Your 5-minute guide to the best things to do in Charlotte | Nov. 18-24
Friday, Nov. 18
Watch Asheville-based Americana singer Seth Walker and Appalachian musician Dori Freeman team up for a double performance at The Evening Muse. Expect to hear rich, soulful music. Tickets are $15-$18. 7:30 p.m. 3227 N. Davidson St. bit.ly/3EzsgUH
See the Jill Goodson Band perform classic rock hits while you munch on Irish Potato Skins or BBQ Pork Nachos on the Pontoon Stage at Apps & Taps. General admission tickets are $10, and the VIP section is $20. 8-11:30 p.m. 155 Pinnacle Lane, Mooresville. http://bit.ly/3EIgYhb
Whether or not you were able to score Taylor Swift tickets this week, 18-and-older super-Swifties can celebrate her forthcoming tour with “The Taylor Party” — a bash at The Fillmore Charlotte that centers on singing and dancing along to a long list of the star’s beloved songs. Tickets are $20, plus fees. 9:30 p.m. 820 Hamilton St. bit.ly/3E2H50A.
Saturday, Nov. 19
Peruse up to 100 vendors while you listen to live music and grab food truck bites at the launch of El Mercadito. The open air market for merchants displaced from Central Flea Market at the former Eastland Mall site will operate on Saturdays and Sundays, rain or shine, 9 a.m.-6 p.m. 1720 Galleria Blvd. bit.ly/3V79rha
Shop the VTGCLT Winter Market, which includes 70+ local and regional vendors of vintage, antique and handmade goods. You’ll find food and drink to keep your energy up while you browse housewares, furniture, decor, clothing, jewelry and more. $3 at the door at 11 a.m., or 10 a.m. with $8 early bird admission. GreenHouse at Savona, 401 S. Gardner Ave. bit.ly/3T0zmpf
Hear festive music, see holiday performances, go ice skating and enjoy other family-friendly activities at The Lighting of Birkdale Village. From 2-5 p.m., there will be face painting, balloon art and stage performances. At 5:45 p.m., the annual parade lights the way for Santa to arrive along with dancers, first responders, the Hopewell High School Marching Band and more. At 6:30 p.m., Santa and the crowd will count down to the Birkdale Village tree lighting. Free. Sam Furr Road and Birkdale Commons Parkway, Huntersville. http://bit.ly/3EIgYhb
Join feminist songwriter and activist Ani DiFranco as she celebrates the 25th anniversary of her landmark album, Living in Clip, at The Underground. Opening for her will be the Righteous Babes Revue, featuring Gracie and Rachel, Jocelyn Mackenzie and Holly Miranda. Tickets are $30. 820 Hamilton St. bit.ly/3AjxVMd
Turn back time and celebrate Roxbury Nightclub’s 10 year anniversary with actor David Faustino, whom you may remember as Bud Bundy from “Married With Children.” While you’re reminiscing, DJ Jody Jam will be spinning ‘80s and ‘90s music. $10 cover charge at the door. 8:30 p.m. 116 W. 5th St. bit.ly/3O79SFQ
Sunday, Nov. 20
Worship — and revel — at the feet of two of the biggest names in contemporary Christian music at Spectrum Center, where Hillsong United and Chris Tomlin will join forces for a pair of sets that will feature their faithful’s many favorites. Tickets start at $19.75. Show starts at 7:30 p.m. 333 E. Trade St. bit.ly/3V3Epa1.
