Your CLTure Guide to the Best Events happening in Charlotte this Week

By CLTure

November 18, 2025

Monday, November 17

Kannapolis Celebration of Lights Winterland Express at Village Park (November 15 – December 30)

Tickets: Free / $2.50 (train ride) / $2.00 (carousel)

Kick off the holiday season at Village Park with the Kannapolis Celebration of Lights, running nightly from November 15 through December 30. Stroll through thousands of sparkling lights, ride the Winterland Express train to spot all 12 Days of Christmas, and enjoy the beautifully crafted Village Park Carousel, featuring 1,800 lights and hand-painted Venetian murals. Kids can visit Santa for free photos, make holiday crafts, and watch performances by the beloved Kannapolis Singing Bears, while adults can enjoy food trucks, local artisans on weekends, s’mores, and other festive fun. Admission is free for park entry and light displays, but train and carousel rides require tickets, which may be reserved online or purchased onsite if available. Free parking is also provided at Village Park.

Southern Christmas Show at Park Expo (November 13-23) 

Tickets: $22 plus / $12 (children ages 6-12)

VOILÀ with opener Not A Toy at The Underground (8:00 p.m.)

Tickets: $18 plus

Ice Skating at Whitewater Center (November – February)

Tickets: $25 plus

Experience the magic of winter at the Whitewater Center’s 24,000-square-foot outdoor ice skating rink. The upper pond of the Whitewater River transforms into a winter wonderland, featuring four unique skating areas, including two scenic ice trails and two free skate zones suitable for all skill levels. Take a break and warm up at the Airstream in the center of the rink, serving both hot and cold beverages.

The 24,000-square-foot outdoor ice skating rink at Whitewater. Photo: Sean Richard

Atreyu with openers He Is Legend and Zero 9:36 at Neighborhood Theatre (7:00 p.m.)

Tickets: $42.41 plus

Tuesday, November 18

Menastree at The Evening Muse (8:00 p.m.) 

Tickets: $17.06

Carolina Panthers 12th annual Tree Lighting at Bank of America Stadium (5:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.)

Tickets: Free

Celebrate the holidays at the 12th annual Tree Lighting at Bank of America Stadium, hosted by the Carolina Panthers and Charlotte FC. Enjoy a festive evening starting with a stage show and the lighting of a 50-foot Norway Spruce from Newland, North Carolina, adorned with thousands of sparkling lights. The fun continues along the stadium concourse with holiday crafts, hot chocolate, letter writing, Santa meet-and-greets, and more. This community event is free, but mobile tickets are required for entry.

The Panthers’ 12th Annual Tree Lighting takes place Tuesday night at Bank of America Stadium.

Justin Silva at The Comedy Zone (7:00 p.m.)

Tickets: $30.76 plus

The Sound of Music at Belk Theater (November 18-23)

Tickets: $46.58 plus

Dijon at The Fillmore (8:00 p.m.) 

Tickets: $30 plus

The multi-talented alternative R&B singer-songwriter, producer, and multi-instrumentalist Dijon will headline The Fillmore on Tuesday night. Best known for his songs “The Dress” and “Skin,” Dijon recently released his second studio album, Baby, on August 15. Throughout his career, he has also collaborated with Bon Iver, Justin Bieber, Charli XCX, Joji, Clairo, Matt Champion, H.E.R., and Brent Faiyaz.

Sexual Purity, Joshua Cotterino, and Haunt3d at Snug Harbor (9:00 p.m.)

Tickets: $12.00

Lexa Gates with opener Yakiyn at The Fillmore (8:00 p.m.)

Tickets: $30.80 plus




Wednesday, November 19

The Blueprint Conversation Series with Ashley Stroehlein at Lloyd Studios (6:30 p.m.)

Tickets: Free

Like Moths To Flames, Kingdom of Giants, Acres, and Heavensgate at The Underground (7:00 p.m.)

