Your 5-minute guide to the best things to do in Charlotte | Oct. 21-27
Friday, Oct. 21
Kick off Charlotte Craft Beer Week with a visit to a participating brewery or restaurant. The events celebrate the craft beer culture the Queen City has cultivated, so it’s only fitting to toast with a locally brewed IPA, porter or other beer of your choice. Multiple locations and events through Oct. 30. https://bit.ly/3CTZPQl
Pack a blanket or lawn chair and grab a bite to eat at Promenade on Providence before Goodies & Goblins, a night of Halloween candy and fun that includes a showing of “Coco” on The Green. 5-10 p.m., with trick-or-treating from 5-6:30 p.m., and the movie starting at sundown at 6:45 p.m. Free. 10844 Providence Road. https://bit.ly/3CVBfij
Saturday, Oct. 22
Take in the last outdoor concert of PNC Music Pavilion’s 2022 season, when Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Stevie Nicks graces the north-side-of-town amphitheater as she charges into the homestretch of her current tour. The setlist will indeed include cuts from Fleetwood Mac’s catalog, including one-word wonders “Dreams,” “Gypsy,” “Landslide” and “Rhiannon.” Tickets are in high demand, with resellers pricing seats starting at $200 as of Tuesday. 8 p.m. 707 Pavilion Blvd. https://livemu.sc/3VBZARv
Get festive with Resident Culture Brewing Co., which is celebrating its five-year anniversary with an all-day party in Plaza Midwood featuring live music, a pop-up skate park, karaoke, food, tap takeovers, special beer releases and more. The skate park will feature skateable art by local artists, including Fred Smith, Dustin Brown, Cheeks McGee and in-house illustrator Maryssa Pickett. The brewery will also release special anniversary bottles — one variety for each year of operation — including the popular Ego Death. 10 a.m.-11 p.m., 2101 Central Ave. https://bit.ly/3EOA19R
Start your weekend in Halloween style with Buff Faye’s Monster Mash vegan drag brunch at Oh My Soul. 11 a.m. seating for noon show, which includes a chef’s choice family style brunch. $35. Drinks, cash bar and gratuity are not included. 3046 N. Davidson St. https://allbuff.tv/
Sample chili and show off your cornhole skills at Nevins’ 5th Annual Chili Cook Off & Cornhole Tournament at NoDa Brewing Company. Nevins supports adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities achieve their full potential through employment and community involvement. Tickets are $25 through Oct. 21, which includes a wristband for unlimited sampling, a chili vote ticket, one beer ticket, one raffle ticket and an event t-shirt. Kids ages 10 and under are free with a paid adult. Chili cookoff or cornhole competitors are $50 each. 11 a.m.–4 p.m. 2921 N. Tryon St. https://bit.ly/3skrTql
Sip a few drinks from more than 50 wines, ciders and brews offered at Crescent Communities University City Wine Fest at Armored Cow Brewing Co. Attendees will experience four hours of access to sample drinks while enjoying live music and access to local vendors. General admission at 2 p.m. is $40 or $20 for designated drivers. Early admission tickets for 1 p.m. include five hours of sampling and a souvenir glass for $50, and VIP early entrance tickets are $65 each when you book a table for 10, which includes four additional bottles of wine. 8821 JW Clay Blvd., #1. http://universitycitywinefest.org/
Sunday, Oct. 23
Find your zen at the U.S. National Whitewater Center’s Balanced Brunch. The event blends a 9:30 a.m. Fall into Balance Yoga Flow class at South Ridge Pavilion with a 10:30 a.m. brunch at the Trail Center. Bring your own mat. $36. 5000 Whitewater Center Pkwy. https://bit.ly/3g353As
Wander around one of the largest corn mazes in the Southeast, spread out over 7 acres, at the Rural Hill Amazing Maize Maze. Concessions are available, but guests may bring their own picnic lunch or dinner. Bringing water is recommended. The maze operates rain or shine. $13 adults, $8 children. 10 a.m.–5 p.m. 4431 Neck Road, Huntersville. https://bit.ly/3TfPMus
Dress up in your favorite Halloween costumes for games, a photo booth and door prizes while you enjoy a spooky themed menu at the Halloween Spooktacular Tea Party. Drinks will include fall-inspired teas and cider. 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. or 2-3 p.m. seatings. $32 adults and $22 children ages 6-12 with adult purchase, plus tax and gratuity. Advance reservations are required by calling 704-641-2201. 20920 Torrence Chapel Road, #B1, Cornelius. https://bit.ly/3S1mkax
Monday, Oct. 24
Celebrate Diwali at Botiwalla’s Diwali meta on Monday, Oct. 24, from 5-9 p.m., with a family-friendly party including food specials, henna tattoos and other festivities. Optimist Hall, 1115 N. Brevard St., Unit 203. https://bit.ly/3TovJdR
[RELATED: Your guide to understanding Diwali, one of the biggest holidays in India.]
