From a Tony-winning Broadway musical to WWE body slams and Super Bowl watch parties, the Queen City brings the heat this February weekend.
Charlotte doesn't do slow weekends, and this one's packed tighter than a Plaza Midwood brunch spot on Sunday. The Outsiders—fresh off winning four Tony Awards including Best Musical—is wrapping up its run at Belk Theater, while WWE Friday Night SmackDown storms into Spectrum Center on the Road to WrestleMania.
But it's not all big-arena spectacle. This weekend delivers comedy from Craig Ferguson and Margaret Cho, a Kaytranada-inspired dance party, Pete Yorn celebrating 25 years of his debut album, and a beer festival perfectly timed for Super Bowl Saturday. Whether you want Broadway tears, wrestling screams, or craft beer in your hand, Charlotte's got you.
Here's what's worth your time in the Queen City this weekend—from South End gallery hopping to hockey at Bojangles Coliseum.
Events listed are verified for February 6–8, 2026. Always confirm details before heading out, especially for that Super Bowl kickoff time.
What it is: The winner of four 2024 Tony Awards—including Best Musical—adapted from S.E. Hinton's seminal novel and Francis Ford Coppola's iconic film. It tells the story of Ponyboy Curtis, Johnny Cade, and their Greaser family of outsiders battling affluent rivals in 1967 Tulsa.
Why go: This is the kind of musical that earns its reputation. The original score by Jamestown Revival and Justin Levine captures both the heartbreak and hope of Hinton's story, while director Danya Taymor's staging has been called one of the most dynamic on Broadway. Entertainment Weekly says it "has the power to inspire an entire generation."
Who it's for: Theater lovers, anyone who read the book in middle school (so, everyone), and families looking for a powerful story about friendship, identity, and belonging. Content advisory: includes scenes depicting suicide, domestic abuse, and violence.
When: Friday, February 6 at 7:30 PM; Saturday, February 7 at 2:00 PM and 7:30 PM; Sunday, February 8 at 1:00 PM and 6:30 PM.
Need-to-know: At Belk Theater, part of Blumenthal Performing Arts Center. Group discounts available for 10+. ASL and audio description available at the 1 PM Sunday performance.
What it is: Wrestling's blue brand rolls into Charlotte as part of the Road to WrestleMania tour—one of the most anticipated stops on the WWE calendar, featuring top Superstars building toward the sport's biggest event.
Why go: There's something primal about watching WWE live. The pyro, the crowd pops, the impossibly athletic humans doing impossibly athletic things—it hits different than watching on TV. Charlotte has deep wrestling roots (hello, Flair Country), and the Spectrum Center crowd knows how to bring the energy.
Who it's for: Wrestling fans of all ages, people who want to yell at athletes without judgment, and anyone who needs an adrenaline reset before the weekend.
When: Friday, February 6 at 7:30 PM.
Need-to-know: At Spectrum Center downtown. This is a live TV taping, so expect a longer show with multiple matches. Parking available at nearby decks.
What it is: The multiple Grammy-nominated, Peabody and Emmy Award-winning comedian, actor, and former Late Late Show host brings his sharp, irreverent stand-up to Charlotte's premier comedy club.
Why go: Ferguson's comedy is conversational, intellectual, and genuinely surprising. He pivots from absurdist tangents to unexpectedly profound observations without missing a beat. Seeing him in an intimate club setting—rather than a theater—means you're getting the unfiltered Ferguson experience.
Who it's for: Late-night devotees, fans of comedy that assumes you're smart, and anyone who appreciates a Scottish accent delivering killer punchlines.
When: Friday, February 6 at 6:00 PM and 8:45 PM; Saturday, February 7 at 6:00 PM and 8:45 PM.
Need-to-know: At Comedy Zone Charlotte near SouthPark. Multiple showtimes let you build this into other weekend plans. Arrive early for best seating.
What it is: The undisputed Queen of Outsider comedy returns with her politically charged, boundary-pushing stand-up—sharper than ever and pulling no punches.
Why go: Cho has spent decades tackling identity, sexuality, politics, and whatever's making her mad this week with fearless honesty and killer timing. Her comedy is cathartic for anyone who's felt like they don't quite fit the mainstream mold.
Who it's for: Fans of comedy that says the quiet parts loud, LGBTQ+ audiences, and anyone who needs to laugh about the absurdity of modern life.
When: Friday, February 6 at 7:30 PM.
