Charlotte spring festival guide: Art, food and music events to check out this season
After another cold Carolina winter, the countdown to the spring season is on. Once again, it’ll be jam-packed with a lot of fun festivals in and around Charlotte.
From food festivals and art showcases to concerts and competitions, it’ll be a spring to remember with all of the events scheduled this season.
So get ready and mark your calendars. Here’s a list of local art, food and music festivals around the Queen City to check out this year:
Party in the Park
Date: March 26-October 20
Time: 1-5 p.m.
Location: Mint Museum Randolph, 2730 Randolph Rd, Charlotte, NC 28207
Cost: Free
Party in the Park is back at Mint Museum Randolph. Kicking off this spring, the museum will host the family-friendly event on select Sundays from March through October with live music, food trucks, outdoor activitations and free museum admission.
Charlotte SHOUT!
Date: March 29-April 14
Time: Varies
Location: Uptown Charlotte (multiple locations)
Cost: Varies per event
Charlotte SHOUT! is a 17-day art, music and food festival focused on celebrating the city’s art, culture and community. There will be over 200 events and attractions open to all ages, including the annual Charlotte StrEATs Festival and Carolina BBQ Festival.
April festivals
Charlotte Latino Film Festival
Date: April 4-14
Time: Varies
Location: The Independent Picture House, 4237 Raleigh St, Charlotte, NC 28213
Cost: Varies
Swing by The Independent Picture House during the 10 day run of The Charlotte Latino Film Festival. During the festival, you can grab tickets to see 11 new films from nine countries, including one set in North Carolina.
Charlotte Brewfest
Date: April 6
Time: 1-4 p.m.
Location: 1435 South Tryon Street, Charlotte, NC 28203
Cost: $50+
Raise a glass to the city’s buzzing brewery scene at 2024 Charlotte Brewfest in South End. Along with samples from over 25 national, regional, and local craft breweries, the festival will also have local food trucks, live music and activities. Tickets can be purchased online.
Come-See-Me Festival
Date: April 11-20
Time: Varies
Location: Rock Hill, SC (multiple locations)
Cost: Varies
Rock Hill’s infamous spring kick off event, the Come-See-Me Festival, is back again this year. The annual 10-day family-friendly festival will begin with the Come-See-Me Parade and the Tailgate Party and Fireworks Extravaganza.
Moo, Brew & ‘Que Music Fest
Date: April 12-14
Time: Festival gates open at 2 p.m. each day
Location: AvidXchange Music Factory festival grounds, 817 Hamilton St, Charlotte, NC 28206
Cost: $39+
If the name doesn’t give it away, the Moo, Brew & ‘Que Music Fest is the ultimate event for music lovers and foodies. The three-day festival will feature performances from over a dozen artists along with local and regional BBQ bites, beers and craft cocktails. Friday and Saturday will be indie rock bands, and Sunday will feature country music. Performers include: Hippo Campus, Richy Mitch and Coal Miners, The Stews, The Revivalists, Flipturn, Illiterate Light, Little Stranger, Trash Panda, Lee Brice, Rodney Atkins, The Vegabonds, Lover: Taylor Swift Tribute Band, Greg Parrish and DJ Slim McGraw.
Arts+ Spring Festival
Date: April 13
Time: 1-4 p.m.
Location: 2304 The Plaza, Charlotte, NC 28205
Cost: Free
Charlotte nonprofit Arts+ is kicking off its new chapter at its new permanent location at the Presbyterian Church property in Plaza Midwood with a family-friendly spring festival. There will be musical performances, art activities and more.
Cornelius Earth Jam
Date: April 13
Time: 4-7 p.m.
Location: Robbins Park, 17738 W Catawba Ave, Cornelius, NC 28031
Cost: Free
The town of Cornelius is hosting an early Earth Day celebration at Robbins Park this spring. Along with interactive demonstrations on sustainability and how to live an eco-friendly life, this year’s Earth Jam will also have performances from local artists, food trucks, and drinks from local breweries.
Charlotte Kids Fest
Date: April 14
Time: 11 a.m.-4 p.m.
Location: UNC Charlotte, 8844 Craver Rd, Charlotte, NC 28223
Cost: Free
As part of the statewide NC Science Fest, University City Partners and UNC Charlotte will be teaming up to host Charlotte Kids Fest and UNC Charlotte STEAM Innovation Expo. From hands-on activities and demonstrations to games and local entertainment, there will be a wide range of things to do for guests of all ages.
Tuck Fest
Date: April 19-21
Time: Varies
Location: U.S. National Whitewater Center, 5000 Whitewater Center Pkwy, Charlotte, NC 28214
Cost: Varies per event
Spend a day in the sun celebrating the outdoors at the Whitewater Center’s Tuck Fest. Enjoy a weekend full of outdoor competitions, live music, daily yoga practices and a vendor village with over 60 outdoor brands.
Loch Norman Highland Games & Scottish Festival
Date: April 20-21
Time: 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
Location: 4431 Neck Road Huntersville, NC 28078
Cost: $15+
The 30th annual Loch Norman Highland Games is back in Huntersville with its big celebration of Scottish heritage. The family-friendly event will have Highland dancing competitions, bagpipe bands, historic reenactments, field and track events, plus more.
Wine & Food Festival
Date: April 20
Time: 12-6 p.m.
Location: 11611 N Community House Rd, Charlotte, NC 28277
Cost: $49+
Wine and dine at he Wine & Food Festival in Ballantyne at Ballantyne’s Backyard. The festival will feature local, national, and international wines, beers, and spirits, plus cooking demonstrations and food trucks. Tickets can be purchased online.
