Lake Norman

15 things to do this week in Lake Norman: Cinco de Mayo events, food trucks, brewery opening + more

760 Craft Works is named with Lake Norman in mind — it’s 760 feet above sea level at full pond.
760 Craft Works is named with Lake Norman in mind — it’s 760 feet above sea level at full pond. CharlotteFive

Friday, May 5

760 Craft Works grand opening

Location: 100 Gilead Road, Huntersville, NC 28078

Time: Noon-11 p.m.

Cost: Free

Check out the newest brewery in the Lake Norman area, 760 Craft Works as it officially opens. Aside from beer, you’ll also be able to enjoy cider and other drinks from small-production wineries.

760 Craft Works is named with Lake Norman in mind — it’s 760 feet above sea level at full pond.
760 Craft Works is named with Lake Norman in mind — it’s 760 feet above sea level at full pond. Alex Cason CharlotteFive

Celebrate Cinco De Mayo

Location: Multiple

Time: Varies per event

Cost: Varies per event

Kick off the weekend celebrating Cinco de Mayo. There are several events planned around Lake Norman in honor of the holiday. From block parties and food trucks to festivals and pop-ups, we’ve got a full guide to local events..

Catch a Cornelius baker on “The Great American Baking Show”

Location: Anywhere with The Roku Channel

Time: All day

Cost: Free with Roku

Watch Karis Stucker, a Cornelius resident and Davidson College grad, put her baking skills to the test on “The Great American Baking Show” premiering this Friday. Modeled after the popular show “The Great British Baking Show,” the American version is technically in its sixth season, but this is the first since 2019. The first of six episodes will be available Friday.

Cornelius’ Karis Stucker was one of nine contestants competing on the most recent edition of “The Great American Baking Show”.
Cornelius’ Karis Stucker was one of nine contestants competing on the most recent edition of “The Great American Baking Show”. Mark Bourdillon

Saturday, May 6

Davidson Branch Grand Book Sale

Location: Davidson Library, 119 South Main Street, Davidson NC 28036

Time: 9 a.m.-3 p.m.

Cost: Free

Treat yourself to a new read by scoping out books for sale at the Davidson Library. The book sale will have books for all ages, including fiction novels, cookbooks, design books, biographies and more.

Davidson’s Town Day

Location: Village Green, 119 S Main St, Davidson, NC 28036

Time: 10 a.m.-3 p.m.

Cost: Free

Celebrate Davidson at the annual Town Day event on the town green. You can enjoy food trucks, music, performances, booths featuring local organizations and more. This year, the event will also feature the annual Bike Expo, so bring your bike and join a guided 10-mile community ride or 2-mile family bike ride.

Carolina Bark Fest

Location: LangTree Lake Norman, 401 Langtree Rd, Mooresville, NC 28117

Time: 11 a.m.-3 p.m.

Cost: Free

Grab your furry friend and get some new goodies at Carolina Bark Fest. Shop from more than 25 vendors offering pet products at the dog-friendly event. There will also be other vendors selling jewelry, clothing, food, and pet treats too.

Watch the Kentucky Derby on the Birkdale Big Screen

Location: Birkdale Village Plaza, 8712 Lindholm Dr #202, Huntersville, NC 28078

Time: Noon

Cost: Free

Catch the Kentucky Derby on the big screen in Birkdale Village. Screenings in the Plaza are free for all visitors, and seating is open to the public on a first-come, first-serve basis. The races will be aired starting at noon. Continue the fun at the Kilted Buffalo’s Derby Party starting at 2 p.m.

Festival of Food Trucks

Location: Broad and Main Streets, Mooresville, 28115

Time: 5-8:30 p.m.

Cost: Free

Feast on your favorite bites at the Festival of Food Trucks. Head over to downtown Mooresville to enjoy live music and food from 15 local food trucks, including A Taste of Hawaii, Asian B on Wheelz, Skyview22 and more.

