Things to Do in
Charlotte This Week.
November 2 to 8, 2026, the Hornets are home twice with an Emirates NBA Cup showdown against Boston, Rod Wave rocks Spectrum Center, the Charlotte Symphony plays On Tap at Triple C Brewing, the Checkers open a home hockey weekend, CLT Ciderfest fills Armored Cow Brewing, and the Panthers host the Broncos on Sunday. Here is your guide to what is happening in Charlotte this week.
You know that stretch of fall when the holidays are close enough to feel, but the city is still fully in autumn mode? That is this week in Charlotte. It is a sports-heavy seven days, with two Hornets games in Uptown including a Friday NBA Cup battle with Boston, plus a Panthers home game on Sunday. In between, there is world-class classical music in a South End brewery, AHL hockey at Bojangles Coliseum, a cider festival in University City, and the year-round farmers markets in peak November form. Whether you are a sports fan, a music lover, or just looking for a great weekend out, Charlotte has you covered.
Monday through Friday.
The Hornets host the Pistons at Spectrum Center on Monday, Rod Wave fills the arena on Tuesday, the Charlotte Symphony plays On Tap at Triple C Brewing on Wednesday, and the week peaks Friday with Hornets vs Celtics in the Emirates NBA Cup and Checkers hockey at Bojangles Coliseum.
Charlotte Hornets vs. Detroit Pistons
Spectrum Center, 333 E Trade St, Uptown
The Charlotte Hornets open the week with a home game against the Detroit Pistons at Spectrum Center in Uptown. It is the second Hornets home game of the young 2026-27 season, and a Monday-night Uptown tip-off is the perfect way to shake off the weekend. Grab dinner at one of the restaurants around the arena before the game, then stay for the full game-day atmosphere. Tickets through the Hornets' official site and Ticketmaster.
Find Your Muse Open Mic at The Evening Muse
The Evening Muse, 3227 N Davidson St, NoDa
The Evening Muse in NoDa hosts its long-running Monday open mic night, where Charlotte musicians test new material in front of a friendly room. Whether you are playing or just listening, it is the most welcoming way to plug into the city's live-music scene. Free to attend, with a full bar and cozy listening room.
Rod Wave: Don't Look Down Tour
Spectrum Center, 333 E Trade St, Uptown
Rapper and singer Rod Wave brings his Don't Look Down tour to Spectrum Center in Uptown for a Tuesday-night arena show. Known for his emotional, melody-driven hip-hop and stadium-sized anthems, Rod Wave has become one of the biggest draws in the genre, and this Charlotte stop is a hot ticket. A big midweek concert for hip-hop and R&B fans across the metro.
Charlotte Symphony: On Tap at Triple C Brewing
Triple C Brewing Co, 2900 Griffith St, South End
The Charlotte Symphony's On Tap series brings an intimate chamber program of Mozart, Holst, and Haydn to the brewery floor at Triple C Brewing in South End. Expect world-class classical musicians performing just feet from the taps, with food and cold beer flowing all night. It is a relaxed, seriously fun way to hear the symphony without the formal concert hall.
Charlotte Regional Farmers Market
1801 Yorkmont Rd, Charlotte
The Charlotte Regional Farmers Market is open year-round, and early November is fall harvest peak: winter squash, apples, pecans, greens, honey, artisan cheese, and baked goods across the market's vendor buildings. With the first frosts of the season arriving, it is also the time for mums, gourds, and early holiday baking staples. Free admission and parking.
Charlotte Hornets vs. Boston Celtics (Emirates NBA Cup)
Spectrum Center, 333 E Trade St, Uptown
The Hornets host the Boston Celtics in an Emirates NBA Cup group-stage game at Spectrum Center on Friday night. It is the marquee home game of the week, pitting Charlotte against one of the league's top teams in a game that counts toward Cup standings. Uptown will be busy well before tip-off, with the bars and restaurants around the arena packed with basketball energy. Tickets through the Hornets' official site.
Charlotte Checkers vs. Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins
Bojangles Coliseum, 2700 E Independence Blvd, Charlotte
The Charlotte Checkers open a home weekend series against the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins at historic Bojangles Coliseum on Friday night, with a second game Saturday. AHL hockey in the Coliseum is one of Charlotte's best affordable sports nights out, with fast-paced action, family-friendly atmosphere, and that classic hockey barn feel.
Saturday & Sunday.
Saturday is a choose-your-own-adventure day: farmers markets in Uptown and Matthews in the morning, CLT Ciderfest at Armored Cow Brewing in the afternoon, then Checkers hockey or the Charlotte Symphony Gala with Joshua Bell at night. Sunday belongs to the Panthers, who host the Broncos at Bank of America Stadium.
