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CLT Happenings: 12 things to do this weekend in Charlotte

There’s a lot to do this weekend: Legendary concerts, a Hispanic Heritage month festival, and the return of Speed Street, all happening in the Queen City.

CHARLOTTE, N.C. —

Circle K Speed Street @ Romare Bearden Park

The ultimate celebration of NASCAR returns to the Queen City this weekend. Circle K Speed Street will include live entertainment, access to racing’s brightest stars, giveaways, interactive displays, and more. The three-day festival kicks off Thursday, Oct. 7, and runs until Saturday, Oct. 9 at Romare Bearden Park, starting every day at noon. Find more information about Speed Street and other 600 Festival events here.

RELATED: Bubba Wallace is first Black driver to win NASCAR Cup Series race since 1963

Pop-up Picnic @ Mint Museum Randolph

Get your weekend started right with good vibes and great food at the Pop-up Picnic event at the Mint Museum Randolph. The event offers carefully curated picnic baskets that feature great local food choices, starting at $50 per basket; they are available for purchase here. It all kicks off on Friday, Oct. 8 at 6 p.m. More information about the event can be found here.

Earth, Wind & Fire @ Charlotte Metro Credit Union Amphitheatre 

No one knows how to throw a party quite like Earth, Wind & Fire, and this is weekend is your chance to get down with EWF. The Grammy-winning R&B band will be performing at The Music Factory on Friday, playing all our favorite hits. The show begins at 8 p.m. Tickets start at $31 and can be purchased here.

HOLA Charlotte Festival

Come out and celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month in the Queen City at HOLA Charlotte Festival. The event will feature Latin American cultural and artistic dance performances, epic musical performances and more highlighting Latin American culture and all its diversity. It all goes down on Saturday in Uptown Charlotte between 4th Street and Stonewall Street. Find more information here.

RELATED: Celebrate National Hispanic Heritage month with Mexican cuisine and traditions

Oktoberfest Brat Trot 5K

Bring your running shoes and your appetite for the Oktoberfest Brat Trot 5K happening in Mooresville. This fall celebration is benefitting the Lake Norman Humane Society and will feature food trucks, an outdoor beer tent, a pet adoption event, and more. The event is happening Saturday Sign-ups for the 5K are $35 and can be done here.

Carolina Renaissance Festival

Get medieval with your friends and family as you head out to the opening weekend of the Carolina Renaissance Festival. Enjoy non-stop, day-long, immersive and interactive activities as well as the open-air Artisan Market with arts and crafts, games, rides, jousting knights on horseback, falconry, and food options you’re sure to love. This season-long event runs every Saturday and Sunday until Nov. 21. Tickets start at $17 for kids and $27 for adults and can be purchased here

RELATED: Everything you need to know when the Carolina Renaissance Festival returns this fall

A Vibe Called Fresh: Charlotte

You don't want to miss the hottest block party in Charlotte this weekend. A Vibe Called Fresh '21 is a 3-part cultural immersion festival series celebrating the musical contributions of Black creatives around the world. The free event kicks off Saturday at 2 p.m. and ends at 8 p.m. Register to attend here.

Carolina Panthers vs. Philadelphia @ Bank of America Stadium

Football is back this Sunday in the Queen City as your Carolina Panthers take on the Philadelphia Eagles at Bank of America Stadium Sunday at 1 p.m. Game tickets start at $82 and are available for purchase here.

ONGOING EVENTS

Food Truck Friday

Come out for good eats, live music and fun for the whole family at various Food Truck Friday events happening all over the Queen City. Come out to get your grub on at Food Truck Friday at Cabarrus Brewing Company, Black Food Truck Friday at Julius Chambers High School, University City Food Truck Friday, or Food Truck Friday at Sycamore Brewing. Times vary by location.

SCarowinds

Face your darkest fears at SCarowinds this weekend. Hoards of hungry zombies, jaw-dropping mazes, and epic coaster thrills await your arrival at the ultimate fright fest of the Carolinas. The fright-fest is open now, and you can visit all weekend long starting at $40. Tickets are available for purchase here.

Immersive Van Gogh @ Camp North End

Come out to experience the lauded Immersive Van Gogh exhibit at Camp North End. The exhibit features 500,000 cubic feet of monumental projections animating Vincent van Gogh’s oeuvre. The event will run through Sunday, October 31. Tickets start at $39 and can be purchased here.

RELATED: Art for all: How Charlotte’s Van Gogh Exhibit is increasing accessibility

Live Under The Oaks @ Birkdale Village

Kick your weekend off with a little shopping and live music at the Grove at Birkdale Village every Friday evening from April to October this year. This week, enjoy a special edition of Live Under The Oaks with Sunset Revival, benefiting St. Jude's Children Hospital from 5-8 p.m. As always, the event will feature an onsite bar provided by Red Rocks Cafe. Find more information about this free event here.

Markets + More

Queen City weekends always provide a surplus of vendor markets for Charlotteans to get their pick at fresh and locally sourced products. This weekend’s open markets include the  Plaza Midwood Farmer’s Market, the Uptown Farmer’s Market, the University City Farmer’s Market, and the Southend Farmers’ Market.

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