Cornelius Outdoor Cinema Series and Family Campout

Location: Torrence Chapel Park, 21309 Torrence Chapel Rd, Cornelius, NC 28031

Time: Gates open at 6:30 p.m.

Cost: Movie screening is free. Camping is $15+

Spend a night under the stars watching a movie on the big screen and camping out at Torrence Chapel Park. This Saturday kicks off the first of four showings for the Cornelius Outdoor Cinema Series with “Puss in Boots: The Last Wish.” The event is free and open to all ages. You can continue the fun by registering for the family campout. Register online to camp out on the baseball field overnight, get a voucher for a free snack to enjoy during the movie and a light breakfast in the morning.

Sunday, May 7

Hello Huntersville Music & Arts Festival

Location: Veterans Park, 201 Huntersville-Concord Rd, Huntersville, NC 28078

Time: Noon-6 p.m.

Cost: Free

Wrap up the weekend celebrating local and regional artists and musicians at the Hello Huntersville Music and Arts Festival. The free event will feature live music, art, food and drinks.

Spring Fling Open Air Market

Location: Hoptown Brewing Company, 107 Plantation Ridge Dr, Mooresville, NC 28117

Time: 2-7 p.m.

Cost: Free

Sip and shop at Hoptown Brewing’s Spring Fling Open Air Market featuring dozens of vendors. There will also be a food truck onsite to check out after you treat yourself to goods from local businesses.

Monday, May 8

Treat yourself to a special steak dinner

Location: Multiple

Time: Varies

Cost: Varies

Start your week off right with a steak dinner. Whether you’re balling on a budget or looking to splurge, our local steakhouses offer plenty of choices — both in the cut of the meat and the number of zeros on your bill at the end of the night. Here’s our guide to steak specials at local restaurants including Dressler’s, Epic Chophouse and Link & Pin.

Peninsula Prime Seafood & Steakhouse opened in the Lake Norman area in 2022.
Peninsula Prime Seafood & Steakhouse opened in the Lake Norman area in 2022. Sam Berger/CLT Served

Tuesday, May 9

Make meal plans for Mother’s Day

Location: Multiple

Time: Varies

Cost: Varies

Whether you have a mother, have become a mother or want to recognize the important women in your life, there are several local restaurants and food and drink services that can help you celebrate this year. Here’s our full guide for breakfast, lunch and dinner deals offered this Mother’s Day, with Lake Norman spots including Restaurant X, Port City Club by David Burke and others.

Pre-order a 9” Buttermilk Sky Pie for Mother’s Day to save a few dollars off walk-in prices.
Pre-order a 9” Buttermilk Sky Pie for Mother’s Day to save a few dollars off walk-in prices. Buttermilk Sky Pie

Wednesday, May 10

Comedy Night at Lost Worlds Brewing

Location: 19700-D One Norman Blvd, Cornelius, NC 28031

Time: 8-10 p.m.

Cost: $20+

Enjoy a night of laughs at a Comedy Night event. Lost Worlds Brewing and Beerly Funny are hosting a stand-up comedy show with popular comedians Jill Weiner and Emily Walsh. Tickets are $20 per person in advance or $25 at the door the day of the show.

Thursday, May 11

Kokedama Workshop

Location: PlantHouse, 16641 Birkdale Commons Pkwy Suite 210, Huntersville, NC 28078

Time: 6:30-8 p.m.

Cost: $25

Sign up for a PlantHouse workshop and decorate your own kokedama. Learn about the history of the plant, which originated in Japan, and create a display to take home.

This story was originally published May 3, 2023 at 9:00 AM.

Chyna Blackmon
The Charlotte Observer
Chyna Blackmon was a service journalism reporter for The Charlotte Observer. A native of the Carolinas, she grew up in Columbia, SC, and graduated from Queens University of Charlotte. She’s also worked in local television news in Charlotte, NC, and Richmond, VA. Support my work with a digital subscription
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