If you’re on the hunt for holiday cheer, we’ve got just the thing. Find pop-up markets perfect for checking off your gift list, hands-on art and cooking classes, wine dinners, festive 5Ks and more in our day-by-day round-up of what to do this weekend in Charlotte:
ALL WEEKEND
Holiday Pop Up Shop at Winter Wonderland
December 15 – 16 | Symphony Park
Shop this weekend-long pop-up with local vendors and your favorite Frozen characters on Saturday, plus a hot cocoa bar and ornament making on Sunday.
Handmade Holiday Market
December 15 – 16 | Twenty-Six Acres Brewing Company, Concord | 1 – 6 p.m.
From 1 – 6 p.m. each day, shop from local vendors offering pottery, jewelry, accessories, paintings, pet supplies and more.
FRIDAY
Adult Art Party: Hand-Marbled Papers
Friday, December 14 | Mint Museum Uptown | 6 – 8:30 p.m.
Get ready to tap into your creative side. This hands-on experience offers the opportunity to get a private mini-tour of the Mint studios, sip on BYO beer or wine and learn to make your own colorful marbled papers you can keep as a piece of art or transform into notecards or home décor. $40 general admission, $30 for Mint members. Pre-registration required.
Hands-on Mixology Class – Holiday Entertaining
Friday, December 14 | Sweet Spot Studio CLT | 6:30 – 8:30 p.m.
This holiday season, challenge your crew to whip up something new from the bar cart. Create three seasonal cocktails with the help of leading mixologists and enjoy complimentary cheese and charcuterie. $70 per person.
Zia Pia Holiday Drop-in
Zia Pia Imports + Italian Kitchen | 5:30 – 8 p.m.
Celebrate the best of the season with live music, complimentary glass of prosecco, buffet menu of antipasti and small plates, retail product tasting bar featuring fine aged balsamic, extra virgin olive oil, spreads, panettone and 5% off any retail purchase. $25 per person.
Holiday Sip N Shop
Treehouse Vineyards | 6 – 9 p.m.
In Monroe, Treehouse Vineyards will host a sip ‘n shop with specialty vendors, raffles and wine samples.
Cheese & Cider Pairing
Red Clay Ciderworks | 7 p.m.
Red Clay Ciderworks and Orrman’s Cheese Shop team up for four cheese and cider pairings led by Cider maker Jay Bradish and cheese expert Rachel Klebaur. $19 per person.
Plaza Midwood “Running of the Balls” 5K
Resident Culture Brewing Company | 7 p.m.
The second annual Plaza Midwood “Running of the Balls” 5K takes participants on a scenic route through neighborhood streets decked out with hundreds of decorate Christmas light balls. After crossing the finish line, stick around for a post-race mixer.
SATURDAY
Holiday Secrets & Appetizers
Upstream Seafood | 10 a.m.
Chefs from Upstream and Mimosa Grill share their secrets to crafting crowd-pleasing holiday appetizers and small plates. View the full menu here. $48 per person includes tastings, beverages and take-home recipes.
Breakfast with Santa
Harper’s Restaurant at Carolina Place | 8 – 10 a.m.
Kiddos will get the chance to whisper their Christmas wish to Santa himself, and the whole family will enjoy a festive breakfast. $15 for adults, $8 for children 12 and under, free for those under four. Book your reservation online or call 704.541.5255.
The Last Uptown Flea of 2018
700 N Tryon Street | 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Wrap up your holiday shopping by shopping over 80 handmade and vintage vendors. Plus, enjoy food trucks and live music. $1 entry fee.
Holiday Sip & Shop
Foxcroft Wine Co. SouthPark | 2 – 5 p.m.
Sample more than 15 wines and shop gifts for the wine-lovers on your list at Foxcroft SouthPark. Small bites, cheese and charcuterie will be available from the kitchen. $5 per person.
Ugly Christmas Sweater Party
Graham St. Pub & Patio | 9 p.m.
Show off your best ugly sweater at Graham St. Pub & Patio’s holiday bash, which also features a DJ and drink specials. Prizes include $100 cash and Hornets club level seats.
SouthBound and The Music Yard’s Holiday Pop-Up Shop
The Music Yard | 12 – 3 p.m.
Carolina Makers & Company teams up with Ronald McDonald House of Charlotte and The Music Yard for this donation drive and vendor pop-up market. Donate a new and unwrapped gift to those in need (browse a list of requested items here), shop local vendors and enter to win raffle prizes.
Wilson’s Stuff The Truck Wrap Party (rescheduled from December 8)
Sugar Creek Brewing | 5 – 8 p.m.
