Your 5-minute guide to the best things to do in Charlotte | April 7-13

Chyna Blackmon
·5 min read

Friday, April 7

Sip and shop at Rosie’s Coffee and Wine Garden’s First Friday Market. There will be several local vendors, live music and a selection of wine, beer and coffee. Free admission. 4-8 p.m. 940 N. Davidson St,. Charlotte, NC 28206. https://www.rosieswinegarden.com/new-events-1

Kick off the weekend with the First Friday Gallery Crawl in South End. Local galleries and shops will be offering extended hours, special receptions, live painting and music. Free. Multiple locations. 5 p.m. https://southendclt.org/do/first-friday-gallery-crawl-6

Cheer on the Hornets in their last home game of the season. The team will be taking on the Houston Rockets at the Spectrum Center. The game starts at 7 p.m. Tickets are still up for grabs, starting at $16.50. https://bit.ly/3zv6ZIC

Catch a movie at the Whitewater Center. Every Friday night from April through October, the center will showcase outdoor lifestyle movies from across the world. The film series is kicking off with “The Great Alone.” Free. 8 p.m. 5000 Whitewater Center Parkway, Charlotte, NC 28214. http://bit.ly/3K9QWEG

Give your funny bone a workout at the Royal Comedy 2023 show, which will bring comedians Sommore, Bruce Bruce, Lavell Crawford and Special K to Ovens Auditorium for a night of stand-up. 8 p.m. 2700 E. Independence Blvd. Tickets start at $64. bit.ly/43c2BMf

Saturday, April 8

Get up and get out to run for Around the Crown 10K’s first training run and walk. The Truist Training Tours are a series of training runs designed to take runners through lesser run Charlotte neighborhoods, highlighting places of diversity and historical significance while telling the story of each neighborhood as you train. Free. No RSVP needed. 9 a.m. 2900 Rocky River Rd, Charlotte, NC 28213. https://aroundthecrown10k.com/get-involved/truist-training-tours/

Shop small and support local businesses at the Girl Tribe Pop Up at the Charlotte Convention Center. There will be 100+ women-owned boutiques, beauty brands, artists and local vendors that you can buy from, plus live music and food. And a photographic aura reading experience will be offered, as well. Tickets, starting at $10, can be bought online or in person. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. 501 S. College St, Charlotte, NC 28202. http://bit.ly/42WLE8t

The Girl Tribe Pop Up at the Charlotte Convention Center will feature over 100 women-owned boutiques, beauty brands, artists and other local vendors.
The Girl Tribe Pop Up at the Charlotte Convention Center will feature over 100 women-owned boutiques, beauty brands, artists and other local vendors.

To commemorate the life of Pablo Picasso, the Mint Museum in Uptown is holding a ‘Pablomonium’ celebration. Guests will get free admission to the museum and the exhibition Picasso Landscapes: Out of Bounds. There will also be live music, art activities, film screenings, photo booths, food trucks and more. Free. 10 a.m.-6 p.m. 500 S. Tryon St., Charlotte, NC 28202. http://bit.ly/40U9tvE

“Picasso Landscapes: Out of Bounds” debuts Feb. 11 at Mint Museum Uptown, 500 S. Tryon St., showcasing a collection of nearly 50 paintings and two sculptures by Pablo Picasso.
“Picasso Landscapes: Out of Bounds” debuts Feb. 11 at Mint Museum Uptown, 500 S. Tryon St., showcasing a collection of nearly 50 paintings and two sculptures by Pablo Picasso.

Drown your sorrows over the fact that Taylor Swift’s world tour is not coming to Charlotte by celebrating the megastar’s music during The Taylor Party: Taylor Swift Night at The Fillmore Charlotte. It’s basically a dance party — for dance-partygoers 18 and older — set to dozens of songs from T-Swizzle’s extensive catalog. 9 p.m. 820 Hamilton St. $18. bit.ly/40YmDYu.

Sunday, April 9

Have a special brunch or dinner for Easter. Whether you choose to stay home with takeout or dine in-person, there are several restaurants offering special meals. Browse through our curated lists of where to preorder or make reservations for this holiday weekend, or where you can dine without reservations. http://bit.ly/3U8lStV

Table & Twine’s Easter brunch package.
Table & Twine’s Easter brunch package.

Wrap up the weekend at Charlotte SHOUT! The event runs through April 16, with several activities highlighting music, art, food and more. Tickets are available online. Multiple locations and prices. https://www.charlotteshout.com/

Monday, April 10

Jam out to Tommy Castro and The Painkillers at the Neighborhood Theatre. The blues group has been together for more than a decade. Tickets are $20 in advance and $25 at the door. 8 p.m. 511 E. 36th St., Charlotte, NC 28205. https://bit.ly/3MheOZR

Tuesday, April 11

Learn how to make popular drinks at The Royal Tot’s Tiki Cocktail class. You’ll get a behind-the-scenes look at how to create three different cocktails. Tickets are $75 and can be purchased online. 6 p.m. 933 Louise Ave., Suite 350, Charlotte, NC 28204. http://bit.ly/3Mcr9OY

Wednesday, April 12

The North End Farmers Market is back. Every Wednesday from April-October, shop from local farmers and other small businesses. Free admission. 4-8 p.m. 1801 N. Graham St., Charlotte, NC 28206. https://northendmarketclt.com/

Thursday, April 13

Sip and swirl your way through three wines and connect with other wine club members at Assorted Table Wine & Shop’s wine tasting event.. Tickets are $10 for non members. 5-6:30 p.m. 224 E. 7th St., Charlotte, NC 28202. http://bit.ly/3m1JrYy

Head over to the Charlotte Motor Speedway for the Charlotte AutoFair. The big event will transform the speedway for car enthusiasts who want to check out and see the latest technology, trends, parts and products firsthand. Tickets can be bought online, starting at $10. 5555 Concord Pkwy S., Concord, NC 28027 bit.ly/3yZdsLl

Mark your calendar

Celebrate Earth Day on Saturday, April 22 with the Charlotte Vintage Market at Optimist Hall. More than 30 vendors will be set up for browsing from 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Free admission. 1115 N. Brevard St, Charlotte, NC 28206. https://www.instagram.com/p/Co5cUp8pBB7/

Go Hawaiian at A Royal Lu’au on Sunday, May 21. Expect tropical beverages, a whole hog roast and live entertainment at The Royal Tot event. Adult tickets are $60, and children are $30. 5 p.m. 933 Louise Ave., Suite 350, Charlotte, NC 28204. bit.ly/3ZI9mCz

Eat your way through the second annual Empanada Festival at Camp North End on Saturday, May 27. (The event was rescheduled due to expected inclement weather.) Enjoy an afternoon of music, dancing, drinks and, of course, empanadas. Free. 12-6 p.m. 1774 Statesville Ave., Charlotte, NC 28206. https://camp.nc/events/empanada-festival-2023/

Dive into all things soccer at CLTSoccerCon on Saturday, Aug. 5. Fans of the game will gather to learn more, socialize, trade gear and more with live entertainment, games, panel discussions, interactive games. and autograph signings. General admission tickets for ages 16+ are $5, and children under 16 are free. Noon-6 p.m. Creative Player Sports Soccer Facility, 2601 Wilkinson Blvd, Charlotte, NC 28208. bit.ly/3zxlSKd

Theoden Janes contributed to this article.