20 things to do in Charlotte this week: Cinco de Mayo, Breakaway, Derby parties + more
Friday, May 5
Location: zMAX Dragway at Charlotte Motor Speedway, 6570 Bruton Smith Blvd, Concord, NC 28027
Time: 4-11 p.m., with events continuing Saturday
Cost: $104+
Jam out to big name music artists at Breakaway Music Festival. The two-day music festival will be held at the zMAX Dragway at Charlotte Motor Speedway with Illenium, Zedd and other popular artists performing all weekend long. You can buy tickets online.
Location: 222 Rampart St, Charlotte, NC 28203
Time: 6 p.m.
Cost: $10+
Grab your pup and kick off the weekend at Skiptown’s Spring Festival that runs through Sunday. There will be a foam machine and splash pad for four-legged friends and spring cocktails and boozy slushies for pet owners. If you can’t make it on Friday, stop by for the “pup-up market” on Saturday.
Location: Multiple
Time: Varies per event
Cost: Varies per event
Kick off the weekend celebrating Cinco de Mayo. There are several events planned around Charlotte in honor of the holiday. From block parties and food trucks to festivals and pop-ups, visit CharlotteFive’s full guide to local events and restaurant deals.
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 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.
Saturday, May 6
Location: 4921 Randolph Road, Charlotte, NC 28211
Time: 8 a.m.-noon
Cost: Free
Stock up on groceries and other goods at Cotswold Farmers Market. This popular market, which kicks off its 2023 season this Saturday, is in a new location this year at Providence Baptist Church. Shop from over 15-20 vendors and enjoy kids activities, live music, cooking demonstrations and more.
Birdsong Brewing creek cleanup
Location: 1016 N. Davidson St. Charlotte, NC 28206
Time: 10 a.m.-noon
Cost: Free
After rescheduling because of weather, Birdsong Brewing is hosting its annual creek cleanup event for its adopted portion of Little Sugar Creek and the surrounding streets. Get outside and volunteer with the group in the morning, then continue the fun at the after party in Birdsong’s taproom that afternoon.
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.
Kentucky Derby Party at Divine Barrel Brewing
Location: 3701 N Davidson St Suite #203, Charlotte, NC 28205
Time: Noon-8 p.m.
Cost: Free
Suit up for a day of fun at Divine Barrel Brewing’s Kentucky Derby Party. The free, family-friendly event will have games, Derby Day betting for charity, a hat and fashion contest, and all the races projected throughout the day.
Location: Symphony Park, 4400 Sharon Rd, Charlotte, NC 28211
Time: Noon-6 p.m.
Cost: $39+
Wine and dine at the 18th annual Wine & Food Festival. The big event will feature tastings of local, national and international wines, along with beer and spirits along with popular local food trucks and live music. General admission is $39, and VIP admission, which includes an extra hour of unlimited drink samplings, is $75. Kids 12 and under are free. You can buy tickets online.
Red Bull Dance Your Style Charlotte
Location: Blackbox Theater, 421 East Sugar Creek Road, Charlotte NC (Note: This location was changed from previously announced Trio.)
Time: 2 p.m.
Cost: $10
Watch local and regional performers battle it out on the dance floor in the Red Bull Dance Your Style Charlotte qualifier competition. Dancers must win the crowd vote for the regional championship title and to guarantee their spot at the Red Bull Dance Your Style Chicago National Final. Tickets for the competition can be bought online. Doors open at 1 p.m., and the competition begins at 2 p.m.
“Down and Derby” at Merchant & Trade
Location: 303 S Church St, Charlotte, NC 28202
Time: 4-7 p.m.
Cost: Free
Dress to impress and watch the Kentucky Derby at Merchant & Trade’s Down and Derby event. Enjoy Derby-inspired cocktails, chef-curated hors d’oeuvres and fun giveaways for Best Dressed, Best Hat and Winning Horse to win prizes.
Sunday, May 7
Location: Route 29 Pavilion, 5650 Sandusky Blvd, Concord, NC 28027
Time: 9 a.m.-6 p.m.
Cost: $22-$45
Jump in the world’s largest bounce house as part of the The Big Bounce America tour. Take your pick at jumping in four huge inflatable attractions. The family-friendly event, which runs on May, 6, 7, 12 and 13, is open to all ages. Check for ticket costs and availability online here.
Location: Alexander Homestead, 4717 Shamrock Dr, Charlotte, NC 28215
Time: 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Cost: $10+
Shop small and support local businesses at the Girl Tribe Pop Up. The big event will showcase dozens of women-owned businesses, including local boutiques, jewelers, artists and more. You’ll also be able to enjoy food, drinks and music while you shop and stroll through the Alexander Homestead gardens.
Location: Camp North End, 300 Camp Road, Charlotte, NC 28206
Time: 11 a.m.-5 p.m.
Cost: $75-$150
Feast on your favorite barbecue bites at the Carolina BBQ Festival. The big event will be featuring pit masters from across the Southeast, plus live music, vendors and more.
Location: Quail Hollow Club, 3700 Gleneagles Road, Charlotte, NC 28210
Time: Varies
Cost: $50+
Enjoy the last day of the Wells Fargo Championship. All week long, many of the world’s best golfers have been playing at Quail Hollow Club. The championship round begins at 8 a.m.
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. Browse the CharlotteFive guide to steak specials at local restaurants for details.
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 CharlotteFive’s full guide for breakfast, lunch and dinner deals and specials offered this Mother’s Day.
Wednesday, May 10
Tequila Dinner at Billy Sunday
Location: Optimist Hall, 1115 N Brevard St UNIT 1, Charlotte, NC 28206
Time: 6:30 p.m.
Cost: $85
Treat yourself to a tequila dinner at Billy Sunday. Sign up for a special four-course meal prepared by Chef Mark of AVA Pizzeria with cocktail pairings. Esquites, sope, tacos de Papa, chicken mole and mangonnada are all on the menu. Tickets are $85 and can be purchased online.
Thursday, May 11
Location: Ardrey Kell Rd, Charlotte, NC 28277
Time: 6-8 p.m.
Cost: $20
Sip and shop at the Waverly Wine Walk. Sign up for the event and enjoy specials, discounts, swag and giveaways from participating boutiques, restaurants, salons and more. All ticket sales will go towards the Humane Society of Charlotte and Claire’s Army. You can buy yours online.
Homegrown Dinner Series at Dogwood Southern Table & Bar
Location: 4905 Ashley Park Ln, Charlotte, NC 28210
Time: 6:30 p.m.
Cost: $100
Enjoy a unique four-course meal from Dogwood Southern Table & Bar. The special dinner will be centered around ramps, a delicacy of the spring season that is foraged locally and are only in season for a very limited amount of time each year. The SouthPark restaurant will be serving ramp salad, frito misto, halibut and short rib. If you want to attend, call the restaurant at 704-910-4919 to reserve your seat.
Mark your calendar
Location: Bazal Gallery Lounge, 950 North Carolina Music Factory Blvd, Charlotte, NC 28206
When: May 18
Cost: $40
Plan ahead and buy tickets for the largest booze-free party in the country. The Roaring Social’s Great Sober Curious Party is one of 49 events that will be simultaneously taking place at the exact same time. Let loose and enjoy a night of signature zero proof cocktails and bites at Bazal Gallery Lounge.
