Agenda Weekender: 41 things to do including Girl Tribe Pop Up, Brandshop and Birdsong’s 5 Year Anniversary Bash

Weekend Forecast

Friday: 44. Sunny. 0% chance of rain.
Saturday: 44.  Sunny. 0% chance of rain.
Sunday: 49. Mostly cloudy. 10% chance of rain.

Friday, December 9

Food & Drink

Christmas Cookie Ale Release Party at Sycamore Brewing: 8 food trucks, live music and a heated tent. 5-11 p.m. Free. Details.

Experience

Gingerbread Lane at Ballantyne Hotel & Lodge: Attendees can vote on their favorite entries with $1 minimum donations per vote. Friday-Dec. 28. Details.

7th Annual Weihnachtsmarkt (Weekend 2) 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.

Clara’s Trip: A Cirque & Dance Nutcracker Story at Booth Playhouse: See this aerial and contemporary performance take on Clara’s holiday dream; get 10% off tix with CLTAGENDA. Fri-Sun. $20-$45. Details.

Brandshop at 340 E 16th St.: Check out their speaker series, book signings and trunk shows. Fri-Dec. 15. Free-$120. Details.

VTGCLT Pop at Latta Arcade: A pop up shop that will feature products from 77 local and regional vintage and handmade businesses. Fri-Sat: 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Fri-Dec. 21. Free. Details.

Charlotte Symphony’s Magic of Christmas at Belk Theater: New highlights include “Sleigh Ride” conducted by Santa himself and a happy holiday singalong. Fri: 8 p.m., Sat: 11 a.m. & 8 p.m. & Sun: 2:30 p.m. $19+. Details.

Learn Things

Student Portfolio Show: Advertising + Graphic Design at C3Labs: CPCC students will be exhibiting individual collections of their best work; expect light refreshments. 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Free. Details.

Open House: Get to Know The Iron Yard Charlotte at 1st Floor of Packard Place: Learn about TIY program, meet the team and tour their space. 1-2 p.m. Free. Details.

Sports

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

Saturday, December 10

Food & Drink

Birdsong 5 Year Anniversary Bash at Birdsong Brewing Co.: Expect special brew releases, commemorative tasting glasses, live music and food trucks. 12-10 p.m. Free. Details.

Wine and Cheese Tasting at Healthy Home Market: They’ll be pairing each wine with snacks from local vendors. 1-4 p.m. Free. Details.

2nd Anniversary Party at Rhino Market: Expect live jazz and bluegrass, all local vendors and $2 off all sandwiches and drafts. 1-6 p.m. Free. Details.

Mixology with Bob Peters at Earl’s Grocery: Join for the last mixology class before the holidays, featuring holiday and champagne cocktails. 2:30-5:30 p.m. Free. Details.

17th Annual Santa Bar Crawl in Uptown Charlotte: $3 beer, $4 shots and $5 cocktail specials at all locations; dress in holiday attire (Santa suits are always preferred). 3 p.m.-2 a.m. $10-$40. Details.

Give A Pint, Get A Pint at Legion Brewing: The Community Blood Center of the Carolinas will set their blood mobile up in the parking lot; every donor will receive a free pint. 5:30-8:30 p.m. Free. Details.

Experience

The 62nd Annual Singing Christmas Tree at Knight Theater: See the MainStage Choir (in a 32’ specially-designed tree) perform all your favorite Christmas music. Sat-Sun. $13-$39. Details.

Girl Tribe Pop Up – Holiday Edition at Sugar Creek Brewing: Check out Dude Tribe with some of Charlotte’s top men’s brands; VIP tix will get you in from 10 a.m.-12 p.m. and includes discounts and exclusive shopping bags. 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Free-$5. Details.

Sneaker Con Charlotte at Charlotte Convention Center: Taking over North Carolina with the biggest selection of sneakers. 12-7 p.m. $25. Details.

Santa Paws at Lucky Dog Bark & Brew: Carolina Big Hearts Big Barks Rescue will be providing festive holiday pictures of your pup with Santa. 1-4 p.m. Free w/ donation. Details.

Pop-up Shop at Lenny Boy Brewing Company: Featuring North Carolina painters, sculptors, entrepreneurs and culinary artists at the brewery; expect a food truck, new beer, live music and a cornhole tournament. 2-6 p.m. Free. Details.

NoDa Krampus Krawl at NoDa: St. Nick & his Krampus will be out roaming the streets of NoDa looking for naughty and nice kids of all ages. 5:30-10 p.m. Free. Details.

