This Weekend's Agenda (Dec. 30-Jan. 1): 45+ Events

FRIDAY
​SHEN YUN
Travel through 5,000 years of Chinese culture with this dance and musical experience. With dazzling costumes, sets, and backdrops, the Belk Theater is transformed for two evenings.

THE HIP HOP NUTCRACKER
Some of us like to leave up the lights for a few extra days. If you're still in the holiday spirit after Christmas, this remix of the Tchaikovsky standard has hip-hop dancers, a DJ, digital backdrop, and more to give an urban rendition of the Nutcracker.

THE BEST CHRISTMAS PAGEANT EVER: THE MUSICAL
This staging at the Children’s Theatre of Charlotte is a world premiere. This comedy-musical is adapted by Jahnna Beecham and Malcolm Hillgartner, from the classic book of the same name by Barbara Robinson.

SATURDAY
NEW YEAR'S EVE UNDER THE STARS
Rooftop 210 invites you to ring in 2017 “under the stars” atop the EpiCentre. A $110 ticket buys you an all-you-can-eat appetizer buffet and open bar. 

RICH AND BENNETT'S NEW YEAR'S EVE BASH
The duo who brings Charlotte its annual St. Patrick’s Day pub crawl are back with this New Year’s Eve party, so you know what you’re getting into with this one. Prohibition, 200 N. Tryon St., is open just for the partiers at this event tonight. A $75 ticket buys you appetizers, party favors, an open bar and free tickets to the pair’s St. Patrick’s Day pub crawl and Halloween crawl. 

NEW YEAR'S EVE DINNER AND CELEBRATION
If you’re looking for less of a feet-sticking-to-the-floor kind of evening, Blue’s a safe bet. The restaurant and bar’s party begins at 9 p.m. and includes live music, a champagne toast and party favors. There’s no admission fee until 10 p.m. After that, a ticket costs $5. If you want to order dinner beforehand and stick around, Blue is offering a $35 three-course meal. 

THIRSTY NOMAD NEW YEAR
This newer brewery celebrates New Year’s Eve with its signature funk for which it’s become known. A $15 ticket to this party includes live music, food, a flight of beer and more. Instead of champagne, the brewery will ring in 2017 with one of its brews (for free!). The evening also features a brewer competition, Clash of the Nomads: The Hopper Games. Whichever beer sells out first will be declared the winner and enter Thirsty Nomad’s regular rotation of beers.

SOUTHERN SKYLINE GRAND BALL
This all-inclusive, black-tie-optional celebration offers Charlotteans a fancy alternative to the usual party antics of New Year’s Eve. Though, with this billed as the largest New Year’s Eve party in the Southeast (according to the promoters), we’re hesitant to say the usual antics won’t be in store. The party features all-you-can-eat appetizers, an open bar and four stages of live entertainment. The party starts at 9 p.m. at Le Meridien, 555 S. McDowell St. 

5CHURCH NYE PARTY
​5Church hosts an open bar and buffet from 10 p.m. until 2 a.m. with a live DJ, champagne toast and party favors. Buy your $85 tickets in advance here (and use the keywords "5Church Charlotte"). 5Church is located at 127 N. Tryon St. 

NEW YEAR'S EVE COCKTAILS AND CONFETTI
Ink N Ivy is a new kid on the block, and it’s throwing its first New Year’s Eve party in Charlotte. The party features both live music and a DJ, an appetizer buffet, open bar, champagne toast, breakfast buffet, party favors and more. The party begins at 9:30 p.m. at 222 S. Church St. 

LUCKY'S NEW YEAR BASH
Lucky’ Bar and Arcade is another new spot in Uptown, and so it, too, is throwing its first New Year’s Eve party. A $72 ticket buys you an all-access pass to the spot’s games. The evening begins at 9 at 300 N. College St. 

FLIGHT'S ROCKIN' NEW YEAR'S EVE
Right next door to Lucky’s, Flight is throwing its own party. This new beer hall hopes you give it a try tonight with its all-inclusive, Dick Clark-style party, featuring live music, an open bar and a buffet. The party starts early at 7 p.m. at 314 N. College St. Tickets cost about $69. Buy yours here. As a bonus to Charlotte magazine readers, Flight is offering an exclusive discount code worth $5 off your ticket! Use CltMag17 and instantly save a cool Lincoln when you buy your tickets online.

FITZGERALD'S NEW YEAR'S EVE
An all-inclusive ticket to this New Year’s Eve bash costs about $86 and includes an open bar, breakfast buffet, a DJ, champagne toast and party favors. The party begins at 9 p.m. at 201 E. Fifth St. 

NYE CARNIVALE
Slate Billiards, Hot Taco, All American Pub and Oak Room join forces tonight to celebrate New Year’s Eve Carnivale style. A “general admission” ticket, which only gets you admission to Slate Billiards and Oak Room, costs $91 but includes party favors, an open bar, a DJ and a champagne toast. VIP tickets get you entrance to all four spots plus appetizers and more. Those tickets cost about $131. The party starts at 9 p.m. for general admission tickets and 8 p.m. for VIP tickets at 200 E. Bland St. 

