Last call. Your business could be in front of thousands when you secure your spot in our 2025 Parents’ Gift Guide. Save 20% with code PGG2025 at checkout. The deadline for submissions is May 23.
🏎️ Start your engines
The annual 600-mile NASCAR Cup Series points race was first held in 1960 at Charlotte Motor Speedway. | Photo via Charlotte Motor Speedway
The 66th running of the Coca-Cola 600 speeds through Charlotte Motor Speedway this Sunday, May 25 at 6 p.m. Whether you’ve got tickets to NASCAR’s longest race or are looking to make the most of the sights and sounds of race weekend, there’s something for everyone.
Pro tip: The speedway is just 30 minutes north of Uptown — perfect for a speedy adventure.
Thursday, May 22
NASCAR Night at the Ballpark | 6:30 p.m. | Atrium Health Ballpark, Kannapolis | $14+ | The Kannapolis Cannon Ballers will welcome driver Ty Dillon to throw out the first pitch.
Friday, May 23
North Carolina Education Lottery 200 | 8:30 p.m. | $0+ | The NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series kicks off Memorial Day weekend with 200 miles of wheel-to-wheel action.
Greenwood Golf Weekly Shootout | 4:30-7 p.m. | Dr. Charles L. Sifford Golf Course | $40 | Compete to improve and win in this weekly shootout.
The Matador x Rebel Bourbon Showcar Event | 5-8 p.m. | The Matador | Cost of purchase | Check out Kyle Busch’s showcar while tasting special cocktails and the chance to win prizes.
Wellness Happy Hour | 6-8 p.m. | The Olde Mecklenburg Brewery & Biergarten | $12+ | Relax and recharge during slow flow yoga for all skill levels.
Karaoke Contest | 7-10 p.m. | Seoul Food Meat Co., South End | Free | Warm up those pipes to belt your favorite song in this friendly competition.
Friday, May 23
WILDFLOWERS: A Night of Tom Petty | 6-11 p.m. | The Music Yard at SouthBound | $9+ | Free fall into the weekend with this band playing all the best Tom Petty tunes.
3rd Saturday Serve 2025 | 9:30 a.m.-12 p.m. | The Market at 7th Street | Free | Meet new friends while finding ways to volunteer in the community.
Palengke | 11 a.m.-7 p.m. | Resident Culture Brewing Company | Free | Immerse yourself in a market-style festival celebrating Filipino flavors, vendors, and live music.
Anthem RC vs. Chicago Hounds | 7 p.m. | American Legion Memorial Stadium | $18+ | Cheer on the Anthem as they play their last home game of the season.
In-person and hybrid MBA students have the opportunity to collaborate with the same peer cohort throughout their program. | Photos provided by Wake Forest University
The average salary for a Charlottean with a bachelor’s degree is $50,300. But if that person holds a degree from the award-winning MBA program at Wake Forest University? The average salary is just over $150,000.
When you look at the lifelong earning impact this MBA could make, it’s hard not to consider the program.
⏱ 20-month program
Wake Forest’s MBA is built for busy professionals. Earn your degree without pausing your career (or your paycheck).
Haraz Coffee House is now open in South End. The Yemeni coffee shop is known for its pistachio latte, frappes, and fresh pastries. This is its second Charlotte location — their first shop opened in Plaza Midwood earlier this year.
Civic
Will Mecklenburg County property taxes increase? It’s possible. County Manager Dena Diorio proposed a property tax increase of 0.96 cents per $100 of a property’s assessed value. County Commissioners are hosting a public hearing to discuss the 2026 fiscal year budget tonight at 6 p.m. (The Charlotte Observer)
Travel
Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT) expects more than 970,000 people to travel through the airport for the Memorial Day weekend. The busiest travel days are expected to be today and tomorrow, May 23.
Ranked
Concord’s OMG Donuts & Bakery ranked No. 44 on Yelp’s “Top 50 Donut Shops in the US.” The bakery is known for having larger-sized, California-style yeast donuts. Consider grabbing a bite at their shop in Concord or in MoRa near Edge City Brewery. (The Charlotte Observer)
Cause
Seven-year-old Landon Graham has a new running blade, thanks to The Move for Jenn Foundation. The Charlotte nonprofit funded Graham’s first prosthetic, allowing him to “be a kid” and run around. (WCNC)
Feel Good
Homer, the beloved Charlotte Knights’ mascot, is campaigning for your vote. He’s competing against fellow mascot, Hugo the Hornet, to be inducted into the Mascot Hall of Fame. Voting ends this Saturday, May 24.
Giveaway
Congratulations to Stacey H., Soemantrie A., and Caitlin M. — the winners of our Water Lantern Festival ticket giveaway. The festival returns to Symphony Park in SouthPark this Saturday, May 24. Want to attend?Tickets are still available but are expected to sell out.
Sports
Are there long-term risks if the Hornets trade for No. 3 pick Paul George? Go beyond the roster for the biggest stories on the Charlotte Hornetswith Locked On’s daily, team-focused podcasts.
Real Estate
We recently visited Longview Carolina, a gated “agrihood” in Easley, SC, where nature meets convenience. From a working farm and miles of trails to the panoramic mountain views, you’ll have to see it to believe it.*
Number
$4,000. That’s how much an ounce of gold is expected to cost in 2026. And since gold thrives in unstable markets, its rally appears far from over.Check out gold IRAs, which let you own physical gold while taking advantage of IRA tax breaks.†*
Category
Concert
🎸 Rock on
What’s better than soaking up the sun with live music and being surrounded by Uptown’s buildings? | Photo by CLTtoday
There’s no better way to enjoy the summer sunsets than free outdoor concerts. Bookmark this list for a season full of live music, food trucks, and fun.
SouthPark After 5 | Thursdays, weekly | 5-9 p.m. | Symphony Park | Free | This free series features family-friendly activities, live music, food trucks, and more. Pro tip: Bring your lawn chairs.
River Jam | Thursdays-Saturdays, May-September | 7 p.m. | US National Whitewater Center | $12 parking | Bring the family and pups to this outdoor series by the rushing rapids.
Uptown Unplugged: Lunchtime Music Series | Wednesdays, weekly through June 4 | 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. | Romare Bearden Park | Free | Unplug from the workday to grab lunch in Uptown before jamming to live music.
Sundown Sounds | Various days, June 12-Aug. 21 | 7:30-9:30 p.m. | Various locations | Mecklenburg County is bringing back this series at multiple Park and Recreation locations across the county.
Speaking of concerts... Live Nation’s $30 Ticket to Summer is underway and features deals for various artists that have upcoming shows around Charlotte. You’ll probably see me at Kesha’s concert at PNC Pavilion + Simple Plan and Chevelle’s shows at Skyla Credit Union Amphitheatre.
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