Your 5-minute guide to the best things to do in Charlotte | March 31-April 6

Friday, March 31

Cheer on the Charlotte Knights in their first game of the season. Opening night is at 7:04 p.m. against the Memphis Redbirds, kicking off a three-game series. The game will also include the first Friday Night Fireworks show of the season. Tickets still available start at $17 and can be purchased in person at the Truist Field Ticket Office, online at CharlotteKnights.com and by phone at 704-274-8282. 324 S. Mint St., Charlotte, NC 28202. http://bit.ly/40CxaZe

The Charlotte SHOUT! Festival kicks off this weekend. The event runs March 31-April 16 when Uptown transforms into a creative playground highlighting music, art, food and more. The festival lineup has been released, and tickets for individual events are available online. Multiple locations and prices. https://www.charlotteshout.com/

READ NEXT: From annual traditions to new events, your guide to 2023 spring festivals in Charlotte

Start your weekend with a movie night at Camp North End. This is the last showing of the venue’s indoor ‘90s movie series Be Kind, Rewind. Grab some food and catch “The Fifth Element” on the big screen. Doors open at 6 p.m., and the movie will start at 7:30 p.m. Reserve your free ticket in advance. Ford Factory, 1774 Statesville Ave., Charlotte, NC 28206. http://bit.ly/3EfMbYh

Wedge your way into Belk Theater for “Beetlejuice,” one of the hottest (and most macabre, most madcap) musicals of Blumenthal Performing Arts’ Broadway season — if you can. There’s very, VERY limited ticket availability for the five weekend performances of the stage version of the cult-classic Tim Burton movie, which centers around an eccentric teen girl, a dead couple and a spirit with a thing for stripes. Showtimes are 8 p.m. Friday, 2 and 8 p.m. Saturday, and 1:30 and 7 p.m. Sunday. 130 N. Tryon St. Those who miss the show this time around can try again when it returns for an encore in late December. bit.ly/3Zw4NuW

Saturday, April 1

The Davidson Farmers Market is back. Prime Market will be open every Saturday from April 1-Nov. 18. Shop organic and naturally grown foods from over 30 local vendors. There will also be cooking demonstrations, music and events. 9 a.m.-12 p.m. 120 S. Main St., Davidson, NC 28036. https://www.davidsonfarmersmarket.org/

Check out Charlotte Brewfest. Enjoy unlimited sampling of beer made by 25+ national, regional, and local craft breweries, plus food trucks, live music and more. Tickets start at $20. 1-5 p.m. 1435 S. Tryon Str., Charlotte, NC 28203. http://bit.ly/3TMqNAm

Sip your way through the afternoon at the South End Wine and Hops Festival. There will be more than 75 wines and 20 local craft brews available to choose from, plus live music, food trucks and pop-up shops. 1-6 p.m. Tickets start at $20. 3000 S. Tryon St., Charlotte, NC 28217. http://bit.ly/3zdChDs

Get outside and road trip across state lines to the new Great Falls Reservoir on the Catawba River in Chester County, South Carolina. At the water attraction, you can kayak, canoe, raft, paddle and boat along the river for free. You can also find scheduled recreation flow releases online. 528 Catawba River Road, Great Falls, SC 29055. http://bit.ly/40I9XVJ

Spend your evening at North Corner Haven’s Forage & Feast. Enjoy a guided foraging experience in the 500+ acre mixed hardwood forest and a mushroom log workshop, followed by a four-course dinner with drinks. Tickets are $195 and can be purchased online. 3-8:30 p.m. 3454 Activity Road, Lancaster, SC 29720. http://bit.ly/3FW0YYQ

Cheers to 50 years! Carowinds is hosting a 50th anniversary celebration. Ride your favorite rollercoasters and enjoy live music from local bands followed by a fireworks show. Daily tickets to the park are $39. The event will be from 5-10 p.m. 300 Carowinds Blvd, Charlotte, NC 28273. https://www.carowinds.com/events/golden-celebration

Jam out at the Spring Tosco Music Party at Knight Theater. See more than a dozen local, regional and national acts perform a wide variety of music genres. Tickets start at $28.50. 7:30 p.m. 430 S. Tryon St., Charlotte, NC 28202. https://toscomusic.org/events/tosco-music-party-1

Give your sides a workout by taking in one of stand-up comedian John Crist’s two “Emotional Support Tour” performances at Ovens Auditorium this weekend. Crist, who cut his teeth doing sketch comedy for YouTube and Buzzfeed, has opened for A-listers like Dave Chappelle and Jeff Foxworthy. 7 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. 2700 E. Independence Blvd. Tickets start at $30. Saturday’s show is nearly sold out, but there is good availability for Sunday’s. bit.ly/3ZsQtmH

