Top 10 things to do this week including axe-throwing, twerking and more: Nov. 27 – Dec. 3

Now that your turkey cravings for the year have been satiated, it’s time to think about what you’re going to do with the coming week.

In addition to the festive, season-long activities you could partake in (like ice skating at Uptown’s Holiday On Ice, perusing local goods at the Charlotte Christmas Village and wandering through the twinkling trees at Holidays at the Garden), there are plenty of things going on in the Queen City this week that you’re going to want to be a part of.

Get your planners and Google Calendars ready, because you’re going to want to mark these dates down.

(1) Give back while you eat, drink and shop at the Giving Makes Me Happy Hour.

Tuesday Nov. 28, 5 – 7 p.m. Free. 7th St. Public Market, 224 E. 7th St.

Join SHARE Charlotte in celebrating #GivingTuesday with a celebration at the 7th St. Public Market. Enjoy live music, free samples from market vendors, custom drinks and more. And don’t feel guilty for shopping for holiday gifts between sipping and snacking – the majority of the market’s vendors are also giving 10% of the evening’s proceeds back to their favorite nonprofits as part of the #GivingTuesdayCLT campaign to GIVE GOOD this holiday season. Get more information here.

(2) Snap a photo with Santa and see the Uptown Tree Lighting at Lights on the Square.

Thursday Nov. 30, 6:30 – 7:30 p.m. Free. Uptown at the intersection of Trade St. and Tryon St.

Enjoy holiday performances from saxophonist Greg Amos, the Hawthorne Lane United Methodist Church handbell choir, the William A. Hough High School Chorus and more at Lights on the Square, an annual celebration of the Uptown Tree Lighting. There will be a special appearance from Santa himself, as well as several Atlantic Coast Conference mascots! Learn more here.

(3) Dance like a diva at Twerk For Your Beer.

Wednesday Nov. 29, 6 – 6:45 p.m. $5. Lenny Boy Brewing Co., 3000 S. Tryon St.

Join certified Zumba instructor Kara Vasseur to channel your inner-Beyoncé at “Diva Night” at Twerk For Your Beer: a hip-shaking, booty-quaking, diva-themed dance fitness class at Lenny Boy Brewing Co. This 45-minute hip-hop cardio class starts at 6 p.m. and costs $5, which includes a 6 oz. pour of Lenny Boy kombucha. Find out more here.

(4) Explore art exhibits and a pop-up shop with a cocktail in your hand at Mingle at the Mint.

Wednesday Nov. 29, 6 – 9 p.m. Free general admission or $15 VIP. Mint Museum Randolph, 2730 Randolph Rd.

Find unique gifts from local artisans, check out art exhibits, and sip holiday cocktails at the Mint Museum Randolph this Wednesday for “Mingle at the Mint.” General admission includes entry to the pop-up shop and a special viewing of the “Charlotte Collects: Contemporary Couture and Fabulous Fashion” exhibit. Or, upgrade to a VIP ticket for $15 and you’ll also get two drink tickets (including holiday cocktails like The Mint Mule and Peppermint Patty from Heaven Hill Distillery) and a swag bag with exclusive holiday offers. More details here.

(5) Throw some axes and drink some beer at the Lumberjaxe Charlotte grand opening party.

Saturday Dec. 2, 1 – 10 p.m. Free. Lumberjaxe Charlotte, 933 Louise Ave. Ste. 108.

Back in July, we wrote about Lumberjaxe Charlotte popping up at breweries around the city. Now, we’re axe-cited (sorry) to announce that Lumberjaxe is celebrating the grand opening of its new facility in Charlotte’s Belmont neighborhood. Stop by this Saturday from 1 – 10 p.m. to try your hand at axe-throwing, grab some grub from the Casa Food Truck, drink a few cold beers and possibly even win some prizes from places like 704 Shop and Abari Game Bar. Learn more here.

(6) Shop local artisans at The Olde Mecklenburg Brewery’s German-inspired Weihnachtsmarkt.

The first three Fridays and Saturdays in December, 4 – 9 p.m. Free. The Olde Mecklenburg Brewery, 4150 Yancey Rd.

For the sixth year, OMB’s Weihnachstmarkt is back to kick off the holiday season! With more than 40 local vendors to shop from – some of whom will be selling goods from traditional wooden huts – as well as seasonal beer and mulled red wine to enjoy, this massive winter market will have you feeling festive in no time. Get more details here.

(7) Eat, drink and be merry at C5 Celebrates featuring Work For Your Beer and Queen City Brewers Festival this Friday.

Friday Dec. 1, 6:30 – 9:30 p.m. $10. Lenny Boy Brewing Co., 3000 S. Tryon St.

CharlotteFive is turning three. Work For Your Beer is turning one. Queen City Brewers Festival tickets are going on sale for 2018. What’s not to celebrate? We’re throwing a big blowout bash this Friday, and we want you to join us! Each $10 ticket includes your first drink, tasty appetizers from A Bao Time, a celebratory cupcake, a donation to ACEing Autism, and the chance to win four tickets to QCBF 2018. Plus, the first 50 lucky people will receive complimentary swag bags from the hosts featuring goodies like free workout classes, cookies, gift cards and more. Get your tickets now here.

(8) Get into the spirit of the season at the 4th Annual NoDa Christmas Tree Lighting.

Sunday Dec. 3, 5:30 – 8:30 p.m. Free. Johnston YMCA, 3025 N. Davidson St.

For the fourth year in a row, the NoDa community will gather at the Johnston YMCA to craft ornaments and drink hot chocolate together before the annual Christmas tree lighting. There will be cookies, games and more at this free, family-friendly neighborhood get-together. Learn more here.

(9) Stuff your face at the grand opening of Cookie Dough Bliss.

Sunday Dec. 3, 12 – 9 p.m. Free. Cookie Dough Bliss, 8415 Pit Stop Ct. NW, Concord.

We’ve all been told that we shouldn’t eat raw cookie dough, lest we risk samonella from the raw eggs. Thankfully, Cookie Dough Bliss is here to offer premium, small batch, ready-to-eat cookie dough that is safe to consume without baking. Stop by this Saturday for the shop’s grand opening, where you can choose from more than 20 flavors, including vegan and gluten-free options. And did we mention from 12 – 2 p.m. scoops of cookie dough are buy one, get one free? Learn more here.

(10) Watch the Panthers take on the Saints at the Black & Blue Blaze Tailgate.

Sunday Dec. 3, 12 – 8 p.m. Free. Blue Blaze Brewing, 528 S. Turner Ave.

The Panthers may be playing in New Orleans this week, but that doesn’t mean you can’t still tailgate! Head to the Black & Blue Blaze Tailgate to watch the game on a 12′ screen and enjoy $2 off pitchers all day long. There will be can jam, corn hole, and jumbo Jenga for you to play before the game starts, too! Find out more here.

This story was originally published November 26, 2017 at 12:00 AM.