Weekender: 33 things to do in Charlotte this weekend, including a park picnic
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Touch Grass returns to Uptown this Sunday. Photo: Alexis Clinton/Axios
Big fall events including the N.C. State Fair and Carolina Balloonfest return this weekend, but there's plenty to do in Charlotte if you're not up for a road trip.
Friday, Oct. 16
🩰 See a ballet performance choreographed by Mthuthuzeli November, Alejandro Cerrudo and German American duo FLOCK. | Prices vary | Runs through Oct. 24 | Details
😱 Face your fears at SCarowinds with haunted mazes, spooky rides and performances. | $55 | Runs through Nov. 1 | Details
🏒 Cheer on Charlotte Checkers as they take on Hartford Wolf Pack at Bojangles Coliseum. | $31+ | 7pm | Details
🎶 Rock out to the The Smashing Pumpkins live at Spectrum Center. | $59+ | 8pm | Details
🎤 Hear Arcángel in concert at Ovens Auditorium. | Prices vary | 8pm | Details
🧠 Test your knowledge of "Gossip Girl" with trivia at The Suffolk Punch for a chance to win a prize. | Free | 7-9pm | Details
🛍️ Shop from Thrift Pony's after-dark market in Camp North End. | Free | 7-10pm | Details
🍿 Catch a screening of "Obsession" at Carolina Theatre. | $18.50 | 7pm | Details
🎶 Vibe to music from Chrissi Poland at Middle C Jazz. | $37.75+| Showtimes vary | Details
🎈 Drive over to Carolina BalloonFest to see hot air balloons fill the skies over Statesville, plus drone shows, live entertainment and more. | Prices vary | Runs through Sunday | Details
🎶 Hear a Tina Turner-themed concert from the Charlotte Symphony at Knight Theater. | Prices vary | Showings Friday and Saturday | Details
🥃 Enjoy a Elijah Craig Whiskey tasting and lunch at The Crunkleton. | $117 | 12-2pm | Details
🎤 Step on stage to share your poetry in a open mic night at Nine Eighteen Nine Studio Gallery. | $13+ | 7pm | Details
Saturday, Oct. 17
🎊 Join Carolina Migrant Network and Raíces Latino Arts at Victoria Yards for music, dancing and vendors to prepare you for the polls. | Free | 12:30pm | Details
🏰 Meet up with friends at Carolina Renaissance Festival for hands-on games, rides, performances and more. | $23.99+ | Runs Saturdays and Sundays through Nov. 22 | Details
😌 Enjoy a floating glow sound bath at Whitewater Center. | $10-$20 | 6:45pm | Details
🍷 Sip on wines, cocktails and beer at South End's Wine & Hops Fest at Lenny Boy Brewing. | $35+ | 1-6pm | Details
🛍️ Shop from vendors for vintage pieces at Charlotte Vintage Market's pop-up at Optimist Hall. | Free | 11am-7pm | Details
🎤 See Ed Sheeran live in concert at Bank of America Stadium. | $62+ | 6pm | Details
🎻 Hear the sounds of Hogwarts in a Harry Potter-themed concert by the Charlotte Symphony at Knight Theater. | Prices vary | 11am-12pm | Details
🐾 Take your pup to see or participate in the corgi racing competition at Renaissance Park and stick around for food trucks, local vendors, a live DJ and more. | Free | 10am | Details
🎡 Take a day trip to the N.C. State Fair in Raleigh for rides, bizarre food and family fun. | $0-$13 | Runs through Oct. 25 | Details
🏃♂️ Run to the music of Afrobeats with a run club at Camp North End. | Free | 11am | Details
🎊 Pull up to a coffee and beats day party at Hoppin' one final time as they're preparing to close their doors. | $10+ | 2-7pm | Details
🦀 Feast on all-you-can-eat crabs while you enjoy music at Park Road Park. | $20.98+ | 12pm and 3pm | Details
🤣 Laugh the night away to jokes from local comedians at Charlotte Comedy Theater and stick around for more shows. | Times vary | Prices vary | Details
🎊 Take the family to NoDa Brewing Company for Charlotte Chalk Art Festival to hear live music and create your own art. | $27 | 1-3pm | Details
Sunday, Oct. 18
📚 Bring a book and pull up a chair to the That's Novel Books's silent book club at Camp North End. | Free | 9:30-11am | Details
🧺 Unwind with friends with Touch Grass's pop-up picnic at First Ward Park and stick around for an outdoor movie screening. | Free | 3-8pm | Details
☕️ Stop by Songbirds for a brunch experience with light bites, a perfume bar, permanent jewelry, candle vendors and more. | $22.99+ | 11am-2pm | Details
🪩 Dance the day away to R&B hits from a rotating list of DJs at STATS. | Free | 3:30-8pm | Details
🎶 Gather with friends and groove to music from a local DJ at Folia for a day party. | Free | 12-4pm | Details
💪 Take a mat strength training class with Solicore at The Bowl Ballantyne with puppies and stick around for a drink from Postino. Proceeds benefit Billie's Buddies. | $23.18 | 9:15am | 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.