Weekender: 40 fun things to do in Charlotte this weekend including festivals and live music
Add Axios as your preferred source to
see more of our stories on Google.
Charlotte Vintage Market. Photo: Alexis Clinton/Axios
FRIDAY, October 6
81. Mostly cloudy. 20% chance of rain.
Friday Flea Live Music and Vendor Market at Triple C Brewing Company: Shop from local vendors, listen to live music and grab food from Izzy’s Food Truck. Free. 5-9pm. Details
First Friday Gallery Crawl at Multiple Locations: Take in the local art scene with galleries and shops offering extended hours, special receptions, live painting and music. Free. 5-9pm. Details
Comedy Showcase at Common Market: Laugh the night away at jokes from a rotating list of comedians. 8pm. Free. Details
The Charlotte Nite Street Market at FITTEDS: Shop from a list of small locally owned businesses. Free. 5-10pm. Details
NC Dance Festival at Goodyear Arts: Watch dance performances from various choreographers from Raleigh, Durham and Charlotte. Prices vary. 7:30-9:30pm. Details
THE TAYLOR PARTY at The Fillmore: Vibe to Taylor Swift songs all night long. $20-$25. 9:30pm. Details
The Flavors of Fall Wine Tasting at The Coterie Concept: Sip on several wines, plus create your own charcuterie board. $30. 6-7:30pm. Details
MOREHEAD’S HAUNTED TAVERN at The Tavern: Get in the spooky spirit and walk through a haunted house with a bar. $20-$150. time. Details
BayHaven Food & Wine Festival: Enjoy a festival celebrating Black chefs through a series of events all weekend long. Prices vary. Runs through Sunday. Details
SATURDAY, October 7
73. Cloudy. 30% chance of rain.
Ballantyne Brunch Festival at The Amp Ballantyne: Enjoy live music, brunch bites, specialty drinks and family-friendly activities to help fight pediatric cancer. $25. 11am-3pm. Details
Home.Grown CLT: All-Encompassing Local Arts Festival at Charlotte Art League: Celebrate the arts with music, dance, theater, comedy and food. $25-$75. 3-10pm. Details
Pink Cupcake Walk & Breast Cancer Lap at Truist Field: Walk, enjoy cupcakes, and cheer on breast cancer survivors, fighters and thrivers. $35. 10am. Details
Oktoberfest at Suffolk Punch: Celebrate German culture with beer, music, glassware giveaway and food. Free. 10am. Details
Horse Lovers Day at 9101 Overcash Road: Enjoy a fall festival with food trucks, six bands, horse-drawn carriage rides, 40+ vendors, an auction, kid zone, plus horse and pony rides. $5. 10am-4pm. Details
Mecklenburg Oktoberfest 2023 at Truist Field: Celebrate Oktoberfest with entertainment, craft beer, food, a pumpkin patch and a Pink Cupcake Walk. Free. 11am. Details
MOVIES IN THE PARK at Wilmore Centennial Park: Grab your picnic blanket to watch a screening of Hocus Pocus, plus enjoy children’s activities and music. Free. 6-9:30pm. Details
The Congregation Show 2023 at FORD BUILDING: Check out a vintage car and bike show with motorcycle builders and vendors. $20. 12-8pm. Details
Annual Oktoberfest at Fonta Flora: Enjoy a keg-rolling race, a stein-holding contest and craft brews. Free. 4:30pm. Details
Craft Vintage Market at RSVP South End: Shop from 25+ vintage clothing businesses at this monthly pop-up. Free. 12pm. Details
Charlotte Vintage Market at Queen Park Social: Shop from local vintage clothing vendors. Free. 12-5pm. Details
Hola Charlotte at Uptown: Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month with live music, food and giveaways. Free. 12-6pm. Details
Luke Bryan: Country On Tour 2023 at PNC Pavilion: Vibe to country music hits from Luke Bryan as he makes his tour stop in Charlotte: $54.50+. 7pm. Details
SUNDAY, October 8
68. Sunny. 0% chance of rain.
Carolina Renaissance Festival at 16445 Poplar Tent Road: Experience the Renaissance times through performances, food and music. $20-$32. Times vary. Details
Dog Adoption & Fundraiser at Monday Night Garden Co.: Meet adoptable dogs, learn about volunteer and foster opportunities, and enjoy a beer. Proceeds benefit Carolina P.A.W.S. Free. 4-6pm. Details
2023 Talking Walls Mural Festival at Optimist Hall: Take the entire family to enjoy live painting, kid-friendly activities and music. Free. 4-8pm. Details
Bank of America ROVAL 400 NASCAR Cup Series at Charlotte Motor Speedway: Spend your Sunday watching NASCAR drivers race. $60+. 2pm. Details
Music in the Garden Series at The Duke Mansion: Unwind to music in the gardens while you sip on cocktails. $45. 5-7pm. Details
Scarowinds at Carowinds: Get a scare from Carowinds Halloween themed nights or check out The Great Pumpkin Fest during the day. $44.99+. Times vary. Details
Better Luck TMRW at RSVP South End: Party with friends while controlling the DJ’s playlist through QR codes, plus enjoy signature cocktails. $12. 4-9pm. Details
2nd Anniversary at Bitty & Beau’s Coffee: Enjoy discounted drinks, giveaways, games and contests to celebrate National Disability Employment Awareness Month. Free. 8am. Details
TASTE of the CARIBBEAN/AFRICA at West Complex: Immerse yourself in a cultural celebration for Indigenous Peoples’ Day though food, drinks, music and entertainment. Free. 12-8pm. Details
MJ – The Musical at Belk Theater: Sing along to all of Michael Jackson’s hits songs. $53. 1:30pm. Details
Serving the Soul Reception at Embassy Suites: Enjoy a two-part dinner hosted by Serving The Culture with a six-course meal, drinks and music. $175. 7-10pm. Details
MONDAY, October 9
72. Sunny. 3% chance of rain.
Mad Miles Run Club at Social Status: Rub, walk or jog a two-mile route before celebrating a workout with a dancing to music from a DJ. Free. 6:30pm. Details
Trivia Night: Mindless Minutia at Birdsong Brewing: Challenge yourself or a friend to trivia. Prices vary. 7-9pm. Details
Chess Game Night at Urban District Market: Play a game of chess before rewarding yourself with food from one of the stalls at Urban District market. Free. 6-7:30pm. Details
DIY Terrarium Building at PlantHouse: Get your hands dirty by learning how to build a terrarium. $25. Times vary. Details
Candle Class at Paddywax Candle Bar: Create your custom fall scented candle. $45. Tines vary. Details
CRAFT DINNER at U.S. National Whitewater Center: Try beer samples from local breweries along with a four-course dinner. $75. 6:30-9pm. Details
DAY PASS at Skiptown: Take your pup to play with other dogs while you enjoy drinks from the bar. Free. 1-9pm. 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.