2026 Spring Guide: 150+ Outdoor Events to Check Out in Charlotte
Festivals, retail, wellness, live music and more
The weather is warming up, flowers are blooming and spring events in Charlotte are kicking into high gear.
Spring starts on Friday, March 20, with the local festival season including Charlotte SHOUT!, BOOM Charlotte, Tuck Fest and the return of the Kings Drive Art Walk.
It’s not just the festivals, though. From major sporting events and pop-up markets to outdoor wellness gatherings and concerts, here’s your complete guide to the best spring events happening around Charlotte this year.
Spring sports events happening around Charlotte
Charlotte FC
Bank of America Stadium, 800 S. Mint St.
March 21 vs. New York Red Bulls
April 4 vs. Philadelphia Union
April 11 vs. Nashville SC
May 9 vs. FC Cincinnati
May 13 vs. New York City FC
May 16 vs. Toronto FC
May 23 vs. New England Revolution
Charlotte Independence
American Legion Memorial Stadium, 1218 Armory Drive
March 27 vs. Spokane Velocity FC
May 6 vs. Athletic Club Boise
May 15 vs. Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC
June 10 vs. Union Omaha
Carolina Ascent FC
American Legion Memorial Stadium, 1218 Armory Drive
March 28 vs. Fort Lauderdale FC
April 11 vs. Lexington SC
May 16 vs. Sporting JAX
Charlotte Knights
Truist Field, 424 W. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
March 27-29 vs. Durham Bulls
April 7-12 vs. Memphis Redbirds
April 21-26 vs. Nashville Sounds
April 28-May 3 vs. Gwinnett Stripers
May 12-17 vs. Norfolk Tides
May 26-May 31 vs. Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp
June 9-14 vs. Oklahoma City Comets
College Baseball at Truist Field
Truist Field, 424 W. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
March 24: University of South Carolina vs. UNC Chapel Hill
April 1: Wake Forest vs. Clemson
April 14: UNC Charlotte vs. Clemson
Charlotte Hornets
Spectrum Center, 333 E. Trade St.
March 21 vs. Memphis Grizzlies
March 24 vs. Sacramento Kings
March 26 vs. New York Knicks
March 28 vs. Philadelphia 76ers
March 29 vs. Boston Celtics
April 2 vs. Phoenix Suns
April 3 vs. Indiana Pacers
April 10 vs. Detroit Pistons
Charlotte Motor Speedway
5555 Concord Pkwy. S
April 9-11: Charlotte AutoFair/Heritage Invitational
April 24-26: NHRA Four-Wide Nationals
May 22: NC Education Lottery 200
May 23: Charbroil 300
May 24: Coca-Cola 600
Truist Championship
May 7-10 | times vary | Quail Hollow Club | $52 & up
Formerly the Wells Fargo Championship, this event returns to Charlotte this year, with the top names in golf battling it out over the week as Sepp Straka defends his title.
Banana Ball
June 4 | time TBD | Truist Field | tickets TBD
While the famed Savannah Bananas won’t be returning to Charlotte this year, fellow Banana Ballers the Texas Tailgaters and Firefighters without a home will square off at Truist.
Arts, festivals and cultural events around Charlotte this spring
Queen Charlotte Carnival
March 12-22 | times vary | Route 29 Pavilion | $8-$13
Say hello to that fresh spring air with thrilling rides, carnival games, food, live performances and more entertainment.
No Man’s Land Festival
March 21 | 11 a.m.-5 p.m. | Camden Road | Free
Celebrate all women with hands-on workshops, breakout sessions, and photo ops while supporting small women-owned businesses based in Charlotte.
Boileryard Brunch
March 22 | noon-4 p.m. | Camp North End | $5 suggested donation
Named Best Day Party in Queen City Nerve’s 2025 Best in the Nest issue, Boileryard Brunch is back for a third season. Expect a brunch-style cookout, live arts, cocktails, a Thrift Pony market, and spins from Dammit Wesley, Texas T and DJ Bria.
South End Spring Fling
March 22 | noon-2 p.m. | Pritchard at South End | Free
Live music, vendor market, Easter egg hunts, face paint, bounce houses and more at this family-friendly event.
Maximum Air
March 26 | 4-9 p.m. | Blume Studios | Free with RSVP
An Air Max Day celebration where style meets sole. This culture-forward experience will honor one of the most iconic sneaker franchises of all time, bringing together sneakers, fashion and community.
Art, Beats + Lyrics
March 28 | 7 p.m.-midnight | Blume Studios | Free with RSVP
Producer and rapper Premo Rice performs alongside a curated lineup of visual artists and DJs, transforming one of the city’s newest venues into a multisensory gallery-meets-concert experience. Read more about the event in Kia O. Moore’s feature story.
