Light Rail Weekender – Oct. 2 to 4
Start October by trying something new! Check out fun things to do in Charlotte this weekend that are free, cheap and easy to reach on the CATS light rail.
First Friday Gallery Crawl
When: Friday, Oct. 2, 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Dilworth Artisan Station
Where: Dilworth Artisan Station, South End
Cost: Free
Start the weekend by exploring local artists’ studios in the South End. You can browse the art, meet the people who made it and walk along the Rail Trail while you’re there. The gallery crawl is scheduled for October 2, and Dilworth Artisan Station lists first Friday studio hours from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.
Directions: From UNC Charlotte Main Station, take the Blue Line southbound to East/West Station. Walk along the Rail Trail to Dilworth Artisan Station at 118 E. Kingston Ave. The venue is next to the Rail Trail near the station.
2026 K-fest Celebration
When: Saturday, Oct. 3, noon to 10 p.m.
Where: Between Seoul Food Meat Co., Mill District
Cost: Free admission; food and drinks available for purchase
Take a break from campus and head to K-FEST for Korean food, live music, games and market vendors. Cheer on the K-pop dancers, watch a live martial arts performance or grab the mic for karaoke.
Directions: Board the southbound Blue Line at UNC Charlotte Main Station and get off at 25th Street Station. Walk about 0.3 miles to Seoul Food Meat Co. at 421 E. 26th St.
HOLA Charlotte Festival
When: Saturday, Oct. 3, noon to 7 p.m.
Where: Tryon Street, Uptown Charlotte
Cost: Free
Head to Uptown for HOLA Charlotte, the city’s largest Hispanic Heritage festival. Enjoy live music, dance, art and food, then explore the Latin American Cultural Village to learn about traditions from 15 countries!
Directions: From UNC Charlotte Main Station, take the Blue Line southbound and get off at 3rd Street Station. Walk about 0.4 miles to Tryon Street. The festival runs along Tryon Street between Brooklyn Village Avenue and 4th Street.
Green Light Specials
Ride the CATS Light Rail and discover Niner-owned favorites and local brands highlighting their Green Light Specials for Niner Nation Week: Homecoming 2026, through Sunday, Oct. 4.
Eat
- Sabor Latin Street Grill: Mention Niner Nation Week for 10% off tacos.
- Directions to University location: Take the southbound Blue Line train at UNC Charlotte Main Station and get off at JW Clay Blvd Station. Walk 0.3 miles to Sabor Latin Street Grill.
- Directions to Uptown location: From UNC Charlotte Main Station, take the southbound Blue Line to 7th St station. Sabor Latin Street Grill is just a minute away on foot.
- Muraya: Get a free appetizer (up to $16) with two entrées when mentioning “Niner Nation” at arrival or reservation.
- Directions: Board the southbound Blue Line train at UNC Charlotte Main Station and hop off at Bland. Walk 0.3 miles to Muraya at 200 E Bland St.
- King of Fire: Wear Charlotte gear and get six free garlic knots with any purchase.
- Directions: From the southbound Blue Line train at UNC Charlotte Main Station, get off at 3rd St./Convention Center. Walk 0.3 miles to King of Fire at 435 S Tryon St #140.
Shop
- 704 Shop: Check out the “For UNC Charlotte, By UNC Charlotte” collection from Niner Alumni.
- Directions: Take the southbound Blue Line train at UNC Charlotte Main Station and get off at Arrowood. Walk 0.8 miles to 704 Shop.
Try something new
- Uptown Hot Yoga by Northwood Ravin: Get a month of unlimited classes for $49 with code Go-NINERS.
- Directions: Board the southbound Blue Line train at UNC Charlotte Main Station then get off at Brooklyn Village Station. Walk 0.2 miles to 550 E Brooklyn Vlg Ave.
How to Ride
Students at UNC Charlotte have the CATS All-Access Pass included in their student fees, which means they can ride city light rail, streetcar and buses fare free. Download the CATS Pass App and login with your NinerNet@charlotte.edu email address to get started.