Need-to-know: At The Fillmore Charlotte in AvidXchange Music Factory. Standing room with limited seating available. This is an 18+ show.
What it is: A live orchestral celebration of ConcernedApe's beloved farming simulation game, featuring a 35-piece orchestra performing the most memorable music from Stardew Valley with gameplay visuals projected above the stage.
Why go: If you've ever lost hours to Pelican Town, hearing the music performed live is genuinely moving. The score captures seasons, relationships, and that specific feeling of finally getting your farm running right—and experiencing it with a full orchestra adds emotional weight you didn't know the game could carry.
Who it's for: Stardew Valley fans (obviously), video game music enthusiasts, and anyone curious about how games are becoming legitimate cultural events.
When: Friday, February 6 at 8:00 PM.
Need-to-know: At Ovens Auditorium in east Charlotte. Cosplay encouraged but not required. This show has been selling well—don't wait on tickets.
What it is: Solo acoustic performances celebrating the 25th anniversary of Pete Yorn's critically acclaimed debut album—the one that gave us "Life on a Chain" and "Strange Condition" and helped define early-2000s indie rock.
Why go: musicforthemorningafter was one of those albums that soundtracked a generation's quarter-life crises. Hearing Yorn perform it stripped down, in an intimate 300-seat theater, is a chance to reconnect with music that meant something during a formative time.
Who it's for: Anyone who wore out that CD in 2001, acoustic music lovers, and people who appreciate songwriting craft over production flash.
When: Friday, February 6 at 8:00 PM.
Need-to-know: At Booth Playhouse, one of Blumenthal's smaller venues. Intimate setting means no bad seats—but also limited tickets.
What it is: Two nights of AHL hockey as the Checkers—the Florida Panthers' affiliate—take on the Grand Rapids Griffins at Bojangles Coliseum.
Why go: Minor league hockey offers everything great about the NHL at a fraction of the price and with considerably more accessible beer. Friday is First Responders Night with special ticket offers for Charlotte-area first responders. The Coliseum's intimate sightlines mean you're close enough to hear the hits.
Who it's for: Hockey fans, families looking for affordable pro sports action, and anyone who appreciates athletes still hungry to prove themselves.
When: Friday, February 6 at 7:00 PM (First Responders Night); Saturday, February 7 at 6:00 PM.
Need-to-know: At Bojangles Coliseum in east Charlotte. Parking is plentiful and cheap. Saturday's early start time leaves room for post-game Super Bowl eve activities.
What it is: The Bechtler's most popular annual concert returns with vocalist Toni Tupponce joining the Ziad Jazz Quartet for a Valentine's-adjacent evening of romantic jazz standards surrounded by world-class modern art.
Why go: This show sells out every year for a reason. There's something magical about sipping a cocktail, surrounded by Miró and Calder and Picasso, while live jazz fills the atrium. It's date night elevated to an art form.
Who it's for: Couples, jazz lovers, and anyone who wants their Friday night to feel a little more sophisticated.
When: Friday, February 6 at 6:00 PM and 8:15 PM.
Need-to-know: At Bechtler Museum of Modern Art in Uptown. This is a perennial sellout—if you're reading this and tickets are available, don't hesitate.
Queen City Brewers Festival at Tipsy Pickle
What it is: The annual celebration of Charlotte's craft beverage scene, bringing together local breweries, cideries, and more on Super Bowl Saturday at Camp North End.
Why go: This is your chance to sample what Charlotte's brewing community has been working on all year. The festival supports the Charlotte Beer Collective's mission to strengthen the local craft beverage industry. Plus, it ends at 3 PM—plenty of time to pick your Super Bowl spot.
Who it's for: Craft beer enthusiasts, people who like discovering new local breweries, and anyone who wants a quality afternoon activity before the big game.
When: Saturday, February 7 from 12:00–3:00 PM. Early access available.
Need-to-know: At Tipsy Pickle at Camp North End. Designated drivers get free admission. This is the perfect Super Bowl Saturday warm-up.
What it is: The folk-rock troubadour brings his emotionally raw, Americana-soaked sound to Neighborhood Theatre with opener Laney Jones and the Spirits.
Why go: Langhorne Slim writes songs that feel like they've always existed—the kind of music that makes you want to call an old friend or drive down a country road with the windows down. His live shows are communion experiences, intimate and cathartic.
