Weekender: 31 things to do in Charlotte this weekend including live music and markets
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OMB's Christmas Market runs weekends through Dec. 21. Photo: Andy Weber/Axios
This weekend offers plenty of opportunities to find holiday gifts at pop-up markets.
Friday, December 12
🩰 Check out Clara's Trip: A Cirque & Dance Nutcracker Story at Booth Playhouse. | $46.58+ | Runs through Sunday | Details
❄️ Take the family to Light the Knights Festival for holiday lights, ice-skating and snow-tubing at Truist Field. | $14–$44 | Runs through Jan. 4 | Details
🌟 Admire the thousands of lights at the Carolina Holiday Light Spectacular in Ballantyne's Backyard. | $18–$24 | Runs through Dec. 30 | Details
💂♀️ Watch the Charlotte Ballet's "Nutcracker" at Belk Theater. | $35+ | Runs through Dec. 21 | Details
🎶 Vibe to contemporary jazz music from Peter White, Mindi Abair and Vincent Ingala at Middle C Jazz. | $69.65-$85.65 | 8:45pm | Details
🎤 Enjoy the Chatham County Line holiday tour performance at Neighborhood Theatre. | $36+ | 8pm | Details
🏀 Cheer on the Charlotte Hornet as they take on the Chicago Bulls. | $25+ | 7pm | Details
🎁 Check out the holiday market at Seoul Food Meat Co. in South End to find presents from vendors. | Free | 5-9pm | Details
🧠 Test your knowledge with trivia of The Office at The Suffolk Punch. | Free | 7-9pm | Details
Saturday, December 13
🎶 See the Trans-Siberian Orchestra live in concert at Spectrum Center | Prices vary | Shows at 2:30 and 7:30pm | Details
🛍️ Check out Mistletoe Market at Camp North End with your pup for their Reindog Parade and stick around for ice-skating. | Free | 2–7pm | Dec. 13 and 20 | Details
🤶 Go to Carowinds' WinterFest for dazzling light shows, igloos and activities like cookie decorating. | $33+ | Runs through Jan. 3 | Details
🖼️ Collect $100+ artworks by regional artists at the Hunnid Dollar Art Fair inside the Ford Building at Camp North End. | $2 | 3–6pm | Details
🛍️ Check out the Olde Mecklenburg Brewery's annual Christmas Market. | Free | Weekends through Dec. 21 | Details
🍳 Take the kids to enjoy breakfast with Santa at The Asbury in Uptown. | $30-$45 | Runs through Sunday 9-11am | Details
🍻 Slip on your ugly Christmas sweater to go on a holiday bar crawl to Uptown spots for drink specials. | $20+ | 2-9pm | Details
🎄Enjoy a holiday scavenger hunt, crafts and games at Whitewater Center's Wildwoods. | Price varies | 11am-2pm | Details
🏠 Immerse yourself in cheer by touring the Stowe Manor Christmas Open House. | $29.43+ | 10am-6pm | Details
🎄 Celebrate the holidays at Duke Mansion for themed drinks, Santa, hot chocolate and treats. | $44.52+ | 8am-3pm | Details
👑 Head over to Foundation For the Carolinas for the Fifth Annual Queen Charlotte's Ball. Proceeds benefit St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. | $81.88+ | 7:30-10:30pm | Details
🪘 Learn the history of jembe drumming and dance at Harvey B Gantt Center. | $13.42 | 12-2pm | Details
🪩 Dress up to attend the Mad Miles Scholarship Ball at Harvey B Gantt Center for a night of hors d'oeuvres and music. | $95+ | 7-11pm | Details
💘 Find your love match at a Not Just Coffee speed dating session for ages 40-55. | $30.48 | 7-9pm | Details
🐶 Celebrate the holidays with your pups at Skiptown with a market, and snap photos with Santa. | Free for members | 12-6pm | Details
Sunday, December 14
⛸️ Go ice-skating at the Whitewater Center. | $25 | Runs through mid-February | Details
🎷 Listen to saxophonist Adrian Crutchfield's live at Middle C Jazz. | $49.65-$60.65 | Times vary | Details
🍿 Watch "Catch A Muppet Christmas Carol" and "The Nightmare Before Christmas" back-to-back at Carolina Theatre. | $16+ | 2pm | Details
🎨 Join a holiday watercolor class at Summit Coffee on the Plaza and enjoy items from their seasonal menu. | $30 | 3-5pm | Details
👑 Take the kiddos to a princess brunch at Urban District Market. | $36.30 | 10am-12pm | Details
👖 Bring some denim to Innovation Barn and customize it to a DJ set. | $9.98 | 2:30-5pm | Details
🎁 Donate toys at Triple C Brewing Company to support Ronald McDonald House Charities of Greater Charlotte and stick around for Santa, a face painter and ornament crafting. | Free | 12-5pm | 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.