Weekender: 33 things to do in Charlotte this weekend, including festivals and markets
Add Axios as your preferred source to
see more of our stories on Google.
The South End Wine & Hops Fest returns Saturday, Oct. 18. Photo: McKenzie Rankin/Axios
It's okay if your fall weekend plans don't include the N.C. State Fair or Carolina BalloonFest — Charlotte's got its own lineup of fall events worth checking out.
Friday, Oct. 17
🍻 Taste beers in a NoDa or Plaza Midwood brewery crawl for Charlotte Craft Beer Week. | Prices vary | Runs through Oct. 26 | Details
🏒 Cheer on the Charlotte Checkers against the Iowa Wild at Bojangles Coliseum in the home opener. | $32+| 7pm | Details
🎭 Watch "Wicked" as a family at Belk Theater. | $46+| Runs through Oct. 26 | Details
😱 Face your fears at SCarowinds as you walk through the theme park to see more than 500 monsters, ghosts and goblins roaming, plus haunted attractions and shows. | $50+ | Runs through Nov. 2 | Details
🥅 Charlotte Independence vs. Chattanooga Red Wolves SC at American Legion Memorial Stadium. | $13–$66 | 7pm | Details
🤘 Rock out to Seether & Daughtry in concert at Skyla Credit Union Amphitheatre. | $49+ | 6:30pm | Details
🎸 See Eric Johnson live at Carolina Theatre. | $45+ | 8pm | Details
💘 Connect with singles ages 31–45 to meet your match in a curated night involving appetizers at Fin & Fino and a Mint Museum visit, and follow it up with food trucks. | $41 | 6:30–8:30pm | Details
🍿 Watch a screening of "Happy Gilmore 2" at Triple C Brewing Company. | Free | 6pm | Details
🧑🍳 Learn how to make spiderweb-themed French macarons in a hands-on cooking class at Sweet Spot Studio. | $75 | 6:30pm | Details
🎸 Rock out to music from The Cult at Ovens Auditorium. | $58+ | 8pm | Details
Saturday, Oct. 18
⚽️ Cheer on the Charlotte FC as they take on the Philadelphia Union in the regular-season finale. | $46+ | 6pm | Details
🏰 Take the family to the 32nd Annual Carolina Renaissance Festival in Huntersville (16445 Poplar Tent Road). | Prices vary | Runs through Nov. 23 Saturdays & Sundays 9:30am–5:30pm | Details
🛍️ Shop from VTGCLT's fall market at the Ford Building at Camp North End. | $3–$8 | 10am–5pm | Details
🍷 Taste wines, beers and cocktails at the South End Wine & Hops Festival at Lenny Boy Brewing. | $35–$550 | 1–6pm | Details
🎤 See Noah Reid live in concert at the Carolina Theatre. | $50+ | 8pm | Details
🥂 Enjoy an afternoon tasting at DTR Dilworth with bourbon, sparkling cocktails and small bites.| $125+ | 2pm | Details
🎊 Attend the Build Strong festival with bounce houses, a cornhole tournament, music, food and drinks at Symphony Park. Proceeds benefit Autism Strong Foundation. | $0–$35 | 1pm | Details
🖼️ View the Bechtler Museum's new fall exhibition, which explores the impact of industrialization on art. | Prices vary | Runs through Feb. 2 | Details
💪 Enjoy a full-body sculpting workout class with Latin beats on the YMCA front lawn and enjoy a 10%-off coffee and after-party at Caffetone. | $13 | 11am | Details
🍰 Learn how to decorate a body-part-inspired cake at Sweet Spot Studio's 18+ BYOB class. | $90 | 4pm | Details
✈️ Test your paper folding skills at a paper airplane competition in honor of Charlotte Craft Beer Week at Southern Strain Plaza Midwood. | Free | 5pm | Details
Sunday, Oct. 19
🎤 Billie Eilish's "Hit Me Hard and Soft" tour stop at Spectrum Center is sold out, but resale tickets may be available. | Prices vary | 7pm | Details
🚴 Pedal through Uptown, South End and Historic West End at Biketoberfest and stick around for an after-party at Triple C Brewing Co. | Free | 12pm | Details
🧘 Start your day with yoga, brunch and a mimosa at Whitewater Center. | $50 | 9:15am | Details
🛍️ Shop from a market with local women-owned businesses, mocktails and photo-ops and more at Pine. | $13 | 11am–4pm | Details
💀 See the 1932 Boris Karloff classic "The Mummy" at the Carolina Theatre. | $10+ | 2pm | Details
🍽️ Check out Mac's Speed Shop's The Pig Pickin' BBQ festival with pit masters serving up the whole hog, briskets, oysters and smoked wings, and stick around for a DJ and watch party. | $25 | 12–4pm | Details
🤣 Laugh the night away at a comedy show at Get Some Game. | $10–$15 | 6–9pm | Details
🛍️ Grab your friends and shop from 15+ local vintage clothing vendors at Armored Cow Brewing and stick around for a beer and burrito. | Free | 12pm | Details
🕯️Create a custom-scented candle at The Market at 7th Street to take home. | $42 | 4pm | Details
🎈Drive to Statesville to watch hot air balloons take to the sky at Carolina Balloonfest. | Prices vary | Runs through Sunday | Details
🎡 Drive to Raleigh with the family to experience all the rides and food at the N.C. State Fair. | $0–$13 | Runs through Oct. 26 | 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.