Weekender: 36 things to do in Charlotte this weekend, including Kendrick Lamar and Lovin' Life
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Lovin' Life Music Festival return to Uptown's First Ward Park May 2–4. Save your appetite to grab a bite from their local food vendor section. Photo: Alexis Clinton/Axios
This month's events begin with music, from the return of Lovin' Life to Kendrick Lamar and SZA, so brace yourself for large crowds if you're heading into Uptown this Cinco de Mayo weekend.
Friday, May 2
🎨 Dress like you're attending the Met Gala for "Superfine at the Gantt: Exploring Black Dandyism" at the Harvey B. Gantt Center and stick around for a fashion show, exhibits, a rooftop party, drinks and light bites. | $30 | 7–11pm | Details
🎶 Attend Lovin' Life's three-day music festival in First Ward Park with headliners like Gwen Stefani and Pitbull. | $129–$319 | Runs through Sunday | Details
🥃 Enjoy a selection of tequilas paired with a Cinco de May Day-inspired tasting menu at The Ballantyne. | $95 | 6:30–8:30pm | Details
🥊 Watch the fight between professional boxers Ryan Garcia and Canelo Alvarez at Azul Tacos and Beer and enjoy drink specials. | Free | 11am | Details
🍻 Celebrate Cinco de Mayo at Sycamore Taproom with live music and a Mexican lager, plus food and drink specials. | Free | 12pm | Details
🍹 Sip on tequila-forward cocktails at State of Confusion's Legend of Don Gato Cinco de Mayo Party. | Free | 5pm | Details
⚾️ Catch a baseball game between the Charlotte Knights and Norfolk Tides at Truist Field over a beer with a friend. | $34 | 7:04pm | Details
🖼️ Stroll through an outdoor art gallery in South End. | Free | 6pm | Details
🎵 See Cody Johnson and Ashley McBryde in concert at PNC Music Pavilion.| $149+ | 7pm | Details
🤣 See comedian John Crist at Ovens Auditorium. | $28+ | 7pm | Details
🩰 Watch a ballet performance at Knight Theater accompanied by the Charlotte Symphony Orchestra. | Runs through May 11 | Details
Saturday, May 3
🎤 Vibe to Kendrick Lamar and SZA as they make their tour stop at Bank of America Stadium. | $154 | 7pm | Details
🍹 Drink at various venues in Uptown in a Cinco de Mayo Bar Crawl. | $32 | 3–10pm | Details
🛍️ Shop from 20+ local vendors at The Bowl at Ballantyne selling everything from permanent jewelry to local art, and stick around for afternoon activities. | Free | 10am–3pm | Details
🥖 Learn how to shape, fold and stretch sourdough at Sweet Spot Studio. | $90 | 10:30am | Details
🤣 Laugh the night away with improv comedians at Charlotte Comedy Theater and stick around for evening shows. | $15 | 4pm | Details
🐈 Get a workout in with adoptable cats at Vaulted Oak Brewing. | $20 | 11am | Details
🏓 Learn pickleball tips and tricks at Rally Pickleball; your ticket includes a drink. | $5 | 3–4pm | Details
🇲🇽 Take the family to a Cinco de Mayo celebration at Camp North End with Mexican food, music, dancing and vendors. | Free | 3–10pm | Details
🧸 Take the kiddos to see Disney's Winnie The Pooh Kids at The Carolina. | $16+ | 1pm | Details
🎉 Vibe to a Kendrick Lamar day party with DJs at Resident Culture Brewing ahead of the concert. | Free | 11am–2am | Details
🥂 Hop around to different South End bars offering drink specials for a Cinco de Mayo bar crawl. | $15+ | 4–11pm | Details
🏊 Take on a triathlon with a 1K open water swim in the Catawba River, a 23K mountain bike leg and a 6.5K trail run through the Whitewater Center's trail system. | $65–$85 | 6am–12pm | Details
🎻 Watch a two-hour film montage of iconic scenes from over 220 "Naruto" anime episodes that are synchronized to a live orchestra performing Toshio Masuda's original score. | $45 | 8pm | Details
🎤 Listen to jazz artist Jarrod Lawson live at Middle C Jazz. | $57–70 | Times vary | Details
🌷 Explore six private gardens in a self-guided tour that includes artists and vendors. | Runs through Sunday | $39 | 10am–4pm | Details
🌮 Enjoy tacos and tequila specials during a day party on Imperial's rooftop for Cinco de Mayo and keep the festive vibes going into Sunday at Pinhouse. | $15+ | 12pm | Details
Sunday, May 4
🎶 Listen to live blues at Heist Brewery and Barrel Arts. | $0–$10 | 6pm | Details
🧠 Test your knowledge on Latino culture and Black culture at Queen City Grounds over brunch for a chance to win a prize. | Free | 1–3:30pm | Details
🍽️ Eat a four-course Greek-inspired Sunday supper at L'Ostrica. | $75 | 5:30pm | Details
🏃♂️ Run with Mad Miles at Camp North End as they celebrate their fifth anniversary, and look out for a weeklong list of activities to follow. | Free | 7am–1pm | Details
🧘 Unwind to yoga with Thrift Pony at the Boileryard in Camp North End. | $5 | 10–11am | Details
🎵 Vibe to Trap Bingo at The Fillmore. | $43+ | 2pm | Details
🍿 Watch "Star Wars: The Force Awakens" and enjoy cocktails and live music at Resident Culture Brewing. | Free | 7–9pm | Details
🧘♀️ Begin the day with yoga and follow it up with a catered brunch at Whitewater Center. | $50 | 9:15am | Details
🎥 Dress in your "Star Wars" costume to see "Star Wars: A New Hope" at the Carolina Theatre. | $17–$24 | 2pm | 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.