Your 5-minute guide to the best things to do in Charlotte | Sept. 23-29

Friday

Shop ceramics from North Carolina potters at Potters Market 2022 on the lawn of the Mint Museum Randolph. In addition to shopping, you can also enjoy pottery demonstrations, enter a raffle, listen to live bluegrass music, relax in the beer garden and explore the Mint’s galleries. VIP Potters Party: Friday from 5:30-9 p.m. VIP tickets: $200 + fees. Potters Market: Saturday from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Potter’s Market: $20 + fees. Mint Museum Randolph, 2730 Randolph Road. https://bit.ly/3BUeMlh

Saturday

Get ready to shop ‘til you drop from over 100 women-owned brands at the Girl Tribe Pop-Up. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Tickets: $5-25. Purchase online. Charlotte Convention Center, 501 S. College St. https://bit.ly/3dmzhO1

Bring a lawn chair or blanket and watch free Shakespeare, sponsored by MoRA. “Twelfth Night” is being produced by Shepherd Shakespeare Co., with performances at 11 a.m. on Saturdays and Sundays through Oct. 30. Free. The Barn at MoRA, 8300 Monroe Road. https://bit.ly/3R035NU

Enjoy a fancy night out with cocktails, hors d’oeuvres, silent auction and dancing at the first annual Women Supporting Women Gala, benefiting Crittenton, a local nonprofit that houses and serves homeless pregnant women, teen moms and their children, hosted by Fellow Traveler and Toshkova Fine Art Advisory. 6:30-10 p.m. Tickets: $175. Purchase online. Bazal Gallery Nightclub, 950 North Carolina Music Factory Blvd. https://bit.ly/3SdZz3E

Sunday

Get ready to fill up your coffee cup at Charlotte’s first and only craft coffee festival, No Filter Coffee Fest, returning 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: $25. Purchase online. Camp North End, 300 Camp Road. https://bit.ly/3xAZnmt

Celebrate Charlotte’s local farmers and food and beverage purveyors at Farm to Fork Picnic in the 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

Monday

Start your day with a cold brew or iced mocha latte at Bitty & Beau’s Coffee Shop, named Charlotte’s best coffee shop in our 2022 CharlotteFive Reader’s Choice contest. The North Carolina-based shop is known for offering job opportunities to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. 1930 Camden Road, Suite 236. https://bit.ly/3dxHcYF

Meet bestselling author Nicholas Sparks to celebrate the release of his new novel, DREAMLAND at Barnes & Noble in The Arboretum Shopping Center. Tickets are limited and include a pre-signed copy of the book, as well as a professional photo of you with Sparks. 4:30 p.m. Tickets: $21.76. Purchase tickets online. Barnes & Noble, 3327 Pineville-Matthews Road. https://bit.ly/3UmLR0g

Tuesday

Get your sweat on at a pop-up dance fitness class hosted by AKT South Park. The 60-minute class offers a combination of dance cardio and strength intervals for a full-body workout. 7-8 p.m. Tickets: $5 + fees. Purchase online. Resident Culture South End, 332 W. Bland St., Suite C. https://bit.ly/3DDVr95

Wednesday

Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month with Charlotte Football Club at the club’s future site of its new training facility and headquarters. The event will include live music, a beer tent, locally owned and operated Latin food trucks, a photo booth, family-friendly activity zone, live entertainment from Ballet Folklorico Mexican Tradition of Julio Ruiz and more. 6:30-9 p.m. Free. Reserve your ticket online. 8600 McAlpine Park Drive. https://bit.ly/3QYoib0

Thursday

Join Heist Brewery and Promising Pages, a nonprofit that collects new and donated books for children in need, at the kick-off party for Booktoberfest, a month-long community book drive. Light bites will be provided. There is no fee to attend, however, a suggested donation of $15 or more is appreciated. 5:30-8 p.m. Heist Brewery and Barrel Arts, 1030 Woodward Ave. https://bit.ly/3f2mAIB

Take the whole family to see Disney on Ice presents Frozen & Encanto. 7 p.m. Tickets: $20. Purchase online. Bojangles Coliseum, 2700 E. Independence Blvd. https://bit.ly/3qR0Ule

Mark your calendar

Join over 100,000 film enthusiasts screening Oscar-nominated short films at venues all over the world for the 25th Annual MANHATTAN SHORT Film Festival. Following the screenings, you’ll have the opportunity to cast your ballot for Best Film and Best Actor. Sept. 30-Oct. 1. Northwest School of the Arts, 1415 Beatties Ford Road. https://bit.ly/3QAtVvW

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