A Guide to 2023 Spring Events in Charlotte
Oh, the places you’ll go...
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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
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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