Uptown Farmers Market
300 S Davidson St, Uptown
The producer-only Uptown Farmers Market at the corner of South Davidson and West 4th runs every Saturday through mid-December, and early November is one of its best stretches for seasonal produce. Shop local farms for fall greens, root vegetables, apples, and baked goods, then stroll the surrounding Uptown greenways and grab coffee nearby. A great weekend-morning ritual in the center of the city.
Matthews Community Farmers Market
188 N Trade St, Matthews NC
The Matthews Community Farmers Market in downtown Matthews runs Saturday mornings through November 21, so this is one of the last chances to stock up on local fall produce for the season. Vendors bring seasonal produce, baked goods, honey, and handmade crafts to the market pavilion on North Trade Street, with downtown Matthews coffee shops and shops right across the street.
CLT Ciderfest, 5th Annual Charlotte Cider Festival
Armored Cow Brewing, 8821 JW Clay Blvd, Charlotte 28262
The 5th annual CLT Ciderfest takes over Armored Cow Brewing in University City for a Saturday afternoon of hard cider tastings from regional cider makers, live music, and food. Armored Cow is one of Charlotte's newer breweries, and its University City taproom provides plenty of room for the festival crowd. It is the Charlotte metro's dedicated cider celebration of the year, perfect for a casual fall afternoon outing.
Charlotte Checkers vs. Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins
Bojangles Coliseum, 2700 E Independence Blvd, Charlotte
The Checkers wrap up their home weekend series against the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins with a Saturday-night 6:00 PM puck drop at Bojangles Coliseum. It is a great early-evening family outing before the weekend's later events, with affordable tickets, in-game entertainment, and the classic old-school arena atmosphere the Coliseum is famous for.
Charlotte Symphony Annual Gala: Joshua Bell Plays Bruch
Knight Theater, 430 S Tryon St, Uptown
The Charlotte Symphony's Annual Gala features superstar violinist Joshua Bell performing Bruch's beloved Violin Concerto at Knight Theater in Uptown. It is the fundraising highlight of the symphony's fall season and one of the most prestigious classical events on the Charlotte calendar, with the orchestra on full form for a distinguished guest artist. An elegant night out in Uptown for classical music lovers.
Carolina Panthers vs. Denver Broncos
Bank of America Stadium, 800 S Mint St, Uptown
The Carolina Panthers host the Denver Broncos for a 1:00 PM Sunday home game at Bank of America Stadium, the team's first November home game of the 2026 season. Game-day energy starts hours before kickoff with tailgates around the stadium and crowds filling Uptown's sports bars, from VBGB at the Music Factory to the bars along Graham Street. A classic fall Sunday in the Queen City.
Ongoing & recurring.
Carolina Renaissance Festival
16445 Poplar Tent Rd, Huntersville NC
Runs Saturdays and Sundays through November 22: jousting tournaments, artisan shops, theater acts, turkey legs, and mead under the autumn trees
Charlotte Regional Farmers Market
1801 Yorkmont Rd, Charlotte
Open Wednesday through Sunday year-round; November brings peak fall harvest, winter squash, apples, and early holiday baking staples
Southern Christmas Show (opens Nov 11)
The Park Expo and Conference Center, 2500 E Independence Blvd
The 59th annual Southern Christmas Show runs Nov 11-22: holiday shopping, decor, crafts, Santa, plus food and wine. Plan ahead for next week
Little Sugar Creek Greenway
Multiple access points across Charlotte
Paved trail network at its crisp, colorful best in early November, connecting neighborhoods, parks, and Uptown
Fall Exhibitions at the Mint Museum
Mint Museum Randolph & Uptown
Rotating art and design exhibitions at both locations, a perfect cool-weather afternoon activity
Don't miss these.
Hornets Double-Header Week: Pistons Monday, Celtics Friday
It is a two-game home week for the Hornets, and both feel like events: Monday's season-start matchup against Detroit sets the tone, then Friday's Emirates NBA Cup game against Boston is the marquee ticket of the week. If you can only pick one, Friday's Cup game is the one to circle.
CLT Ciderfest at Armored Cow Brewing (Saturday)
Charlotte's own cider festival is on its 5th year, and Armored Cow is a great host taproom in University City. Regional ciders, live music, and a crowd that is genuinely enthusiastic about apples. It is my pick for the most uniquely Charlotte thing on the calendar this weekend.
Panthers vs. Broncos at Bank of America Stadium (Sunday)
There is nothing like a Carolina afternoon home game. The tailgates, the orange-out stadium sea, the walk up Mint Street with thousands of fellow fans: it is a rite of fall in Charlotte, and this Sunday's matchup against Denver is worth planning around.
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I publish a weekly events roundup plus neighborhood guides, market updates, and lifestyle content. If you are thinking about making a move to Charlotte, I would love to help you find your place in the Queen City.