Weekender: 27 things to do in Charlotte this MLK Day weekend
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There are plenty of events to keep you busy during this long weekend, from community service opportunities and a parade in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. to a Lunar New Year celebration.
Friday, January 17
🎶 Get your groove on by dancing to beats from a DJ with both non-alcoholic and alcoholic drinks at Wooden Robot Brewery South End. | Free | 7pm | Details
🍄 Compete in a Mario Kart tournament at The Chamber by Wooden Robot for prize money. | Free | 7pm | Details
🎺 Listen to award-winning musician Chief Adjuah, who is pioneering a new subgenre of jazz called stretch music at Booth Playhouse. | $28-$35 | 6pm | Details
🎤 Vibe to a Taylor Swift-themed live music session at Vaulted Oak Brewing and stick around for romance reads from Trope Bookshop and food from Union Barbecue. | Free | 7pm | Details
🍽️ Eat from one of 100+ local restaurants offering pre-fixe meals for Queens Feast. | Prices vary | Runs through Jan. 26 | Details
🧪 Explore Discovery Place Science in a kids-free environment with Science on the Rocks. | $18-$22 | 6-10pm | Details
🎪 Take the family to see the Ringling Bros's circus at Spectrum Center. | $32.95+ | Runs through Jan. 19 | Details
❄️ Plan a weekend getaway to Beech Mountain for Charlotte's Skate Club's retreat weekend. Expect DJ performances, drinks and a day on the slopes. | Prices vary | Runs through Jan. 19 | Details
🤔 Test your 2000's pop culture knowledge with trivia at The Suffolk Punch. | Free | 7-9pm | Details
🤣 Laugh the night away at jokes from comedian Kevin Hart at Ovens Auditorium. | $176.25+ | 7:30pm | Details
🍶 Enjoy a sake and nigiri tasting at Urban District Market. | $47.75 | 6-8pm | Details
Saturday, January 18
🪄 Mindless Minutia is hosting a "Wizarding Winter Carnival" at HopFly featuring games, a vendor village, prizes, food and themed drinks. | $33.85 | 2-8pm | Details
🐶 Meet your new furry friend at Triple C Brewing's adoption event and celebrate with a brew. | Free | 12-3pm | Details
🔪 Get to the bottom of a case during a murder mystery dinner at The Dunhill in Uptown. | $300 per couple | 6pm | Details
🤩 Watch floats and people march along Tryon Street from Ninth Street to Brooklyn Village Avenue for MLK Day. | Free | 9am | Details
🏒 Cheer on the Charlotte Checkers as they take on the Hartford Wolf Pack at Bojangles Coliseum. | $32.45+ | 4pm | Details
🏃 Run in Whitewater Center's Rock Road marathon, 10K or 5K. | $37-$60 | 7:30am-12pm | Details
🍾 Pull up to a Kevin Hart afterparty at STATS Restaurant & Bar. | $0-$429 | 9pm-2am | Details
Sunday, January 19
🛍️ Shop from $1 goods at Thrift Pony in Cam North End. | $1 | 10am-5pm | Details
🧘 Slow down with a guided meditation and sound bath at YVY Training. | $10 | 10-11am | Details
📚 Bring your novel to a silent book club at Camp North End. | Free | 9:30-11am | Details
🧧 Celebrate the Lunar New Year at Park Expo's Liberty Hall with cultural performances, art, origami, face paintings, live music, lantern village and more. | $0-$15| 10am-4pm | Details
Monday, January 20
🏀 Cheer on the Charlotte Hornets against the Dallas Mavericks at Spectrum Center.| $32+ | 12pm | Details
🧠 Test your knowledge of Black history and culture at Queen City Grounds. | Free | 7-10pm | Details
🙌 Spend the day at the Harvey B. Gantt Center for performances, art activities, live music, discussions and kids activities to honor Martin Luther King Jr. Day. | Free | 9am-5pm | Details
🧹 Participate in community service by cleaning up multiple streets like Beatties Ford Road and Freedom Drive. | Free | 10am-12pm | Details
👊 Take a self-defense class at Vaulted Oak Brewing and follow it up with a 12oz drink to toast to your new skills. | $5 | 7pm | 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.