BOOM Charlotte
Date: April 26-28
Time: 6-10 p.m. on Friday; 12-10 p.m. on Saturday; 12-8 p.m. on Sunday
Location: Camp North End, 300 Camp Rd, Charlotte, NC 28206
Cost: Varies per event
The seventh annual BOOM Charlotte festival is coming back to Camp North End. The artist-led showcase will have a mix of dance, music, theater, poetry, visual art, film, and more with some ticketed indoor performances and free outdoor family-friendly performances.
Art on the Green
Date: April 27-28
Time: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. on Saturday; 12-4 p.m. on Sunday
Location: The Davidson Green, 119 S Main St, Davidson, NC 28036
Cost: Free
Davidson’s largest annual arts festival, Art on the Green, is back this spring with artwork from over 30 artists from across the region. This year’s art show will have sculpture, watercolor, photography, glass pieces and more along with live music and local food vendors.
Davidson Earth Day Festival
Date: April 27
Time: 10 a.m.-1 p.m.
Location: 25 Lorimer Rd, Davidson, NC 28036
Cost: Free
In honor of Earth Day, the Town of Davidson will be hosting its annual family-friendly festival downtown with a lot of activities to enjoy, including science experiments, games and music.
Mooresville Day Festival
Date: April 27
Location: Downtown Mooresville
Time: 12-4 p.m.
Cost: Free
The town of Mooresville is hosting a hometown festival in the heart of downtown. This year’s Mooresville Festival will have open-air market with art and handmade items, along with food trucks, live music, activities and more.
Charlotte Grilled Cheese Festival
Date: April 27
Time: 1-4 p.m.
Location: 1435 South Tryon Street, Charlotte, NC 28203
Cost: $50+
The Charlotte Grilled Cheese Festival is back in South End with a “lineup of melty, cheesy goodness” along with drinks, live music, vendors and more. Tickets can be purchased online.
‘Tawba Walk Arts & Music Festival
Date: April 27-28
Time: 2-8 p.m.
Location: 19725 Oak St, Cornelius, NC 28031
Cost: Free
Take in Cornelius’ art scene on full display at the annual ‘Tawba Walk Arts & Music Festival. The annual art crawl, set up throughout the heart of the town, will have dozens of local vendors, live street performances, shopping food and more.
May festivals
Lovin’ Life Music Fest
Date: May 3-5
Time: 1-11 p.m.
Location: 300 N Bervard St. Charlotte, NC 28202
Cost: General admission starts at $269.
The inaugural Lovin’ Life Music Festival is a three-day event featuring over 40 rap, rock and pop artists. Designed to be a “Charlotte-flavored Lollapalooza,” the music festival will have performances across three different stages, including one for local musicians from the Charlotte area.
Another World Music Festival
Date: May 3-4
Location: Charlotte Motor Speedway, 6570 Bruton Smith Blvd, Concord, NC 28027
Time: 4-11 p.m. Friday; 3-11 p.m. Saturday
Cost: $129+
Another World, hosted by Breakaway, will be an all-bass festival at Charlotte Motor Speedway. The two-day event, featuring over 20 artists for EDM fans who will also be able to camp out during the festival in tents, RVs or cars between shows.
Hello Huntersville Music & Arts Festival
Date: May 5
Location: Veterans Park, 201 Huntersville-Concord Rd, Huntersville, NC 28078
Time: 1-6 p.m.
Cost: Free
Enjoy an afternoon of music, arts and more at Huntersville’s annual spring festival. Aside from live performances at Veterans Park, Hello Huntersville Music & Arts Festival will also have craft vendors, art stations and local food trucks.
Charlotte Dragon Boat Festival and Asian Festival
Date: May 11
Location: Ramsey Creek Park, 18441 Nantz Rd., Cornelius, NC 28031
Time: 11 a.m.-5 p.m.
Cost: Free
Celebrate and learn about the rich history and culture of the Asian American community at the Charlotte Dragon Boat Festival and Asian Festival. Enjoy dancing, traditional food, activities and the annual dragon boat racing competition, open to anyone 15 or older.
The Cheerwine Festival
Date: May 18
Location: Downtown Salisbury, 217 S Main St., Salisbury, NC 28144
Time: 12-10 p.m.
Cost: Free
Spend a day dedicated to the “South’s favorite cherry soda” at the annual Cheerwine Festival. Held in downtown Salisbury, where the popular soda was created, the festival will feature Cheerwine-inspired food and drinks, live music, family-friendly activities, arts and crafts and more.
Cornelius Jazz Festival
Date: May 18
Location: Smithville Park, 19710 S Ferry St, Cornelius, NC 28031
Time: 5-9 p.m.
Cost: Free
Jam out to performances from local jazz musicians at the Cornelius Jazz Festival at Smithville Park. The family-friendly event will also have food trucks, craft beer and local business vendors.
Save the date
Carowinds Summer Music Fest
Date: Select Fridays and Saturdays in July and August
Time: TBA
Cost: Free with admission. Tickets start at $39.99.
The new Carowinds Summer Music Fest will bring more than 30 artists to the amusement park’s amphitheater. Headliners include Flo Rida, LeAnn Rimes and Skillet.
Is there a spring festival we missed on our list? Let us know at charlottefive@charlottefive.com.
This story was originally published March 4, 2024 at 5:30 AM.
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