Who it's for: Americana fans, people who appreciate artists who've chosen craft over commercial calculation, and anyone who needs music that makes them feel something real.
When: Friday, February 6. Doors at 7:00 PM, show at 8:00 PM.
Need-to-know: At Neighborhood Theatre in NoDa. Standing room—wear comfortable shoes.
Robyn Springer Performs Anita Baker at Middle C Jazz
What it is: Charlotte vocalist Robyn Springer channels the legendary Anita Baker with guests Ziad Rabie and Rodney Shelton at the city's premier jazz club.
Why go: Anita Baker's catalog—"Sweet Love," "Caught Up in the Rapture," "Giving You the Best That I Got"—deserves the intimate setting that Middle C provides. Robyn Springer has the pipes to do it justice, and hearing this music live with a full band is the kind of Saturday night Charlotte does better than most cities.
Who it's for: R&B purists, fans of sophisticated grown-folk music, and couples looking for a romantic Saturday evening.
When: Saturday, February 7 at 6:00 PM and 8:30 PM.
Need-to-know: At Middle C Jazz downtown. Two showtimes mean flexibility. Make a reservation—this room is intimate and fills up.
What it is: The monthly art walk along South End's galleries, studios, and creative spaces, with extended hours, receptions, and live painting.
Why go: South End has quietly become Charlotte's most walkable art district, and First Friday is when it all comes alive. Hop between galleries, meet artists, maybe discover something that needs to go on your wall. The Rail Trail makes navigation easy.
Who it's for: Art enthusiasts, people who want to support local creatives, and anyone looking for a free Friday evening activity.
When: Friday, February 6 from 6:00–9:00 PM.
Need-to-know: Free admission. Start anywhere along the South End gallery corridor and work your way down. Combine with dinner at one of South End's many restaurants.
What it is: An interactive aerospace exhibition celebrating innovations in flight—from the Wright brothers to space exploration—with hands-on experiences that let you design, build, and virtually test aircraft and spacecraft.
Why go: This exhibition balances education with genuine fun. Design your own aircraft and test it in a wind tunnel. Experience the forces of flight in simulators. Learn about the engineering that makes modern aviation possible. It's the kind of exhibit that makes kids want to become engineers.
Who it's for: Families, science enthusiasts, aspiring pilots and astronauts, and anyone who's ever looked up at a plane and wondered how it works.
When: On view through April 19, 2026. Museum hours vary—check before visiting.
Need-to-know: At Discovery Place Science in Uptown. Included with general admission. Allow 2–3 hours to fully experience the exhibition.
What it is: The culmination of the NFL season arrives Sunday evening, and Charlotte's bars, restaurants, and venues are going all-out with watch parties featuring big screens, specials, and communal cheering.
Why go: Super Bowl Sunday is a holiday, and watching with strangers who become friends over fumbles and touchdowns beats watching alone. Charlotte's hospitality scene knows how to throw a party.
Who it's for: Football fans, people who watch for the commercials, and anyone who needs an excuse to eat wings in a social setting.
When: Sunday, February 8. Kickoff typically around 5:30 PM CT / 6:30 PM ET.
Need-to-know: Popular spots include Clutch Kitchen & Pour House (unlimited wings special), SouthPark's Hyatt Centric at IRO Bar & Lounge, Streetcar Bar + Bites, and Sweet Lew's BBQ. Make reservations where possible—these fill up fast.
Getting around: Charlotte sprawls, but this weekend's highlights cluster in a few neighborhoods. Uptown handles Broadway, jazz, and museums; NoDa has indie shows; Camp North End hosts the beer festival; and east Charlotte covers the Checkers and Stardew Valley. The LYNX Blue Line connects South End to Uptown efficiently.
The weather factor: February in Charlotte means temperatures ranging from the mid-30s to low 60s. Layers are your friend, especially if you're doing the gallery crawl or any outdoor activities at the Whitewater Center.
Book ahead: The Outsiders is wrapping up, Jazz for Lovers sells out annually, and Super Bowl parties need reservations. Charlotte rewards the prepared.
Make it a full weekend: Friday could be SmackDown into Pete Yorn; Saturday could be beer festival into Checkers game into Super Bowl prep; Sunday is all about the big game. Or pick your own adventure—there's enough happening to curate exactly the weekend you want.
Planning your Charlotte adventures? AllEvents has the full calendar of what's happening across the Queen City—from the events that sell out to the hidden gems worth discovering.
