Your 5-minute guide to the best things to do in Charlotte | March 18-24

Editor’s note: CharlotteFive has limited coverage of in-person, indoor events to help prevent community spread of COVID-19. Masks are required at many Charlotte venues for indoor spaces or close settings.

Friday

Spend time at Optimist Hall. You can sip on a drink at El Thrifty or Fonta Flora, then stop by Noble Smoke, the food hall’s newest addition, Xiao Bao, Papi Queso or another spot for a meal. Afterward, browse around the vendors for paper goods, pet needs, plants and more. 1115 N. Brevard St. https://bit.ly/3KHtyxb

Saturday

Listen to the tunes of Peabo Bryson during his performance at Knight Theater at Blumenthal Performing Arts. Rhonda Thomas is the special guest recording artist. Grammy-award winner Bryson is known for songs like “Can You Stop the Rain” and Aladdin’s “A Whole New World.” The event starts at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $52.50+. 430 S. Tryon St. https://bit.ly/3ISw6b4

Attend the 15th Annual Baxter Village/Fort Mill Spring Festival & St. Patrick’s Parade. The festival averages 100+ vendors, including artisans, food and beverage, interactive and live entertainment and more. The parade will include bands, Irish dancers, classic cars, floats, bagpipers and more. The free festival is from 2-6 p.m. The parade starts at 5 p.m. 951 Market St., Suite 103, Fort Mill, SC. https://bit.ly/3t7y3Ll

Sunday

Order a modern gift basket from Babe & Butcher. The recent additions of handmade gift baskets means that you can order a carefully curated gift basket for yourself or for any occasion. The Rose Basket, $138, includes viola flower macarons, a bouquet of dried flowers, basil- or lemon-laced olive oil, a bottle of Fleurs rosè, eucalyptus and fresh flowers in a picnic basket. 301 Camp Road, Suite 102. https://bit.ly/3q40bwZ

Monday

Join Greg and Subrina Collier of BayHaven Restaurant Group as the couple celebrates their 10-year anniversary as restaurateurs. “Collier Classics” is a 10-course tasting event that will be held at Leah & Louise on March 21 from 6:30-9:30 p.m. The menu is inspired by some of the most popular dishes from the couple’s restaurants like Tang Tart, Hambone Grits, Bacon & Eggs and more. The cost is $190 per person, and there’s a wine pairing option for an additional $40. The reservation-only dinner is limited to 36 guests. Tickets can be purchased online. 301 Camp Road. https://bit.ly/3vTcX58

Tuesday

Enjoy the weather while sitting on one of the best rooftop bars, restaurants in Charlotte. Visit Charlotte Beer Garden in South End, Coaltrane’s in Plaza Midwood or RH in SouthPark. https://bit.ly/3i2bVvM

Wednesday

Celebrate National Paella Day at Bulla Gastrobar’s Paella-Making Class, “From Spain To Your Table.” Guests will learn how to make the dish and sangria from start to finish. All participants will receive a Bulla-branded apron, recipe cards and to-go containers. The class is from 7-9 p.m. The cost is $100 per person, with a two ticket minimum. Guests must be 21+. 4310 Sharon Road. https://bit.ly/3I3lZPG

Thursday

Attend Billy Sunday’s Cocktail 101 Class from 6:30-8 p.m. Participants will learn about classic cocktails, basics of bartending and tools of the trade from Stephanie Andrews. Throughout the evening, the class will make three cocktails, enjoy a welcome drink and get a special take-home cocktail kit. You can buy tickets online for $55. 1115 N. Brevard St., Unit 1. https://bit.ly/3CDdNEJ

Mark your calendar

Learn about foraging for mushrooms at North Corner Haven’s Mushroom Log Workshop & Fungi Feast on March 26. The workshop will guide participants through an intro to forest foraging, gourmet mushrooms and learn how to cultivate edible mushrooms on a log. Afterward, a three-course fungi-forward feast will feature seasonal items created by chef Joy Turner of North Corner Haven and James Beard semifinalist chef Adam Cooke of Topsoil Restaurant in Traveler’s Rest, SC. 3 p.m.–8:30 p.m. $40+. 3454 Activity Road, Lancaster, SC. https://bit.ly/35JUtcS

Visit the Charlotte Museum of History on March 26 to explore Catawba pottery from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Guests will take a guided tour of the traveling exhibit, “The Language of Clay: Catawba Indian Pottery & Oral Traditions” and participate in a live-streamed event with the Catawba Nation to learn about its history and significance of Catawba pottery. Pre-registration is required for the free, guided exhibit tour. 3500 Shamrock Drive. https://bit.ly/3u29Qpk

Celebrate the Queen City’s food scene at the first Charlotte StrEATS festival April 15-16. The event will feature cooking demonstrations, vendors, family-friendly activities, food trucks and more. The festival is free, but a ticketed tasting April 16 that highlights the city’s cuisine by neighborhood is $85. 900 W. Trade St. https://bit.ly/3iaeXyb

Grab your tickets for Charlotte Wine + Food Week on April 26-May 1, held at various venues in and around Charlotte. The festival kicks off with vintner dinners, followed by a Grand Tasting on Friday evening featuring 100+ wines, tastings from Charlotte-area restaurants and live music. Ticket prices vary by event. https://bit.ly/3InpEbm

Attend the third annual Crave Charlotte Food and Wine Festival on May 3-8, showcasing the work of the city’s chefs, mixologists and winemakers. There’s a new feature this year — a Grand Culinary Celebration at Romare Bearden Park on May 7. Ticket prices and locations vary by event. https://www.craveclt.org/