Discover Camp North End
It’s amazing to me how many people who live in Charlotte have never been to Camp North End! It might be one of the best kept secrets. If you have never been, now is the time to check it out while Camp North End hosts the annual Mistletoe Market. The market is open from 4 to 8 on the next two Saturdays in December and has plenty to do for the whole family.
What is Camp North End?
Think of it as a mix between “industrial art collective, shopping center, and an outdoor food hall.” It’s a 76-acre industrial site north of uptown and has been everything from a Ford Model T factory to a missile plant, and most recently a Rite-Aid facility. On the outside it looks like a collection of warehouse buildings but is the presently the home to numerous vendors and plays host to music festivals, food trucks, markets and more. Right now, a large part of it (the Ford building) is dedicated to the touring art show, the Immersive Van Gogh exhibit which I also highly recommend visiting. The Mistletoe Market, which I am covering in this blog is a pop-up shop featuring local vendors from around Charlotte.
Shop for gifts on market street
You can walk up and down the street visiting more than 25 local and regional vendors, featuring vintage and handmade goods. There is also no shortage of visiting dogs, most of them dressed in their Christmas sweaters!
Enjoy just hanging out
One of my favorite things about Camp North End, is the hang out space. Everywhere you turn there are hanging swings, hammocks or just a group of Adirondacks around a firepit. There are also plenty of places to grab a drink or snack. Free Range Brewing has their permanent location but also has a huge pop-up igloo serving drinks during the Mistletoe Market. I highly recommend a “FRB Slush-ezz” , a tropical frozen mimosa with prosecco. For something sweet hit Popbar for a gelatto on a stick or grab a pastry from Wentworth & Fenn. If you brought kids make sure to check out the light up igloos!
Eat dinner at the food court
The food court offers something for everyone. Get a farmhouse burger or gourmet grilled cheese at Bleu Barn Bistro. In the mood for an internationally inspired vegan selection? Go to Plant Joy! Are tacos more your style? Check out La Caseta. I always seem to end up at Saru By Bow Ramen and this time I got the #5, spicy miso tonkotsu! I also tried the pork dumplings and loved them! There is plenty of outdoor seating and even a bar top surrounding a fire pit!
Looking for a photo-op?
From larger-than-life décor to colored Christmas trees, there are plenty of holiday photo ops at Camp North End. To be honest, even off season, the whole place is a photo op! It encompasses the industrial vibe I love with raw materials and that unfinished feel. I love it so much that we did our family pictures there last year. Camp North End is also the home to 50+ murals which are like a trip to the art museum, each painted by local artists and completely different from the next.
Check out the live music
During the Mistletoe Market there are two stages for live music. The night we were there we saw a band called Oceanic, an indie pop band out of Charlotte, on the Boiler Yard stage. They played everything from Christmas music to their originals. In front of the stage was a snow machine where the little kids looked like they were having a blast! The Boiler Yard has the feel of an outdoor biergarten serving beer and wine from a popup bar. There is also a very cool Windstream trailer that offers fancy cocktails!
So have I talked you into going to the Mistletoe Market? Remember entry is free and its a great way to go check out Camp North End! The area has so much potential and is only in the beginning stages of being developed. I’m willing to bet you’ll come back!
Looking for more holiday things to do with the family? Check out my other blog about Light the Knights!