Tickets: $30.80 plus

The Magicians Table at Blume Studios (November 19 – February 15)

Tickets: $79.99 plus

The Magicians Table opens in Charlotte this week for an unforgettable magic show experience. Enjoy two hours of up-close magic, live theatre, and music that will leave you astonished and spellbound. Arrive early to experience an exclusive pre-show with breathtaking sleight-of-hand and mind-bending illusions, and during the main event, some of the world’s finest magicians will perform right at your table, each showcasing their own unique style.

The Gaming Lounge Video Game Pop-Up at Divine Barrel Brewing (6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.) 

Tickets: Free

Alec Flynn at The Comedy Zone (7:00 p.m.)

Tickets: $30.76 plus

Black Charlotte: Live in Concert at Carolina Theatre (7:30 p.m.) 

Tickets: $22.20 plus

Black Charlotte: A Poetic Celebration of Place & Folk comes to life at Carolina Theatre with 15 of Charlotte’s top spoken-word artists, led by Poet Laureate Jay Ward and wordsmith Jah Smalls, performing alongside a 25-piece Charlotte Symphony Orchestra arranged by Leonard Mark Lewis. The participating poets — Bluz Rogers, A Poet Named Superman, Dionne Hunter, Kyla Alexis Jones, Sir Abstraxx, Jaycee Cowan, Lauren Morris, Leandrea “Luvleeh” Hill, Maurice Norman, Jordan Bailey, Mr. Witz, Lady V, Portia the Poet, Jah Smalls, and Jay Ward — bring personal stories of Charlotte’s Black history to life, guided by spoken-word storyteller Hannah Hasan, who will also narrate the live concert.

El Alfa at The Fillmore (8:00 p.m.) 

Tickets: $120 plus

Certainly So, Brandon Tenney, and Fueled by Ma at Snug Harbor (9:00 p.m.)

Tickets: $12 plus

Thursday, November 20

Nate Bargatze: Big Dumb Eyes World Tour at Spectrum Center (November 20-21)

Tickets: $47.80 plus

Fresh off his Grammy-nominated comedy album and Netflix special Your Friend and hosting the 77th Primetime Emmy Awards, stand-up comedian Nate Bargatze will bring his signature humor to two nights in Charlotte at Spectrum Center. Bargatze began his career in 2002, earning his first breaks on Comedy Central, Late Night with Conan O’Brien, and the Just for Laughs festival in Montreal. In 2017, his appearance on Netflix’s The Standups elevated him to new heights, leading to multiple stand-up specials and establishing him as one of the highest-grossing touring comedians in the world.

Ice Skating at Camp North Pole (November 20 – January 4)

Tickets: $20.03 (adults) / $16.88 (children 5 and under)

Cuzco, Catholics, Pretty Baby, and Somnium at Petra’s (8:00 p.m.)

Tickets: $13.42

Aziz Ansari: Hypothetical Tour at Ovens Auditorium (7:00 p.m.)

Tickets: $48.63 plus

Comedian and actor Aziz Ansari brings his observational humor and signature storytelling to Charlotte’s Ovens Auditorium this week. Ansari is best known for his roles on Parks and Recreation and as the co-creator, writer, director, and star of the Netflix original series Master of None, for which he has won two Emmys. He recently released his feature directorial debut, Good Fortune, which he wrote, directed, and co-stars in alongside Keanu Reeves, Seth Rogen, Keke Palmer, and Sandra Oh. Ansari has sold out Madison Square Garden, and in 2019, he released his fifth Netflix stand-up special, Right Now, directed by Spike Jonze, earning a Grammy nomination. His latest special, Nightclub Comedian, is now streaming on Netflix.

Knight Vision Chess Club at Lloyd Studios (6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.)

Tickets: Free (with registration)

Georgia Tech vs. ECU (Ice Hockey) at Truist Field (7:30 p.m.) 

Tickets: $23 plus

The brings college hockey to Truist Field this month. An outdoor rink will be set up on the diamond, giving fans a unique view from the stadium’s seating bowl. This week’s series features Georgia Tech vs. East Carolina on November 20, Georgia vs. Virginia Tech on November 21, and Appalachian State vs. UNC Charlotte on November 22.

The Lone Bellow with opener Caroline Spence at Neighborhood Theatre (8:00 p.m.)

