Things to Do in
Charlotte This Week.
November 16 to 22, 2026, the holiday season really begins: Doja Cat brings her arena tour to Spectrum Center on Wednesday, Speedway Christmas opens at Charlotte Motor Speedway on Friday, the Panthers host the Ravens on Sunday, and the Carolina Renaissance Festival wraps its final weekend. Here is your guide to what is happening in Charlotte this week.
This is the week Charlotte slides from fall into the holiday season. Doja Cat headlines Spectrum Center on Wednesday, RUSH: Fifty Something pays tribute to the legendary band on Friday, and Speedway Christmas lights up Charlotte Motor Speedway starting Friday night. The Panthers host the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday at Bank of America Stadium, the Carolina Renaissance Festival plays its final weekend in Huntersville, and the Southern Christmas Show finishes its 12-day run at The Park Expo. With the Hornets on the road, the music and family events take center stage, and farmers markets in Uptown, Matthews, and South End keep the local rhythm going all week.
Monday through Friday.
Doja Cat headlines Spectrum Center on Wednesday with Latto, RUSH: Fifty Something follows Friday, Speedway Christmas opens Friday night in Concord, and The Fillmore hosts a show almost every night of the week, from Whitechapel and Blue October to Tamar Braxton and Akeem Ali. The Hornets are on the road, so live music and holiday lights lead the calendar.
Whitechapel: Hymns in Dissonance Tour
The Fillmore Charlotte, 1000 NC Music Factory Blvd
Tennessee deathcore titans Whitechapel bring the Hymns in Dissonance Tour to The Fillmore on Monday night. Known for crushing, intricate heaviness and one of the most respected vocalists in modern metal, the band is a guaranteed loud, theatrical night in the Music Factory district. An intense way to open the week for metal fans from across the Charlotte metro.
Charlotte Hornets on the Road: at Lakers & Hawks
Crypto.com Arena, Los Angeles · State Farm Arena, Atlanta
The Charlotte Hornets are on the road this week, visiting the Los Angeles Lakers on Tuesday, November 17 and the Atlanta Hawks in an Emirates NBA Cup group game on Friday, November 20. There is no Hornets home game at Spectrum Center this week, but the next one is Monday, November 23 versus the Memphis Grizzlies, so plan ahead for that one. Catch the away games on TV from your favorite Charlotte sports bar.
Blue October
The Fillmore Charlotte, 1000 NC Music Factory Blvd
Blue October headline The Fillmore on Tuesday night, delivering the emotionally raw, anthemic alt-rock they have been perfecting for three decades. Frontman Justin Furstenfeld's confessional songwriting and the band's soaring choruses make their live shows feel like shared catharsis. A meaningful midweek night out in the Music Factory district.
Doja Cat: Tour Ma Vie World Tour
Spectrum Center, 333 E Trade St, Uptown
Doja Cat brings her Tour Ma Vie World Tour to Spectrum Center on Wednesday night with special guest Latto. One of the biggest pop stars on the planet, she transforms the arena into a full-scale production: elaborate sets, bold fashion, and chart-topping hits from Planet Her and Scarlet. The marquee concert of the week in Uptown Charlotte, with restaurants and parking garages a short walk from the arena. Tickets through Ticketmaster.
Palace
The Fillmore Charlotte, 1000 NC Music Factory Blvd
British indie-rock trio Palace play The Fillmore on Wednesday night, bringing their hushed, atmospheric take on folk-inflected rock to Charlotte. Their intimate, slow-burning songs build to spacious, anthemic moments that fill the room. A refined, mellow midweek alternative to the big arena show.
An Evening with Tamar Braxton
The Fillmore Charlotte, 1000 NC Music Factory Blvd
Tamar Braxton brings her powerhouse voice and two decades of R&B hits to The Fillmore on Thursday night. From her solo catalog to the Braxton family legacy, her live show is full of vocal runs, heart, and charisma. A warm, soulful pick before the weekend rush.
TreeHouse!
Visulite Theatre, 1615 Elizabeth Ave, Charlotte
Indie favorites TreeHouse! play the intimate Visulite Theatre in the Elizabeth neighborhood on Thursday night. The cozy, vintage room is the perfect setting for their warm, layered sound, and the Elizabeth Avenue dining scene makes it an easy dinner-and-a-show night.
RUSH: Fifty Something
Spectrum Center, 333 E Trade St, Uptown
RUSH: Fifty Something brings the legendary band's music to Spectrum Center on Friday night, celebrating five decades of the trio's iconic catalog with a world-class tribute production. Expect the classic hits from Tom Sawyer to Spirit of Radio and the visuals that made Rush's live shows legendary. A big Friday night in Uptown Charlotte.
Akeem Ali: The Texture Tour
The Fillmore Charlotte, 1000 NC Music Factory Blvd
Rising R&B and soul artist Akeem Ali brings The Texture Tour to The Fillmore on Friday night, showcasing his smooth, genre-blending sound that has been building a fast-growing national following. A stylish Friday evening of live soul in the Music Factory district.
Speedway Christmas Opens at Charlotte Motor Speedway
Charlotte Motor Speedway, 5555 Concord Pkwy S, Concord NC
Speedway Christmas, one of the Southeast's biggest drive-through holiday light displays, opens Friday, November 20 and runs through January 3, 2027 at Charlotte Motor Speedway. Millions of lights wrap the legendary 1.5-mile track while visitors drive through in their cars, and many nights add a holiday village with food trucks, photos with Santa, and fire pits. A festive kickoff to the holiday season and a favorite family tradition across the Concord and Charlotte metro area.
Saturday & Sunday.