Charlotte SHOUT!
April 3-19 | times vary | locations vary | Free
Charlotte SHOUT! is back, showcasing local artists, musicians, dancers, poets, photographers, chefs and more with interactive installations and panels.
Front Porch Market
First Saturdays starting April 4 | 11 a.m.-4 p.m. | Town Brewing | Free
The team behind the market formerly known as Front Porch Sundays is moving from South End to FreeMoreWest, where they’ll host more than 100 small businesses, food, fun, photo opps and more on the first Saturday of each month.
Charlotte Ideas Festival
April 9-14 | times vary | locations vary
The Charlotte Ideas Festival is a celebration of curiosity, connection, and imagination — bringing together thinkers, creators, and community members to explore ideas worth sharing.
Festival of India
April 11 | noon-6 p.m. | Stumptown Park | Free
Experience Indian art cuisine, culture and community with dance performances, street food, a marketplace, saree draping, henna tattoos and a visual art gallery.
Loch Norman Highland Games and Scottish Festival
April 18-19 | times vary | Historic Rural Hill | $12
On the 32nd anniversary of this traditional Scottish festival, attendees can enjoy traditional Scottish music and dance performances, athletic competitions, cultural demonstrations, Scottish food trucks, Celtic vendors, historical reenactments, and educational presentations about Scottish history and culture.
Carolina Tiny House Festival
June 5-7 | times vary | Cabarrus Arena & Events Center | Free to $53
Discover the world of tiny houses to see innovative designs, creative solutions and sustainable living.
‘Tawba Walk Arts & Music Festival
April 25 | 2-8 p.m. | Downtown Cornelius | Free
See over 100 local artists and vendors, drink beers from local craft breweries, eat good food, participate in giveaways and more.
Garibaldi Festival
April 25 | noon-7 p.m. | Stowe Park | Free
Be part of Charlotte’s vibrant art community and saturate yourself with creativity, culture, expression, craftsmanship and more. Walk around to see the open-air gallery, chalk art and artisan vendors to the sounds of live music.
BOOM Charlotte
May 1-3 | times vary | The Shoppes at University Place | prices vary
The ninth annual BOOM Charlotte arts festival brings its multifaceted and immersive experience to a new home in University City. Attendees will be met with an eclectic mix of dance, theatre, poetry, visual art, film and more with free and ticketed performances taking place throughout the weekend.
Kings Drive Art Walk
May 2-3 | 11 a.m. | South Kings Drive, Midtown | Free
This spring counterpart to the popular Festival in the Park returns after a construction project shut it down for some time.
Carolina Clay Matters Pottery Festival
May 9 | 10 a.m.-5 p.m. | Ford Building, Camp North End | Free
Experience the work of more than 80 local potters alongside food vendors, flowers, live music and more.
Reel Out Charlotte
May 15-17 | times vary | Independent Picture House | prices TBD
See stories written and made by those within the LGBTQ+ community through independent film at a local scale.
Outdoor wellness events in Charlotte this spring
Walks, Runs & Races
March 21: Charlotte Dog Jog
March 21: Run Jen Run 5K
March 21: 3-2-1 Dash for Down Syndrome 5K & Fun Run
March 28: Communication Counts 5K, Fun Run, Kids Dash & Mascot Race
April 4-5: Charlotte Spartan Event Weekend
April 11: Five Points 5K
April 25: PurpleStride Charlotte
April 25: Water for People 5K
April 26: Girls on the Run Greater 5K Celebration
April 29: Corporate FunRun 5K
May 17: Mental Health Matters 5K & Festival
May 30: NoDa 5K
June 12: Healthy Achievement 5K
Flow State: A Spring Wellness Kickoff
March 28 | 10:30 a.m.-4 p.m. | NoDa Brewing Co. | $15-$20
This community gathering is designed to reconnect you to movement, recovery and sustainable wellness — not perfection.
USNWC Tuck Fest
April 24-26 | times vary | US National Whitewater Center | prices vary
This festival celebrates all outdoor lifestyles with cash prize competitions, exhibitions, demos and live music.
ASC Greenway EARTH DAY Celebration
April 17-19 | times vary | Anne Springs Close Greenway | Free
Everyone receives free entrance to the Anne Springs Close Greenway on Earth Day weekend to enjoy time in nature by camping out, taking part in the bass-fishing tournament, check out the recycled art contest or visit the Earth Day Community Village expo.
