Agenda Weekender: 43 cool things to do in Charlotte this weekend — NASCAR’s Bank of America ROVAL 400

By Brianna Crane | September 26, 2019

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It’s finally fall, but it’s still too hot to walk around — take a Lyft.

Lyft to any participating Charlotte brewery this weekend and show the bartender your receipt for a 50% off code for your ride home.

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 27

91. Mostly sunny.

Food & Drink

Veronét Vineyards & Winery opening at 1549 Ike Brooks Drive, Kings Mountain: They’ll have wine by the glass, flights and samples and charcuterie, cheese boards, small bites, coffee and tea. You can do guided and private tastings and vineyard tours, and leashed dogs and picnics are welcomed. You’ll have views of Crowders Mountain, The Pinnacle and five acres of vines the whole afternoon. Noon to 6 p.m. Free. Details.

Taste of Cuba: EAT at Discovery Place Science: Part one of a four-part series on Cuba, Taste of Cuba includes a talk on sustainable farming and ocean conservation over cocktails, a Cuban buffet and a screening of CUBA in IMAX. 6:30-9:30 p.m. $45. Details.

Food Truck Friday Plaza Midwood at Resident Culture Brewing: As always, they’ve got live music, unique brews and food trucks, including The Dumpling Lady, Streamline Kitchen, What The Fries CLT, Food Truck: My Sausage Buddy, Libretto’s Pizzeria Charlotte, Waffle Tastries and Hip Hop Smoothies. 4-9 p.m. Free. Details.

Food Truck Friday South End at Sycamore Brewing: This week’s banging lineup includes Papi Queso Food Truck, TIN Kitchen, OooWee BBQ, Gyro Twins Truck, GOGI, Chef Ray’s Cuban Cuisine, Chilaka Tacolab and Rollicious Ribs & More. They’ll have refreshing boozy drinks like Prosecco pops and frosé — plus the usual beer and cider. 4-10 p.m. Free. Details.

Arts & Entertainment

Old Dominion live at Spectrum Center: This group has fun songs that even non-country fans can enjoy. Plus, an indoor concert is always a good idea when it’s still 90 outside. 7 p.m. $25-$70. Details.

Disney’s Aladdin at Belk Theater: There are few things more magical than Disney shows on Broadway, so you really should carve out time to see this number. There are performances through Sept. 10-29. Varies. $30+. Details.

River Jam at U.S. National Whitewater Center: This is the last month of River Jam season, so get in your outdoor concerts while you can. AFTM is playing. 7-10 p.m. Free, $6 parking. Details.

Queen City Comedy Experience 2019 at Spirit Square: Expect comedy acts, free happy hour stand up shows, magicians, films and more all week long. Check out the full lineup of acts here. Varies. Varies. Details.

Experience

Hall Family Farm season opening at 10713 Providence Road West: They’ve got musical hayrides, a five-acre corn maze and a pick-your-own pumpkin patch.There’s also a children’s play area with rubber ducky races, a kid’s corn maze, firetruck and fun slide. And you’ll find farm animals (goat and pig) to feed and seasonal treats like apple cider slushies. All day. Free. Details.

Friday Nights Camp North End at 1824 Statesville Ave.: Eery Friday, they’ll have food, music and a few surprises for a laid-back hangout. Note: Kids and leashed pets are welcome. 5-10 p.m. Free. Details.

SCarowinds at Carowinds: Carowinds transforms from “theme park” to “scream park” for its annual SCarowinds Halloween attraction. The event features 500+ monsters, ghosts and goblins roaming the grounds plus haunted attractions and shows. 7 p.m. to midnight. $32+. Details.

UNC Charlotte Homecoming 2019 at UNCC: There are tons of events for students, alumni and 49er fans all weekend long. Top events include Homecoming Friday Fest, the 49er Tailgate Village/Oktoberfest and Saturday’s football game. The big game against Florida Atlantic starts at 3:30 p.m. on Saturday. Varies. Varies. Details.

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 28

92. Partly cloudy.

Food & Drink

Savor 7th at 7th Street Public Market: Your ticket includes food samples and two drink tickets, and there will be a cash bar and live entertainment. 7-10 p.m. $40. Details.

Town Anniversary Party at Town Brewing Company: Expect tons of good brews, live music, a neighborhood market, axe throwing, home brew contest and more. 11 a.m. Free. Details.

National Drink Beer Day at Catawba Brewing: Catawba is giving away free pint glasses for its 20th birthday when you buy a pint of King Don’s Pumpkin Ale. All day. Free. Details.

Arts & Entertainment

River Jam at U.S. National Whitewater Center: This is the last month of River Jam season, so get in your outdoor concerts while you can. The Get Right Band is playing for the final River Jam session of the season. 7-10 p.m. Free, $6 parking. Details.