Head to Lake Norman’s Old Town Public House in the afternoon for an iced coffee or an espresso, along with a pastry from Nova’s bakery, then come back later for live music. The tunes will be jamming until the doors close at 9 p.m. Free admission. 21314 Catawba Ave., Cornelius. bit.ly/3Gisb92
Stop by Windy Hill’s Farm Stand, then sample hard ciders at Windy Hill’s Cidermosa Sunday. You can take a hayride while you’re there, then gather around a firepit while you enjoy apples and cider doughnuts. Noon-5 p.m. Windy Hill Orchard & Cider Mill, 1860 Black Highway, York, SC. bit.ly/3gbkqY3
Monday, Nov. 21
Join the Charlotte FC World Cup Watch Party at Romare Bearden Park as the US Men’s National Team in its first World Cup match against Wales at 2 p.m. The Senegal v. Netherlands match will also be shown at 11 a.m. Admission is free, but reserve your spot with a ticket. Expect a big screen, beer and local food trucks. 300 S Church St. bit.ly/3E8Vad0
Pre-order your Thanksgiving meal from Mac’s Speed Shop, as today is the deadline with a 48-hour notice required. Packages for a family of four, eight or 12 are available. The smallest come with a turkey, gravy and two sides, while the largest comes with two turkeys and gravy, along with four sides. Packages for a family of four are $135, or $185 for a family of eight or $250 for a family of 12. Smoked turkeys ($70) and other items are also available a la carte. Multiple locations. bit.ly/3VfVEFd
Tuesday, Nov. 22
Party with the crowed at the Panthers x Charlotte FC Tree Lighting outside Bank of America Stadium. You can enjoy a light show at the corner of Mint and Graham street, with free glow wands for the first 1000 guests; appearances by Sir Purr, the TopCats Cheerleaders, Sir Minty and Santa; a holiday card station and a fleece blanket making station for patients at Atrium Health Levine Children’s Hospital. Free hot cocoa will be available, along with food and drinks available for purchase. The event is free, but tickets are required to attend. 5 p.m. 800 S. Mint St. bit.ly/3EzAYCp
Honor Native American Heritage Month with Alex Osborn, a digital artist from the Catawba Nation, and the Charlotte Museum of History as he speaks about his recent portrait of Catawba leader Sally New River. Ensley Guffey, a tribal archivist at the Catawba Nation, will join him as they explore New River’s legacy and the importance of women in Catawba history. Free, but you must register for the 6 p.m. livestream. bit.ly/3GisWPu
Wednesday, Nov. 23
Watch balloons float through the sky and colorful floats drive by while musicians, dance groups and others entertain at the Novant Health Thanksgiving Eve Parade. The parade starts at 5:30 p.m. along North Tryon Street from 9th Street to Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. https://bit.ly/3DNnwJr
Enjoy drink specials all night long at Miciah’s Bar & Live Music’s Pre-Thanksgiving Party with Johnny and Jay. They’ll play some tunes during one of the bar’s busiest nights of the year in what has become an annual tradition. Free admission. 229 Medical Park Road, Suite 120, Mooresville. bit.ly/3hIvj46
Sip Mulled Hot Cider Apple Pie Shots and chow down on pastrami sandwiches as you watch “When Harry Met Sally” at Billy Sunday movie night. The Optimist Hall cocktail bar hosts the event with free admission every Wednesday night. 7 p.m. 1115 N. Brevard St., Unit 1. bit.ly/3Ah6D94
Help Levine Children’s Hospital as Tribute To Benefit returns to the Neighborhood Theatre stage with a lineup of artists will be paying homage to Led Zeppelin. Performers include Adam Lazzara of Taking Back Sunday, Jason Scavone, Troy Conn of Jazz Is Led, Ancient Cities, Charlotte Bluegrass All-stars and more. 8 p.m. Online only tickets are $10 advance or $15 day of show, plus sales tax and service fee. bit.ly/3g4zQgP
Thursday, Nov. 24
Create a new family tradition and run to get your blood pumping at the Charlotte Turkey Trot. The events start at 7 a.m. with the Red Zone Festival. The Harris Teeter 1-mile run starts on Barclay Downs at 8 a.m., followed by the 8K just 10 minutes later. The Tot Trot is at 8:30 a.m. at the Red Zone stage, while the 5K begins at 9:10 a.m. The Tot Trot is free and the 1-mile is $30, while the prices for the 5K and 8K are $45 now and go up to $50 after Nov. 20. A percentage of proceeds go to Samaritan’s Feet, along with Ally Community Runners, the CMPD Holiday Toy Drive and Running Works. Sign up online. SouthPark Mall, 4400 Sharon Road. https://www.cltturkeytrot.com/
Kick off Thanksgiving morning with a run at the second annual Davidson Turkey Trot 5k. Proceeds from the event will benefit the Davidson community through Rotary Club of Davidson and Students Offering Smiles. $35 if you register before Nov. 18; the price rises afterward. 8 a.m. 119 South Main St., Davidson.
Celebrate the holiday at Eat, Gay, Love 2022, QC Nerve and Billy Sunday’s fourth annual inclusive Thanksgiving dinner, which aims to spread love and food to underserved members of the LGBTQIA+ community. It’s free, and reservations are encouraged. As this is a donation-based event, organizers ask that if you are willing and able, you donate either your time or food and supplies. 2-5 p.m. 1115 N. Brevard St., Unit 1. bit.ly/3twIgjX
Gather with family and friends to watch the rerun of the Charlotte Thanksgiving Eve parade at 4 p.m. on WBTV while you dig into your pre-ordered Thanksgiving meal, finish making the best mac and cheese to set at the table or get ready to head out for your reservations. Have a happy Thanksgiving!
Mark your calendar
Explore holiday-themed events with the CharlotteFive guide to seasonal activities in Charlotte. The guide includes musical performances, shopping events, parades and more — and will be updated throughout the holiday season. https://bit.ly/3T0zmpf
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
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
This story was originally published November 17, 2022 at 5:30 AM.
