Your 5-minute guide to the best things to do in Charlotte | May 20-26

Editor’s note: CharlotteFive has limited coverage of in-person, indoor events to help prevent community spread of COVID-19. Masks are required at many Charlotte venues for indoor spaces or close settings.

Friday

Head to The Square at Trade and Tryon in Uptown to celebrate Meck Dec Day, the 247th anniversary of the signing of the Mecklenburg Declaration of Independence. This year’s celebration will include military and colonial re-enactors, historic readings, toasts, musket and cannon firing, military parades and more. Noon. Free. The Square, 100 N. Tryon St. https://bit.ly/3Lmo1vH

Experience Armenian food and culture at the annual Armenian Festival. Authentic Armenian dishes including beef and chicken kebabs, side dishes, homemade pastas, pastries and more will be available with an option to pre-order online for curbside pickup. Friday, 5-9 p.m.; Saturday, 11 a.m.-9 p.m.; Sunday, noon-5 p.m. Free. St. Sarkis Armenian Apostolic Church, 7000 Park Road. https://bit.ly/39rfXNe

Saturday

Enjoy ice-cold Cheerwine in the town where it originated 105 years ago, along with Southern cuisine, family-friendly activities, local craft vendors, live music starting at 2 p.m., including legendary rock bands including Blues Traveler, Grammy-nominated Spin Doctors and more at The Cheerwine Festival. Noon-10 p.m. Free. Downtown Salisbury. 217 S. Main St. https://bit.ly/3Nflk0n

Explore the secret, urban gardens of Uptown in the historic Fourth Ward neighborhood. The walkable, self-guided tour showcases a variety of private gardens and includes food and beverage tastings in gardens and restaurants along the route, as well as electric golf cart rides with Ride Charlotte. The tour will also highlight public art, historic homes, the historic Elmwood/Pinewood Cemetery and special points of interest. The historic St. Peter’s Episcopal Church at 7th and Tryon Streets will also offer tours of its gardens each day during tour hours, as well as a free performance by the Charlotte Choir School in the sanctuary from 1-1:30 p.m. on Saturday only. Saturday, May 21 and Sunday, May 22 from 12-4 p.m. $30 for day-specific tickets. $40 for a weekend flex ticket. Purchase tickets online. Historic Fourth Ward, West 9th Street and North Poplar Street. https://bit.ly/38tdIsH

Enjoy unlimited samplings of beer and bourbon at Charlotte’s 15th annual Beer, Bourbon & BBQ Festival, along with live music, barbecue from multiple vendors, games, shopping, seminars with Southern Master Distillers, Pit Masters and Brewmasters and more. 2-6 p.m. VIP tickets are sold out, but there are still some General Admission tickets available. $42. Purchase online. Designated driver tickets are sold on-site for $25. Ballantyne’s Backyard. 11611 N. Community House Road. https://bit.ly/3Pr4wW7

If you’re a sweets lover, you won’t want to miss Dessert Wars, a (delicious) competition between more than 50 local vendors vying to be voted as your favorite dessert. Ticket holders will sample some of Charlotte’s best cookies, cakes, doughnuts, ice cream and other treats, then vote for their favorite dessert. General admission is $45 + fees and tax and includes 30 tickets for dessert samples, a “go-box” and 4 p.m. event entry. VIP tickets are $65 + fees and tax and include 50 sample tickets, a “go-box” and 3 p.m. event entry. Children 2 and under are free. Purchase online, as there are no tickets at the door. Park Expo Center, 2500 E. Independence Blvd. https://bit.ly/38nROGw

Sunday

Planning for a future wedding and need a little inspiration? Check out the Best of Charlotte Bridal Show, a boutique-style bridal show featuring a curated selection of vendors presented by Charlotte Bride Guide. 1-5 p.m. $5. Purchase tickets online. Lenny Boy Brewing. 3000 S. Tryon St. https://bit.ly/3LimmY0

For a day of shopping from women-owned businesses, food, cocktails and more, check out the Girl Tribe Pop Up in the Garden. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. $5 in advance. $10 at the door. Purchase tickets online. Alexander Homestead, 4717 Shamrock Drive. https://bit.ly/3NdYrdR

Monday

Experience a night of fun blending regional comedians with poets and spoken word artists from around the country at Laughs and Stanzas, presented by Blumenthal Performing Arts. 7:30 p.m. Free with registration. Register online. QC Social. 300 N. College St. https://bit.ly/3yGnEd2

Tuesday

Catch stand-up comedy with an environmental justice theme at Hattie’s Tap & Tavern from regional comedians at the “There’s Nothing Funny About Climate Change” comedy tour, hosted by Dogwood Alliance. Free but $10 suggested cover. Doors at 7 p.m. Show at 8 p.m. 2918 The Plaza. https://bit.ly/3sBQEif

Wednesday

Bring your alien-themed VHS movies — the more obscure the better — for a special double-feature event at VisArt Video, VHS Potluck (Alien Edition). Free but donations appreciated. 7:30 p.m. 3104 Eastway Drive. https://bit.ly/3sCGsWC

Thursday

Soak in the spring weather and enjoy live music outdoors at the last evening of the Shoppes at University Place’s Spring concert series. Free. 6-9 p.m. 8929 J M Keynes Drive. https://bit.ly/38yElMB

Mark your calendar

If alcoholic seltzer is your adult beverage of choice, you won’t want to miss the second annual Seltzer World Festival on Saturday, June 4, featuring unlimited samples of over 100 seltzer varieties and craft beer, food trucks, live DJs, local vendors and more. 1-5 p.m. General admission tickets: $30-40. VIP Lounge tickets: $45. Purchase online. South End. 200 E. Bland St. https://bit.ly/37Q5udM

Map out your selections for Untappd. The June 18 festival features unlimited beer samples from more than 300 choices provided by 100 of the social networking platform’s highest rated breweries — including some of your local favorites. Live music and souvenir cups are included. Session one VIP entry starts at 11 a.m., with doors open for general admission at noon and closing at 3:30 p.m. Session two VIP entry starts at 5:30 p.m., with general admission starting at 6:30 p.m., and wrapping up for the night at 10 p.m. General admission is $60, while VIP entry is $150. American Legion Memorial Stadium, 1218-1238 Armory Drive. https://bit.ly/354E16K

Tickets are on sale now for the inaugural Queen City Jam Sessions, a multi-day music festival from Aug. 19-21, presented by MaxxMusic and NoDa Brewing Company. See Greensky Bluegrass, Oteil and Friends, and Infamous Stringdusters and more at NoDa Brewing. A general admission three-day pass is $189. VIP passes are $299 and include express entrance, premier seating, two beers per day and private bar access. Admission is free for children under 7. Purchase tickets online. NoDa Brewing Company, 2921 N. Tryon St. https://bit.ly/3ENznYk