Weekender: 29 things to do in Charlotte this weekend including food and drink festivals
Add Axios as your preferred source to
see more of our stories on Google.
The annual Fall Beer Festival will be at Montford's parking lot. Expect a tasting of 20+ local and regional beers, food trucks, local vendors, live music, raffles and games. Photo: Alexis Clinton/Axios
This weekend is packed with tons of activities to check out in and around Charlotte, including some centered on beer, art, wine and food.
Friday, September 20
🖼️ Surround yourself with local art at Festival In The Park at Freedom Park. Expect more than 150 artists. There'll be live music, food and drink vendors. | Free | Runs through Sunday | Details
🇩🇪 Enjoy German cuisine and live music at Olde Mecklenburg Brewery's Mecktoberfest plus test your strength in stein-holding contests. | Free | 11am-11pm | Details
🇨🇺 Head to El Puro to experience a Cuban Carnaval with live music. | Free | 7pm | Details
🍷 Swing by Frenchy's Sip and Shop for a classic Munich experience — including regional drinks on tap to celebrate Oktoberfest. | Free | 5pm | Details
🤣 Laugh at improv jokes from comedians as they battle it out at Charlotte Comedy Theater. | $15 | 7:30pm | Details
🎊 Explore art installations, live performances and cultural celebrations in Uptown and Ballantyne's Backyard. | Free | Runs through Sept. 29 | Details
🎶 Vibe to Cody Johnson live at PNC Pavilion. | $79+ | 7pm | Details
🏎️ Watch a dragster race for NHRA Carolina Nationals at Charlotte Motor Speedway. | $10+ | 9:30am | Details
🎤 See DaBaby perform live at Tattooz & Booz. | $0-$50 | 10pm-2am | Details
Saturday, September 21
🍷 Taste 100+ wines from 25+ wineries, craft beers, ciders and cocktails at The Shoppes at University Place. | $35 | 3pm | Details
🧏 Gain awareness of the local deaf and hard-of-hearing community at SIGN Fest in Gastonia. | $0-$30 | 12pm | Details
🍻 Taste 20+ local and regional beers and the annual Charlotte Beer Festival at Montford Parking lot. There will also be food trucks, local vendors, live music, raffles and games. | $20-$60 | 1pm | Details
✨ Meet and greet with Maribel from Encanto at Resident Culture Plaza Midwood. There will also be a DJ, vendors, tattoos and dancing. | Free | 12pm | Details
💘 Meet other singles at Rally for a social with pickleball and cocktails. | $30 | 5pm | Details
🎨 Take the family to Bechtler Museum for the opening of "Clare Rojas: Past the Present", activities, live music and art. | Free | 10am-5pm | Details
😂 Experience humor through music and storytelling at Charlotte Comedy Theater. | $15 | 8pm | Details
😆 Participate in a truth-or-dare comedy session at Birdsong Brewing. | Donations encouraged | 7pm | Details
⚽️ Cheer on Charlotte FC as they take on New England Revolution and stick around for the Hispanic Heritage Celebration with kids post-match, featuring a bucket hat giveaway. | $39+ | 4pm | Details
🐶 Adopt a dog from CMPD Animal Care & Control at Vaulted Oak Brewing with a photo booth, grooming service and beer. | Free | 12pm | Details
🎶 Spend the day at the Whitewater Center and stick around to vibe to live music from the River Jam series. | Free. $12 for parking | 6:30-9:30pm | Details
🎉 Vibe to a huge outdoor festival with the Charlotte Symphony Orchestra, food, vendors, a pop-up skate rink, live music and more. | Free | 2-8pm | Details
🍚 Eat your way through various rice dishes plus enjoy music and cultural performances at the Jollof Festival at Johnson C. Smith University. | $10-$90 | 1-6pm | Details
🛍️ Shop from local vendors at Charlotte Vintage Market at Optimist Hall. | Free | 11am-8pm | Details
🇭🇹 Immerse yourself in cultural food, music and vendors, games and activities at the annual Carolina Haitian Food Festival. | $0-$25 | 3-8pm | Details
🎊 Party to music from a live DJ at Route 29 Pavilion in Concord. | $30+ | 2-10pm | Details
Sunday, September 22
🎵 Watch School of Rock as a musical at Children's Theatre of Charlotte | $29-$41 | Times vary | Details
🦎 View a large Reptile and Plant show at The Park Expo & Conference Center. | $5-$50 | 10am-5pm | Details
🥂 Check out a day party and brunch at Eden in Plaza Midwood. | $0-$50 | 12-7pm | Details
🛼 Dress in denim to go rollerskating at Kate's Skating Rink in Indian Trail with free pizza. | $25-$30 | 6-9pm | 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.