Tickets: $42.41 plus

Grady Spencer & the Work with opener Tennis Courts at The Evening Muse (7:30 p.m.)

Tickets: Sold Out

Mo Betta Thursdays at Bo’s on NoDa (8:00 p.m.) 

Tickets: $15.00

Mo’ Betta Thursdays is a weekly jazz experience curated by Braxton Bateman in collaboration with A-part[meant]. Hosted at Bo’s on NoDa, the series showcases some of Charlotte’s finest musicians, blending jazz, R&B, soul, and hip-hop through dynamic live improvisation and genre-bending grooves.

Oh You Pretty Things, Pretty Pity, Out In Front, PostChaos, and Lilith Rising at The Milestone (8:00 p.m.)

Tickets: $14.47

Kyle Kinane at The Comedy Zone (November 20-22)

Tickets: $36.35 plus

Friday, November 21

Speedway Christmas at Charlotte Motor Speedway (November 21 – January 4)

Tickets: $46.41 plus

Speedway Christmas lights up Charlotte from Friday, November 21, through Sunday, January 4. The Southeast’s largest drive-thru holiday light show features more than five million lights along a four-mile course circling the iconic oval, pit road, and infield road course, synchronized to music on 101.3 FM. Guests can also enjoy drive-in movies on the massive Speedway TV. Tickets include free access to the festive Christmas Village on select dates, featuring photos with Santa, a race car selfie station, Santa’s Workshop, an ice maze, food and merchandise vendors, a bar, and the lighted Tree Pathway.

Grateful Grooves (Yard Friendsgiving Food Drive) at The Music Yard (6:00 p.m.) 

Tickets: Free

Satyr Black Performs “The Ladies of Jazz” at Middle C Jazz (6:00 p.m. + 8:30 p.m.)

Tickets: $40.40 plus

Charlotte Symphony: Ruben Studdard Sings Luther Vandross at Knight Theater (November 21-22)

Tickets: $39.15 plus

Ruben Studdard sings the songs of Luther Vandross with the Charlotte Symphony at Knight Theater for two nights this weekend. The American Idol winner brings Vandross’s timeless hits to life — including “Here and Now,” “Dance with My Father,” and “A House Is Not a Home” — backed by the Charlotte Symphony Orchestra under the direction of conductor Earnest Echols.

Lovejoy with opener The Montaines at The Fillmore (8:00 p.m.)

Tickets: $45.15 plus

Georgia vs. Virginia Tech (Ice Hockey) at Truist Field (7:30 p.m.)

Tickets: $18 plus

GoldLink at The Underground (8:00 p.m.) 

Tickets: $33.30 plus

DMV rapper GoldLink takes the stage at The Underground following the release of his new album Enoch, which arrived in May. GoldLink first broke out with the 2015 smash “Crew” featuring Brent Faiyaz and Shy Glizzy, a platinum hit that earned him a Grammy nomination for Best Rap/Sung Collaboration. He continued his rise with his 2017 debut album, At What Cost, featuring appearances from Wale, Steve Lacy, Jazmine Sullivan, and Kaytranada. After a three-year hiatus, GoldLink returns with Enoch, a sonically adventurous project that blends house, hip-hop, UK dance, and club rhythms, expanding on the “future bounce” sound that has defined his style.

Gaelic Storm at Neighborhood Theatre (8:00 p.m.) 

Tickets: $37.25 plus

The Spooklights with opener The Local Boys at The Evening Muse (7:30 p.m.) 

Tickets: $17.06

Shame Gang with Autumn Rainwater, Tymain Robbins, Makeda Iroquois, and Cuzo Key at Snug Harbor (9:00 p.m.)

Tickets: $17.00

Celebrating the release of his latest album, Oil Stains & 808s, Shame Gang headlines Snug Harbor with an impressive lineup of North Carolina talent, including Autumn Rainwater, Tymain Robbins, Makeda Iroquois, and Cuzo Key.

The Royal Jazz and Jokes Experience with Will Downing and Guy Torry at Carolina Theatre (7:30 p.m.)

Tickets: $71.50 plus