Your 5-minute guide to the best things to do in Charlotte | May 27-June 2
Editor’s note: CharlotteFive has limited coverage of in-person, indoor events to help prevent community spread of COVID-19. Masks are required at many Charlotte venues for indoor spaces or close settings.
Friday
Spend Memorial Day weekend in Concord as 2022 Circle K Speed Street returns to kick off the Coca-Cola 600 weekend at Charlotte Motor Speedway. You’ll find driver appearances, interactive games and displays, food trucks, live music from top artists including Flo Rida on Friday, the Steve Miller Band on Saturday and more. May 27-29. Activities start at 9 a.m., and last all day. Free with the purchase of Coca Cola 600 tickets (prices start at $89). Purchase online. Charlotte Motor Speedway. 5555 Concord Pkwy. South. https://bit.ly/3G97LNV
Saturday
Embrace the great outdoors without leaving Charlotte at the U.S. National Whitewater Center’s annual Memorial Day celebration. The weekend festival includes a trail race, free yoga and live music. Free to attend; $6 for parking. Registration for trail races is $32-37 in advance, $37-42 day of. Register online. 5000 Whitewater Center Pkwy. https://bit.ly/3wCGnVa
Sunday
Gather your loved ones (furry friends included) for a free 30-minute photo shoot with shoott, a female-run company whose mission is to make professional photography more accessible to the community while providing stability and opportunity for freelance photographers. All mini sessions are free to book and take place outdoors at local parks and iconic locations. Free with the option to purchase the photos you love. Slots are limited, but there are multiple dates and locations included. Register online. 9-6:30 p.m. Midtown Park, 510 S. Kings Drive. https://bit.ly/39NtA9p
Monday
Spend Memorial Day on the water at Lake Norman aboard the Mississippi River boat Catawba Queen. Learn about the history of Lake Norman from the boat’s captain on the open-air deck while enjoying a boxed lunch. Cruises are 1.5 hours and depart at 11 a.m., 1:30 p.m. and 4 p.m., and board 30 minutes prior to departure. Tickets are $12.99 for children (2-4), $19.99 for youth (5-12), $24.99 for seniors (65 and up) and $26.99 for adults (13 and up). Purchase online. 10:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Queens Landing, 1459 River Hwy. https://bit.ly/3G8BpCU
Tuesday
Enjoy Taco Tuesday along with drink specials and live music on the patio from Cameron Moore at SouthBound. While you’re jamming and waiting for your tacos, nosh on the So-Cal Skillet Dip with black beans, charred corn, cream cheese, Chihuahua cheese, onion and cilantro dip. 6-9 p.m. 2433 South Blvd. https://bit.ly/3PBR3uG
Wednesday
Celebrate Global Running Day at NoDa Brewing Company’s Global Running Day Carnival with NoDa Run Club. The family and pet-friendly event includes outdoor games, carnival food, tie dye, prizes, craft beer and optional one, three or five-mile runs beginning at 6:30 p.m. Free. 6-9 p.m.2921 N. Tryon St. https://bit.ly/38NB5wZ
Reminisce about the early 2000s — the era when “Beautiful Soul” was on repeat— while you watch actor and singer Jesse McCartney perform on the Charlotte stop of his The ‘New Stage’ 2021 Tour at The Filmore. $27.50+. 8 p.m. 820 Hamilton St. https://livemu.sc/3PJI1vH
Thursday
Experience a night out with Nicholas Sparks, the New York Times bestselling author of iconic books-turned-feature-films such as “The Notebook,” at An Evening with Nicholas Sparks. 7:30 p.m. Tickets: $29.50-$65.50. Purchase online. Knight Theater, 430 S. Tryon St. https://bit.ly/3LHxCxC
Mark your calendar
If alcoholic seltzer is your adult beverage of choice, you won’t want to miss the second annual Seltzer World Festival on Saturday, June 4, featuring unlimited samples of over 100 seltzer varieties and craft beer, food trucks, live DJs, local vendors and more. 1-5 p.m. General admission tickets: $30-40. VIP Lounge tickets: $45. Purchase online. South End. 200 E. Bland St. https://bit.ly/37Q5udM
Map out your selections for Untappd. The June 18 festival features unlimited beer samples from more than 300 choices provided by 100 of the social networking platform’s highest rated breweries — including some of your local favorites. Live music and souvenir cups are included. Session one VIP entry starts at 11 a.m., with doors open for general admission at noon and closing at 3:30 p.m. Session two VIP entry starts at 5:30 p.m., with general admission starting at 6:30 p.m., and wrapping up for the night at 10 p.m. General admission is $60, while VIP entry is $150. American Legion Memorial Stadium, 1218-1238 Armory Drive. https://bit.ly/354E16K
Tickets are on sale now for the inaugural Queen City Jam Sessions, a multi-day music festival from Aug. 19-21, presented by MaxxMusic and NoDa Brewing Company. See Greensky Bluegrass, Oteil and Friends, and Infamous Stringdusters and more at NoDa Brewing. A general admission three-day pass is $189. VIP passes are $299 and include express entrance, premier seating, two beers per day and private bar access. Admission is free for children under 7. Purchase tickets online. NoDa Brewing Company, 2921 N. Tryon St. https://bit.ly/3ENznYk
This story was originally published May 25, 2022 at 8:00 AM.