Weekender: 31 things to do in Charlotte this weekend

The Weekender is proudly presented by Speedway Christmas. Charlotte Motor Speedway’s drive-through holiday light show is open seven nights a week, with “Christmas with the Kranks” featured as the drive-in movie this weekend.

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 10

60. Evening showers. 41% chance of rain.

Holidays at the Garden at Daniel Stowe Garden: Walk along the trail and take in the dazzling light displays, then stop by the food trucks for a quick bite or a warm beverage. 5-9pm. $14.95 for adults; $12.95 for seniors 60+; $7.95 for children 2-12; free for children under 2. Details.

McAdenville Christmastown: They don’t call McAdenville “Christmas Town USA” for nothing. Drive or walk along the 1.3-mile route and peruse the town’s local vendors and restaurants while thousands of lights illuminate the town. 5:30-10pm daily through Dec. 26. Free. Details.

Speedway Christmas at Charlotte Motor Speedway: Pull up to see a display of 4 million lights illuminating this 4-mile course. Expect hundreds of creative light displays synchronized to Christmas-themed music that you can listen to from your car’s radio. 6-10pm; now through January. $30+. Details.

ChristmasVille in Old Town Rock Hill (201 E. Main St.): ChristmasVille has a lineup of more than 70 festive activities, including horse-drawn carriage rides, historic tours, carolers, a gingerbread house contest and an ice skating rink. All-day. Free. Details.

VTGCLT Pop at The Metropolitan: Shop a selection of handmade and vintage items from more than 90 local and regional vendors. Select dates and times now through DEc. 22; 10am-7pm. Free. Details.

OMB Christmas Market: Weekend 3 at Olde Mecklenburg Brewery & Biergarten: If you haven’t been already, head to OMB for the third weekend of its German Christmas Village. A lineup of more than 40 vendors will be set up in the biergarten, plus enjoy holiday music, lights, seasonal drinks like spiced wine and hot cocoa, and of course delicious German fare. Dec. 10-12; 3-11pm. Free. Details.

Winterfest at Carowinds: Catch captivating light displays and live shows, or do a hands-on activity like cookie decorating with Mrs. Claus. Winterfest is jam-packed with fun and immersive holiday festivities that the entire family can enjoy. 3-11pm. $32 GA. Details.

Charlotte Christmas Village at Truist Field: Swing by the ballpark to experience a European-inspired Christmas market where you can find handcrafted gifts and specialty foods like Austrian strudels, bratwurst and sauerkraut. 5-10pm; Now through Dec. 23. $5. Details.

Winter Juried Show Opening Reception at Charlotte Art League: Explore the artist studios and peruse the gallery walls. All artwork is for sale and makes for a great opportunity to do some holiday shopping. 6-9pm. Free. Details.

Courtyard Cinema at Optimist Hall: Bring your own blanket and curl up by the fire pits for a screening of holiday favorite, “Elf.” Honeysuckle s’mores kits will be available for purchase plus spirited beverages from the Spindle Bar truck. 6-9pm. Free. Details.

Checkers vs. Syracuse Crunch at Bojangles Coliseum: Root for the Checkers as they go head-to-head with the Syracuse Crunch (awesome team name, btw). 7-9pm. $21.50+. Details.

Nutcracker at Belk Theater: One of the best holiday traditions in the city is back on stage at the Belk Theater. The Charlotte Symphony Orchestra accompanies the Charlotte Ballet with musical selections by Tchaikovsky like the well-known “Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy.” Now through Dec. 23; 7:30pm. $25-$114. Details.

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 11

71. Showers. 71% chance of rain.

The Pancakes and Beer 5K at Brewers at 4001 Yancey: This 5K fundraising event invites participants to go for a run then stick around to enjoy pancakes, bacon and beer. Proceeds from ticket sales will help support those in our community who need financial assistance for prescription medications. 9am. $40. Details.

We Believe Santa 5K Trail Race and Dog Jog at the Whitewater Center: Dress in your holiday best to beat a PR or simply jog with your dog. Awards will be given for the best costumes. 10am. $32-$37. Details.