GRiZ – Ride Waves Tour: Season Two at Charlotte Metro Credit Union Amphitheatre: This DJ has cult-like following, so if you’re into funky futuristic electronic music, hop the the bandwagon.7 p.m. $20-$55. Details.

Experience

2019 Mad About Modern Home Tour throughout Charlotte: Take a self-guided tour through five of the coolest mid-century modern houses in Charlotte. Homes are in Cotswold, Myers Park, Plaza Midwood and Oakhurst. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. $25-$35. Details.

Girl Tribe Tailgate at The Collector’s Room by Beau Monde: Shop from dozens of local vendors, get your ears pierces, treat yourself to a dry style from Drybar and meet the women who designed this year’s Girl Tribe game day gear. They’ll have coffee, drinks and more. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Free. Details.

Pumpkin Patch 2019 at Hodges Family Farm and Pumpkin Patch: Fall is here and you can finally have your day at the pumpkin patch. Pick on, people. 9 a.m. Free. Details.

South End Oktoberfest at Norfolk Hall: Expect beer samples from 30-plus local and regional breweries, and local vendors. Noon to 6 p.m. $35-$50. Details.

Ayrsley Fall Fest 2019 at Ayrsley Town Blvd.: Celebrate fall with fall with a craft show, beer, live music and plenty of fun for the kiddos. Noon to 4 p.m. Free. Details.

Strawberry Hill Center Fall Fest at Strawberry Hill Shopping Center: Expect a bounce house, balloon artists, face painters and more. 1-4 p.m. Free. Details.

BBQ & Bluegrass! at Sycamore Brewing: Food trucks will be serving up their best barbecue, and Sycamore will have the usual live music, beer, cider and frosé. Noon to 11 p.m. Free. Details.

Ballantyne Beer Fest – Paws & Pints at 14825 Ballantyne Village Way: They’ll have beer samples, a pet adoption area, tons of vendors and more. 3-7 p.m. $20. Details.

Learn Things

EmpowerCon 2019 at the Charlotte Convention Center: Have empowering conversations on diversity, mentorship, finance, family, wellness, environment and more. 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. $65+. Details.

Kids

Family Science Olympiad at Discovery Place Science: Get together with the family to solve a crime using science clues, explore prehistoric fossils, predict weather patterns, unearth facts about earthquakes and volcanoes and much more. 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Included in admission. Details.

Do Good

12th annual 5K/10K For Kids Cancer at Ballantyne Corporate Park: Support the Isabella Santos Foundation with a 5K, 10K or Fun Run and brunch from Firebirds, Tito’s Vodka and NoDa Brewing. 8 a.m. $20. Details.

Shopping

Queenflea Fall Makers Market at 2424 N. Davidson St. Suite 105A: Shop from more than 5o vendors selling art, crafts, homemade goods, thrifty finds and more. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Free (GA), $5 (VIP). Details.

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 29

94. Mostly sunny.

Food & Drink

September Cocktail Class at bardo: Mixologist Amanda will guide you through three cocktails and chef Mike Noll will serve up snacks while you sip and learn. Noon to 2 p.m. $110. Details.

Mimosa Grill’s Annual Bourbon Dinner at 327 S. Tryon St.: You’ll get bourbon cocktails prepared by the Crunkleton’s mixologist Hunter Thurston and delicious food made by chefs Thomas Marlow and Mike Long. 6 p.m. $125. Details.

Arts & Entertainment

Phil Collins Still Not Dead Yet, Live! at Spectrum Center: The eight-time-Grammy-award-winning artist is still touring with tons of classics on his setlist. Plus, who doesn’t love the Tarzan soundtrack? 8 p.m. $50-$334+. Details.

Experience

Pumpkin Patch 2019 at Hodges Family Farm and Pumpkin Patch: Fall is here and you can finally have your day at the pumpkin patch. Pick on, people. 9 a.m. Free. Details.

Sports

Bank of America ROVAL 400 at Charlotte Motor Speedway: Don’t miss all the NASCAR Playoff drama when the Bank of America ROVAL 400 returns! The first road course race in the history of the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs will see drivers duel door to door to join Ryan Blaney as winners of one of racing’s most illustrious events. 2 p.m. $10-$434+. Details.

ON THE AGENDA

Culture Feast: Long community tables fill the street for a night of live entertainment and a family-style dinner al fresco. Oct. 4.

USNWC’s Fall Festival: They’ll have cider sampling, a Build Your Own Boat competition, live music, a trail race, yoga and more. Oct. 5.

South End Wine Festival: Enjoy four hours of all-you-can-drink wine, beer and cider samples plus live music and food from Papi Queso, Tin Kitchen and King of Pops. Oct. 19.

See all the upcoming events here.

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