Try new things with a friend or a date on the “Where Should We Vegan Karaoke Food Tour.” The 3.5-hour group dinner tour travels around Charlotte in a passenger van with sing-a-long tunes at the ready and stops at three restaurants. Meet at 6 p.m. in front of Leah & Louise at Camp North End to start off the tour. $180/person. 301 Camp Road. https://bit.ly/3Vt8bFS
Visit a pumpkin patch and take a hayride, visit animals and take a few fall photos. With CharlotteFive’s guide to the best pumpkin patches in the Charlotte area, you’ll find one that offers the fall experience you’re looking for. https://bit.ly/3EInhkY
Get ready to rumble — or to watch one, at least — when WWE Monday Night RAW returns to Spectrum Center with a lineup that is expected to feature RAW women’s champion Bianca Belair, multi-time world champion Seth “Freakin” Rollins, Bayley, Matt Riddle, Bobby Lashley and Austin Theory. Tickets start at $23.50. 7:30 p.m. 333 E. Trade St. https://bit.ly/3CII7Oz
Tuesday, Oct. 25
“Waving Through a Window”: See Tony and Emmy winning musical “Dear Evan Hansen,” a modern tale of a teenager struggling with depression and social anxiety. Recommended for ages 12+. Tickets start at $34.50. 7:30 p.m. Runs through Oct. 30 at Belk Theater, 130 N. Tryon St. https://bit.ly/3rPJYMC
Head to Growler’s Pourhouse for Taco Tuesday, where you can choose from Carnitas, Pork Belly or Fried Chicken tacos, or a special taco of the day. Get three tacos for $12 and make a night of it with a Classic Margarita ($8) or Mezcal Paloma ($15). 3120 N. Davidson St. https://bit.ly/3TepBUM
Sharpen your charcuterie board skills ahead of the holidays with Counterculture Club, an alcohol-free social club, and Sweet Spot Studio at Lenny Boy Brewing Co. The hands-on class includes a non-alcoholic beverage. (No alcohol will be permitted in the event space.) Tickets: $30 for Counterculture Club members; $40 for non-members. Purchase tickets online. Lenny Boy Brewing Co., 3000 S. Tryon St. https://bit.ly/3sbuuCA
Wednesday, Oct. 26
Sing your favorite song at Madison Perk Coffee Bar’s Open Mic Night. At 6:30 p.m. every Wednesday, up-and-coming local singers — along with touring acts — will take the stage at the coffee shop and belt out the tunes while guests drink liquor-enhanced craft coffee drinks, local beer and wine. Free admission. 5033 South Blvd., L. https://bit.ly/3evp8yQ
Thursday, Oct. 27
Catch a free showing of “Hocus Pocus” at Optimist Hall. While you watch the movie in the courtyard, enjoy themed cocktail specials from Billy Sunday and food from Ava Pizzeria or another vendor at the food hall. 7 p.m. 1115 N. Brevard St. https://optimisthall.com/events/
Mark your calendar
Get spooky at the Matthews Playhouse of the Performing Arts’ annual Haunted Trail, which raises funds for scholarships and sponsoring students in arts programs. The “Not-So-Spooky” Hour, featuring a free Trunk-or-Treat and other children’s activities, will take place from 5:30-6:30 p.m. Food trucks will also be available. $10 per person. Trail runs 7-10 p.m., Oct. 28-30. Matthews Community Center, 100 E. McDowell St., Matthews. https://bit.ly/3fTC55V
Dive in to the Halloween spirit with BOOllantyne! on Oct. 28 from 11 a.m.-9:30 p.m. Enter a pumpkin contest, explore a ghoulish graveyard and enjoy other activities, along with a 7:45 p.m. screening of “Hocus Pocus.” Free until 4 p.m. After that, tickets are $10, but children 5 and under remain free. 11611 N. Community House Road. https://bit.ly/3EpbxDU
Dress in costume and raise a glass of Charlotte craft beer during the LoSo Halloween Crawl. Check in on the Hopp app at each location for a chance to win prizes, and Ride Jaunts will be available for transportation between locations. Noon-6 p.m., Oct. 29. Participating breweries in the Charlotte Craft Beer Week event are Brewers At 4001 Yancey, Protagonist LoSo, Gilde, Lower Left Brewing, The Old Mecklenburg Brewery, Red Clay Ciderworks, Weathered Souls Charlotte, Sugar Creek Brewing. Multiple locations. Free admission. https://bit.ly/3yAKUs4
Sample some the Lake Norman area’s best craft beer during the Lake Norman Halloween Brew BOO Tour. Guests 21+ will enjoy a professionally guided brewery tour with transportation that includes stops at Lost Worlds Brewing Company, Eleven Lakes Brewing Company, D9 Brewing Lake Norman and Primal Brewing and two souvenir pint glasses for each attendee, along with three tastings at each brewery. Lunch will be provided from Ghostface Pizza. Prizes for best costumes will include four flights to four winners (a $24 value) and a grand prize of two free tickets to a future Brew Ha Ha Tour (a $120 value). Oct. 29, noon-6:30 p.m. $59.95. The tour leaves from The Kilted Buffalo, 119 Landings Drive, Suite 101, Mooresville. https://bit.ly/3yEgJ2X
Party with the Special Olympics Lake Norman at Boo Bash 2022, which will include a costume contest, food and games, and trick-or-treating. Oct. 29, 6-8 p.m. Free, but RSVP required (watch its social media for more details). Mooresville War Memorial Building, 220 N. Maple St., Mooresville. https://bit.ly/3EDcp7U
Explore Men of Change: Power. Triumph. Truth., which profiles Black male icons in America, at the Harvey B. Gantt Center for African-American Arts+Culture and Levine Museum of the New South. The exhibit highlights revolutionary men including Muhammad Ali, James Baldwin, Ta-Nehisi Coates, W.E.B. DuBois and Kendrick Lamar, whose journeys have altered the history and culture of the country. The traveling work from the Smithsonian will remain on display through March 12. Free. Gantt at 551 S. Tryon St., and Levine Museum at 401 South Tryon St. https://bit.ly/3fNnyZm and https://bit.ly/3fMUUId
Experience the 1987 hit film, “Dirty Dancing” like you never have before with a screening accompanied by a live performance Nov. 26 of the film’s soundtrack at “Dirty Dancing in Concert.” 8 p.m. Tickets start at $40. Purchase online. Ovens Auditorium, 2700 E. Independence Blvd. https://bit.ly/3SPI0Hv
Théoden Janes contributed to this article.
This story was originally published October 20, 2022 at 5:45 AM.
