Tickets for the Panthers’ home opener start at $58. | Photo by CLTtoday
September is more than halfway through, but that doesn’t mean the fun stops.
Text all your friends — these are the top events we recommend heading to as the month comes to an end.
Sports
Charlotte Knights | Thursday, Sept. 18-Saturday, Sept. 20 | Truist Field | $23+ | Root for the home team during the last few games of the season.
Carolina Panthers vs. Atlanta Falcons | Sunday, Sept. 21 | 1-4 p.m. | Bank of America Stadium | $58+ | Fill the Panthers’ den for the season home opener.
Theater and comedy
“Wicked” | Wednesday, Sept. 24-Sunday, Oct. 26 | Various times | Belk Theatre | $46+ | Follow Elphaba’s journey through Oz as she attends school, befriends Glinda, and becomes known as the “Wicked Witch.”
Festival in the Park has been bringing live music and art to Freedom Park since 1964.
Photo provided by Festival in the Park
Seasonal Events
61st Annual Festival in the Park | Friday, Sept. 19-Sunday, Sept. 21 | 4-9 p.m. | Freedom Park | Free+ | Enjoy arts, crafts, live music, and entertainment for the entire family.
Wine & Food Festival | Saturday, Sept. 27 | 12-5 p.m. | Symphony Park | $59+ | Sip from 100+ wines, beers, and spirits + dine from local food trucks.
Our annual Holiday Gift Guide is making a comeback, and we want to feature your business.
We know, we know — it’s only September. But the early bird gets the worm, right?
That’s why we’re offering 20% off inclusion in our 2025 guide now through Wednesday, Oct. 1. Secure your spot to promote your business’ one-of-a-kind gift, festive product, or unique service.
Distro Beer Hub is now pouring in South End. The new brew destination features four breweries — Dssolvr, Heist, Incediary, and Divine Barrel — and boasts craft cocktails and a full menu including sushi, wings, and wraps. They’ll be open Sunday through Thursday, 11 a.m.-10 p.m. + Friday and Saturday, 11-12 a.m.
Eat
The Queen’s City’s first Whataburger opens today at 9 a.m. along Albemarle Road near Novant Health’s Mint Hill Medical Center. To celebrate, expect live music from Rocky River High’s marching band + the first 100 people can get free food and swag. (CharlotteFive)
Civic
Applications are open to appoint members to the Metropolitan Public Transportation Authority. The MPTA will oversee transportation projects across Mecklenburg County. The activation will depend on the outcome of the transportation referendum on the November ballot.
Development
Nearly 600 townhomes are planned near the intersection of North Tryon Street and Mallard Creek Church Road in University City. The neighborhood is expected to have two access points to the Mallard Creek Greenway. A construction timeline is TBA. (Queen City News)
Travel
Charlotte Douglas International Airport completed the Terminal Lobby Expansion (TLE) project. The five-year project was more than a renovation of the lobby space — read up on all the new amenities. (WCNC)
Regional
This is bananas. A Capuchin monkey is on the loose in nearby Iredell County after escaping Zootastic Park in Troutman. Iredell County Animal Services is handling the capture — don’t try to catch it yourself. (WCNC)
Announced
The University of Wisconsin and Virginia Tech will face off in the 2031 Duke’s Mayo Classic at Bank of America Stadium — an exact date, time, and ticket information is TBA. Take a look at all the future matchups.
Eat
STIR has launched new menu items in South End. The restaurant added an 18-oz bone-in ribeye, shrimp scampi, and more to the menu — thanks to their new state-of-the-art broiler. They’re also offering fresh juice at the bar and new tonic syrups for cocktails. What will you order first?
Wellness
Sauna House is launching a new massage program on Friday, Oct. 3, featuring a 60-minute deep tissue massage paired with a 2-hour bathhouse visit, cold plunge, and lounge visit. Celebratory presale memberships start at $155 and are available through Sunday, Sept. 21.
Sports
Is it time to rethink Xavier Legette’s time on the field? Go beyond the playbook for the biggest stories on the Carolina Pantherswith Locked On’s daily, team-focused podcasts.
Seasonal
Charlotte’s peak fall foliage will likely fall around Monday, Oct. 27. That is, according to this interactive map, which also comes with a handy tool to report foliage colors to make future predictions more accurate. You’ve still got time to explore our parks and find where you want to see the leaves turn. (Smoky Mountains)
Why are the same firms that backed Uber, Venmo, and eBay also backing Pacaso(Nasdaq ticker reserved: $PCSO)? Because it’s disrupting the $1.3 trillion vacation home market with co-ownership, already earning $110 million+ in gross profit in under five years. (And until midnight, you can join the 10,000+ shareholders.)†‡*
It’s one of our most-anticipated openings in the Queen City. Pop Up Bagels is nearing its opening in Ballantyne. The New England-based bagel chain has yet to announce an official opening date, but they know Charlotte is hungry. So, they’re offering a limited bake on Saturday, Sept. 27, but hungry bagel lovers must pre-order samples.
A great deal on a clothes steamer. Snag HiLIFE’s portable, handheld steamer while it’s 35% off — the steamer is quick to heat up, easy to use, and perfect for garment touch-ups without hauling out the ironing board.
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.
I feel like there were a lot of updates in this newsletter today! Here’s one more: Progress is being made at the new Charlotte Museum of Nature near Freedom Park. Developers have laid out the upcoming otter habitat, painted animal rooms, and poured the foundation for the enrichment yard. I’m so excited for the museum’s opening in 2026.
‡‡Finance “investment method” disclaimer: This is a paid advertisement for Pacaso’s Regulation A offering. Please read the offering circular at invest.pacaso.com. Reserving a ticker symbol is not a guarantee that the company will go public. Listing on the Nasdaq is subject to approvals. Comparisons to other companies are for informational purposes only and should not imply similar success. Under Regulation A+, a company has the ability to change its share price by up to 20%, without requalifying the offering with the SEC.
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