Weekender: 30 things to do in Charlotte this MLK weekend

Friday, Jan. 16

🎤 See singer Jason Isbell live at Ovens Auditorium. | $105+ | 8pm | Details

🎶 Vibe to indie pop from Del Water Gap at The Fillmore. | $45 | 8pm | Details

🥊 Watch Ground Zero Professional Wrestlers square off at Triple C Brewing. | $10 | 6pm | Details

🧠 Test your knowledge of 2000s trivia at The Suffolk Punch for a chance to win a cash prize. | Free | 7–9pm | Details

🎵 Enjoy a musical tribute to the Isley Brothers at Middle C Jazz. | $37–$51 | Times vary | Details

🤣 Hear jokes from comedian Don D.C. Curry at The Comedy Zone. | $70–$88 | 7–9pm | Details

💘 Find your match in a singles mixer and stick around for a comedy show at Divine Barrel Brewing. | $18 | 7–9pm | Details

🖼️ Check out the Harvey B. Gantt Center's new exhibit by artist Mario Moore called "In Pursuit of Home," which examines the desire for homeownership through paintings, drawings and sculptures. | Free | 6–9pm | Details

🍫 Enjoy s'mores and lounge with friends at Happy Camper in NoDa. | Free | 7–8pm | Details

Saturday, Jan. 17

✊🏾 Watch the Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday Parade in Uptown. | 9:30am | Free | Details

🍇 Celebrate the opening of South Block with a block party at The Bowl Ballantyne for free mini acai bowls (from 11am–1pm), giveaways, swag, a DJ and more. | Free | 11am–1pm | Details

🤣 Laugh the evening away to improv from Charlotte Comedy Theater and stick around for their 8pm show. | $15 | 6pm | Details

🏒 Cheer on the Charlotte Checkers as they take on the Hershey Bears at Bojangles Coliseum. | $34+ | 4pm | Details

🎤 See stand-up comedian Bert Kreischer's "Permission to Party Tour" at Spectrum Center. | $45+ | 7pm | Details

🐶 Pull up to Triple C Brewing Company to find dogs from the Greater Charlotte SPCA that you can adopt or foster. | Free | 12–3pm | Details

🎶 Vibe to Latin jazz from Grammy-winning flautist Nestor Torres and the Tito Puente Jr. Orchestra at Middle C Jazz. | Prices vary | Times vary | Details

🙌 Connect with a new friend in a guided speed friending session with live performances at Lottie's Cafe in Uptown. | $30 | 6–9pm | Details

🗓️ Gather with friend to create a vision board at Urban District Market. | $15 | 3:30–5pm | Details

🎶 See The Philharmonik at Booth Playhouse performing his blend of classical orchestration with hip-hop and soulful music, with Tiny Desk producer Bobby Carter. | $45+ | 8pm | Details

🤵‍♂️ Dress up in shades of brown to attend the annual Melanin Affair to celebrate Black excellence with a night of music, dancing, fashion, drinks and more. | $110+ | 8pm–midnight | Details

Sunday, Jan. 18

📚 Pull up a chair and a book for a silent brunch book club at That's Novel Books. | Free | 9:30am–11am | Details

🎨 Take the kiddos to paint at Summit Coffee on the Plaza while the parents enjoy coffee. | $25 | 3–4pm | Details

🎊 Enjoy a brunch day party with a DJ at Aura HiFi. | Free | 12–5pm | Details

⛸️ Go ice-skating at the Whitewater Center. | $25 | Runs through mid-February | Details

👖 Put on your best denim and white for a tequila tasting party at Hi-Wire Brewing. | $20+ | 2–6pm | Details

🎊 Gather your friends for dancing and games at Queen Park Social. | Prices vary | 9pm–2am | Details

Monday, Jan. 19

✊🏽 Honor MLK Day by visiting the Harvey B. Gantt Center for discussions, music, performances, visual art and more. | Free | 9am–5pm | Details

🙌 Take in an immersive storytelling experience on the history and art of Black hair with workshops and artwork at Dupp & Swat. | $28+ | 10am–8pm | Details

☕️ Take the kids to Grow Cafe for a story time focused on Martin Luther King Jr.'s legacy. | Prices vary | 1–2:30pm | Details

👏 Visit the One Independence Center for an MLK celebration with story time, hands-on activities, performances and more. | Free | 10am–1pm | 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.