Bring an unwrapped toy or donation to The Salvation Army Angel Tree, plus enjoy a performance by School of Rock Charlotte.
We Believe – Santa 5k
U.S. National Whitewater Center | 12 – 3 p.m.
Come run the trails of the USNWC dressed in your best St. Nick attire in this two-part 5k. After the Santas run the trails, you and your four-legged friends can run the route together. Prize given for the best Santa Claus look-a-like, plus competitions and giveaways. $30+.
Holiday Artisan Pop Up Market (rescheduled from December 8)
The Loyalist Market, Matthews | Noon – 3 p.m.
Shop 15 vendors as Good Cup Coffee, The Matthews Beacon and The Loyalist Market team up for this hyperlocal pop-up market. Fuel up with lunch at the market before shopping.
Hawaiian Pig Roast
Sycamore Brewing | 12 – 5 p.m.
Rollicious Ribs & More, LLC will provide the food, while Sycamore releases two new brews: Pakalolo Hawaiian style IPA and Double Fudge Brownie Imperial Stout. There will also be live music.
Holiday Market
NoDa Company Store | 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
NoDa’s farmers market get a holiday spin as local vendors join the line-up offering gifts perfect for everyone on your list. The farmers market goes from 9 a.m. – 12 p.m., while the holiday market goes until 3 p.m.
Santa Run 8K and Snowman Dash
Romare Bearden Park | 9 – 11 a.m.
Run as Santa, an elf, reindeer or snowman in this festive 8k showcasing Uptown Charlotte. Registration includes a shirt and Santa, elf or snowman hat or reindeer antlers.
Pet Nat, Pȃté and Price’s Fried Chicken
Vin Master Wine Shop | 3:30 – 5:30 p.m.
Enjoy Pet Nat wines perfectly paired with pȃté and fried chicken from Price’s Chicken Coop. The afternoon also includes a cooking demo by Chef John Schall and cheese and charcuterie. $25 per person. Call 704.307.5565 or email vinmasterclt@gmail.com to get your tickets.
Holiday High Tea
Le Macaron French Pastries Charlotte | 12 – 5 p.m.
This holiday themed Parisian high tea includes macarons, croissants, fruit, cookies, tea and complimentary champagne. $12 per person.
Charlotte’s SantaCon 2018
Plaza Midwood | 12 – 6 p.m.
Charlotte’s version of the popular SantaCon event invites guests to start the fun with a silent disco-style party featuring three DJs at The Rabbit Hole. Then, the Santa-wannabes will crawl from bar to bar in Plaza Midwood to enjoy drink and food specials. Free admission.
SUNDAY
Ballantyne Village Pop Up Gift Event
Ballantyne Village | 12 – 4 p.m.
Wrap up your holiday shopping with the help of local vendors and tenants offering home goods, jewelry, unique boutique finds and more.
Truffle Wine Dinner
AQUA e VINO | 7 – 10 p.m.
This annual five-course dinner features white truffles from Italy’s Alba region in Piemonte and wine pairings. View the full menu here. $180 per person. Call 704.364.4445 to reserve your seat.
5th Annual Chili Cook Off
The Unknown Brewing Company | 2 – 6 p.m.
Put your chili recipe to the ultimate test or taste-test and help crown the winner at Unknown’s fifth chili cookoff. Proceeds benefit Purple Heart Homes.
Shop Drop ‘N Roll Winter Market
NoDa Brewing Company | 12 – 6 p.m.
This seasonal market will include a lineup of handmade, local vendors, craft beer, giveaways and more. A portion of proceeds will benefit a local charity.
Resident Culture Brewing Company Beer Dinner
The Cellar at Duckworth’s | 1 p.m.
The brewers at Resident Culture and The Cellar’s Chef Fred Quinones team up for a six-course dinner using products from Wild Hope Farms in Chester, SC. The special menu was designed to complement the brewery’s unique beers. Preview the full menu here. $75 per person.
Ri Ra’s Inaugural Santa Run
Ri Ra Irish Pub | 3 p.m.
Ri Ra’s inaugural Santa Run takes participants through Charlotte’s Uptown and Fourth Ward neighborhoods. Afterwards, every St. Nick will enjoy cookies and beer at the bar.
PLAN AHEAD
A Very Merry Mansion: Songs of the Season
The Duke Mansion | Monday, 12/17 7 p.m.
Experience the beauty of the decked-out Duke Mansion and the cheerful sounds of Carolina Vocal Projects in this festive evening complete with a cash bar. $15 general admission.
