Mark your calendars: 10 must-do events in May

Kick off your summer at the must-do Charlotte Motor Speedway event of the year on May 27.
Plus, Coca-Cola has an exclusive buy 2, get 1 free ticket offer. Check it out.

Here are the events and activities you can’t miss this May – chronologically, so you can hit them all. See you out there, and don’t forget to show us what you’re doing via #cltagenda.

Wells Fargo Golf Championship

May 3-6 | Quail Hollow | $55+ | Details

Why you should go: Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson, Rory McIlroy, Rickie Fowler, Jason Day and 2018 Masters champion Patrick Reed will all be playing.

28th Annual YAM Derby Days

May 5 | Mint Museum Randolph | 3-7 p.m. | $45-80 | Tickets

Why you should go: Join 400+ other of the city’s young professionals in your best seersucker, sundresses and hats for a day of lawn games, live music, free wine and beer, a large-screen viewing of the Kentucky Derby and, of course, plenty of Mint Juleps. 

North Carolina Brewers and Music Festival

May 11-12 | Historic Rural Hill | $8-78 | Tickets

Why you should go: Celebrate all things local when it comes to music and beer at this two-day event with a lineup filled to the brim with performances by bands like Leftover Salmon and Arkansauce and beer from Legion Brewing, Blue Blaze Brewing, Olde Mecklenburg Brewery and more.

Beer, Bourbon & BBQ Festival

May 12 | Symphony Park | 12-6 p.m. | $29-69 | Tickets

Why you should go: Eat and drink your way through 60+ beers, 40 bourbons and plenty of BBQ during this full day of seminars, live music and exhibits. Tickets include a tasting glass and unlimited samples.

South End Hops Festival

May 19 | 308 W. Carson Boulevard | 2-6 p.m. | $10-$500 | Tickets

Why you should go: Enjoy live music, arts, food and unlimited beer tastings from 35+ North Carolina breweries. This year they’re hosting a week of events leading up to the festival, including a special South End Hops Festival beer release at Triple C and a South End Hops Fest ice cream release at Golden Cow.

Circle K Speed Street presented by Coca-Cola

May 24 | Romare Bearden Park | 8:45 p.m. | $15-35 | Tickets

Why you should go: The festival is back for its 24th year with an impressive concert lineup that includes Judah & the Lion, Easton Corbin, Chase Rice and Brett Young, plus plenty of things to do in Uptown.

Charlotte Knights Video Game Knight & Thirsty Thursday

May 24 | BB& Ballpark | $8+ | Details

Why you should go: The first 2,000 fans through the gates receive a cool, retro Video Game Knight shirt. And, sip on $3 domestic drafts, $5 craft drafts, and $1 small sodas on this Thirsty Thursday. Side note: If you’re into Star Wars, check out Star Wars Knight on Tuesday May 22.

Memorial Day Celebration

May 25-27 | U.S. National Whitewater Center | Free ($6 to park) | Details

Why you should go: Celebrate the start of summer with yoga, a Dry Tri, Trail Race, live music at River Jam and a fireworks show to close out the weekend.

Summer Fun Fest 2018!

May 26 | Sycamore Brewing | 12-10 p.m. | Free admission | Details

Why you should go: Live music, koozie giveaways, henna tattoos, flower crowns, new cider, new summer seasonal beer releases and food trucks. Sycamore has several big May events (2nd Annual Crawfish Boil, Bacon Fest! and Lobster Roll & Beer Fest!), but the Summer Bashment is their biggest.

Coca-Cola 600

May 27 | Charlotte Motor Speedway | $49+ | Exclusive Coca-Cola buy 2, get 1 ticket free offer

Why you should go: Kick off your summer this Memorial Day weekend with one of the best races NASCAR and Charlotte Motor Speedway have to offer. Tickets include a rocking Eli Young Band pre-race concert along with a high-intensity race to follow (they don’t call it “the toughest test of man and machine” for nothing).

Feature photo via Facebook