GORGEOUS AT THE RITZ
With the negative public relations this spot has become known for, we’d think it’d, perhaps, not be so overt with its, shall we say, exclusive messaging. But, alas. We’ll let it speak for itself: “This is a private event. The event will be selective in nature. Admission will be reserved for those with advance tickets and who demonstrate progressive style and execution. We ask that you prepare and dress accordingly.” The party starts at 9 p.m. at 201 E. Trade St. Tickets to this exclusive affair, which don’t include drinks (what?), cost $80. 

HOWL AT THE MOON'S NYE PARTY
This EpiCentre spot has already sold out of its open bar tickets for the evening, so you’ll have to settle for its less expensive ticket ($43) that buys you two free drinks instead. The party starts at 9 p.m. at 210 E. Trade St.

RIO DE CARNIVAL NYE
The VIP tickets for this party have also sold out, but there are still some general admission tickets available for about $28. Your ticket buys you appetizers, a champagne toast and party favors. The party begins at 9 p.m. at 210 E. Trade St. 

ANGRY ALE'S NEW YEAR'S EVE HOUSE PARTY
If sky-high all-inclusive New Year’s Eve parties aren’t for you, but you still want to go out and ring in the new year, this party is for you. A $12 ticket buys you a champagne toast, DJ and party favors. As the event description says, “Order what you want, watch all the football you want or rock out on our dance floor with DJ charLIT!” The party starts at 7 p.m. at 1518 Montford Drive. 

COUNTDOWN THROWDOWN
Mortimer’s is throwing a similarly low-key party with the added benefit of still being in the thick of Uptown. A $22 ticket buys you a free drink, a champagne toast and party favors. The party starts at 7 p.m. at 210 E. Trade St. 

2017 MELTDOWN
A $27 ticket to this party at Plaza Midwood’s lesbian bar, L4 Lounge, buys you appetizers from 9 p.m. until 11 p.m., party favors, giveaways, a champagne toast and music all night long. The party begins at 9 p.m. at 2906 Central Ave.

NEW YEAR'S AT THE IMPERIAL
Turn back the clock tonight at The Imperial with this ‘50s-themed black-tie party. A $27 ticket buys you appetizers, access to the live jazz music and a champagne toast. The party begins at 9 p.m. at 300 N. College St. Buy your ticket here or prepare to spend $40 at the door. 

STUDIO 54 COUNTDOWN PARTY
Wear your best and brightest tonight at Passion8, 1523 Elizabeth Ave., throws this fancy New Year’s Eve party. Enjoy a four-course dinner and an after-party for $68 or come just for the after-party, which includes appetizers and a champagne toast, for $32. Dinner is from 5 p.m. until 9:30 p.m., and the party begins at 10 p.m. 

KENNEDY'S NEW YEAR'S EVE PARTY
This Elizabeth Irish pub is offering an all-you-can-drink party to say goodbye to 2016 and hello to 2017. A $48 ticket buys you drinks, party favors and a champagne toast at midnight. The party starts at 9 p.m. at 366 N. Caswell Road. 

VBGB NYE PARTY
This beer garden’s tent transforms into a dance floor tonight with a DJ. A $70 ticket buys you access to the dance floor plus an open bar, a buffet from 10 p.m. until 1 a.m., a champagne toast and party favors. The party starts at 9 p.m. at 920 Hamilton St. 

THE ASBURY
The Asbury will host a New Year’s Eve tasting menu on December 31; seatings starting at 5:30 p.m. and extending until 9 p.m. Cost is $80 per person with optional wine pairings for an added cost. 

THE AVETT BROTHERS
The boys are back home to ring in the new year at Bojangles Coliseum, where they'll bring their energetic live show and folk rock sound. The band released its ninth studio LP, True Sadness, in June.

THE SPONGETONES NEW YEARS EVE PARTY
As the last New Year's Eve show at the Double Door Inn, you know the venue had to choose someone special to play. The power pop act The Spongetones, originally from Charlotte, take the venue's humble stage to rock in 2017.

AMOS' FINAL NYE W/ CASSETTE REWIND & GUMP FICTION THE ULTIMATE 90’S TRIBUTE
Like the Double Door Inn, Amos' Southend is also hosting its last NYE event as a music venue. At this show, the '80s and the '90s collide, with two tribute bands: Cassette Rewind and Gump Fiction.

FUTUREBIRDS
Georgia’s Futurebirds offer indie rock with a country tinge. The band is a fixture on the festival circuit, releasing their last studio record last year. The band is joined at the Visulite Theatre with Charleston’s The High Divers and our very own Amigo.

DROP !T: OOKAY
Ookay is a producer and DJ that works within the trap genre, bringing electronic dance music to the Fillmore on New Year’s Eve. His latest record, Cocoon, was released in October. Also joining the artist for this holiday show: Warez, Freaky QC, and Yuki.

