The South End Wine Festival is an annual charity event that happens every October. When you attend, you’ll enjoy an afternoon of wine, food trucks, and live music while supporting a local charity. Tickets are now available for this year’s event!
I’m working with the South End Wine Festival and Classroom Central to help promote this worthy cause. Who wouldn’t want to support buying classroom tools to help needy children succeed in their education?
In This Post
What is the South End Wine Festival?
The South End Wine Festival is an annual event held in Charlotte, North Carolina. All proceeds benefit school-age children through a partnership with Classroom Central. Tickets include wine, beer, and cider tastings, cooking demos, food trucks, and live performances by local bands. Pre- and post-festival events add to the fun and opportunities to make new friends, savor delicious food and drink, and enjoy live music.
Charlotte Magazine has voted this wine fest the best Charlotte wine event four years in a row! Buy your tickets now to be a part of this awesome event before they sell out.
When is the South End Wine Festival?
This event is held every year in October. In 2019, the South End Wine Festival is held on Saturday, October 19th from 2 pm to 6 pm.
VIP and Early Admission tickets provide an extra hour of wine, beer, and cider tasting starting at 1 pm.
A week of events for you to enjoy
Although the South End Wine Festival is held on Saturday, the fun doesn’t stop there. There are wine fest events all week long. Click the links to purchase your tickets to these exclusive events.
In the Kitchen with King of Pops – Tues Oct 15th
From 6 pm to 9 pm, create boozy popsicles while enjoying Prosecco and Wine at In the Kitchen with King of Pops.
Wine and Paint Night at The Collector’s Room – Wed Oct 16th
Paint a masterpiece while enjoying a glass of your favorite varietal from 6 pm to 9 pm at Wine and Paint Night at The Collector’s Room.
Wine and culinary journey at Zeppelin – Thurs Oct 17th
Chef Vince will create incredible pairings of food and wine to delight your tastebuds from 6 pm to 9 pm at Wine and culinary journey at Zeppelin.
WineFestEve dinner at Angeline’s – Fri Oct 18th
Enjoy six courses of culinary delights by Chef Rob paired with delicious wine from 6 pm to 9 pm at WineFestEve dinner at Angeline’s. Wine expert Wil will be your guide for this wonderful evening.
South End Wine Festival – Sat Oct 19th
The Wine Fest is the culmination of a week’s worth of food and beverage pairings. Charlotte’s South End Wine Festival includes wine, beer, and cider tastings, food trucks, and live music from 2 pm to 6 pm.
Mimosa & Rose Festival – Sun Oct 20th
After a week of amazing food and beverages, enjoy brunch at the Mimosa & Rose Festival from 11 am to 2 pm. Food will be prepared by Twisted Eats by Kre8 while DJ DOMii will spin the tunes. Tickets include all Rose, Red Clay Ciderworks cider, and mimosas tastings.
Where is the event located?
The main wine fest event on Saturday is located at 308 W. Carson Blvd, Charlotte, NC 28202. We created this map to help you find event locations and participating hotels.
Additional events are spread throughout the city at host restaurants and venues, depending upon which pre- or post-wine fest event you are attending. The wine fest is in red, while other host venues are in yellow. Local hotels are in blue.
How much are tickets?
Tickets for the South End Wine Festival go on sale in August. Prices vary based upon which package you choose:
- VIP Tickets – $60 per person – VIP tickets are sold as a table of 10. The VIP experience includes 10 festival tickets, VIP table and chairs, four bottles of wine, unlimited tastings, and early admission beginning at 1 pm.
- Early Admission – $50 – Arrive early because the fun starts at 1 pm. Early admission ticket holders will enjoy five hours of tastings. Also includes a festival sampling glass that you can take home as a souvenir.
- General Admission – $40 – General admission tickets include four hours of wine tastings and a souvenir sampling glass.
- Designated Driver – $20 – Includes a souvenir logoed sports bottle. Water stations are located throughout the venue.
Purchasing tickets online will save you time, but there is a small processing fee. You can avoid those fees by buying tickets in person at the Carolina Tix box office. It is located in the lobby of the Belk Theatre at 130 N. Tryon, Charlotte, NC 28202.
Who does this charity event benefit?
The South End Wine Festival benefits Classroom Central. Classroom Central is a Charlotte-based charity that serves more than 127,000 students and their teachers. It was founded by the Charlotte Chamber and Carolina Panthers in 2002. This charitable organization supports 199 high-poverty schools across six school districts in North Carolina and South Carolina.
Classroom Central’s statistics show that 50% of families at these schools can’t afford lunch, let alone school supplies. It is their mission to help these families and teachers to give these students the tools they need to succeed in their education.
Purchase your ticket to the South End Wine Festival to help Classroom Central “erase the need.”
Where should I stay when I come?
The Kimpton Tryon Park is the official hotel of the South End Wine Festival. Kimpton’s are my favorite hotel brand for the excellent service, the unique decor at each property, and the nightly wine hour starting at 5 pm.
You can book your room separately when staying in Charlotte, or you can book a package deal that includes your room and two tickets for the wine fest.
If you are unable to book a room at the Tryon Park hotel, I recommend using the Dosh app to receive up to 40% cash back on your hotel reservation.
Are there any age restrictions? Can I bring the kids?
Because alcohol is being served, the South End Wine Festival is restricted to guests ages 21 and over. Although children are not allowed this event, the proceeds of the wine fest are going to support children in schools.
If you’re looking for a fun event to bring the kids, check out the Charlotte Kids Fest that happens every October. Kids Fest is free fun for the entire family.
The Bald Thoughts
I am very excited about the South End Wine Festival. Anna and I love great wine, good food, and fun music. And it is so much more meaningful when you can support a charitable organization that helps kids be better prepared for school. The wine fest is a great opportunity to enjoy yourself while doing some good for the local community.
Are you attending Charlotte’s wine fest this year? What fundraisers do you attend that help out your local community? Let us know in the comment section below.
I didn’t know about this but it sounds great. Sadly (sort of) my wife and I will be away for this one, but I’d like to make it for next year. Charlotte is a great town. As a total aside, the map you kindly list shows the Hyatt Place but not the Hyatt House two blocks away. I don’t pretend to know how Google maps works, but could this be because the Hyatt House didn’t pay to be listed?
I won’t be able to attend this year either, Christian. I’m speaking at the Chicago Seminars the same weekend. Looking forward to next year in the hopes that I will be able to go. Drinking wine, checking out the food trucks, and listening to music sounds like a perfect way to spend a Saturday!
As far as the map goes, it wasn’t pay-to-play at all. I searched for at least one hotel from each of the major hotel chains to add to the map to give people options. Many of my friends prefer one brand over another (ie: Hyatt over Hilton) and some people have preferences about which points they’ll use. I haven’t stayed at any of these hotels yet but added the Hyatt House to the list based on your recommendation.
I can’t wait to stay at the Kimpton Tryon Park. One of the few Kimptons that I haven’t stayed at yet. Last time we were in Charlotte was six years ago when we visited the Great Wolf Lodge with Timmy and his cousins.