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A Guide to 2023 Spring Events in Charlotte

Oh, the places you’ll go...

A crowd listens to outdoor live music
Moo, Brew & ‘Que Music Fest returns April 15-16 to AvidXchange Music Factory Festival Grounds. (Photo by Willenbrock Photography)

The weather is warming and you know what that brings: festivals, concerts — outdoorsy things. Oh, the places you’ll go this spring will be grand. Are you ready? You are, with this guide in your hand.


Music

PNC Music Pavilion

707 Pavilion Blvd., tinyurl.com/PNCMusicPavilion

May 12: Janet Jackson, Ludacris
May 21: Godsmack, I Prevail
May 30: Dead & Company

Skyla Credit Union Amphitheatre

1000 NC Music Factory Blvd., tinyurl.com/SCUAmphitheatre

May 14: Quinn XCII
May 15: Robert Plant & Alison Krauss
June 2: Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue
June 13: Noah Kahan

Musical artist Quinn XCII performs
Quinn XCII (Photo by KiloBravo12)

The Music Yard at SouthBound

2433 South Blvd., eatsouthbound.com/the-music-yard

March 31: Frameworks
April 1: Eli & Fur
April 15: Marsh
April 21: Massane
April 22: Shwayze 
May 4: Kyle Walker
May 20: Michal Menert, Late Night Radio

Astro Pop Mural + Music Festival

April 29 | Noon-12 a.m. | The Chamber by Wooden Robot | Free

An art and music festival created by illustrator and muralist Brett Toukatly, aka TWOKAT, featuring live mural painting and performances by some of Charlotte’s top musicians.

Breakaway Spring Carolina

May 5-6 | zMAX Dragway at Charlotte Motor Speedway | $84 and up

A two-day music festival headlined by artists Illenium, Tiësto, Deadmau5 and Zedd.


Arts, Culture and Retail

Charlotte Fair  

March 24-April 2 | Charlotte Fair Grounds | $3.50 and up

This annual fair near the Charlotte Motor Speedway features dog athletes, carnival rides, escape artist Lady Houdini and a petting zoo.

Crowds attend a fair
The Charlotte Fair will be held March 24-April 2 in Concord. (Courtesy of Charlotte Fair)

Pink Tie AfFAIR

March 25 | 4-7 p.m. | Legion Brewing | Free-$35

A family-friendly fair with yard games, goat yoga, a bounce house and food and drinks with all proceeds donated to the Susan G. Komen Foundation.

Charlotte SHOUT!

March 31-April 16 | Uptown Charlotte | Free

A celebration of creativity and innovation through art, music, food and ideas, featuring large-scale installations throughout Uptown.

An outdoor light and sound installation with colorful balls
Affinity by Amigo & Amigo is an immersive interactive light and sound installation inspired by the human brain. (Courtesy of Charlotte Center City Partners)

Paws in the Park

April 1 | 10 a.m.-3 p.m. | Pineville Lake Park | Free

A pet-friendly party that promotes dog rescues and adoption.

A dog wearing a Hawaiian shirt
Paws in the Park (Courtesy of Charlotte Black Dogs)

Pet Palooza

April 1 | 11 a.m.-3 p.m. | Humane Society of Charlotte | Free

An annual fundraising walk for the Humane Society of Charlotte and community festival with live music, food trucks and pet-loving vendors. The new Animal Resource Center will also be open and full of adoptable animals.

Whitewater Film Series

April 7, 14 & 28 | 8 p.m., 8:05 p.m. & 8:15 p.m. | U.S. National Whitewater Center | Free

An outdoor film series featuring three outdoor-themed movies: The Great Alone, Desert Runners and The Sanctity of Space. Bring your own blanket or lawn chair.

Markets at 11 

April 8 & May 13 | 11 a.m.-4 p.m. | Ballantyne’s Backyard | Free

An open-air market with live music, outdoor yoga, picnicking, brews, wine, food trucks and more.

People peruse booths at an open-air market
Markets at 11 at Ballantyne’s Backyard (Courtesy of Northwood Office)

Loch Norman Highland Games

April 15-16 | Historic Rural Hill | $10 and up

Experience Scottish history and culture through traditional dancing, food, bagpiping, athletics and reenactments.

Camden Commons

April 16, May 21 & June 18 | 11 a.m.-5 p.m. | Camden Road | Free

South End’s main street, Camden Road, will be closed to vehicle traffic while visitors shop local, discover new food, play games, listen to music and get creative.

BOOM Charlotte 

April 21-23 | Camp North End | Free-$10 and up

An artist-led performance and visual arts showcase of contemporary and experimental works created on the fringes of popular culture.

