Sat21Nov
Saturday · 11 AM · Family
Jingle Bowl
A holiday kickoff for kids at The Bowl at Ballantyne on Sat Nov 21, 11am-1pm, with a DJ, Frozen princess characters, crafts and photos with Santa.
The Bowl at Ballantyne · BallantynePrice not listed
Weekend roundup · Nov 20–22, 2026
Charlotte this weekend: Nov 20–22
52 things to do in Charlotte from Friday to Sunday. These are our picks, chosen from listings we checked against each organizer's own site.
Top picks
One-night shows, seasonal events and limited runs worth planning around.
Sat21Nov
Saturday · 4 PM · Family
UCity Lights Winter Celebration
A free holiday kickoff at The Shoppes at University Place on Sat Nov 21, 4-8pm, with Santa, ornament crafts, Polar Express train rides and a 7pm tree lighting by the lake.
The Shoppes at University Place · University CityFree
Fri20Nov
Friday · 7:30 PM · Music
The Stray Cats
Rockabilly legends The Stray Cats play Ovens Auditorium on Friday, Nov 20 at 7:30 PM.
Ovens Auditorium · East Independence BlvdPrice not listed
Sat21Nov
Saturday · 8 PM · Music
BEAT: Belew/Vai/Levin/Bozzio Performing the Music of KING CRIMSON
Adrian Belew, Steve Vai, Tony Levin and Terry Bozzio play the 1980s King Crimson catalog at Ovens Auditorium on Saturday, Nov 21 at 8 PM.
Ovens Auditorium · East Independence BlvdPrice not listed
Sun22Nov
Sunday · 7 PM · Comedy
Alex Edelman: What Are You Going To Do
Tony-honored comedian Alex Edelman brings his new stand-up show to The Fillmore Charlotte on Sunday, Nov 22 at 7 PM.
The Fillmore Charlotte · AvidXchange Music FactoryPrice not listed
Fri20Nov
Friday · 10 AM · Markets
Southern Christmas Show
The 59th Southern Christmas Show: about 400 vendors selling gifts, decor, clothing and food at the Park Expo, November 11–22.
The Park Expo and Conference Center · Park ExpoAdults $20–$25, kids $12
Free this weekend
No ticket needed.
Fri20Nov
Friday · 6 PM · Family
Concord Tree Lighting Ceremony
Concord's 29th tree lighting downtown, with stages, Santa Land in Courthouse Plaza, food trucks, a kids' zone and fireworks.
Downtown Concord · ConcordFree
Sat21Nov
Saturday · 2:30 PM · Family
Concord Christmas Parade
The 98th Concord Christmas Parade, a route of just over two miles through downtown along Church St, Buffalo Ave and Union St.
Downtown Concord · ConcordFree
Fri20Nov
Friday · 5:30 PM · Family
Celebration of Lights and Winterland Express
A free park light display in Kannapolis with a miniature train and carousel, nightly from November 13 to December 30.
Village Park · KannapolisFree
Sun22Nov
Sunday · 11:30 AM · Food
Open Play Mahjong
Free mahjong open play for experienced players on Sundays, with Eastside Mahjong. Bring your own set.
NoDa Brewing Company · North EndFree
Fri20Nov
Friday · 6 PM · Music
Live Cuban music Fridays at Havana Carolina
Free live music on Friday evenings at Havana Carolina Restaurant & Bar in downtown Concord, weekly through December 18.
Havana Carolina Restaurant & Bar · ConcordFree
Fri20Nov
Friday · 6:15 AM · Fitness
Charlotte Running Club Summit Coffee OTP Run
Charlotte Running Club holds a free 3- or 5-mile group run from Summit Coffee on The Plaza every Friday at 6:15 am.
Summit Coffee OTP · Villa HeightsFree
With kids
Good for families, from story times to light shows.
Sat21Nov
Saturday · 2 PM · Family
The Lighting of Birkdale Village
Birkdale Village's holiday kickoff on Sat Nov 21, 2-7pm: kids' activities, a 4:30pm Santa parade, the 6pm tree lighting, and the opening of Birkdale on Ice.
Birkdale Village · HuntersvilleNo admission listed; free parking, $8 valet
Sat21Nov
Saturday · 12 PM · Family
Family First: Sewn Stories – A Textile Memory Garden
Family workshop at the Gantt Center on Sat Nov 21, noon–2 PM: build a small 3D textile garden from reclaimed fabric. $10.
Harvey B. Gantt Center for African-American Arts + Culture · Uptown$10 plus fees
Sat21Nov
Saturday · 9 AM · Fitness
Stuart Cramer Turkey Trot 5K and Fun Run
A pre-Thanksgiving 5K and kids' Dressing Dash fun run at 101 Lakewood Rd in Belmont on Sat Nov 21, supporting the Stuart Cramer High School PTO.
Stuart W. Cramer High School · BelmontFun run $15, 5K $20 through Nov 20; +$5 race day
Sat21Nov
Saturday · 11 AM · Family
How the Grinch Stole Christmas! The Musical
Children's Theatre of Charlotte's first production of the Grinch musical: one act, about 75 minutes, for all ages, November 21 to December 23.
McColl Family Theatre, ImaginOn · UptownPrice not listed
Fri20Nov
Friday · 9 AM · Arts
Julia Child: A Recipe for Life
Exhibition at Discovery Place Science through Jan 17, 2027, with a recreation of Julia Child's TV kitchen and her handwritten recipes.
Discovery Place Science · UptownIncluded with museum admission
Sat21Nov
Saturday · 9 AM · Markets
Davidson Farmers Market
Saturday morning farmers market on South Main Street in downtown Davidson.
Davidson Farmers Market · DavidsonNo admission fee listed
Date night
Evening plans for two.
