Your 5-minute guide to the best things to do in Charlotte | Sept. 9-15
Friday
Get your game plan ready, then fill up on authentic Greek cuisine while enjoying live music, dancing, activities for kids and more at the Yiasou Greek Festival. 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Friday and Saturday; noon-6 p.m. Sunday. Adults: $5. Kids under 12: Free. Purchase tickets at the door. Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Cathedral, 600 East Blvd. https://bit.ly/3erbVqk
[READ NEXT: From secret shop to thriving market: Charlotte’s Agora Greek Market is an ‘experience.’]
Catch “American Idol” winner and R&B star Ruben Studdard for “Ruben Studdard Sings Luther Vandross – Always & Forever, An Evening of Luther Vandross,” presented by Jazz N Soul Music. 7:30 p.m. $39.50. Purchase tickets online. Knight Theater, 430 South Tryon St. https://bit.ly/3KQqtfE
Saturday
Honor the 343 heroic firefighters who lost their lives on Sept. 11, 2001, by participating in The National Fallen Firefighters Foundation Annual 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb. Online registration has ended, however, you can still register onsite to participate or donate online. 7:30 a.m.-2 p.m. $55. Truist Field, 324 S. Mint St. https://bit.ly/3CWlAiW
[RELATED: 9/11: 20 voices, 20 years later]
Check out the free 21+ launch party featuring a DJ set and live painting for Modelo Salud. Modelo beer’s new series of live 3D art installations launching across the Southeast, created in partnership with artist Shawn McCann. Once the live painting is completed, it will be up for a week for the public to view. 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Free. Bank of America Stadium, 800 S. Mint St. https://bit.ly/3er9kg4
Immerse yourself in African culture while celebrating the Ethiopian New Year with food, games, music, dancing and more at the Ethiopian Cultural Festival, hosted by Tesfa Ethiopia and The Ethiopian Community Association of Charlotte. 2-6 p.m. $10. Purchase tickets online. Midwood International and Cultural Center, 1817 Central Ave #215. https://bit.ly/3RmsORV
Mark World Suicide Prevention Day at Truist Field’s Wellness Action Recovery Night. The Charlotte Knights will take on the Nashville Sounds at 5:35pm. A portion of each $25 ticket purchase will be donated to Wellness Action Recovery, Inc., run by suicide prevention advocate Fonda Bryant. 324 S Mint St. https://bit.ly/3RXiqQz
Sunday
Honor 9/11 victims and first responders at a Patriot Day Remembrance Ceremony, hosted by the City of Concord. The ceremony will include a presentation of the colors, speeches and a moment of silence. 8:30 a.m. Free. RSVP online. Concord Fire Station 8, 1485 Old Charlotte Rd. https://bit.ly/3KM9GKB
Experience streetwear culture through street-inspired art installations, workshops focused on topics such as street photography and sneaker customization, a fashion show, car show, pop-up shopping experiences, vegan food trucks and more at Fresh2Death: STREETWHERE, a festival inspired by Davita Galloway and Dion Galloway, the siblings behind DUPP&SWAT who curated the hugely successful Fresh2Death exhibit at the Mint Museum. Sept. 10-11, noon-9 p.m. Free entry. Purchase tickets online on Eventbrite to the fashion show and workshops. Ford Building, Camp North End, 300 Camp Road. https://bit.ly/3Bj9XBH
Monday
Kick off your week with a caffeine boost from Enderly Coffee Co., recently named among the 100 best coffee shops in the country according to Yelp. Try out a Lavender Rose Latte or a Chocolate Covered Strawberry Latte from the roastery CharlotteFive readers also nominated as a top spot in Charlotte. https://bit.ly/3BqllvH
[RELATED: The votes are in. Here’s the best coffee shop in Charlotte, according to you.]
Visit the Cabarrus County Fair for rides, adorable animals, classic fair food and more. 4-10 p.m. Adults 12 and over: $8. Kids 6-11: $6. Kids 5-under: free. Military or Senior: $6. Purchase tickets at the gate (cash only). 4759 NC Highway 49 N. https://bit.ly/3TG0ICH
Tuesday
Make your own sushi rolls in an interactive sushi-making class hosted by GringoNinja. 6-8 p.m. The $59.99 per person cost includes the food and a drink ticket. Register online. Sycamore Brewing, 2161 Hawkins St. https://bit.ly/3qbzkyT
Wednesday
Learn about happiness misconceptions, science-based strategies to improve life fulfillment, how to incorporate wellness into your daily life and more in a free 10-week course called “Learning Circles: The Science of Well-Being” hosted by Charlotte Mecklenburg Library and Central Piedmont Community College Library staff. The class will follow along with Dr. Laurie Santos, a professor of psychology at Yale University. 6-7:30 p.m. Free. Register online. Harper Campus Library, Central Piedmont Community College, 315 W. Hebron St. https://bit.ly/3QhFc43
Stop by the annual YP Mixer, hosted by Young Affiliates of the Mint, to network with young professionals and to learn more about organizations you can get involved with. Tickets are $20 ahead of time, or $25 at the door, and include one drink and a professional headshot. 6-9 p.m. Mint Museum Uptown Grand Room, 500 S Tryon St. https://www.youngaffiliates.org/charlotteypmixer
Thursday
Unwind from your day with an hour-long Vinyasa-style yoga class followed by a complimentary glass of kombucha. 7-8 p.m. $5. RSVP on Facebook. Lenny Boy Brewing, 3000 Tryon St. https://bit.ly/3APpA23
Mark your calendar
Explore the Charlotte International Arts Festival, Blumenthal Performing Arts’ new festival, when it kicks off this fall from Sept. 16-Oct. 2. The festival will be a celebration of imaginative visual and performing arts from international and local artists, offering something for everyone with over 200 ticketed and free events at various locations around the city. Purchase tickets online. https://bit.ly/3p7bjZ7
Get ready to fill up your coffee cup at Charlotte’s first and only craft coffee festival, No Filter Coffee Fest, returning Sept. 25 after a two-year hiatus. Formerly known as the POUR Coffee Festival, the day-long tasting event will feature over three dozen Southeastern coffee roasters, tea purveyors, local food artisans, live music and more. Tickets on sale now. $25. Purchase online. Camp North End, 300 Camp Road. https://bit.ly/3xAZnmt
Secure tickets for the Farm to Fork Picnic in the Garden on Sept. 25 at Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden. The event pairs more than 30 local chefs and food producers to celebrate locally sourced foods and drinks with live music and samples. Proceeds will support agriculture and food system training programs at the Center for Environmental Farming Systems and farmer grants at Piedmont Culinary Guild. 4-7 p.m. Tickets are $110 or $50 for children 6-12. 6500 South New Hope Road, Belmont. https://bit.ly/3PCXUnz
The Carolina Renaissance Festival is back with several changes this year. Be sure to grab your tickets on the festival website this year, as they are date specific and limited in supply. Tickets will be available at the box office day of only if they are not sold out in advance. Saturdays and Sundays from 9:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Oct. 1-Nov. 20. $32 for adults; $20 for kids (5-12); free for kids 4 and under. Purchase tickets online. 16445 Poplar Tent Road. https://bit.ly/3PaLrpZ
This story was originally published September 7, 2022 at 6:00 AM.