Weekender: 33 things to do in Charlotte this weekend including an arts and grilled cheese festival

Several free and family-friendly festivals are happening in Charlotte this weekend, plus a couple of charity events if you're looking to support a good cause.

Friday, April 26

🎶 Experience a two-day music and arts festival with a lineup of artists at GreenLife Family Farms. | $65+ | Time | Details

🎤 Listen to award-winning country music performers Rivers Rutherford and Brett James at The Union to benefit Hopeway. | $300 | 6-10pm | Details

🎵 Join South Charlotte Partners Breakfast Club to talk about music at The Amp Ballantyne. | $25 | 7:30am-9am | Details

🌳 Stroll through Wing Haven for the 30th annual Gardeners' Garden Tour. | $75-$95 | 5:30-7pm | Details

🤩 Take a pilates class at the newly opened Club Pilates Plaza Midwood studio. | First class is free | 8am-6pm | Details

🖼️ Bid for a new art piece at the McColl Center's fourth annual Benefit Art Auction. | $100 | Times vary | Details

🎶 Enjoy a musical performance from The Piano Guys at Ovens Auditorium. | $59-130 | 8-10pm | Details

👯‍♀️ Vibe to a Taylor Swift-themed dance party at The Fillmore. | $30+ | 9pm | Details

🎤 Sing your favorite song at The Market at 7th Street's karaoke night. | Free | 7-9:30pm | Details

🎉 Enjoy BOOM Charlotte's 7th annual arts festival at Camp North End now through April 28. | Free | 6-10pm | Details

Saturday, April 27

🎊 Party to Good Cookies Bad Daddies Band at Resident Culture in Plaza Midwood. Proceeds benefit Cookies for Kids' Cancer. | $50 | 7-11pm | Details

🧩 Join the Autism Strong Foundation for a conference featuring resources, food and drinks at UNC Marriott Conference Center. | $75 | 7am-5pm | Details

🚘 Bring your classic or stop by to check out vintage vehicles at the Autobarn at the Gibson Mill in Concord. | Free | 9am-1pm | Details

🤣 Laugh at "that's what she said" jokes at Charlotte Comedy Theater. | $15 | 7:30-9pm | Details

🕯️ Learn how to make a candle to take home at the Market at 7th Street. | $36 | 4-6pm | Details

🐩 Take your dog to "Pawty for a PAWpose" for games at Monday Night Brewing Garden Co. Proceeds benefit Greater Charlotte SPCA. | Free | 12-5pm | Details

🏒 Watch the Charlotte Checkers playoff games at Bojangles Coliseum. | $30 | Runs through Sunday | Details

🌳 Celebrate Charlotte's tree canopy at the second annual TreeFest at Olde Mecklenburg Brewery. | Free | 2-5pm | Details

🧀 Munch on some of the best grilled cheese in the city at the Charlotte Grilled Cheese Festival at South End Station. | $20-$65 | 1-4pm | Details

🛍️ Shop the Hand Crafted Market Small Biz Festival at Triple C Brewing Company. | Free | 12-6pm | Details

🍾 Pull up to a Hillman-themed day party at RSVP South End. | $10+ | 4-9pm | Details

🎤 Kenny Chesney: Sun Goes Down Tour with Zac Brown Band at Bank of America Stadium. | $50+ | 5pm | Details

📚 Go on the Greater Charlotte Book Crawl to visit 19 Indie bookstores. | Free | Hours vary | Details

🎤 Pull up to the Charlotte Poetry Festival at Goodyear Arts. | Free | 12-5pm | Details

🎊 The Lowe's "Got Soul: Savor the Culture" Festival at The Amp Ballantyne. | $50+ | Details

🍤 Grab a fish fry plate and enjoy a block party at The Great Westside Fish Fry in West Complex. | Free | 1-7pm | Details

Sunday, April 28

🧘‍♂️ Exhale and unwind with Move Wellness's dance-based yoga at The Music Yard. | $25.20 | 11am | Details

🐤 Watch 50,000+ rubber ducks pour into the Whitewater Center's waters during the Hope Floats Duck Race that supports KinderMourn. | $12 for parking | 2-5pm | Details

🍽️ Enjoy a four-course dinner paired with beers at Birdsong Brewing | $60 | 6:30-8:30pm | Details

🎶 Play trap music bingo at The Fillmore. | $42+ | 2pm | Details

🏈 Meet former Panthers' player Luke Kuechly at Glory Days Apparel. Proceeds from the sale of Glory Day's new "Luke's Icon" shirt benefit Kuechly's nonprofit The Heartest Yard . | Free | 12-1:30pm | Details

👰‍♀️ Get ideas to plan your wedding with the Best of Charlotte Bridal Show at Divine Barrel Brewing. | $5 | 1-4pm | Details

🥂 Pull up to a day party with Hip Hop, R&B and Afrobeats music from a live DJ at RSVP South End. | $8 | 6-11pm | Details

Check out more upcoming events on our Event Board . Hosting an event? Reach more Charlotteans through an Event Listing , which includes placement on our Event Board and in our weekday newsletter. Have a scoop about a cool event? Submit your event .