Weekender: 31 things to do in Charlotte this weekend including food and music festivals

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, April 28

74. Rain/Thunder. 70% chance of rain.

DAYDREAM MUSIC FEST at Suffolk Punch Brewing: Listen to Charleston-based rock group Easy Honey and enjoy cold beer specials. Free. 8-10pm. Details

Off the Rails at Trolley Barn: Meet new people while you enjoy signature cocktails and music from a live DJ. Free. 10pm-12am. Details

Live Music at The Wine Loft: Unwind from the work week with wine and cocktail specials over live music. Free to attend. 9pm. Details

Peter Pan at Knight Theater: Watch the Charlotte Ballet bring the Neverland characters like Tinkerbell and Peter Pan to life through this performance. $30-$110. Times vary. Details

Prima Vera at Burial Beer: Party with Resident Culture and Salud with this Miami vice-themed rooftop dance party with tropical slushees, collab beer and merch releases, plus food from Soul Gastrolounge. Free. 6-11pm. Details

Live from the Boileryard Concert Series at Boileryard: Listen to MacFly Fresh host Live from the Printshop. Free. 6-9pm. Details

Grand Opening! at Current Nostalgia: Expect a pop-up skatepark, a live DJ and drinks to celebrate the opening of the new streetwear shop. Free. 6-10pm. Details

Classic Horror Movie Series at Ford Building: Watch the classic horror film “Nightmare on Elm St.” during this indoor movies series while you snack on food and drinks. Free. 7-10pm. Details

Habitat Charlotte Region’s Blue Jean Bash at Camp North End: Join Habitat Charlotte Region for an evening to raise awareness and funds to help families and build stability in our communities through affordable homeownership. $200. 6-10pm. Details

Circle K NHRA Four-Wide Nationals at Charlotte Motor Speedway: Watch NHRA’s brightest stars going 300 miles per hour on the race track with a pit pass so fans can see the cars and drivers up close. $20 and up. Times vary.  Details

Women Lead NC: Charlotte at the Charlotte Convention Center: Gather with women in the community to learn professional strategies through breakout sessions, keynote speakers and an exhibitors hall. $195-$325. 8:15am-2:45pm.Details

Charlotte Checkers Playoff Games at Bojangles Coliseum: Watch the Charlotte Checkers take on the Hershey Bears in the playoff games through the weekend. $23 and up. Times vary. Details

SATURDAY, April 29

76. Partly cloudy. 20% chance of rain.

Grilled Cheese Festival at Slate: Indulge in unlimited bites of various grilled cheese varieties and drinks. Proceeds from the event benefit AltruSpirit, a non-profit that provides athletic programming for financially disadvantaged youth. $27-$47. 1-5pm. Details

South End Farmer’s Market at Atherton Mill: Start your morning buying local produce, listen to live music and explore shops at Atherton Mill. Free. 8am-1pm. Details

Charlotte Knights vs. Norfolk Tides at Truist Field: Cheer on the Charlotte Knights as they take on the Norfolk Tides. $26-$58. 7:04pm. Details

CareFreeBlackGirl Cookout at Boileryard: Spend the afternoon with this traveling lifestyle brand. There will be DJs, food, games, vendors and giveaways to empower Black women. $15-$45. 2-8pm. Details

Spring Paper Flower Making at Boileryard: Take your kids to learn how to create paper flowers. Free. 10am-1pm. Details

Mad Miles at Elizabeth Park: Run, walk or jog a two-mile route before celebrating the workout with music from a live DJ. Free. 10am. Details

TreeFest 2023 at NoDa Brewing Company: Celebrate Charlotte’s tree canopy through this family-friendly event with arts and crafts, live music and food trucks. Free. 1-4pm. Details

University City Farmers Market at NOVEL University Place: Shop from local vendors before exploring the boardwalk. Free. 9am-1pm Details

Feel Good Fest at GreenLife Family Farms: Interact with over 100 live butterflies, enjoy live music, vendors, food trucks, craft beer, aerial performances, fire performances, the parachute people, drum circle and obstacle courses. $27-$33. 2-10pm. Details

Spring Market & Shopping Stroll at Phillips Place: Shop from a selection of local artisan vendors in the courtyard, enjoy live music, a kids’ crafts station and a flower truck. Free. 10am-2pm.  Details

SXSE23 Music Festival at Protagonist: Vibe to music from TheWldlfe, Wildermiss, WOAHand Yugo over drinks and food. Free. 12pm-10pm. Details

SUNDAY, April 30

74. Showers. 60% chance of rain.

CHNO at Barry’s: Grab a coffee and a voucher for a workout class. Free. 8:30am-12:30pm. Details

Vibras Sunday at Broken Promises: Vibe to music and enjoy a chef-catered brunch during this Latin-themed day party. Free. 2-8pm. Details

Yoga on the Rooftop at Harvey B. Gantt Center: Take a one-hour vinyasa flow with views of Uptown. $10. 12:30pm. Details

Social Tango Project at Booth Playhouse: Experience a “Milonga”-styled Tango social club. Customize your experience to include tango classes, lectures and food. $40 and up. Times vary. Details

Hope Floats Duck Race at U.S. Whitewater Center: Enjoy this family-friendly event with the splashing of the ducks you can adopt to support KinderMourn, an orginzation that provides counseling services to bereaved parents and grieving children. Free. 2-5:30pm. Details

Girls on the Run 5K at SouthPark mall, Symphony Park: Celebrate the achievements of over 1,000 girls in the Greater Charlotte area through a girl power 5K run. $30. 7:30am. Details

Béla Fleck, Zakir Hussain and Edgar Meyer at Belk Theater: Listen to sounds of bluegrass, Western classical, Indian classical and jazz music from Béla Fleck, Zakir Hussain and Edgar Meyer. $24.50 and up. 7pm. Details

Pippin at Theatre Charlotte: Watch Stephen Schwartz’s musical about one young man’s journey to be extraordinary. $15-$32. Times vary. 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? Submit your event.