Weekday Planner: 23 things happening in Charlotte like holiday pop-ups and a gingerbread house competition
Add Axios as your preferred source to
see more of our stories on Google.
/2024/01/06/1704508288731.png)
It’s (almost) showtime: The Broadway musical adaptation of Tim Burton’s “Beetlejuice” is coming to town from December 26–31, and tickets start at $35. Snag your seats.
Monday, December 4
Tinseltown at Billy Sunday
Billy Sunday | Now through Dec. 31. | Free | Details
Why you should go: Billy Sunday has transformed into a holiday pop-up called Tinseltown. It’s open Monday-Thursday 5pm-10pm, Friday 4pm-midnight, Saturday noon-midnight, Sunday noon-10pm.
- Of note: Reservations aren’t available, but you can put your name on a waitlist (and head to Spindle Bar for a drink while you wait.)
Go deeper: 9 Christmas pop-up bars coming to Charlotte in 2023
Sycamore’s Book Swap and Book Club
Sycamore Brewing | 7pm | Free | Details
Why you should go: Join Front Paige Media in a book discussion on ‘The Housemaid’ by Frieda McFadden. Bring three books to swap for three new books and enjoy $5 drafts, plus wine bottle and charcuterie specials.
Speedway Christmas
Charlotte Motor Speedway | 6-10pm through Jan. 7 | $35+ | Details
Why you should go: This four-mile drive-thru display features five million lights synched with holiday music that you can listen to on your car radio. Pro tip: Go on a weeknight for quicker entry.
Winter at Whitewater
Whitewater Center | Times vary | Prices Vary | Details
Why you should go: Winter at Whitewater is now open for the season with activities such as ice skating, pond hockey, winter races and a Christmas trees lot. Check details for times and pricing for each activity.
Ice Skating at Camp North Pole
Camp North End | 12-10pm through Jan. 7 | $10-$15 | Details
Why you should go: Camp North End’s new ice skating rink will run through the winter. Hours vary depending on the day, so double-check before you visit.
Go deeper: Holiday guide: 26 festive things to do in Charlotte this winter
Tuesday, December 5
Mad Miles Run Club
YVY Training (Camp North End) | 6:30pm | Free | Details
Why you should go: Mad Miles is open to people of all ages and paces. The free club meets every Tuesday, regardless of the weather. There’s no registration required; just show up ready to move and groove (every run turns into a dance party afterward).
Go deeper: I hate running but I’ll exercise with Mad Miles Run Club
Open Mic Night
The Evening Muse | 7:30pm | $5 | Details
Why you should go: It’s an open mic night open to everyone from seasoned performers to first-timers. Signups start at 7pm.
Yule Log Cake Class
Chef Alyssa’s Kitchen | 6pm | $75 | Details
Why you should go: Learn to make your own a vanilla swiss roll cake in this class led by Pastry chef Brittany Nolen. Spots are limited.
Wednesday, December 6
Taste of NC at The Mint
Mint Museum Randolph | 6-8pm | $50 | Details
Why you should go: It’s a showcasing of wineries and cuisine of the Piedmont Culinary Guild, hosted by the NC Wine Growers Association.
Whiskey Cocktail Tasting at DTR
Dilworth Tasting Room | 6:30-8:30pm | $75 | Details
Why you should go: Sip three whiskey cocktails (DTR Old Fashioned, Whiskey Sour and Hot Toddy) and snack on flatbreads while you learn the history of each.
Winter Wines Tasting
Summit Coffee NoDa | 6:30-8pm | $45 | Details
Why you should go: Spend the evening sipping wines from Maggio Family Vineyards with some light bites included. You can sign up in-store, through Instagram DM or by emailing [email protected].
Basket Weaving Workshop
Monday Night Brewing | 6pm | $40 | Details
Why you should go: It’s a basket weaving class that’s part of the Crafty and Crafted in the Garden Winter Workshop Series, a collaboration with Monday Night Brewing and nonprofit AlxRox. The series will feature creative workshops every Wednesday night leading up to Christmas. Plus, each ticket includes a beer of your choice.
Thursday, December 7
Personal Styling with Fashivly and Madewell
Madewell (Atherton Mill) | 6-8pm | Free | Details
Why you should go: Personal styling company, Fashivly, is hosting its first in-person shopping event with Madewell in Atherton Mill. Expect wine, snacks and styling assistance from the Fashivly team.
Clara’s Trip: A Cirque and Dance Nutcracker Story
Booth Playhouse | 7:30pm | $30+ | Details
Why you should go: Enjoy a contemporary twist on a holiday classic — Clara’s Trip runs through Dec. 10 at Booth Playhouse. You can find additional show times and snag your ticket online.
Pups, Paints, & Pints: Present Edition
Skiptown | 6-8pm | $50 | Details
Why you should go: Sip spiked hot cocoa and paint a pet portrait for the dog lover in your life. There are limited spots available, and registration is required.
Gingerbread House Competition
Urban District Market | 6-9pm | $20 | Details
Why you should go: Get a team together, register for $20 and get ready to compete. All supplies are provided. First place wins a $400 gift card to UDM.
Fourth Ward Holiday Sip and Stroll
Historic Fourth Ward | 5-9pm | $30-60 | Details
Why you should go: Stroll through Historic Fourth Ward decorated for the holidays with a self-guided, porch-crawl-style tour. Expect food and cocktail tastings, seasonal live music, and Ride Charlotte golf cart rides (first-come, first-served). The tour will run 5-9pm Friday and Saturday.
Vintage Charlotte Pop-Up
201 Camp Road (Camp North End) | 10am-7pm | Free | Details
Why you should go: Knock out your holiday shopping with handmade and vintage retail from 90+ local and regional creatives. The pop-up is now open daily from 10am-7pm through Dec. 23.
Light the Knights Festival
Truist Field | 5-1opm; Through Jan. 1 | $10-$40 | Details
Why you should go: Expect ice skating, snow tubing, shopping and holiday treats at the ballpark. It’s open 5-10pm on Thursday, but hours vary depending on the day — double check the schedule before you go.
Friday, December 8
McAdenville’s Christmas Town USA
Downtown McAdenville | 5:30-10pm through Dec. 26 | Free | Details
Why you should go: Visitors can drive or walk along the 1.3-mile route and peruse the town’s local vendors and restaurants while taking in the dazzling displays and twinkling lights.
Go deeper: You can now grab a cocktail after exploring Christmas Town USA
Black-Owned Marketplace
Atherton Mill | 1-5pm | Free | Details
Why you should go: Atherton Mill will turn into a Black-owned pop-up market all weekend long. Expect products from more than thirty local Black-owned businesses, like skincare, art, clothing, jewelry, specialty items and more. It’s open from 1-5pm Friday, 11am-6pm Saturday and 11am-5pm Sunday.
OMB’s Christmas Market (Weekend Three)
Olde Mecklenburg Brewery | 12-9pm | Free | Details
Why you should go: Enjoy holiday shopping from over 140 vendors with a variety of food and holiday drinks like hot cocoa, Glühwein and Yule Bock holiday beer. The market will run every weekend through Dec. 17.
Charlotte Hornets vs. Toronto Raptors
Spectrum Center | 7pm | $16+ | Details
Why you should go: The Hornets will take on the Raptors at home. Tickets are available on Ticketmaster starting at $16.
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.