We may still have a few days of summer left on the calendar, but this weekend is starting to look a lot like fall.
Football is back. Lake Hickory Haunts is open. Farmers markets are still going strong. There are outdoor concerts, festivals, theater, art, food, classes and plenty of live music happening throughout the area.
Summer isn’t exactly going quietly, either.
Apparently September has decided we can have both.
Don’t Wait Until Friday
Thursday has a surprisingly full calendar this week, with everything from farmers markets and the Prime of Life Health and Lifestyle Expo to art and outdoor music.
Then Friday and Saturday really get going.
Saturday alone brings farmers markets, classes, food events, football, live music, theater, movies and haunt season.
In other words, keep scrolling.
We’ve included the complete Thursday-through-Sunday calendar below, and there are some interesting things tucked into it this week.
Buzz Briefs
Pizza Has Arrived at the Mall
Ivey Bros Pizza is now open at Valley Hills Mall! And we have to say, we’re pretty excited about having a pizza option at the mall.
Stop by and check them out—or take a peek at their Facebook page.
Classy & Camo for a Good Cause
The Classy & Camo Gala is coming up October 3 at Warehouse 18, benefiting Foothills Veterans Helping Veterans. This all-volunteer nonprofit helps local veterans with needs including dental care, housing and transportation—and this is their only fundraiser of the year.
Tickets are $75 and include an evening of dining and dancing.
A Farm-to-Table Evening at Redbird Ridge
The Farm-to-Table Wine Dinner at Redbird Ridge Estate is coming up September 30, with a special evening centered around farm-to-table food and wine in a beautiful setting.
Tickets are available now, so this is a good time to make plans.
Have a Buzz Brief?
Opening a new business? Celebrating an anniversary? Launching something new? Have a community announcement or something interesting happening around town?
We’d love to hear about it.
Hit Reply or email hello@hickorybuzz.com and tell us what’s happening. Your announcement could be featured in a future Buzz Brief.
What’s Happening This Weekend?
Summer isn’t finished. Fall is already knocking. And for one weekend, apparently we’re getting both.
Keep scrolling for the complete list of events happening Thursday through Sunday. Click anything that catches your eye for all the details.
Then start making some plans.
Your weekend starts on the Buzz.
Thursday, September 17
10:00 am – 7:00 pm Prime of Life Health and Lifestyle Expo-– A Celebration of Active Living for Adults 50+
10:00 am – 1:00 pm Catawba County Public Health Farmers Market
4:00 pm – 7:00 pmNewton Farmers Market
4:00 pm – 7:00 pmBethlehem Farmers Market
4:30 pm – 5:30 pmLittle Strummers Ukelele Class – Afternoon Session
5:00 pm – 8:00 pmSide/Show
5:00 pm – 8:00 pmFall Art Crawl
5:30 pm – 6:30 pmFactory String Band
6:00 pm – 7:00 pmRidgeview Chess
6:00 pm – 8:00 pmTherapy Dog Skills Class Now Open for Registration
6:30 pm – 8:30 pmCarolina Style Chorus open rehearsals Thursday nights
6:30 pm – 8:30 pmThird Thursday – Concert On The Lawn – Jon Boy & Left
7:00 pm – 10:00 pmLincolnton Alive After Five Concert Series
Friday, September 18
10:00 am – 11:30 amPublic Group Tour
2:00 pm – 4:00 pmZen Den
3:00 pm – 6:00 pmMahjong At The Marina Meet-Up
5:00 pm – 8:00 pmFarm Fridays at Whippoorwill Farm
6:00 pm – 10:00 pmMyra’s Friday Night Cruise-In
6:30 pm – 8:30 pmPlant Bingo
6:30 pm – 10:00 pmDef Leppard’s Journey
7:00 pm – 8:30 pmPressing Strings | Sails Original Music Series
7:00 pm – 8:00 pmIllusions The Drag Queen Show Hickory
7:00 pm – 9:00 pmBasket Case
7:30 pm – 9:30 pmCome From Away
8:00 pm – 10:00 pmLake Hickory Haunts 2026 – Celebrating 15 Years of Fear!
Saturday, September 19
7:30 am – 9:30 pmSix One Five Collective
8:00 am – 1:00 pmHickory Farmers Market
9:00 am – 1:00 pmTaylorsville Farmers Market
9:00 am – 12:00 pmChair Caning Class – Stools
9:00 am – 5:00 pmC&E Gun Show
10:00 am – 12:00 pmBrunch with Chris Day
10:00 am – 2:00 pmBarn Quilt Square
12:00 pm – 12:00 amCity Walk Brewing Oyster Festival 2026!
1:00 pm – 4:00 pmUnforgettable Bourbon Tasting Fundraising Event
2:30 pm – 4:30 pmTable Top Game Time
4:00 pm – 8:30 pmTavern to Table at Hart Square Village
5:00 pm – 8:00 pmParker Thomas at the Hickory Social House
6:00 pm – 8:00 pmLenoir-Rhyne Football vs. Mars Hill
6:00 pm – 8:00 pmMusic at The Marina – September
6:30 pmSix One Five Collective
7:00 pm – 9:00 pmSaving Abel with Scotty Austin Band
7:00 pm – 9:30 pmFootcandle Film Festival | Close Encounters of the Third Kind
7:30 pm – 9:30 pmCome From Away
7:30 pm – 10:30 pmLake Hickory Haunts 2026 – Celebrating 15 Years of Fear!
7:30 pm – 10:00 pmForeigner’s Journey
8:30 pm – 11:00 pmMike & Gill at the Bootleggers Whiskey Bar
Sunday, September 20
10:00 am – 5:00 pmC&E Gun Show
1:00 pm – 4:00 pmNFL Watch Party
3:00 pm – 5:00 pmCome From Away
7:00 pm – 10:00 pmAlexander County’s 2026 Summer Concert Series
