Spend the sunshine enjoying a parade at the heart of Uptown.
Photo via WCNC
Labor Day is one week away and celebrations are planned throughout the weekend to honor the contributions of workers in America. One annual tradition: the Charlotte Labor Day Parade, featuring dozens of walkers, bands, and community organizations walking down North Tryon Street, starting at 11 a.m.
If you can’t wait till next Monday, more events are happening this weekend.
Music & Mug Painting | 5-8 p.m. | Spinning Out Pottery Studio, York, SC | $40 | Jam to live music while designing your very own mug.
“Friends” Trivia | 7-9 p.m. | Vaulted Oak Brewing | Free+ | Could we be any more excited for this themed trivia night?
Tuesday, Aug. 26
2025 Professional Women’s Association Luncheon | 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. | Gastonia Conference Center, Gastonia | $35+ | Hear from a panel of women making an impact across different industries and stages of their careers.
Public Policy Meeting | 5-6:30 p.m. | Envision Charlotte | Free | Join the Chamber’s Public Policy Chair Bryan Holladay for a conversation with Councilman Peacock, the newly appointed District 6 rep on City Council.
Mid-Day Reset Yoga | 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. | Comporium Amphitheater at Dairy Barn Entrance, Fort Mill, SC | $14+ | Take a mid-week break for a reset of the body and mind while outdoors.
Queen City Mahjong Beginner Series | 4-6 p.m. | Dilworth Tasting Room - SouthPark | $55 | Learn the tiles and basic rules before putting your skills to the test.
American Tune: Simon, Croce & Taylor | 7-9 p.m. | Middle C Jazz Club | $33+ | Prepare for an evening of timeless tunes as singer-songwriter Tom Glynn showcases music by Paul Simon, Jim Croce, and James Taylor.
Thursday, Aug. 28
Cirque du Soleil: OVO | 7 p.m. | Bojangles Coliseum | $55+ | It’s opening night for Cirque’s tribute to the diverse world of insects.
With expertise as a leading SBA lender in the region and nationally, Huntington National Bank offers small business owners the resources, guidance, and capital to grow. The flexibility of SBA loans, which offer longer terms, lower down payments, and no balloon payments, makes them ideal for various needs like expansions or start-ups.
Novant Health’s new program and space will allow more medical residents to get advanced training in certain specialties.
Photo via Novant Health
Health
Novant Health held a groundbreaking to expand Presbyterian Medical Tower, creating space for its growing graduate medical school program. Once complete, the 30,000-sqft project will provide offices, a large classroom, and study spaces for students studying general surgery, internal medicine, obstetrics and gynecology, and neurology.
Watch
Tomorrow at 8 a.m., Good Morning America will broadcast live from Cherubs Cafe in Downtown Belmont. The segment is part of their “My Kind of Town” series, and will spotlight local nonprofit Holy Angels, which helps children and adults living with developmental disabilities.
Opening
Tap In, the golf-focused “eatertainment” venue in LoSo, is welcoming golf lovers and curious community members to try out their bays on Thursday, Aug. 28. I got a tour of the space — full details are coming soon.
Mansion Monday
Channel your green thumb within the greenhouse at this newly-listed home in Providence Plantation. The home boasts five bedrooms, four full bathrooms, and a gourmet kitchen. Did we mention there’s a putting green, too?
Development
Renovations on Davidson’s Sadler Square are coming along. Chef Jim Noble is slated to open two restaurants there: Rooster’s Wood-Fired Kitchen and Copain Bakery — expected to open in 2026. The new shopping center will also have an outdoor retailer, a dentist, and a boutique, which will open this fall. (Charlotte Business Journal)
Weather
Fall, is that you? Expect to see sunshine and cooler temperatures that are more common in late September. (WCNC)
Quoted
“Carolina Ascent’s mission to become one of the top women’s clubs in the world resonated with me immediately,” said star tennis player Martina Navratilova, who’s now a minority owner of Carolina Ascent FC. Navratilova has won 59 Grand Slam titles, including nine Wimbledon singles championships.
Jobs
AVL, a global manufacturer of power generation enclosures, is investing $56 million into its first US manufacturing facility here in Charlotte, and opening 325 jobs. Check out the positions. (WCNC)
Ranked
Brooks’ Sandwich House has the best burger in North Carolina, according to Reader’s Digest — and it’s not the first time. The NoDa staple was chosen based on online reviews, expert input, and recommendations from burger lovers. (Reader’s Digest)
Start your engines. The NHRA 4-Wide Carolina Nationals will roar into zMAX Dragway Sept. 19–21. For the first time ever, four-wide racing will take center stage in the Countdown to the Championship playoffs. Tickets start at $13.
Arts
The Mint Museum is doubling its photography collection by receiving more than 1,000 photos over the next five years, thanks to a gift from Bank of America. The museum is also starting a “Friends of Photography” support group to help grow the collection. (The Charlotte Observer)
Listen
The Panthers had a winless preseason. Are cuts looming? Go beyond the roster for the biggest stories on the Carolina Pantherswith Locked On’s daily, team-focused podcasts.
Travel
Psst — you might be overpaying for flights. Get flight alerts to dream destinations during Going’s biggest sale ever, with 53% off memberships until Sunday, August 31.*
The Double Oaks Family Aquatic Center boasts a 25-yard pool, zero-depth entrance, and water slide. | Photo via Mecklenburg Park and Recreation
Time is running out to splash around Mecklenburg County’s many outdoor swimming spots. Labor Day — Monday, Sept. 1 — will be the last day of the year for operations at all spraygrounds, outdoor pools, and Ramsey Creek Beach.
So bookmark this list to stay cool as a cucumber before the pools close for the season.
Indoor and outdoor pools
Double Oaks Family Aquatic Center | Various days starting Saturday, May 24-Sept. 1 | $2 | Experience this outdoor aquatic center with a water slide, zero-depth entry pool, play features, and more.
Eastway Regional Recreation Center | Seasonal, daily | $8-$15 | Eastway Regional features two pools to host aquatic exercise classes, lessons, lap swim, and more.
Ray’s Splash Planet | Open daily | $8+ | The indoor water park features a three-story water slide, current pool, and swim lanes for swimmers of all ages.
Sunflow’s premium beach accessories, perfect for one last summer hurrah this Labor Day. Good news: Sunflow’s biggest sale of the year starts today, with 20% off sitewide.
🐚 The best-selling Shore Thing Chair reclines to three positions and is built to last, thanks to a rust-resistant frame + water-resistant marine fabrics.
🪸 Newly launched this summer, the Tall Sand Dune Chair has all the iconic features of Sunflow’s chairs, just 17 inches off the ground.
🌊 Looking for shade without blocking your ocean view? Say hello to the newly launched and patent-pending Happy Hut Cabana — and goodbye to awkward beach umbrellas.*
The fun doesn’t have to end here. After reading the newsletter, head over to our games page. Games refresh with new challenges every day at 6 a.m. from crossword puzzle to Sudoku to themed word search.
Over the weekend, I attended the preview for Soul Gastrolounge. I can’t wait to share my fave dish with you + what local celebs and influencers recommend. A full write-up is coming soon!
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