9 things to do in Charlotte this weekend: Apr. 11-13, 2025
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (WBTV) - The Charlotte Fair is back and the StrEATs Festival is serving up mouthwatering flavors.
9 things to do in Charlotte this weekend is part of our new newsletter The Go Guide! Every week, get the scoop on the latest events and happenings around Charlotte right in your inbox. To subscribe, make sure to check “The Go Guide” in our newsletter page.
Here’s a list of things to do the weekend of Apr. 11-13, 2025:
Charlotte Fair (Charlotte Motor Speedway), opening weekend: The fair is back! Head to the Charlotte Motor Speedway for a day of family fun. From thrilling rides to those how-did-they-come-up-with-that fair food, the Charlotte Fair has something for everyone. Go hog wild at pig racing or catch gravity-defying stunts by the High Flying Pages aerial troupe. Admission is $8 for children and $12 for adults. All rides are sold separately.
Red Bull Dance Your Style (Platform Sports), Friday 7 p.m.: The dance floor is heating up when the Red Bull Dance Your Style open qualifier comes to Charlotte. Dancers of any style are invited to audition for a coveted spot to compete in the Philadelphia Qualifier later this month. From hip hop to house, the one-on-one competition tests dancers’ freestyle and musicality skills. Dancers must be 18 and over to compete, spectators can RSVP to watch for free.
Black Charlotte: A Poetic Celebration of Place & Folk (Carolina Theater), Friday 8 p.m.: It’s a love letter to Charlotte. Hear the first live performance of the album “Black Charlotte: A Poetic Celebration of Place & Folk” featuring 15 poets paying homage to historically Black neighborhoods, important Black people and the pivotal moments in our city’s rich cultural history. Stick around for the community conversation. Tickets start at $10.
All American Reptile & Plant Expo (Park Expo & Conference Center), Friday to Sunday: Calling all reptile enthusiasts. Come to North Carolina’s largest and most diverse reptile show. From geckos to snakes, to worms and critters, the All American Reptile and Plant Expo is your place to connect with enthusiasts and promote conservation. Admission is $15 per day for adults, $8 per day for children.
Pet Palooza & Walk For The Animals (Truist Field), Saturday 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.: Join the Humane Society of Charlotte for a family-friendly day all about our four-legged friends. The morning starts off with the Walk for the Animals: a leashed pet-friendly stroll around Truist Field and Uptown. Then soak in the fun at Pet Palooza where you can find a number of vendors, activities, photo booths, music and food while raising funds that benefit homeless animals in our community. Admission is free.
University City Wine Fest, Saturday & Sunday: Returning for its 9th year, the University City Wine Fest transforms the lakeside campus into a food and wine destination. On Saturday, experience Wine on the Water where you do a wine tasting on the dock and then take your favorite wine on a paddle boat around the lake. Then, on Sunday, head to Wine Fest at the boardwalk where you can sample over 100 wines from 25 wineries. General admission starts at $35.
Charlotte StrEATs Festival (Gateway Village), Saturday & Sunday: As part of Charlotte SHOUT!, the StrEATS Festival celebrates the Queen City’s dynamic culinary scene. On Saturday, get a bite out of each of Charlotte’s neighborhoods at the StrEATs tasting tour where iconic restaurants share dishes that represent their community. All-inclusive admission is $95. 21 and over only. On Sunday, experience the StrEATs Festival, a free mouthwatering event with tons of local food trucks, live cooking and cocktail demos and your chance to meet celebrity chef Eric Adjepong.
Opera Carolina: La Boheme (Belk Theater), through Sunday: Giacomo Puccini’s classic opera comes to Charlotte. Experience the timeless story that inspired countless more in a story of love, death, friendship and hope. La Boheme will be performed in Italian with English captions. Tickets start at $31.
Art Crawl (Market at 7th Street), Sunday 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.: Check out creative works by local artists at this outdoor pop-up market. Get inspired by passionate artisans and learn all about their work from the artists themselves. While you discover something new, grab a bite or drink at The Market’s many restaurants. Admission is free.
Have an event you want to submit? I’m always looking for things to do around Charlotte. Send me your event to Carmichael.Cruz@WBTV.com.
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