Black Boat Weekend to bring hundreds of boats, live DJ sets to Lake Norman
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- Black Boat Weekend is on July 18-20 with boating events and onshore parties.
- Hundreds of boats and a floating stage with live DJs headline Saturday's lineup.
- Tickets remain for land-based events, but Saturday’s lake party is nearly sold out.
Lake Norman is gearing up for a floating celebration like no other as hundreds of vessels get ready to drop anchor for Black Boat Weekend, a high-energy party on the water that’s making waves across the Charlotte area.
Black Boat Weekend is the brainchild of entrepreneur Charisme Dhanani, who was proud that the page he created for the event boasts more than 1,000 likes and follows.
After witnessing massive boat celebrations in places like Miami and Chicago, Dhanani set out to create a similar experience in the South. In 2022, he launched Black Boat Weekend as a one-day party on Lake Murray in South Carolina. This year, the weekend celebration begins Friday, July 18.
“We wanted to bring the event to a bigger city,” Dhanani said. “With Charlotte being so close to Columbia, it wasn’t even a hard move to make.”
Dhanani said he was also inspired to create the weekend-long occasion due to the lack of events catered around Black people in the area. He described a boat event he went to on Lake Murray where “country pop” music was played that he felt wasn’t inclusive.
“We just didn’t have an organized Black event on the lake,” he said. “There are a ton of boat events, but I’ve never seen one that was for Black people.”
What to expect at Black Boat Weekend
The premier event happening on Saturday expects to drawup to 500 boats, Dhanani said.
One hundred boats will be included in a “circle tie-up,” and at the center of it all will be a floating stage with five live DJs “spinning all day, keeping the party going from sunrise to sunset,” according to the event’s website.
“We’ll have a selection of southern soul, reggae, dance hall, hip-hop and R&B,” Dhanani said.
With big names expected to be out on the water, Dhanani said guests can expect an “upscale” experience, and that every aspect of the experience — from the venues to the vendors — will be “high-end.”
“A lot of people coming out here are affiliated with the Charlotte Hornets and Charlotte Knights,” said Dhanani. “The age range of the people who come out is about 25 to 30, all the way up to 40. Most of these people are coming out with $200,000 to $300,000 boats, so they’re pretty established.”
There will also be a boat providing food for attendees, but you’ll have to bring your own drinks, Dhanani said, adding that officers from the surrounding counties and 20 lifeguards will be on hand to monitor the event.
Black Boat Weekend also includes a day party at Fumee Kitchen and Cocktail on Friday, an after party at Alibi on Saturday and brunch at RSVP South End on Sunday.
“It’s definitely open to all cultures and people,” Dhanani said. “We want everybody to show up.”
How to buy tickets for Black Boat Weekend
Black Boat Weekend will be held on Lake Norman from July 18-20. A specific address will be released closer to the event.
Tickets may be purchased online at theblackboatweekend.com. Unfortunately, Saturday’s event on the water is nearly sold out, but guests who have their own boats are more than welcome to join the fun, Dhanani said.
Tickets for the day party, after party and brunch are still available, with prices ranging from $20 for general admission to up to $2,000 for V.I.P. sections at the venues.
This story was originally published July 8, 2025 at 12:41 PM with the headline "Black Boat Weekend to bring hundreds of boats, live DJ sets to Lake Norman."