The Gray Holiday Party – A Fundraiser For The Gantt Center: Admission includes sweet and savory treats, a specialty drink and live music. 8 p.m.-2 a.m. $60 donation. Details.

Learn Things

Christmas Time Cooking Class at Bar Cocoa: Learn how to make Christmas cookies, peppermint bark and fruit cake. 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. $125. Details.

Gingerbread House Decorating Class at Ballantyne Hotel & Lodge: Executive Pastry Chef Ben Kallenbach and his team will offer some helpful tips. 2-3:30 p.m. $50/group. Details.

Kids

Christmas Wonderland at Springfree Trampoline: Try out the world’s first smart trampoline; expect cookies, hot cocoa, Santa and Mrs. Claus. 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Free. Details.

Bilingual Stories & Music at Mint Museum Randolph: These interactive bilingual (Spanish/English) mornings incorporate music, plays and stories geared specially for families with children ages 0-6. 11 a.m.-12 p.m. $5 (up to 6 family members). Details.

Backcountry Explorers: Colonial Occupations at The Charlotte Museum of History: Learn about masonry and make a fun craft. 1 p.m. $10/child. Details.

Saturday Family Workshops – Magic Maya Animals at Mint Museum Randolph: Sketch animals from the Ancient American collection of artifacts from Latin America. 1:30-3 p.m. $16/child. Details.

Fitness

Free Barre Class at Fabletics in Southpark Mall: Bring your own mat and receive 20% off Fabletics products. 8 a.m. Free. Details.

Holidays in the City Santa Run 8K and Snowman Dash at Romare Bearden Park: Don your favorite holiday costume or they will help you dress up; registration includes a shirt and Santa,elf or snowman hat or reindeer antlers. 9 a.m. Free. Details.

Santa 5k Trail Run at USNWC: A brisk trot through the trail system; bring your red coat and white beard since there will be a prize given to the best Santa Claus look-a-like. 12 p.m. $30-$37. Details.

Sunday, December 11

Experience

CommunityWorks 945 Holiday Hoopla at Providence United Methodist Church: Find paintings, stocking stuffers, ornaments and more made by ArtWorks 945 artists; benefiting the mission to end homelessness in Charlotte. 12-8 p.m. Free. Details.

Diggers Delight: Pop-up Record Swap at Tip Top Daily Market: Expect premium sounds and PepperBox doughnuts. 2-6 p.m. Free. Details.

Moscow Ballet’s Great Russian Nutcracker at Ovens Auditorium: See larger than life magical props, a 60′ growing Christmas tree, and Russian-made costumes and sets. 3 p.m. $28-$68. Details.

Let Creation Sing! A Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols at Great Aunt Stella Center: Classic and eclectic Christmas tunes performed by the musicians of Uptown Church; reception and art gallery featuring work by local artists to follow. 4 p.m. & 7 p.m. Free. Details.

3rd Annual NoDa Tree Lighting Celebration at Johnston YMCA: Expect hot chocolate, cookies, Christmas crafts, live music, Santa and carols in addition to the tree lighting. 5:30 p.m. Free. Details.

Community Christmas Celebration at Holy Trinity Cathedral: Expect the Holy Trinity Cathedral Choir, Byzantine Chanters and student instrumentalists; expect hors d’oeuvers and desserts to follow. 6 p.m. Free. Details.

Learn Things

Pop-up Holiday Card Making at Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden: Create two intricate holiday pop-up cards for your family and friends. 3-5 p.m. $20. Details.

Art

Starving Artist Market at Charlotte Art League: 20 local vendors that will be pulling out all the stops to give you a 4 hour, one stop shopping experience to help you with your last minute holiday gift planning. 12-4 p.m. Free. Details.

Sports

Football at Bank of America Stadium: Carolina Panthers vs. San Diego Chargers. 1 p.m. $45+. Details.

We’re excited for…

Holiday Cocktail Class at Level Coworking: Learn how to make 3 classic cocktails with a holiday twist. 7-9:30 p.m. $55. December 16.

Second Annual Ugly Sweater Holiday Party & Clothing Drive at Rooftop 210: Celebrate the holidays with Christmas carol karaoke, ugly sweater contests, huge prizes, a photo op with Santa Clause; all clothing donations will be given to the Salvation Army. 7-10 p.m. Free. December 17.

Ginger Bread House Competition at NoDa Company Store: Show off your best, most creative take on the holiday classic; 1st place wins $100, 2nd place wins $50. 6-10 p.m. December 20.

See all the upcoming events here and holiday-specific activities here.

Cover photo via Birdsong Brewing Co.