Your 5-minute guide to the best things to do in Charlotte | Nov. 29 - Dec. 5
Friday
See classic Christmas movie Home Alone in Concert with the Charlotte Symphony. The movie will be shown on a large screen over the stage while the symphony plays the score. 7:30-9:30 p.m. 130 N. Tryon St. Tickets start at $42.
Have a relaxed shopping experience at the Black Friday Market at Lenny Boy. The brewery will be opening early and features 19 vendors and pop-up axe throwing. Noon-5 p.m. Free admission.
Drive through 4 million lights at the 20th annual Speedway Christmas at the Charlotte Motor Speedway. After your drive through the Santa’s Safari-themed Christmas Lights Show, check out the Christmas Village featuring a 100-foot LED Tunnel, Drive In Movies, and fun rides like a Ferris wheel, carousel and 50-foot slide. 6-10 p.m. 5555 Concord Pkwy. South. $30/car.
Saturday
Don’t miss the last weekend of the Tony award-winning show The Play that Goes Wrong. This comedy tells the story of drama students who are trying to perform a play about a murder mystery, and everything goes wrong. 2 p.m. 130 S. Tryon St. Tickets start at $20.
Take a break from shopping for a cookie and beer tasting at Pilot Brewing. Enjoy three cookies provided by Tiff’s Treats paired with three Pilot Brewing Ales. 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. 1331 Central Ave. $10.
Shop small at South End Small Business Saturday. Park your car or light rail down to South End, where free trolleys will take you around South End to enjoy shopping from over 200 local shops and pop-ups and food or drink offerings from over 70 vendors and restaurants. Hang around after shopping for a tree lighting ceremony at Atherton Mill. 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Trolley starts at New Bern Light Rail Station. Free admission.
Sunday
Spend your evening at a tree lighting, parade and marketplace in scenic downtown Gastonia’s Christmas in the City. Come early for hot chocolate and DIY ornament decorating. 4 P.M. 111 N. South St., Gastonia. Free admission.
See Tchaikovsky’s holiday classic reimagined with hip hop music and choreography at The Hip Hop Nutcracker. This contemporary twist on the classic story is brought to life with 12 dancers, an on-stage DJ and an electric violinist. 1 p.m. and 6 p.m. 130 N. Tryon St. Tickets start at $20.
Monday
See Martin Scorsese’s latest film, The Irishman, on the big screen with the Charlotte Film Society. The star-packed gangster saga features Robert De Niro, Al Pacino, Ray Romano, Anna Paquin and Joe Pesci. The film was released to Netflix, and the Film Society has permission to screen it for three nights only at Ayrsley Grand Cinemas. 7 p.m. 9110 Kings Parade Blvd. Tickets are $9 for Film Society members, $12 for non-members.
Tuesday
Have a night of laughs at the The Great American Trailer Park Christmas Musical. The musical tells the story of the misadventures of the Armadillo Acres trailer park residents as they prepare for a holiday contest. This show is recommended for ages 16 and up due to mature humor. Tuesday night is “pay what you can night,” meaning that attendants can set their own ticket prices. 7:30 p.m. 2211 Wellesley Ave. Suggested ticket price of $10.
Wednesday
See renowned local jazz vocalist MercuryCarter perform at Live at the Mint. MercuryCarter will perform both both beloved old standards and new pieces. The Mint will also feature a pop-up makerspace featuring activities inspired by the Mint’s current exhibitions. 6-9 p.m. 500 S. Tryon St. Free admission.
Thursday
Get in the holiday spirit at opening night of Christmas in Davidson. Take a free trolley ride through downtown Davidson, shop though a Holiday Village of vendors and the Ten Thousand Villages pop-up, which features goods from over 30 developing countries, meet the Grinch, enjoy crafts and holiday treats, and be ready for more holiday-inspired surprises. 6-9 p.m. Free admission.
This story was originally published November 27, 2019 at 5:44 AM.