The airport announced this year’s Thanksgiving travel season will be the busiest on record. Forecasts predict 1.2 million passengers will depart CLT between Thursday, Nov. 21 and Monday, Dec. 2 — surpassing last year’s record by 7% and a 20% rise over pre-pandemic levels in 2019.
The busiest travel days will be:
Friday, Nov. 22
Wednesday, Nov. 27
Sunday, Dec. 1
Monday, Dec. 2
TSA anticipates record volumes with 423,000 passengers expected to pass through security checkpoints during the holiday rush with peak screening hours expected to be 5 a.m.-10 a.m. + 2-6 p.m.
Look, we get it. Holiday travel can be hectic. If you’re flying through Charlotte Douglas this Thanksgiving with time to burn, consider browsing the airport’s full list of restaurants, bars, coffee spots, and luxury lounges to help make your trip a tad less stressful.
WinterFest at Carowinds | 5-10 p.m. | 14523 Carowinds Blvd. | $20 | Get ready for an immersive holiday season experience packed with light displays, ice skating, live music, and tasty treats.
Music Under the Stars: Metallica | 5:30-10:30 p.m. | Schiele Museum of Natural History, Gastonia | $30 | See this Metallica tribute under the planetarium dome with 360-degree graphics.
2024 College Hockey Outdoor Classic| 6-10 p.m. | Truist Field | $25+ | Prepare for a battle on ice when UNC Charlotte faces the Appalachian State.
Brahms’ A German Requiem | 7 p.m. | Belk Theatre | 7:30 p.m. | $22+ | Reserve your seats to see the Charlotte Symphony deliver a powerful performance.
Saturday, Nov. 23
Arts & Crafts Extravaganza | 9 a.m.-2 p.m. | Matthews United Methodist, Matthews | Cost of purchase | Find a special holiday gift from local vendors + pick the perfect dessert in the bake sale.
Cocktails & Cuisine Class: A Taste of 1929 | 4 p.m. | The Asbury | $55 | Learn to craft cocktails from the Prohibition era while celebrating The Dunhill’s 95th anniversary.
2024 Jazz at the Garden | 6-10 p.m. | Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden | $49+ | Stroll the decorated gardens before enjoying a performance by renowned Jazz musician Alex Bugnon.
Charlotte Ascent FC vs. Dallas Ascent FC | 7 p.m. | American Legion Memorial Stadium | $15+ | Root for Charlotte’s only female pro sports team in their last home game of the fall season.
Sunday, Nov. 24
VTGCLT Pop | 10 a.m.-7 p.m. | 301 Camp Rd., Ste. 101 | Cost of purchase | Support local business by shopping from local and regional vintage brands.
Carolina Panthers vs. Kansas City Chiefs | 1 p.m. | Bank of America Stadium | $122+ | Cheer on the Panthers when they face the Super Bowl champs on their home turf.
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Widespread snow is falling across portions of the North Carolina mountains. Ashe and Avery County Schools have a remote learning day today. Watauga County Schools are on a two-hour delay. Another round of mountain snow is expected tonight into Saturday morning. (WCNC)
Development
City leaders plan to start construction on the long-delayed pedestrian bridge over I-277 in 2025, with contractor candidate reviews beginning Wednesday, Dec. 4. The $17+ million project aims to be finished by 2027. (Charlotte Business Journal)
Real Estate
Linea, the anticipated 24-story tower at 2161 Hawkins St. in South End, has launched pre-leasing for its 370 upscale apartment homes. The luxury community offers studio, one-, two- and three-bedroom units + 13 penthouses. Rent for studio units starts at $1,700.
State
North Carolina’s Christmas tree industry needs your help in wake of heavy losses from Hurricane Helene. Cartner’s Christmas Tree Farm in Avery County lost 6,000 trees. Check out a full list of where to find a NC-grown tree this holiday season. (WBTV)
Shop
Shop Small Saturday returns for its 12th year in South End. Charlotte’s largest open-air pop-up holiday market will feature 120+ small business vendors along Camden Road, Atherton, and the Design Center of the Carolinas on Saturday, Nov. 30 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Asked
Speaking of... what locally-owned business will you be shopping at for Small Business Saturday? Let us know your favorite Queen City small business for a chance to be featured in an upcoming newsletter. Bonus points if you share what items you’re excited to buy.
Drink
Travelers at Charlotte Douglas International Airport can now grab a drink at the new Olde Mecklenburg Brewery outpost. The 125-seat, 1,785-sqft biergarten is at Concourse D, offering German-style beer and food. (Charlotte Business Journal)
Try This
Immersive game experience “Beat the Bomb” is now open in South End. Teams race the clock to complete challenges or get sprayed, slimed, or foamed. Tickets start at $29.95. Did CLTtoday beat the bomb?Find out now.
Watch
Remember the black bear cub that went viral for being illegally pulled from a tree for selfies? The North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission shared the bear was released back into the wild near Asheville. Researchers are monitoring the cub’s progress. (WCNC)
Sports
Can the Panthers upset the Kansas City Chiefs despite overwhelming odds? Go beyond the field for the biggest stories on the Carolina Pantherswith Locked On’s daily, team-focused podcasts.
Travel
If you didn’t win our recently closed Central Florida Vacation Giveaway, don’t worry. Direct flights from Charlotte/Concord to Lakeland, FL are now available on Avelo, making that family-friendly vacay more accessible than ever. Plan your trip.*
What happens when you combine German engineering with the world’s most trusted name in hearing care? The biggest breakthrough in hearing technology in more than a decade. Join 400,000+ people hearing better than ever with the Horizon hearing aid. (Did we mention the 45-day no-risk trial?)*
Concert
Concert
🎤 Headliners announced for Lovin’ Life 2025
Gwen Stefani, Dave Matthews, and Benson Boone join a 50+ artist lineup for the second annual festival. | Photos via Wikimedia Commons and Ashley Osbourn
“What Would You Say” to this news? Dave Matthews Band, Gwen Stefani, and Benson Boone will headline the second annual Lovin’ Life Music Fest in May 2025.
“With powerhouses like Dave Matthews Band, Gwen Stefani, and co-headliner Benson Boone, we’ve worked hard to craft a lineup that reflects Charlotte’s energy and diversity,” said Bob Durkin of Southern Entertainment. “And this is just the beginning — we can’t wait to share more talent updates in the coming weeks.”
The announcement comes days after tickets went on sale. Southern Entertainment’s inaugural festival earlier this year featured headliners Post Malone, Stevie Nicks, and Noah Kahan. The sold out festival drew 81,000+ people to First Ward Park in Uptown.
Organizers will release more names in the coming weeks. They’ll perform across multiple stages during festival weekend, May 2-4, 2025.
Tickets are on sale — the three-day general admission pass costs $269. “Underneath It All,” it will be a rockin’ good time.
The Buy
The Buy
A Furbo 360° dog camera so you can keep an eye on your fur baby from anywhere. Psst — it’s 55% off for a limited time.
There are several highly-anticipated films premiering this weekend. I know “Wicked” will be very Popular but I wish only strength and honor for my “Gladiator II” enthusiasts. Speaking of movies, be on the lookout for my upcoming story on the expanded theater experience in the works for Independent Picture House.