An aerialist performs with silks
Aerial CLT performs at a past BOOM Charlotte event. (Photo by Juan Ossa)

Festival of India 

April 29 | Noon-6 p.m. | Stumptown Park | Free

Stumptown Park turns into an Indian village with dance performances, cultural exhibits, a visual art gallery, Indian food court, souvenir bazaar, henna tattoos, saree wearing and turban tying.

Cinco de Mayo Plaza Midwood

April 30 | Noon-6 p.m. | Plaza Midwood, along Commonwealth and Thomas Avenue | Free

A festive celebration featuring live mariachi music, latin reggae, Mexican cumbia and electronic-banda fusion music. Plus, an arts and crafts area and a dog costume contest.

Hope Floats Duck Race

April 30 | 2-5 p.m. | U.S. National Whitewater Center | Free

Thousands of rubber ducks will brave the Whitewater Center rapids as part of ​​KinderMourn’s annual fundraiser to further its mission of providing support for bereaved parents and grieving children. The owners of the top three finishing ducks win cash prizes.

Thousands of rubber ducks float down the Whitewater Center rapids
Hope Floats Duck Race at the Whitewater Center. (Courtesy of KinderMourn)

Kings Drive Art Walk

May 6-7 | 11 a.m.-6 p.m. & 11 a.m.-5 p.m. | Little Sugar Creek Greenway | Free

Peruse work from fine and emerging artists while listening to the sounds of strolling musicians along Little Sugar Creek Greenway.

People peruse artist booths along Little Sugar Creek Greenway
Kings Drive Art Walk in 2019 (Courtesy Festival in the Park)

BeachFest Matthews

May 12-13 | 6-10 p.m. & 10 a.m.-10 p.m. | Stumptown Park | Free

Live beach music, street food, shag dancing, a carnival, arts and crafts vendors, kids’ activities and axe throwing.

A couple dressed in tropical attire dances at an outdoor festival
BeachFest Matthews in 2018 (Courtesy of Town of Matthews)

Midwood Mania

May 20 | Time TBA | Midwood Park | Free

Kick off the spring season in Plaza Midwood with craft beer, food, live music, a parade, local merchants and kids activities at Midwood Park.

Juneteenth Festival of the Carolinas

June 15-18 | Times vary | The House of Africa | Free

An opportunity to reflect and remember the end of slavery in the United States with a unity march, parade, heritage performances and talks, craft workshops, drum circles and more.

North Carolina Juneteenth Festival

June 17 | 1-5 p.m. | Cabarrus Arena | Free

Themed “Educating, Empowering, Entertaining,” this festival features 100 black-owned companies, crafts, culture, performances, art, kids games and giveaways.


Food, Drink and Wellness

Walks, Runs & Races

March 25: USNWC: The Whole Enchilada MTB Race
April 1: Craft Beer Half Marathon & 5-Miler
April 1: USNWC: New South Trail Marathon
April 1: Superhero Stomp
April 15: Charlotte Racefest
April 29: Elizabeth 8K
May 6: USNWC: Whitewater Triathlon
May 11: USNWC: River Jam Run
June 3: NoDa 5K
June 8: USNWC: River Jam Run
June 10: USNWC: Catawba River Races
June 17: USNWC: Brew Dash 6K and 12K

Spring Pickleball League 

March 20-May 14 | Locations vary | $25

The inaugural season of a new year-round pickleball league that offers players of all levels the chance for friendly competition. Each season ends with a tournament where winners receive a trophy and prizes.

Goat Yoga

March 22 | 6-7 p.m. | Trolley Barn Fermentory | $28

Literally yoga with goats. It can’t get any better than that.

A goat sits on a person's back as they do a yoga pose
Goat yoga (Courtesy of Lazy Day Farm)

Moo, Brew & ‘Que Music Fest 

April 15-16 | AvidXchange Music Factory Festival Grounds | $35 and up

Headlined by Mt. Joy, this music event features over 20 local, regional and national breweries and will highlight 15 Charlotte restaurants and food trucks serving burgers and barbecue.

Three people hold up three burgers
Moo, Brew & ‘Que Music Fest is two days of burgers, beer, BBQ and music. (Courtesy of Moo & Brew Fest)

Charlotte StrEATs Festival 

April 16 | Noon-5 p.m. | Gateway Village | Free

A foodie’s dream festival featuring food and beverage vendors, a celebrity chef, cooking demonstrations, food trucks, live music and art.