Saturday offers farmers markets in Uptown and Matthews, the free UCity Lights tree lighting, the Mooresville Fine Arts Festival, and 6LACK at The Fillmore at night. Sunday is the sports centerpiece: the Panthers host the Ravens at Bank of America Stadium at 1:00 PM, with the Renaissance Festival final weekend and ROA at Ovens Auditorium rounding out the day.
Uptown Farmers Market
7th Street Public Market area, Uptown Charlotte
The Uptown Farmers Market runs Saturday mornings in the heart of Center City, and the 2026 season continues through December 12. Mid-November brings the last of the fall harvest: winter squash, root vegetables, greens, local honey, and baked goods, plus craft vendors. A great excuse to start the day with coffee and a walk through Uptown before the holiday bustle.
Matthews Community Farmers Market (Final Saturday of Season)
188 N Trade St, Matthews NC
The Matthews Community Farmers Market in downtown Matthews holds its final Saturday of the 2026 season on November 21. Vendors bring the last seasonal produce, baked goods, honey, and handmade crafts to the pavilion on North Trade Street, with downtown Matthews shops and coffee right across the street. Catch this small-town ritual before it wraps for the year.
UCity Lights Winter Celebration
The Shoppes at University Place, 8929 JK Keynes Dr, Charlotte
The free UCity Lights Winter Celebration lights up The Shoppes at University Place on Saturday evening, kicking off the holiday season in University City with a tree lighting, live entertainment, visits with Santa, and family activities. It is one of the first free tree-lighting events on the Charlotte metro calendar each year, and a lovely way to get the kids into the holiday spirit.
Mooresville Fine Arts Festival
Charles Mack Citizen Center, 215 N Main St, Mooresville NC
The 2nd annual Mooresville Fine Arts Festival fills the Charles Mack Citizen Center in downtown Mooresville this weekend, with juried fine art from local and regional artists, live demonstrations, music, and kids' activities. It is a free indoor art weekend in the Lake Norman country town, a short drive up I-77 from Charlotte, and a nice mix of browsing art and exploring downtown Mooresville.
6LACK: 10 Years of 6LACK Tour
The Fillmore Charlotte, 1000 NC Music Factory Blvd
Atlanta R&B artist 6LACK celebrates a decade of music with his 10 Years of 6LACK Tour at The Fillmore on Saturday night, with Eem Triplin along for support. His moody, melodic take on R&B and hip-hop has made him a streaming giant, and his live show is atmospheric and intimate. A can't-miss weekend show in the Music Factory district.
Carolina Panthers vs. Baltimore Ravens
Bank of America Stadium, 800 S Mint St, Uptown Charlotte
The Carolina Panthers host the Baltimore Ravens at Bank of America Stadium on Sunday at 1:00 PM, the only home game for the team this week. It is a big NFC-AFC matchup and one of the last chances to catch Panthers football in Uptown before December. Tailgate in the lots south of the stadium, grab a bite in South End before the game, and cheer on the Cats. Tickets through the Panthers and Ticketmaster.
ROA
Ovens Auditorium, 2700 E Independence Blvd, Charlotte
South Korean metalcore act ROA brings their USA Tour to Ovens Auditorium on Sunday night. The band has built a growing international fanbase with a modern, melodic take on metalcore, and their Charlotte stop lands in the classic auditorium next to Bojangles Coliseum. A strong close to a music-heavy week.
Ongoing & recurring.
Southern Christmas Show (Final Days)
The Park Expo and Conference Center, 800 Briar Creek Rd, Charlotte
Runs through Sunday, November 22: 400+ merchants, holiday decor, live entertainment, Santa, and the official kickoff of the Charlotte Christmas season. Sunday hours end at 6 PM.
Carolina Renaissance Festival (Final Weekend)
16445 Poplar Tent Rd, Huntersville NC
The final weekend of the 2026 season, Saturday and Sunday, November 21-22: jousting, artisan shops, theater acts, turkey legs, and mead under the autumn trees. This is your last chance this year.
Speedway Christmas
Charlotte Motor Speedway, 5555 Concord Pkwy S, Concord NC
Opens Friday, November 20 and runs through January 3, 2027: a drive-through holiday light display around the 1.5-mile track with a holiday village, food trucks, and Santa on select nights.
Charlotte Regional Farmers Market
1801 Yorkmont Rd, Charlotte
Open Wednesday through Sunday, 8 AM to 5 PM year-round; November brings the last of the fall harvest, winter squash, apples, pecans, and early holiday baking staples.
South End Farmers Market at Atherton
2000 South Blvd, South End
Every Saturday, 8 AM to 1 PM, year-round: local farms, crafts, and coffee along the Rail Trail in the heart of South End.
Winter at Whitewater
U.S. National Whitewater Center, 5000 Whitewater Center Pkwy
The Whitewater Center's winter season kicks off this month with holiday lights, a winter village, ice skating, and hot drinks, running through mid-February 2027.
Don't miss these.
Panthers vs. Ravens at Bank of America Stadium (Sunday)
The Panthers host Baltimore on Sunday at 1:00 PM, the only home game in Charlotte this week with the Hornets on the road. An afternoon tailgate and a November game in Uptown is peak Charlotte fall, and the start of the city's big holiday-week buildup. Circle it early if you want good seats.
Doja Cat at Spectrum Center (Wednesday)
The biggest concert of the week lands mid-week: Doja Cat with Latto at Spectrum Center on Wednesday night. Arena tours of this scale only come through a few times a season, and Uptown will be buzzing before and after the show. It is the one to make an effort for.
Carolina Renaissance Festival Final Weekend (Sat-Sun)
November 21-22 is the final weekend of the Carolina Renaissance Festival in Huntersville for the whole year. If you have been meaning to go, this is it, and the last-weekend atmosphere is always extra festive with turkey legs, jousting, and crisp fall air. Go Sunday if you want a slightly lighter crowd.
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