| September 24, 2026|Charlotte, NC |
Good morning, Charlotte š Fall is officially here, and the Queen City is getting easier to get around, safer to walk and a lot more fun to spend a weekend in. If you’re riding NC By Train from Raleigh, your ticket now comes with a free CATS day pass for buses and the LYNX, thanks to the new Rail & Ride Pass. In southwest Charlotte, the Arrowood corridor just got eight new signalized crossings, plus new sidewalks, lighting and bus stop upgrades, including a new beacon outside a neighborhood school. Charlotte Center for the Arts is building support for a $150 million vision to give South Charlotte’s artists more places to perform, teach and create. The first step is a feasibility study you can help fund today. And in this week’s local hero story, meet the rescue dog behind Frank’s Beer Shop, the East Charlotte bar where a Wednesday walk club now draws 25 to 30 dogs a week. Your weekend is stacked too: Festival in the Park turns 62 at Freedom Park, the Charlotte Film Festival wraps its six-day run, Breakaway Carolina brings Tiësto to Concord and Ballantyne pours 100+ tastes at the Wine & Food Festival.
|
Sponsored by Great Work Research
šļø Looking for a Concrete Contractor? Start Here.A new driveway, stamped patio or concrete repair can be a major investment. Carolinas Concrete Guide makes the search easier by researching and comparing concrete contractors across the Carolinas using public data, customer reviews and other trust signals. Explore the Carolinas Concrete Guide → |
 |
Taking NC By Train from Raleigh to Charlotte now comes with a perk.
The new Rail & Ride Pass, launched Sept. 8, 2026, gives eligible passengers a free CATS adult day pass good on buses and LYNX light rail.
After booking a qualifying train ticket, riders request a promo code on NCByTrain.org and redeem it in the CATS-Pass app.
The pass does not cover the train fare, Kannapolis or Salisbury.
For a day in Uptown, South End or NoDa, it means less driving and no parking hunt. Read More... |
Charlotte has finished a bundle of eight safety and mobility projects along southwest Charlotte's Arrowood Road corridor.
The work adds eight signalized pedestrian crossings, 3,080 feet of new sidewalks, 7,640 feet of ADA upgrades, new lighting and four bus stop enhancements.
A new pedestrian hybrid beacon on Nations Ford Road now serves families at South Academy of International Languages.
The project arrives as Charlotte traffic deaths rose 9% to 81 in FY2025.
It is a finished, visible step on one of the corridors where safety improvements matter most. Read More... |
 |
Charlotte Center for the Arts is pursuing a long-term vision that could reach $150 million to bring dedicated arts space to South Charlotte.
The nonprofit says local artists are leaving because affordable performance and exhibition space is scarce, especially outside Uptown.
Its three-phase plan starts with a proposed $4 million to $5 million adaptive reuse project, followed by a 20,000 to 30,000 square foot Community Arts Hub and eventually a 100,000 square foot flagship campus.
None of those facilities are built or funded yet.
The immediate goal is practical: the Crown Charlotte's Talent campaign has raised $25,364 toward a $30,000 feasibility study that will help determine demand, programming and location.
Residents, artists and small businesses can help today by donating and sharing the campaign. Read More... |
Sponsored by Great Work Research
š± Planning a Backyard Transformation?From complete backyard makeovers and hardscaping to outdoor lighting and planting, finding the right landscape professional takes research. Carolinas Landscape Guide helps homeowners discover and compare landscape professionals across the Carolinas using public data, customer feedback and other trust signals. Explore the Carolinas Landscape Guide → |
 |
ā Featured pick Festival in the ParkFriday–Sunday, Sept. 25–27 Freedom Park · 1900 East Blvd. · Free Charlotte’s favorite fall tradition turns 62 this year. More than 150 artists and artisans set up around the lake at Freedom Park, with big band music drifting across the water, food vendors, face painting and hands-on activities for the kids. Bring a blanket, grab a funnel cake and make an afternoon of it. Hours: Friday 4–9 p.m. · Saturday 10 a.m.–9 p.m. · Sunday 10 a.m.–5 p.m. Festival details →Thursday, Sept. 24Charlotte Film FestivalRuns through Sunday · Ticketed screenings The 18th annual festival packs more than 160 independent films into six days, many with filmmaker Q&As. Free industry talks run daily at 4 p.m. next door at Eighty Eights. The theater is a short walk from the light rail and has free parking. See the film schedule →Charley Crockett with Durand Jones & The Indications7:30 p.m. · Ticketed Kick off the weekend early with a night of Texas country and soul under the open sky. Crockett’s Age of the Ram Tour rolls into the Music Factory with Durand Jones & The Indications opening. Friday, Sept. 25Breakaway CarolinaFriday–Saturday · 3–11 p.m. · Tickets from about $75 The region’s biggest electronic music festival returns to the dragway with Tiësto, Chris Lake, TroyBoi and What So Not. Expect two full days of big stages, lounges and late-night energy. Breakaway tickets →Houndmouth with Daniel Donato6:15 p.m. · Ticketed Indie rock meets cosmic country at Ballantyne’s outdoor amphitheater. A great pick if you want live music without the festival crowds. Saturday, Sept. 26Wine & Food Festival at BallantyneNoon–5 p.m. · $39–$75 · 21+ Sip your way through more than 100 wines, craft beers and spirits in an all-you-care-to-taste afternoon, paired with bites from Charlotte chefs. Rain or shine, and leave the pups at home for this one. Wine fest tickets →Battle of Charlotte Living History WeekendSaturday 10 a.m.–4 p.m. · Sunday 10 a.m.–3 p.m. · $15, kids 5 and under free History comes alive with Revolutionary War battle reenactments, camp life, artisans, cooking and weapons demonstrations. An easy family day trip just south of the city. Flatland Cavalry: Work of Heart Tour7:30 p.m. · Ticketed The Texas country band brings its fiddle-driven sound back to the Music Factory for a Saturday night show. Flatland Cavalry tickets →Sunday, Sept. 27Panthers at Browns1 p.m. · FOX The Panthers are on the road in Cleveland this week. Grab a spot at a local watch party, then catch the last day of Festival in the Park before it wraps at 5 p.m. Last call for the Film FestivalFinal day · Ticketed screenings Sunday is your last chance to catch Charlotte Film Festival screenings and the final free industry talk at 4 p.m. Weekend game planFor art lovers: Festival in the Park. For film buffs: Charlotte Film Festival. For dancing: Breakaway Carolina. For foodies: Wine & Food Festival. For families: Battle of Charlotte Living History. For country fans: Charley Crockett or Flatland Cavalry. Event details can change. Always confirm times, ticket availability and venue information before heading out. |
Sponsored by Great Work Research
šØ Dream Deck? Start With the Right Builder.Whether you're planning a composite deck, screened porch or pergola, the builder you choose matters. Carolinas Deck Guide helps homeowners research and compare deck builders across the Carolinas using public data, customer reviews and other trust signals. Explore the Carolinas Deck Guide → |
 |
Frank's Beer Shop in East Charlotte's Commonwealth Park is named for owner Joe Smaldone's rescue dog, Frank, who died in 2023.
After losing Frank, Joe started volunteering at the local shelter, and that community found its way into the bar.
Today a Wednesday walk club draws 25 to 30 dogs a week, rescues host adoption events and neighbors who never knew each other have become friends.
Google reviewers give it a 4.9-star average across 89 reviews.
It is a neighborhood bar that works like a front porch, and a local hero story worth sharing. Read More... |
š¤ Partner with The Queen City Scoop |