Weekender: 27 fun things to do this weekend

The Weekender is proudly presented by The Speedway Club at Charlotte Motor Speedway, now offering limited seating for the general public. Enjoy a world-class menu, great cocktails and Speedway views. Call 704-455-3216 for reservations.

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 22

79. Partly Cloudy. 19% chance of rain.

N.C. State Fair: Ferris wheels, farm animals and fried food — find them all at the State Fair. Now through Oct. 24. $13 for adults, $7 for kids ages 6-12. Details.

[Related Story: Our guide for navigating the N.C. State Fair]

Talking Walls Mural Festival: This citywide public art and mural festival aims to highlight artists with diverse styles & backgrounds. Check out the wall map here. Now through Oct. 24. Free, donations appreciated. Details.

Time Laps 24-Hour Relay Race at the Whitewater Center: Gather a group of friends to compete in this 24-hour trail running relay race. Points will be awarded based on the number of completed laps and the difficulty of the laps. Oct. 22-23. $130. Details.

Smashing Pumpkin Party at Bart’s Mart: Bring your own pumpkin to carve and compete in a contest. The winner of the competition will receive prizes while the losers get their pumpkin smashed. Expect live music, drink specials and giveaways. 6pm. Free. Details.

Counterculture Club and Friends Present: Wellbeing Bar at Not Just Coffee (Jay St.): Join Counterculture Club & Friends for its first-ever alcohol-free happy hour event. Guests can enjoy food, drinks, live music, and tarot card readings among other activities. 6-9pm. $20. Details.

Kitchen Dwellers at The Music Yard: Head to The Music Yard to hear the rock and roll, bluegrass group Kitchen Dwellers perform. 6-11pm. $20-$250. Details.

Skate with PRIDE “Tutus & Glow Sticks” at Red Clay Cider Works: Lace up your skates and roll under the stars to the beats of DJ Mal Funk Shun. Ticket includes 90 minutes of skating, two tickets for craft cider or beer and glow sticks. Bring your own skates or rent a pair on-site. 6-7:30pm. $35-$40. Details.

Buff Faye’s “Murder Mystery” Drag Dinner at Dilworth Neighborhood Grille: Help Buff Faye figure out which one of her divas killed her! Ticket includes the show and a family-style serving buffet. 7-9pm. $35. Details.

A Look at the Victorian Funeral at Historic Rosedale: Explore the traditions and elements of the Victorian funeral with the expertise of the Historic Rosedale staff and the Charlotte Area Paranormal Society (CAPS). This tour will be held both inside the house and outside in the gardens and grounds surrounding our historic house and reconstructed blacksmith shop. 9-10pm. $20-$25. Details.

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 23

74. Sunny. 4% chance of rain.

Corgis Against Breast Cancer Walk & Fundraiser in Frazier Park: For Breast Cancer Awareness Month, deck out in pink with your pup to show support for those in our local community who are battling Breast Cancer. The walk will be followed by a raffle for a gift basket filled with all things corgi — toys, apparel, a $200 doggy photoshoot and more. All dogs are welcome. 11am to 2pm. Free. Details.

Heels and Horror Drag Brunch at Free Will Craft and Vine: Special guest Ariel Versace from RuPaul’s Drag Race will bring the house down during this fabulous Halloween drag show brunch. 11am, show starts at noon. $15. Details.

4th Annual Royal Chili Cook-Off at NoDa Brewing Company: Do you enjoy chili and consider yourself a chili connoisseur? Grab your ticket for this chili cook-off extravaganza and cast your vote for the best traditional chili recipe and best alternative chili recipe. Noon to 3pm. $25 pre-sale, $30 day-of. Details.

Fall Arts and Drafts Festival at Protagonist LoSo: Celebrate autumn and art at Protagonist LoSo’s first Fall Arts and Drafts Festival. There will be a live painting competition featuring three local artists, live music, food trucks and plenty of vendors to shop from. Noon to 8pm. Free. Details.

Farnival Adoption Party at Petty Thieves Brewing Co.: Farnival Films and Petty Thieves Brewing have partnered to host this adoption event that will include local vendors, live music, film screenings and more. Noon to 8pm. Free. Details.

Lucky Dog’s Halloween Costume Contest at Lucky Dog Bark & Brew: Dress up with your doggo and strut your best Halloween costume. The best dog and human costume duo will win a prize. 1-4pm. Details.

Mask-Queerade Bar Crawl at The Suffolk Punch: Sashay through South End during this one-of-a-kind Mask-Queerade bar crawl. Participating spots include The Suffolk Punch, Triple C Brewing Co., Hoppin’, QC Pour House, SouthBound, Sycamore Brewing and more. 1pm. $20 online, $25 day-of. Details.

2021 CLT Weenie Walk at Freedom Park (1908 East Blvd.): Little dogs, big fun. Bring your own pup (all breeds are welcome) or go home with a new pup. Enter your dog to be the king or queen of the Weenie Walk. The honorary crowning ceremony will take place during the event. 2-4pm. Free. Details.

Oktoberfest at The Music Yard: Expect live music performances, vendors, pumpkin carving, contests and more. 3pm. $5. Details.

The Bohemian Spiritual Picnic at Freedom Park: Enjoy an evening of yoga and guided meditation followed by mimosa, champagne and charcuterie. 5-7pm. $120. Details.

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 24

79. Sunny. 5% chance of rain.

Vicious Cycle 12-Hour MTB Relay Race at U.S. National Whitewater Center: Race solo or as a team in this multi-lap relay race where competitors try to rack up as many points as possible in the span of 12 hours. 7am to 7pm. $75. Details.

“BeetleJuicy” Halloween Drag Brunch at Charlotte Beer Garden: See how these Queens do Halloween at this Beetlejuice-themed drag brunch with cocktails, brunch items and, of course, the show. 10am to 2pm. $120 for a table of 8. Details.

Once Upon a Halloween Drag Brunch at Hot Taco: Dress up in your best Halloween costume and join the Queens of The Vanity House for this Once Upon a Halloween drag brunch. Prizes will be awarded to the best costume. 11am. $10. Details.

Howl-O-ween Pet Costume Contest at Devil’s Logic Brewing: Bring your pup to Devil’s Logic for the first annual Howl-O-Ween pet costume contest hosted by Miss Onya Nerves. There will be prizes for the owner and the pup in three categories including Best Overall, Most Creative, and Best Human and Pet Duo. Noon to 4pm. Details.

Halloween Party at Vaulted Oak Brewing: Carve pumpkins, listen to live music and compete in a costume contest. Noon to 6pm. Free. Details.

Panthers vs. Giants Watch Party at QC Pour House: Enjoy $7 Sunday Funday Specials. Doors open at 11, kick-off at 1pm. Details.

Fright Night at The Chamber by Wooden Robot: This isn’t just a regular Halloween party; the theme for this evening is 80s slasher movie. Expect a costume contest, a DJ and beer specials. 6-10pm. Free. Details.

Hocus Pocus Drag Dinner at Dish: Dine with the Divas in drag featuring special guest Eureka O’Hara of RuPaul’s Drag Race. 8:30pm. $40. Details.

Check out more upcoming events on our Event Board. Hosting an event? Reach more Charlotteans through an Event Listing, which includes placement on our Event Board and in our weekday newsletter. Have a scoop about a cool event? Email [email protected].

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