Weekender: 38 things to do in Charlotte this weekend, including an arts festival
Add Axios as your preferred source to
see more of our stories on Google.
Festival in the Park returns to Freedom Park Sept. 19–21. Photo: Alexis Clinton/Axios
We're enjoying this weather this weekend with outdoor events like the return of Festival in the Park, outdoor movies and a list of pop-up markets.
Friday, Sept. 19
🌳 Attend the 61st annual Festival in the Park in Freedom Park for local artists, vendors and live music. | Free | Runs through Sunday | Details
🎊 Explore the Charlotte International Arts Festival with over 200 events running all month long. | Free and ticketed | Times vary | Details
🛍️ Shop for vintage finds at Thrift Pony's night market in Camp North End's Boileryard. | Free | 6–9pm | Details
🧪 Visit Discovery Place Science after dark in a kids-free zone for hands-on labs with Science on the Rocks. | $22 | 6–10pm | Details
🏓 See Major League Table Tennis at the Charlotte Convention Center. | Prices vary | Runs through Sunday | Details
🎭 Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month by watching the musical "In the Heights" at the Carolina Theatre. | $10+ | 7pm | Details
⚾️ Take the family to see the Charlotte Knights play against the Durham Bulls at Truist Field. | $22+ | 7:04pm | Details
🎤 See Parker McCollum live at Skyla Credit Union Amphitheatre. | $75+ | 7:30pm | Details
🧠 Test your knowledge of 2010s music with trivia at The Suffolk Punch for a chance to win a prize. | Free | 7–9pm | Details
🪩 Pull up to a retro party at Blinders Sports Lounge with '90's–'00s music and themed cocktails. | $0–$5 | 9pm | Details
🎥 Catch an outdoor screening of "Migration" at Urban District Market. | Free | 7:30–9:30pm | Details
Saturday, Sept. 20
🇲🇽 Celebrate the 35th annual Latin American Festival CLT (part of CIAF) at Ballantyne's Backyard. | $5+ | 12pm | Details
🏎️ See NHRA 4-Wide Carolina Nationals at Charlotte Motor Speedway. | Prices vary | 9am | Details
🎤 Listen to Judas Priest and Alice Cooper live at PNC Music Pavilion | $25+ | 6:45pm | Details
⚽️ Watch Crown Legacy FC play against Atlanta United 2 at Sportsplex at Matthews. | $13.25 | 7pm | Details
🎊 Spend the day at the "A Vibe Called Fresh" festival with vendors, food and performances at West Complex. | Free | 1–7pm | Details
🎶 Vibe to live music at Triple C Brewing Company and sip on beers. | Free | 4–7pm | Details
🍿 Watch an outdoor screening of "Shrek" at Wilmore Centennial Park. | Free | 7–10pm | Details
🛍️ Shop from an artisan market at Hinds' Feet Farm in Huntersville, and expect food trucks and local vendors.| Free | 10:30am–4:30pm | Details
🎊 Check out a cosplay cookout at Urban District Market with vendors, food, live music, a gaming tournament and photo booths. | Free | 2–8pm | Details
🧘♀️ Check out the Flow Fest at Whitewater Center for yoga practice, wellness, workshops, vendors and live music. | Prices vary | Times vary | Details
🛍️ Head to the River District to shop from local vendors, tour model homes, build your own bouquet and more. | Free | 10am | Details
🍷 Sample 15 sauvignon blancs and other white wines at Dilworth Tasting Room. | $30 | 1pm | Details
🦋 Celebrate the monarch butterfly at Reedy Creek Nature Center with crafts, activities, giveaways, a photo booth, a raffle and native garden plantings. | Free | 10am–1pm | Details
🧐 Stop by GWR NoDa with friends for Vanderpump trivia and cocktails. | Free | 7–10pm | Details
🛍️ Scoop up some items from the NoDahood Market that spans across the parking lots of Divine Barrel Brewing and Crown Station and more, and stick around for food trucks and the tattoo pop-up. | Free | 12pm | Details
👑 Hop on a drag queen funny bus tour around Charlotte for entertainment, local history and comedy. | $50 | 3pm | Details
🧗 Compete in a boulder competition at Whitewater Center. | $40–$45 | 8am–12:30pm | Details
🧘 Unwind through yoga with Habitual Roots at Urban District Market. | $5–$15 | 10:30–11:30am | Details
🐶 Take your pup to Happy Camper's dog park in NoDa for a free joint and connect with other pet owners. | Free | 12–2pm | Details
Sunday, Sept. 21
🏈 Cheer on the Carolina Panthers against the Atlanta Falcons at Bank of America Stadium. | $58+ | 1pm | Details
📚 Pull up a chair for a silent book club at That's Novel Books. | Free | 9:30–11am | Details
🍳 Eat a Bojangles pop-up brunch at Merchant & Trade in Uptown. | Prices vary | 10am–11pm | Details
👰♀️ Connect with Charlotte's top wedding vendors at Lenny Boy Brewing. | Free | 1pm | Details
🛍️ Shop from local vendors at pop-up market and grab dinner afterward at Urban District Market. | Free | 12–5pm | Details
🧺 Get dressed for a picnic-themed party at Independence Park with music. | Free | 4–9pm | Details
🐝 Enjoy a Beyoncé-themed brunch at Babe Cave, featuring a DJ. | Prices vary | 1–5pm | Details
🍳 Meet up with friends for a gospel and grits brunch at 3rd & Fernwood. | $22.99+ | 11am | 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.