Truist Field is transforming into a winter wonderland for the annual Light the Knights Festival. | Photo via Charlotte Knights
Lucky you. You just found CLTtoday’s Plan Ahead, a list of some of the biggest events to plan for that are taking place throughout the Queen City each month.
Take out your calendar, grab your day planner, or text all your friends — these are the top events we recommend heading into February:
Southern Oyster, Wine & Beer Festival | Saturday, Feb. 1 | 12-5 p.m. | Ballantyne’s Backyard | $69+ | Get a taste of the coast slurping oysters and shellfish + sip an impressive collection of wine, beer, and liquor.
Looking for a boat this summer?
Photo via Mid-Atlantic Boat Show
Mid-Atlantic Boat Show | Thursday, Feb. 6-Sunday, Feb. 9 | Charlotte Convention Center | $9+ | Peruse the newest and sexiest aquatic rides hitting the market before summer arrives in one of the largest boat exhibitions in North America.
14th annual Chocolate Festival | Saturday, Feb. 8 | 11 a.m.-3 p.m. | Epiphany Lutheran Church, Rock Hill, SC | Cost of purchase | Spend a sweet afternoon tasting chocolate with proceeds benefiting Family Promise of York County and Dorothy Day Soup Kitchen of Rock Hill.
Meditation at the Mint | 3-3:30 p.m. | The Mint Museum Uptown | $15 | Clear your mind in this guided-meditation experience surrounded by artwork.
NoDa Run Club | 6:30-8 p.m. | NoDa Brewing Company | Free | Keep your New Year’s resolution strong while running one, three, or five-mile routes.
Charlotte Hornets vs. Brooklyn Nets | 7 p.m. | Spectrum Center | $20+ | Root for Buzz City when they look to send Brooklyn back home without scoring much net.
Thursday, Jan. 30
Pasta Pop Up at L’Ostrica| 5-10 p.m. |L’Ostrica | $175 | Savor date night with a one-night-only a la carte menu serving handmade pastas, salads, and entrées.
Southern Circuit: O Pioneer | 6-8 p.m. | The Charlotte Museum of History | $10 | Join this documentary film screening depicting the struggle and triumph of 19th century pioneers journeying West.
Friday, Jan. 31
Jurassic Quest | 12-6 p.m. | The Park Expo and Conference Center | $28+ | Marvel at the prehistoric showcase featuring life-size dinosaurs, including T-Rex.
Charlotte Hornets vs. LA Clippers | 7 p.m. | Spectrum Center | $24+ | Hornets fans have another shot to root for Buzz City taking on a team from the West Coast.
Mendelssohn’s Double Concerto | 7:30 p.m. | Knight Theater | $20+ | Take your senses on a symphonic journey hearing a live performance of this musical masterpiece.
Salted Melon Market & Eatery is opening its third Charlotte location this spring at Phillips Place in SouthPark. Guests at the open-air shopping and dining spot can expect menu favorites like savory salads, sandwiches, coffee, and smoothies. Construction on the new location begins in February.
Opening
One or two scoops? New York-based Van Leeuwen Ice Cream will debut in Plaza Midwood at 1711 Commonwealth Ave. Get ready for flavors like dark chocolate fudge brownie and peanut butter brownie honeycomb. Yum. An opening date is TBA. (The Charlotte Observer)
Closing
Last voyage. The Waterman Fish Bar Lake Norman will permanently close its doors Sunday, Feb. 2. The local sea food favorite took to social media thanking customers for their support. The South End location along South Boulevard will remain open.
Edu
Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools is launching a community-wide survey starting Monday, Feb. 3 for public input on the future of artificial intelligence in schools. Everyone is encouraged to give their opinion. (WCNC)
Plan Ahead
Need a Valentine’s Day gift idea? Portraits at the Confetti Hearts Wall on the Rail Trail are back. Couples can visit one of the most Instagrammable spots in South End from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 8 for a free portrait + the first 100 people to arrive receive free roses.
Transit
Busy Mecklenburg County roads will soon undergo an extensive makeover. NCDOT approved $4 million towards upkeep for four sections of NC 115 and several secondary roads. Work could start in mid-February and be finished by summer 2026. (WCNC)
Community
Charlotte-based Duke Energy launched a new grant program to support long-term recovery efforts benefiting Western North Carolina after Helene. WNC-based nonprofits can apply for grants up to $25,000 through Monday, Feb. 17 at 5 p.m. (WCNC)
Watch
Soaring success. The Carolina Raptor Center released a Merlin back into the wild after a month of rehabilitation. The falcon is the first of its kind to be treated at CRC since 2016. The release drew more than 100 people to Crowders Mountain State Park.
Sports
How will the Panthers approach the offseason with Bryce Young solidified as the starter in 2025? Go beyond the scoreboard for the biggest stories on the Carolina Pantherswith Locked On’s daily, team-focused podcasts.
Category
Festival
🐍 The Year of the Snake
You may spot traditional lion dances during local Lunar New Year celebrations. | Photo via Rachel Sutherland Communications
The Lunar New Year officially begins today, and there are plenty of ways to observe around the Queen City.
Culture & Cuisine: Lunar New Year | Wednesday, Jan. 29 | 2:30-3:30 p.m. | Independence Regional Library | Free | Teens will savor food from various regions + learn diverse cultures, music, and traditions.
Tết Festival + Vietnamese Night Concert | Wednesday, Jan. 29 | 10 a.m.-4 p.m. + 7:30-10 p.m. | Liberty Hall at Park Expo | $15+ | Experience live performances, lion dances, and a crowning of Miss and Mister Vietnam.
Lunar New Year Gala and Cultural Fair | Saturday, Feb. 1 | 3-9 p.m. | Dale F. Halton Theater | $0+ | The Chinese American Association of Charlotte (CAAOC) will celebrate culture with interactive experiences, food, and music full day of festivities before the ticketed gala.
The Buy
The Buy
A tabletop fire pit that’s less than $30. It burns smoke-free and fosters a warm + relaxing environment.
The upcoming Mid-Atlantic Boat Show at the Charlotte Convention Center has me already looking ahead to summer days on the lake. I took this photo while on a boating trip with my friends on Lake James last summer in Burke County, NC.
Answered
Answered
What do you crave most from a steakhouse experience?
Michelin-recommended steakhouse Guard and Grace will open its third location nationwide in South End in 2026. While we wait, most voters (78%) said enjoying a delicious steak is their favorite part of a steakhouse experience. Others loved mouth-watering side-dishes (9%), excellent service (4%), and stunning views (4%).
