Top 10 things you MUST do in January

The New Year has arrived, and it has brought a whole host of fun new events along with it! If your resolution was to get out and see more of Charlotte in 2018, then these exciting upcoming events are a great place to start.

(1) Soak up some culture at the South End Gallery Crawl.

Friday, Jan. 5, 5 – 10 p.m. Free. Begins at Studio Cellar. 1800 Camden Rd., Suite 106.

Have you ever actually toured all of the art galleries in South End? Now’s your chance! Galleries and art destinations throughout the neighborhood will stay open late for visitors to the local art scene. Details here, with hours below.

Studio Cellar: 12:00 – 11:00 pm

Elder Gallery of Contemporary Art: 5:00 – 7:00 pm

Shed Brand Studios: 5:30 – 8:30 pm

Ciel Gallery: 6:00 – 9:00 pm

Hidell Brooks Gallery: 6:00 – 8:00 pm

Hodges Taylor Art Consultancy: 6:00 – 8:00 pm

Magnolia Emporium: 6:00 – 9:00 pm

C3Lab: 7:00 – 10:00 pm

(2) Enjoy light bites and craft cocktails at the Zeppelin Grand Opening.

Friday, Jan. 5, 10 p.m. – 2 a.m. $29. Zeppelin. 235 W Tremont Ave.

A post shared by Zeppelin (@zeppelinclt) on Dec 19, 2017 at 4:42pm PST

The highly anticipated upscale restaurant Zeppelin will celebrate its grand opening on Friday Jan. 5 with a bumpin’ party. Tickets are $29 and include entry, light bites, four drink tickets (which will get you four beers OR four wines OR two craft cocktails), a DJ and a good time. Not feeling the late-night vibes? Zeppelin will still offer normal dinner service from 5 – 10 p.m., so you can grab dinner before the party starts at 10 p.m. More details here, or get your tickets now here.

[Related: Ready for South End’s Zeppelin to open in the next week? Here’s the best part.]

(3) Search for clues and win prizes on the Plaza Midwood Scavenger Hunt.

Sunday, Jan. 14, 1-5 p.m. $60 team registration. Pre-party and packet pick-up at Pint Central starting at 1 p.m. 1226 Central Ave.

Gather your friends to create a team of two to four people for this epic neighborhood scavenger hunt, and you’ll have the chance to win both prizes and glory. Plus, 100% of proceeds will be donated to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation! Teams will search Plaza Midwood locales like Legion Brewing, Resident Culture, Workman’s Friend, Whiskey Warehouse, Thomas Street Tavern and more to find clues and trinkets. You must arrive at the finish line before 5 p.m., and prizes will be awarded for first, second and third place. Learn more here, or register your team here.

(4) Taste test some of the finest restaurants in the city during Queen’s Feast.

Jan. 19-28. $30-$35. Locations through Charlotte and surrounding areas. 

A post shared by QCyogi.foodie (@qcyogi.foodie) on Jul 27, 2017 at 4:26am PDT

Queen’s Feast, also known as Charlotte Restaurant Week, is back again! From Friday, Jan. 19 to Sunday, Jan. 28, more than 130 participating restaurants in the Charlotte area will offer a three-course meal for $30 to $35 per person. Make your reservations early, because they fill up quickly. Find participating restaurants listed by location here.

(5) Walk in solidarity alongside thousands of women at the Charlotte Women’s March.

Saturday, Jan. 20, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Free. March begins at First Ward Park (301 E 7th St.) and ends at Romare Bearden Park (300 S Church St.).

Join thousands of Charlotte women as they stand together for the one-year anniversary of the Charlotte Women’s March. Presentations from a variety of speakers – including Vi Lyles, as well as others – will start at 10 a.m. The march will begin promptly at noon. Find more information here, or RSVP here.

[Related: Signs and support dominated the Women’s March on Charlotte in 2017.]

(6) Pair hard cider and chocolates at Red Clay Ciderworks.

Saturday, Jan. 20, 3-5 p.m. $16 in advance, $18 at the door. Red Clay Ciderworks, 245 Clanton Rd.

A post shared by Jenny Haworth (@jenny_haworth) on Sep 30, 2017 at 11:18am PDT

Love cider? Love chocolate? Then you’re going to love this pairing, brought to you by Red Clay Ciderworks and Evolution through chocolate. Taste four carefully crafted pairings for just $16, and learn about why each chocolate and cider were chosen for each pairing from the experts. More details here.

(7) Be enthralled by ‘The Phantom of the Opera’ at the Belk Theater.

Jan. 17-28. Prices start at $25. Belk Theater, 130 N. Tryon St.

Andrew Lloyd Webber’s critically acclaimed musical, The Phantom of the Opera, is coming to Belk Theater this January as part of its brand new North American tour. Ticket prices start at $25, and you can find complete details (along with the performance schedule) here.

(8) Sip local beer to the sounds of the Charlotte Symphony at ‘On Tap’ at NoDa Brewing.

Tuesday, Jan. 23, 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. $15. NoDa Brewing Company, 2921 N. Tryon St.

A post shared by NoDa Brewing (@nodabrewing) on May 2, 2017 at 12:20pm PDT

Hear the works of Mozart and Haydn with a craft beer in your hand at NoDa Brewing’s popular On Tap concert series, featuring the Charlotte Symphony. Assistant Conductor Christopher James Lees will lead a small chamber-style orchestra while NoDa serves up the local beers you know and love. Find out more details here, or get your tickets here.

(9) Drink unlimited beer samples (and pet unlimited dogs) at Lucky Dog Bark & Brew’s 2018 Winter Beer Fest.

Saturday, Jan. 27, 3-6 p.m. $20 in advance, $30 at the door. Lucky Dog Bark & Brew, 2220 Thrift Rd.

Warm up with three hours of puppy snuggles and bottomless beer samples (in 9 oz. cups) at Lucky Dog Bark & Brew’s annual Winter Beer Fest. Ten local breweries will offer tastings of one to two beers each, and the bar will still be open for those who do not wish to participate in the festival. You’re welcome to bring your pups, too, as long as they’re fixed and their shots are up-to-date. More details here, and you can reserve your tickets here.

(10) Pair four courses of vegan meals and wines at the 7th St. Public Market.

Thursday, Jan. 25, 6:30 – 8 p.m. $35. 7th St. Public Market, 224 E. 7th St.

A post shared by Viva Raw (@vivarawlife) on Dec 13, 2017 at 3:34pm PST

Viva Raw, Assorted Table Wine Shoppe, and Zia Pia imports are coming together to host the 7th St. Public Market’s first-ever vegan multi-course tasting and wine pairing. For $35, you can enjoy four wines along with four courses of cashew cheese, salad, pasta and dessert. Space is limited to 40 people, so get your tickets soon.

Featured photo: NoDa Brewing Company.

This story was originally published January 3, 2018 at 12:00 AM with the headline "Top 10 things you MUST do in January."