Weekender: 34 things to do in Charlotte this weekend including holiday shows and markets
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This is the final Saturday to visit Mistletoe Market at Camp North End. Photo: Courtesy Camp North End
It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas, especially in Charlotte this weekend with so many holiday events and markets for last-minute gift shopping.
Friday, December 19
❄️ 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 Charlotte Ballet's "The Nutcracker" at Belk Theater. | $35+ | Runs through Dec. 21 | Details
🎶 Enjoy live music at Vaulted Oak Brewing and grab dinner from food truck Chutney Cat. | Free | 5:30pm | Details
🎤 See Futurebirds live in concert at Neighborhood Theatre. | $46+ | 8pm | Details
👑 See drag queen Alyssa Edwards perform a live holiday show at The Filmore. | $60+ | 8pm | Details
🤩 Check out holiday lights on a Rydable tour in Uptown starting at Victoria Yards. | $79 | 5:30-6:30pm | Details
🧠 Test your knowledge of Disney movie trivia at The Suffolk Punch for a chance to win a prize. | Free | 7-9pm | Details
🩰 Watch aerialists perform above the Charlotte Orchestra as they play holiday music at Knight Theater. | Prices vary | Runs through Sunday | Details
🤵♂️ Attend a Christmas dance formal at Pleasant Grove Farm. | $20.28 | 7-11:59pm | Details
🥃 Have a Maker's Mark tasting paired with lunch at The Crunkleton. | $116.42 | 12-2pm | Details
🎥 Meet other content creators and filmmakers telling women's stories at Harvey B. Gantt Center. | $12.51 | 7-9:30pm | Details
Saturday, December 20
🛍️ Check out Mistletoe Market at Camp North End with your pup for their Reindog Parade and stick around for ice-skating. | Free | 2–7pm| 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 | 12-9pm | Details
😂 Enjoy a night of laughter at Charlotte Comedy Theater. | $15 | 8pm | Details
🎅 Have brunch with Santa at The Asbury in Uptown. | $30-$45 | 9-11am | Details
🐶 Celebrate the Howlidays with your pup at Skiptown with Santa and Grinch photo opportunities with treats and more. | Prices vary | 12-6pm | Details
🐈 Enjoy a winter painting class with cats at Whiskerville Kitty Cat Cafe. | $40 | 1:30-4pm | Details
💘 Find your love match in a speed dating session (ages 25-40) at Legion Brewing Plaza Midwood. | $28.21 | 7-9pm | Details
🥂 Enjoy a mimosa and mistletoe drag brunch at Catalú. | $24.86 | 11am-2pm | Details
🎄 Slip on your ugly Christmas sweater and go on a holiday-themed bar crawl around South End and Uptown. | $20.26 | 4pm | Details
🍳 Watch a holiday cabaret show and brunch at The Suffolk Punch. | $19.14 | 12-2:30pm | Details
👖 Shop for some vintage clothing items at Charlotte Vintage Market's pop-up at Lenny Boy Brewing. | Free | 1-6pm | Details
Sunday, December 21
⛸️ Go ice-skating at the Whitewater Center. | $25 | Runs through mid-February | Details
🍸 Raise your spirits at one of Charlotte's holiday pop-up bars. | Prices vary | Times vary | Details
🤣 Enjoy a night of D&D comedy at Get Some Game. | Donation based | 7-10pm | Details
🍃 Check out the grand opening of dispensary FLYT for free pre-rolls with purchase, food trucks and games. | Free | 10am | Details
🏈 Cheer on Carolina Panthers as they take on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Bank of America Stadium. | $80+ | 1pm | Details
🏒 Watch Charlotte Checkers play Springfield Thunderbirds at Bojangles Coliseum. | $30+ | 4pm | Details
📚 Pull up with a book to That's Novel Books' silent book club brunch in Camp North End. | Free | 9:30-11am | Details
🎨 Take the kids to create a Nutcracker-themed watercolor at Summit Coffee on the Plaza. | $25 | 3-4pm | Details
🎅 Pull up to DUPP& SWAT for a pop-up shop with vendors, live DJ, performances and a visit from Santa. | $0-$44.52 | 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.