We want to know how you met the love of your life. | Photo by Alyssa Frost Photography
This Valentine’s Day, we’re sharing the love. We want to hear about every kind of relationship, your meet cute stories, the advice you got from a parent, or how you’ve learned to love yourself... we love love in all its forms. (But do keep it PG, please.)
We’ll go first. If you’ve been looking for love in all the wrong places, try visiting Optimist Park. Nearly five years ago, City Editor Maria met her wife at Optimist Hall for their first date. After hours of conversation and laughs, they ended the night with a brew at Heist Brewery and have been inseparable ever since.
Do you have a similar story? Fill out this form by Wednesday, Feb. 12 for a chance to be featured in an upcoming article. We can’t wait to hear your stories.
Events
Events
Saturday, Feb. 1
Frigid 5K & 10K Trail Race and Plunge | 8-11 a.m. | US National Whitewater Center | $37+ | Brave the lingering cold with a quick race before plunging in the Deep Water Solo pool.
Winey Grapes: Indoor Wine Festival | 1-4 p.m. | Slate | $57+ | Travel the world through 100+ various wines in this one-of-a-kind experience.
2025 Lunar New Year Cultural Fair | 3-6:30 p.m. | Dale F. Halton Theater | Free | Celebrate the Lunar New Year with live performances, music, and community.
Southern Oyster, Wine & Beer Festival | 12-5 p.m. | Ballantyne’s Backyard | $69+ | Savor the flavors of the sea with all-you-care-to-taste wine, beer, and oysters.
Sunday, Feb. 2
NoDa Run Club | 12-1:30 p.m. | NoDa Brewing Company | Free | Hit your PR goal before sipping on a craft brew with new friends.
Sunday Supper: Ramen Night | 5:30 p.m. | L’Ostrica | $75 | Savor a Japanese-inspired ramen dinner + sake, and cocktails.
This Sunday, Feb. 2 is Groundhog Day, when Punxsutawney Phil will emerge from his burrow and predict whether or not we’ll see an early spring. If you don’t trust Phil’s judgement, feel free to consult our seasonal weather forecast through the end of February.
Number
$57,200. That’s the median annual pay in North Carolina (as of December 2024). Compare that to the median household income in Mecklenburg County — $79,000. (ADP Pay Insights)
Outdoors
It will soon cost $15,000 to climb Mount Everest when Nepal raises its permit fee by over 35% in September. Or you could hike one of our perfectly good trails right here in Charlotte. (Reuters)
State
North Carolina is home to the headquarters of 12 Fortune 500 companies, according to this map by Visual Capitalist. That’s 1.15 Fortune 500 companies per a million people, in case you were wondering. (BrilliantMaps.com)
Sports
The Canes are on a winning streak, shutting out the New York Rangers 4-0 earlier this week. Go beyond the ice for the biggest stories on the Carolina Hurricaneswith Locked On’s daily, team-focused podcasts.
City Guide
City Guide
🎤 Ready to rock?
More than 82,000 people attended Concert for Carolina at Bank of America Stadium. | Photo by CLTtoday
Dust off your dancing shoes and break open your piggy bank, because 2025 is shaping up to be an unforgettable year for live music in Charlotte — 35 must-see musicians are set to take the stage this year.
It’s a great time for women’s sports in the Queen City. In two weeks, Carolina Ascent will kick off the second half of their inaugural season + Charlotte is getting a professional women’s basketball league in 2026. The Queen City hasn’t had a women’s team since the Charlotte Sting folded in 2007. I can’t wait to get my game tickets.
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