South End Rail Trail Clean-Up: Give back to the South End community by helping clean up around the Rail Trail. Supplies will be provided and following the clean-up, The Union will host a volunteer appreciation event and provide those who assisted with a drink ticket. 10am-noon. Free, registration is required. Details.

Girl Tribe Holiday Pop-Up at the Convention Center: Shop a collection of more than 100+ women-led businesses all under one roof at this two-day shopping extravaganza. Expect fall cocktails, food, a s’mores fire pit, live music and fun photo ops. Dec. 11-12. $5-$25. Details.

Shop Small Saturdays “Winter Wonderland on Winnifred”: Support local businesses this holiday season and choose from dozens of vendors that will line Winnifred Street for the third of four weekend holiday celebrations. 11am-4pm. Details.

Markets at 11 Holiday Market at Ballantyne’s Backyard: Find gifts for friends and family, picnic on the green and enjoy live music. 11am-5pm. Free. Details.

Yuletide Art Market at Fonta Flora Brewery at Optimist Hall: Join Fonta Flora Brewery for its first-ever Yuletide Art Market which will feature regional artists and makers, live music by DJ Dangfunky and of course, great beer. This market is also a partnership with Block Love Charlotte, where visitors are welcomed to bring long underwear, coats and blankets for homeless men and women in the area. Noon-4pm. Details.

Holiday Makers Market at Legion Brewing Plaza Midwood: Several local vendors will be set up in the taproom for you to browse and shop. Food and drinks will be available for purchase. Noon-4pm. Free. Details.

Santa Paws at Triple C Brewing Company: Bring your pup to get pictures with Santa and meet some four-legged friends. Vendors will be on-site selling goods for the humans. Noon-4pm. $5 donation. Details.

Holiday Pop-Up at Vaulted Oak Brewing: This curated holiday market will feature six local businesses including Moonstone Garden, Nomad Coffee and DayPetal Designs. 1-6pm. Free. Details.

Christmas Pub Crawl Charlotte: Put on your ugly Christmas sweater, add some reindeer antlers and get ready for a good time at this bar crawl. Participating bars will have drink specials like $3 Yuengling and $5 Mistletoe Shots at The Local on 5th and $5 Sugar Creek Pumpkin Beer at Mortimer’s Cafe and Pub. 2pm-2am (next day). $10. Details.

Winter Wonderland Terrarium Workshop at Twigs & Figs: Create snow-globe-inspired terrariums using air plants, glittery snow, holiday figurines and other decorative items. 3-4:30pm. $40. Details.

Ugly Sweater Bar Crawl at Lost and Found: Five South End bars are bringing the holiday cheer (and beer) for this fun and festive bar crawl. A ticket gets you free cover, four welcome shots at participating bars and exclusive food and drink specials. 4-11:30pm. $15-$20. Details.

Krampus Market Petty Thieves Brewing Co.: The annual market returns featuring some of the best local makers, artists, crafters and vendors in a wonderful night market setting. Costumes are encouraged. 5pm. Details.

All of the Lights Kanye Christmas Party at The Music Yard: Celebrate the holiday like Kanye. It’ll be a night of bops from rap artists like Kanye West, Wiz Khalifa, Kid Cudi, Nicki Minaj and Cardi B. Festive outfits are encouraged and guests are also encouraged to bring a gift donation for the Levine Children’s Hospital Toy Drive. 6-11pm. $5+. Details.

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 12

54. Sunny. 3% chance of rain.

Main Dish Sugar Plum Fairies at Legion Brewing Plaza Midwood: Sashay into the holiday spirit at this drag show brunch hosted by Onya Nerves. 11am. $10. Details.

Panthers vs. Atlanta Falcons at Bank of America Stadium: Cheer on the Panthers as they take on the Falcons on home turf. 1pm. Ticket prices vary. Details.

Poptopia at Victoria Yards: Enjoy a pop-up shopping experience in the middle of Uptown where there will be a variety of small shops and vendors offering gifts and stocking stuffers like hot cocoa bombs, candles and more. The event will also have activities like ornament-making and family portraits. 1-5pm. Free. Details.

Santa’s Little Helpers (Pups on the Patio) at Billy Sunday: Bring your dog to get photos with Santa and meet new furry friends. Plus there will be raffle prizes, giveaways and drink specials for the humans. 2-5pm. 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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