People sample food at an Uptown festival
Charlotte StrEATs Festival 2022 (Photo by Grant Baldwin)

Charlotte Wine & Food Week Grand Tasting

April 22 | 6:30-9:30 p.m. | Atrium at Two Wells Fargo Center | $150-$175

This outdoor event, part of the larger Charlotte Wine & Food Week happening from April 18-23, features a selection of over 100 carefully curated wines from around the globe, bites from Charlotte’s culinary artisans, and exclusive silent auction items up for bid. 

Tuck Fest

April 21-23 | Times vary | U.S. National Whitewater Center | Free

A celebration of the outdoor lifestyle through competitions, exhibitions, demos and live music.

Carolina BBQ Festival 

May 7 | 11 a.m.-4 p.m. | Camp North End | $75-$150

Founded by Lewis Donald of Sweet Lew’s BBQ, this festival features tastings from 14 of the best pitmasters in the Southeast, plus live music, vendors and alcohol. Proceeds benefit various community and food-focused charities.

North Carolina Brewers and Music Festival 

May 12-13 | Historic Rural Hill | $12 and up

A weekend of local craft beer and live music with the option to camp on site.

A group or people pose holding beer and wearing pretzel necklaces
NC Brewers & Music Festival (Courtesy of Loch & Key Productions)

ONE Fest 

May 20 | 10 a.m. | Lenny Boy Brewing Co. | $59 and up

A combination of yoga, arts and community healing with 80 classes and workshops, vendors, an opening cacao ceremony, sound healings, live music, food trucks, and a DJ glow dance party.

People do glow yoga under black lights
Glow yoga at ONE Fest. (Courtesy of Dancing Lotus Yoga and Arts)

Beer, Bourbon & BBQ Festival 

May 20 | Noon-6 p.m. | Ballantyne’s Backyard | $45-$75

An all-you-can-taste sampling of beer and bourbon, plus live entertainment and BBQ galore. Enjoy seminars with master distillers, brewmasters and pit masters from the deep South.

Taste of Charlotte

June 9-11 | 11 a.m.-11 p.m. & 11 a.m.-6 p.m.; Uptown Charlotte, Tryon Street | Free

A three-day festival spotlighting area restaurants and food vendors. Visitors purchase coins to use for food samples, beverages and kid’s activities.

Tacos ‘N Taps Festival 

June 17 | Noon-5 p.m. | Ballantyne’s Backyard | $39 and up

An all-you-care-to-taste beer and tequila festival with music, games and over 15 taco trucks, taquerias and Mexican restaurants serving more than 30 different types of tacos.

A close-up of tacos
Tacos ‘N Taps Festival will feature over two dozen types of tacos. (Courtesy of Northwood Office)

2023 Official Pride Bar Crawl

June 17 | 3-10 p.m. | Tattooz N’ Booz Nightclub | $15-$40

A celebration of Pride month at Charlotte’s LGBTQ+ friendly bars with drink specials and a costume contest.


Sports

Charlotte Knights

Truist Field, 424 W. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.

March 31-April 2 vs. Memphis Redbirds
April 11-16 vs. Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp
April 25-30 vs. Norfolk Tides
May 9-14 vs. Durham Bulls
May 16-21 vs. Scranton Wilkes-Barre RailRiders
May 30-June 4 vs. Nashville Sounds

Charlotte Knights pitcher John Parke throws the ball
Charlotte Knights pitcher John Parke. (Photo by Laura Wolff)

College Baseball at Truist Field

Truist Field, 424 W. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.

March 21: University of South Carolina vs. UNC Charlotte
March 29: Appalachian State University vs. Queens University
April 4: University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill vs. University of South Carolina
April 18: Davidson College vs. NC State University
April 19: East Carolina University vs. UNC Charlotte

Charlotte FC

Bank of America Stadium, 800 S. Mint St.

March 25 vs. New York Red Bulls
April 14 vs. Colorado Rapids
April 22 vs. Columbus Crew
May 6 vs. New York City FC
May 17 vs. Chicago Fire FC
May 20 vs. Nashville SC
June 10 vs. Seattle Sounders FC

Blue smoke passes over a section of Charlotte FC fans at bank of America Stadium.
The supporters’ section of Charlotte FC fans at Bank of America Stadium. (Photo by Laura Wolff/Charlotte FC)

Charlotte Motor Speedway

5555 Concord Pkwy. S

April 13-16: Charlotte AutoFair
April 28-30: NHRA Four-Wide Nationals
May 26: NC Education Lottery 200
May 27: ALSCO Uniforms 300
May 28: Coca-Cola 600

Queen’s Cup Steeplechase

April 29 | 10 a.m. | Queen’s Cup Grounds | $75 and up

Experience the thrill of the ‘Chase as the most athletic Thoroughbreds compete at speeds of up to 30 miles per hour. Some might say the tailgate and the fashion rivals the main event.


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