ANDY THE DOORBUM
Andy the Doorbum returns to Charlotte to bring his blend of art and music. JaggerMouth and Sinners & Saints round out the line-up of this Snug Harbor show.

JEFF DYE
Dye has become one of those talking heads you recognize from shows like Guy Code and Money From Strangers. He returns to Charlotte with the simple mission of making you laugh.

REID'S FINE FOODS
Head to Reid's for a New Year's Eve dinner you won't forget! Champagne upon arrival, plus lobster bisque, surf and turf, and more for $55. Reservations are recommended for the December 31 event; dinner runs from 5 to 10 p.m. 

LEROY FOX
From December 31 from 8 p.m. to January 1 at 2 a.m. enjoy the new year at Leroy Fox. Enjoy a four course menu paired with Champagne cocktails. Cost is $70 per person; buy tickets here. Dinner includes choices of a vegetarian entree; filet; shrimp and crawfish etoufee; and a dessert served on the heated patio. 

FOXCROFT WINE COMPANY
The wine bar will be open on Saturday, December 31, from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. at both the Dilworth and South Park locations. The Dilworth location will also host a New Year's Eve special for a half dozen bacon Mornay oysters and a glass of Champagne for $25. 

AIX EN PROVENCE
Aix en Provence will be hosting New Year’s Eve celebrations on December 31 respectively. New Year’s Eve will host two seatings – the first from 5 to 6:30 p.m. and the second from 7 to 8:30 p.m. There will also be live music. You can book your spot on the website or by calling 704-332-1886. The menus include oysters on the half shell, pan roasted tile file, beef wellington, poached pears, roasted duck breast, opera cake, and more. 

STAGIONI
Chef Andrew Dodd has curated a four course dinner for December 31, New Year’s Eve, beginning with a prosecco toast. The menu includes choices for antipasto, primi, secondi, and dolce. Visit the website for the full menu; call 704-372-8110 to make your reservation. 

GOOD FOOD AT MONTFORD
The restaurant will be taking reservations for New Year's Eve, December 31. Call the restaurant to reserve your spot. Reservations are being accepted now, so reserve your spot at this delicious small plate mecca by calling 704-525-0881. 

BARRINGTON'S
Bruce Moffett’s flagship restaurant is offering a five course dinner with Champagne to ring in the New Year on December 31. The menu includes choices of seared Hudson Valley foie gras; vodka cured salmon with caviar; roasted NC flounder with tempura shrimp; and more. Seatings begin at 5:30 p.m.; call 704-364-5755 to reserve your table. 

HERITAGE FOOD + DRINK
Head to Heritage for a seven course tasting dinner celebrating the arrival of 2017 on Saturday, December 31. Cost is $80 or $108 per person with wine pairings. It's also Chef Paul Verica's birthday, so head out to the restaurant, raise a glass, and celebrate!

NYE AT LUMIERE
The French restaurant in Myers Park is hosting a very special New Year’s Eve dinner, complete with five courses and optional wine pairings. Cost is $85 per person or $75 if you choose to eat early between 5:30 and 6 p.m. on Saturday, December 31. The menu already holds promises of wild boar tenderloin, pan seared scallops, duck l’orange, and salted caramel crème brulee. Make your reservations here or call 704-372-3335.

BLT STEAK
Countdown to midnight in uptown with a prix fixe blackboard ($75) featuring lobster bisque, sea scallops, and more. Conclude your meal with a decadent dessert like semolina cake or dark chocolate ille-feuille. Hours on New Year's Eve, December 31, will be 7 a.m. to noon; dinner from 4:30 p.m. to 11:30 p.m.; New Year's Day, January 1, breakfast from 7 a.m. to 11 a.m.; brunch from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Reservations are available online at http://bltrestaurants.com/blt-steak/charlotte or by calling 704-972-4380. 

SUNDAY
EVOKE
Following its Southern Skyline Grand Ball the evening before, this restaurant at 555 S. McDowell St. rings in 2017 with its “Come to your senses Hangover Brunch.” The buffet runs from 11 a.m. until 2:30 p.m., and tickets cost $55. Add on an over-the-top Bloody Mary for only a $1 because hair of the dog, right? 

5CHURCH
Praise be the powers of the schedule-maker for this brunch: it begins at 9 a.m. but lasts until 4:30 p.m. for those who need a bit of recuperating time. The brunch buffet at 127 N. Tryon St costs $35 for adults and includes, among other items, octopus ceviche, bourbon french toast, smoked salmon, caviar toast, crab cakes with jalapeno beurre blanc and fried green tomatoes with pimento cheese.

LIBERTY WALK
This self-guided tour is free. Stroll through uptown to the 18 points that comprise the Liberty Walk, touring the early history of the region through markers and text. Pick up a brochure at the Visitor Info Center at 501 S. College St. (in the Charlotte Convention Center) or at the Levine Museum of the New South. A “Charlotte Liberty Walk” app is available at handheldhistory.com to help you along.