Sunday, April 2

Liven up your day at Stroke’s Burlesque Brunch. VIP, individual and group tickets are available online for the show. Plus, there’s special deals for food, drinks and mini golf. The burlesque show starts at 12 p.m., with bar seating starting at $30. 1318 Pecan Ave., Suite 101, Charlotte, NC 28205. https://www.strokeputt.com/upcoming-events

Shop small and support local businesses at Front Porch Sundays. There will be 70 local vendors to shop from on the first Sunday of every month, along with food and live music. 11 a.m.-4 p.m. 2000-2140 South Blvd., Charlotte, NC, 28203. https://bit.ly/40DXRN5

Wrap up your weekend on the last day of the 14th annual Charlotte Fair. There’s over 40 fair rides, fair food, performances and more. Tickets start at $10 and can be bought online. 1-10 p.m. Charlotte Motor Speedway, 6558 Bruton Smith Blvd., Concord, NC 28027. https://thecharlottefair.com/

Savor new flavors at Ghostface Brewing’s bourbon tasting event. Enjoy a blind tasting experience of five barrel picks from four distilleries. Tickets are $45. 2-4 p.m. 215 S. Broad St., Mooresville, NC 28115. https://ghostfacebrewing.com/mooresville-ghostface-brewing-events

Tap into your creative cooking side and check out a charcuterie board workshop at Hoptown Brewery. Guests will get to build their own food boards to take home. Tickets are $30. 3-5 p.m. 107 Plantation Ridge Drive, Mooresville, NC 28117. http://bit.ly/3TOjCHW

Monday, April 3

Start your week off right and treat yourself to Milkbread’s newest menu item: mixed berry milkbread donuts. The doughnuts are $3 for a single, $17 for a half dozen and $33 for a dozen. They’re are available at both the Plaza Midwood (1431 Central Ave., Charlotte, NC 28205) and Lake Norman locations (624 Jetton St., #110, Davidson, NC 28036). https://www.milkbread.com/

Tuesday, April 4

Unwind after work with a free yoga class at Birkdale Village. As part of the ‘Be Well Birkdale’ series, there will be a weekly workout class in the Plaza from April through October. The first class will be led by YogaSix. 6-7 p.m. 8712 Lindholm Drive, #202, Huntersville, NC 28078. https://birkdalevillage.com/events/be-well-birkdale

Wednesday, April 5

Step back into your childhood and play arcade games around Charlotte. There are several bars and businesses where you can show off your skills in classic games, including bowling, go karts and laser tag too. Find one with our CharlotteFive guide to the best places with arcade games. Multiple locations. http://bit.ly/3TWgw4H

Thursday, April 6

Get outside and enjoy the views at one of the rooftop bars and restaurants in Charlotte. Whether you’re looking for a beer, cocktail or even a bite to eat, there are plenty of places in our CharlotteFive guide to rooftop spaces to check out while enjoying the spring weather. Multiple locations. http://bit.ly/3JJr6r4

Check out a comedy show at Billy Sunday’s. Enjoy a drink and hear from several local and national comedians during the two-hour event. Tickets are $10. 7-9 p.m. 1115 N. Brevard St., #UNIT 1 Charlotte, NC 28206. https://bit.ly/40K3lWV

Go on a ghost tour through Davidson. Learn about the town’s history, legend and ghosts during the 90 minute event. During the spring season, tours are offered Thursday and Saturday nights starting at 8 p.m. Tickets are $10 and can be purchased online. The 1.8 mile tour starts at the corner of Main Street and Concord Road in Davidson. https://www.ghostsofdavidson.com/tickets

Mark your calendar

Browse an outdoor market with live music, yoga, food, wine and more at the Markets at 11 Spring Series in Ballantyne’s Backyard. Over 70 local artisans and vendors will be on hand for the Saturday, April 8 event, which lasts from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Free, and free parking is available at 11611 North Community House Road, Charlotte, NC 28277. bit.ly/3KhEioF

Experience the magic of storytelling at the 22nd Annual Patchwork Tales Storytelling Festival on Saturday, April 29. Bring a blanket or chair to the Comporium Amphitheater at the Anne Springs Close Greenway to enjoy stories, music and a Fun Zone for children and teens while you eat food truck bites. Admission and parking are free. 291 Dairy Barn Lane, Fort Mill, SC 29715. https://www.yclibrary.org/patchwork-tales

Learn to play mahjong at Mere’s CLT’s first Mahj in the City event on Tuesday, May 2. If it’s your first time playing, don’t worry — the event will include learning the tiles, the rules of play and more. 5:30-7p.m. $50. Sign up online. 2400 Park Road, Suite H, Charlotte, NC 28203. https://www.instagram.com/p/CqS5Z3BLMSW/