It’s the real most wonderful time of the year. Here are 10 must-do seasonal experiences for the summer of 2019.

Pack a picnic for a free outdoor concert in the park

Sounds of the Summer

Dates: August 9, September 13
Time: 7-10 p.m.
Location: First Ward Park

Party in the Park

Dates: June 26, July 10 and 24, August 7 and 21, September 4 and 18
Time: 6-9 p.m.
Location: Romare Bearden Park

Sounds in the Square

Dates: June 21, July 26, August 16
Time: 7 p.m.
Location: Spirit Square

Alive After Five

Dates: Thursdays through September 12
Time: 5-8:30 p.m.
Location: Rooftop 210 at the Epicentre

Bonus: Appreciate the arts at Uptown museums. Check out The Mint Museum, Bechtler Museum of Modern Art, Harvey B. Gantt Center for African American Art + Culture and Levine Museum of the New South. All are free for Bank of America cardholders the first full weekend of each month.

Catch a free outdoor movie at Movie Nights at 7th & Tryon

Blumenthal presents free outdoor movie nights monthly and are scheduled for June 22 (The Goonies), July 27 (Jurassic Park) and August 17 (Jumanji). Concessions are available, and they’ll move inside in the event of inclement weather.

Cool off with an alcoholic Dole Whip from Pokeatery

The dairy-free frozen dessert made famous at Disney theme parks is served in a grown-up variation at the Epicentre. Choose from Frosé (strawberry Dole Whip + rosé) or Froscato (pineapple Dole Whip + moscato). Both options are $7.

Relax inside with a spa day at The Ritz-Carlton

No summer travel plans? Fake it with a mini staycation. A minimum $45 treatment gets you access to luxury amenities like the indoor Aqua Lounge and the glowing Himalayan salt room at the city’s only AAA Five-Diamond hotel.

Agenda Guide: Here’s how to experience a day at The Ritz-Carlton Spa for $45

Kick back at Coin Bar, the city’s only public access rooftop pool

Coin Bar opens the Omni Hotel’s private rooftop pool to the public after 5 p.m. daily throughout the summer. The deck features double-sided 12-by-22- LED screen TVs, lawn games, refreshing tropical cocktails and food service.

Bonus: Catch a rooftop sunset. If swimming isn’t a priority, you’ll find the best skyline views at pool-free rooftop bars like Merchant & Trade, Nuvolé Rooftop TwentyTwo, Fahrenheit and City Lights. For a casual sports bar rooftop, head to my favorite Graham Street Pub.

Beat the heat (and those unexpected thunderstorms) by learning to navigate Overstreet Mall

We’re not about to sweat through our blue button-downs all summer. Veteran Uptown workers and residents know how to avoid the elements when it’s simply too hot, too cold or too rainy to be outside. You can utilize a network of skywalks and tunnels to travel from the Duke Building to Hearst Tower without ever stepping foot outside. Not sure how to do it? Check our Instagram Story highlight for a step-by-step tour.

Down a mac & cheese dog at a Knights baseball game

Plan your game night around promotional events like Thirsty Thursday ($3 domestic drafts and $5 craft beers), Friday Night Fireworks (after the game each week) and Bark in the Ballpark (July 28 and August 26).

Fourth of July: Don’t miss Skyshow, the annual 4th of July fireworks spectacular and street party at the ballpark.

Pretend you’re on the coast with seafood and tiki cocktails at Fin & Fino

Stop in for “Happy Times” daily 4-6 p.m. when they offer $2 buck shucks and peel & eat shrimp. Don’t forget to say hey to BK & the Clams behind the bar where they’re mixing up tropical drinks served in festive tiki glasses.

Bonus: Sea Level is another perfect stop for a beach escape in the heart of the city. They’ve got $1 oysters weekdays 4-7 p.m. but if you really want to go all in order The Hearst, a three-tier tower of lobster, shrimp, oysters and more.

Celebrate Charlotte Pride

The massive event features a week of festivities, discussions and parties culminating in a two-day festival and parade that attracts more than 150,000 people to Uptown.

Charlotte Pride Week: August 9-18
Charlotte Pride Festival: August 17-18
Charlotte Pride Parade: August 18

Seize your only chance to run around I-277 without cars at the inaugural Around the Crown 10K

Bid farewell to summer with an ambitious new running event during Labor Day weekend. The landmark race will take place on Sunday, Sept. 1, slowing the speed limit on Charlotte’s major inner beltway to about 5mph as runners replace cars on the interstate.

The race will begin and end at Romare Bearden Park — starting appropriately enough at 7:04 a.m. — with 3.1 miles completed on I-277 and another 3.1 miles through the streets of Uptown.