Charlotte Earth Day
April 11 | 10 a.m.-6 p.m. | Independent Picture House | Free
Charlotte’s largest annual Earth Day celebration brings together community members to celebrate the environment, engage families with educational activities, foster lifelong connections with nature and connect attendees with local environmentally conscious organizations and businesses.
Food & drink events happening around Charlotte
Savor Charlotte
March 11-28 | times vary | locations vary | prices vary
Indulge in hand-crafted food from talented chefs during hands-on classes or by ordering from exclusive menus.
Charlotte Brewfest
April 4 | 1-4 p.m. | South End Station | $24 & up
Sample unlimited beer made by over 25 craft breweries while listening to live music, playing games and participating in a raffle drawing.
StrEATs Uncorked
April 3 | 6-9 p.m. | Wells Fargo Atrium | $71
Kick off the coming Charlotte StrEATs Festival with this walk-around tasting experience celebrating North Carolina’s thriving wine industry.
Charlotte StrEATS Festival
April 12 | noon-4 p.m. | First Ward Park | Free
Experience options from the city’s top culinary vendors, a neighborhood cook-off, vendor market, cocktail demonstrations, tastings and cooking demonstrations.
Uptown Farmer’s Market: Spring Market
April 11 through the end of spring | Saturdays, 8 a.m.-12:30 p.m. | Free
Buy local produce and home-grown food from farmers.
South Carolina Strawberry Festival
May 1-2 | times vary | Walter Elisha Park | Free
This outdoor venture is jam-packed with activities: corn hole, a car show, a strawberry-eating contest, rides, vendors, food trucks, live entertainment, music and more.
Japan Fest
May 16-17 | noon-9 p.m. | Urban District Market | Free
Urban District Market’s annual celebration of Japanese culture includes matsuri games, music, food and drinks, origami, a cosplay contest, martial arts and a karaoke contest.
Cheerwine Festival
May 16 | 10 a.m.-7 p.m. | Main Street, downtown Salisbury | Free
The South’s most treasured possession is Cheerwine, a cherry soda created just up the road in Salisbury. After celebrating its 100th birthday in 2017, the city vowed to make the festival an annual tradition and has since kept its promise.
Beer, Bourbon, & BBQ Festival
May 9 | noon-6 p.m. | Ballantyne’s Backyard | $25 & up
This festival is every Southerner’s favorite day, filled with booze, bacon, biscuits, bluegrass and more. Play ping pong, listen to seminars, dance to rock and blues music and shop with local vendors.
Charlotte’s spring live music lineup
Truliant Amphitheater
707 Pavilion Blvd.
April 17: Mt. Joy
April 25: Peso Pluma, Tito Double P & Friends
May 7: Riley Green
May 9: Kid Rock
May 13: Kid Cudi
May 14: Godsmack
May 16: Dave Matthews Band
May 18: Sting
May 20: Pitbull w/ Lil Jon
May 30: Hank Williams Jr.
May 31: MGK
June 6: The Black Crowes and Whiskey Myers
June 16: Rüfüs Du Sol
June 18: Evanescence
Skyla Credit Union Amphitheatre
1000 NC Music Factory Blvd.
April 15: Bush
May 7: Bilmuri
May 15: Ole 60
May 31: Young the Giant
June 4: Yungblud
June 5: Sam Barber
June 6: Ari Lennox
June 9: Yellowcard
June 15: Khalid
June 18: Wale & Smino
Bank of America Stadium
800 S. Mint St.
April 18: Zach Bryan
April 29: Bruno Mars
June 9: Post Malone & Jelly Roll
June 20: Chris Stapleton’s All-American Road Show
The Amp Ballantyne
11115 Upper Ave.
April 11: The Spring Mix
April 18: Gov’t Mule
May 9: Yacht Rock Revue
June 16: Claypool Gold
June 19: The String Cheese Incident
June 20: The Human League
The Music Yard at SouthBound
2433 South Blvd.
March 21: Girls Room
March 27: Shakedown Street: A Night of Grateful Dead
April 3: Derrick Carter
April 4: SUNDREAM: Indie Dance Party
April 11: KinAhau
April 18: J Worra
April 24: Of Good Nature
April 25: Krooked Kings w/ Night Cap
May 1: Masane x Qrion
May 29: Fulton Lee
June 5: Forester
Matthews Summerfest
May 8-9 | times vary | Stumptown Park | Free
This festival formerly known as Beach Fest now features a wider range of musical genres along with shag dancing, carnival rides, food vendors, craft beer and more.
Cornelius Jazz Festival
May 16 | 6-10 p.m. | Smithville Park | Free
Get swept away by the blues and tunes of local jazz bands from Cornelius and the greater Charlotte area with food trucks, craft beer, local vendors and more.
