have the opportunity to take a picture with Santa and create a holiday craft. $17. 9 a.m.-12 p.m. Details.

Innovate 301 at Discovery Place: Discover how to create casts and molds using silicone and other materials. 9 a.m.-12 p.m. Free. Details.

Santa Train at 1914 North Tryon Street: Joining Santa Claus on NC By Train’s Santa Train with routes between Charlotte and Raleigh. 12 p.m. $15+. Details.

Cookies & Cocoa with Santa at Metropolitan: Expect cookies, cocoa, balloon art and photos with Santa between Dressler’s and Hickory Tavern. 4-6 p.m. Free. Details.

Candle Light Christmas at Latta Plantation: Step back in time to a Latta family Christmas as you tour the plantation by candlelight. 6-9 p.m. $8. Details.

Fitness

Run Run Rudolph 5K & 10K at Start2Finish Charlotte: This festive race will benefit the Brain Tumor Fund for the Carolinas. 8 a.m. $25-$40. Details.

Jingle Bell Jam at The Unknown Brewing Company: Join for an hour of hip-hop Christmas; bring a book donation for an entry to win a 5-class pass from THE JAM: CLT. 1-2 p.m. Details.

Sports

Basketball at Spectrum Center: Charlotte Hornets vs. Minnesota Timberwolves. 7 p.m. $10+. Details.

Sunday, December 3

Experience

Making Merry at Sugar Creek Brewing: They’ll provide everything you need to make personalized glass ornaments; fill them with grain and hops for the true beer lover. 1-4 p.m. Varies by project. Details.

Holiday Gordon Street Market at Snug Harbor: Find something weird or try something strange during this holiday edition market. 1-4 p.m. Free. Details.

I Love the 90′s Tour at Spectrum Center: Featuring performances from Vanilla Ice, Salt-N-Pepa, Color Me Badd, Tone Loc, Coolio and Rob Base. 7 p.m. $55+. Details.

Christmas with Myers Park United Methodist at First United Methodist Church: Ring in the season with their 6th annual Christmas concert; 150-voice chorus paired with a full orchestra. 7:30 p.m. Free. Details.

Art

The Bechtler Ensemble in Concert at Dana Auditorium: The Ensemble will connect the historical and creative contents of music pieces to selected works of modern art from the Bechtler Museum. 7-9 p.m. Free. Details.

Fitness

Sunday Serenity Yoga at Blue Blaze Brewing: Lauren Lanpoint will be leading the first of the series in the brewroom. 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Details.

Tails on the Trail at Blue Blaze Brewing: Join Blue Blaze Brewing, Carolina Thread Trail and CMPD Animal Care and Control for a dog-friendly urban hike on the Stewart Creek Greenway. 1-4 p.m. Free. Details.

We’re excited for…

Brandshop at 340 E. 16th St.: This traveling retail event connects up-and-coming brands to in-the-know shoppers with over 30 fashion, art and design brands and a killer speaker series. Free-$120. December 9-15.

Girl Tribe Pop Up – Holiday Edition at Sugar Creek Brewing: What’s new? Dude Tribe sponsored by Lineberger Dentistry will be on site with some of Charlotte’s top men’s brands. $5 gets you two VIP shopping hours (10-12 p.m.), which includes serious discounts and exclusive shopping bags. Free-$5. December 10.

Birdsong 5 Year Anniversary Bash at Birdsong Brewing Co.: Per usual, Birdsong will have an awesome list of beer including special barrel aged beers, 5 IPA’s for 5 years and the special release of The Pride Abbey. Expect live music and food trucks all day. Free. December 10.

See all the upcoming events we’re pumped about here.

Cover photo via Charlotte Ballet.