Sun22Nov
Sunday · 7 PM · Music
Kurt Vile & the Violators
Kurt Vile & the Violators play the Neighborhood Theatre in NoDa on Sunday, Nov 22; doors 6 PM, show 7 PM.
Neighborhood Theatre · NoDaPrice not listed
Sat21Nov
Saturday · 11 AM · Family
Ice Skating at Camp North Pole
An outdoor rink at Camp North End with one-hour sessions, open daily from November 21 to January 10.
Ford Factory, Camp North End · Camp North End$18, kids $15, skates included
Fri20Nov
Friday · 6 PM · Family
Speedway Christmas
A drive-through light show on a course of nearly four miles at Charlotte Motor Speedway, nightly from November 20 to January 3.
Charlotte Motor Speedway · ConcordFrom $46 per car
Sat21Nov
Saturday · 10 AM · Family
Birkdale on Ice
An outdoor rink on the Birkdale Village plaza in Huntersville with 75-minute sessions, daily from November 21 to January 10.
Birkdale Village · Huntersville$18, kids $14, skates included
Fri20Nov
Friday · 7 PM · Comedy
Chris Distefano
Comedian Chris Distefano plays four shows at The Comedy Zone at AvidXchange Music Factory, Friday Nov 20 and Saturday Nov 21.
The Comedy Zone Charlotte · AvidXchange Music FactoryPrice not listed
Fri20Nov
Friday · 7:30 PM · Music
RUSH: Fifty Something Tour
Rush plays two nights at Spectrum Center in uptown Charlotte, Friday Nov 20 and Sunday Nov 22, both at 7:30 PM.
Spectrum Center · UptownPrice not listed
Live music and comedy
Shows, open mics and jazz nights.
Sun22Nov
Sunday · 3 PM · Music
Live Music Sunday at Free Range Brewing
Free Range Brewing hosts free live music from local performers every Sunday from 3 to 5 pm.
Free Range Brewing · NoDaFree
Fri20Nov
Friday · 7 PM · Music
Bluegrass Jam: Belmont @ Primal Brewery
Weekly Friday bluegrass jam 7–10 PM at Primal Brewery in Belmont, listed by the Charlotte Folk Society; all skill levels welcome.
Primal Brewery Belmont · BelmontPrice not listed
Sat21Nov
Saturday · 9 AM · Music
Saturday Music Jam at Richard's Coffee Shop
A Saturday morning music jam at Welcome Home Veterans at Richard's Coffee Shop in downtown Mooresville.
Welcome Home Veterans at Richard's Coffee Shop · MooresvilleNo fee listed
Get outside
Markets, runs, trails and outdoor events.
Sat21Nov
Saturday · 12 PM · Markets
Maker's Market CLT @ Fonta Flora Brewing
A shop-local makers market at Fonta Flora Brewing inside Optimist Hall on Sat Nov 21, noon-5pm, the weekend before Thanksgiving.
Fonta Flora Brewery (Optimist Hall) · Optimist ParkPrice not listed
Sat21Nov
Saturday · 12 PM · Markets
Manifest Market
A pop-up of Charlotte makers, artists and small businesses in NoDa Brewing's North End taproom on Sat Nov 21, noon-4pm.
NoDa Brewing Company (North End taproom) · North EndPrice not listed
Sat21Nov
Saturday · 4 PM · Family
Ice Skating at The Bowl
An outdoor holiday ice rink inside TD Amp Ballantyne, open daily Nov 21 to Jan 10, including noon-10pm over Thanksgiving break. $20 with skate rental.
TD Amp Ballantyne at The Bowl · Ballantyne$20 with rental; $15 ages 5 and under; $18 with own skates
Sat21Nov
Saturday · 9:30 AM · Family
Carolina Renaissance Festival
Huntersville's Renaissance festival runs weekends through Nov 22, 9:30 AM–5:30 PM, with jousting, shows, artisans and turkey legs.
Carolina Renaissance Festival grounds · HuntersvilleFree parking
Sat21Nov
Saturday · 8 AM · Markets
Matthews Community Farmers' Market (Main Season)
The Matthews Community Farmers' Market is open Saturdays from 8 am to noon through November 21, 2026.
Matthews Community Farmers' Market · MatthewsNo admission fee listed
Fri20Nov
Friday · 1 PM · Family
Meet a Raptor at Carolina Raptor Center
A live bird-of-prey program at 1 PM, Wednesday through Saturday, included with admission.
Carolina Raptor Center · HuntersvilleWith admission, from $12
Around Charlotte
Worth the short drive to the towns nearby.
Sat21Nov
Saturday · 10 AM · Music
Weekly Mint Hill Old-Time Music Jam
Saturday morning old-time music jam, 10 AM–noon, at McEwen Historic Village in Mint Hill, listed by the Charlotte Folk Society.
McEwen Historic Village · Mint HillPrice not listed
Sat21Nov
Saturday · 9:30 PM · Nightlife
Saturday Karaoke at The Kilted Buffalo Birkdale
Saturday karaoke 9:30 PM–12:30 AM at The Kilted Buffalo in Birkdale, hosted by DJ Byron of Cappitoff Entertainment.
The Kilted Buffalo Birkdale · HuntersvillePrice not listed
Sun22Nov
Sunday · 11 AM · Fitness
Sunday Yoga at Cabarrus Brewing
All-levels Sunday morning yoga, 11 AM–noon, at Cabarrus Brewing Company in downtown Concord.
Cabarrus Brewing Company · ConcordPrice not listed
Everything else
See the Charlotte events calendar for every listing. Going to a game? Carolina Panthers, Charlotte FC, Charlotte Hornets, Charlotte Knights, Charlotte Checkers game-day guides list bars and food near each venue. For the season, see Christmas lights and holiday events.