2025 Charlotte festival guide: Food, music and art events to check out this year
Get ready to dance, eat and explore your way around town because Charlotte’s got a loaded lineup of fun festivals this year.
From longstanding local events to exciting new events, 2025 will be another year to stay booked and busy with community celebrations around the area.
For the foodies, the music lovers and those wanting to check out Charlotte’s thriving art scene, here is a list of some of the biggest and boldest festivals coming to the Queen City area:
RallyFest
Location: 101 Southside Dr, Charlotte, NC 28217
When: Aug. 8, 5-10 p.m.
During Rallyfest, Rally’s annual celebration of National Pickleball Day, guests can expect “a fair-meets-music-festival vibe.” Expect pickleball challenges like Beat the Pros with world-ranked players, Pickle Pong, Paddle Battle, Beat the Fastest Serve and a beer pong tournament. Other features include live DJ sets, Sauna House pop up, local vendors, run club meetings, and food and beverage specials, raffles. Tickets are $15.
Charlotte Pride
Location: First Ward Park, 301 E 7th St, Charlotte, NC 28202, and surrounding streets in uptown Charlotte
When: Aug. 16-17
The Charlotte Pride Festival & Parade is the culmination of a variety of Pride celebration events including a job fair, an interfaith service and an annual LGBTQ film festival. Expect live music, plenty of entertainment and an extra fabulous parade where all are welcome.
K-Pop Stan Fest 2025
Location: Seoul Food Meat Co. at the Urban District Market, 2315 N Davidson St #300, Charlotte, NC 28205
When: Aug. 30 (with rain date: Aug. 31)
The inagural K-Pop Stan Fest 2025, a celebration of Korean pop culture and the community surrounding it, will feature a K‑Pop Market of small-business owners and artists; local dancers, singers and performers; interactive fan stations with photo card trading, karaoke, trivia, raffles and more.
Charlotte Soul Fest
Location: First Ward Park, 301 E 7th St, Charlotte, NC 28202
When: Sept. 6, 11 a.m.-9 p.m.
The free Charlotte Soul Fest offers jazz, gospel, soul and R&B music, plus cultural dance, visual arts, health services and financial tools in a daylong event hosted by Charlotte radio personalities Janine “JD the Diva” Davis from V101.9 and Ms. Jessica from Power 98.
Panda Fest
Location: Ballantyne’s Backyard, 11611 N Community House Rd, Charlotte, NC 28277
When: Sept. 12-14
One of the biggest outdoor Asian food festivals in the U.S. is coming to Charlotte. Panda Fest will be held at Ballantyne’s Backyard with three days of experiential activities, tastings, and market fairs.
Lowcountry Food & Culture Festival
Location: The Shoppes at University Place,8931 J M Keynes Dr, Charlotte, North Carolina 28262
When: Sept. 13, 1-6 p.m.
The Lowcountry Food & Culture Festival, held by QCity Metro, shows off the rich history of the Gullah Geechee people with culinary experiences and craft beverages., cultural demonstrations, live music and more. General admission is $54, and the VIP option is $84, plus taxes and fees.
Festival in the Park
Location: Freedom Park, 1908 East Blvd, Charlotte, NC 28203
When: Sept. 19-21; times vary each day
The 61st annual Festival in the Park is returning for another year of nearly 1,000 entertainers and more than 150 artists and vendors, including local and regional artists.
Charlotte Kids Fest
Location: 8931 J M Keynes Dr, Charlotte, North Carolina 28262
When: Oct. 4, 11 a.m.-4 p.m.
Charlotte Kids Fest will offer six zones for kids to learn and play, including:
- Create Zone: interactive activities, crafts and workshops.
- Dance Zone: dancing, of course
- Discover Zone: arts performances
- NC Science Fest Zone: science activities and other educational experiences
- Play Zone: sports, games and contests
- Go Zone: BIG construction and emergency vehicles
Did we miss a Charlotte-area festival scheduled for 2025? Let us know at charlottefive@charlottefive.com.
This story was originally published February 13, 2025 at 5:30 AM.
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