A Guide to Spring Festivals in Charlotte – Charlotte Magazine

There’s no shortage of ways to take advantage of the Queen City’s beautiful spring weather. From now through May, take part in one of these festivals in Charlotte.

March Festivals

Savor Charlotte

March 12 – 26
Various locations

Join restaurateurs, food truck entrepreneurs, chefs, bakers, bartenders and beyond for special offers, exclusive menus, and hands-on events celebrating the Charlotte culinary scene.

Charlotte St. Patrick’s Day Festival

March 16
Uptown

Watch a parade full of marching bands, floats, and civics organizations, then head to the festival with food, vendors, and attractions.​

Green River Revival

March 16
Whitewater Center

Festivities begin with the Color Me Green 5K Trail Run and continue with yoga, the coloring of the river, and live music.

Charlotte Fair

March 21-April 1
Charlotte Motor Speedway 

Enjoy rides, classic games, fair food, and live entertainment at the annual fair.

No Man’s Land

March 23
Camp North End

100+ woman-owned businesses, hands-on workshops, breakout sessions, and activations celebrating women and Women’s History Month.

Spring South End Wine and Hops Festival

March 30
Lenny Boy Brewing Co

The 10th annual festival, featuring wine, cider, and brew sampling, will host food trucks, pop-up shops, and live music.

April Festivals

Charlotte SHOUT!

March 31-April 16
Uptown

This multi week festival features 200+ installations, performances, events, and activations. Nearly all the events are outdoors, free, and open to the public without tickets.

Charlotte AutoFair

April 4 – 7
Charlotte Motor Speedway 

This automotive extravaganza brings together thousands of hot rods, muscle cars, exotic sports cars, and classic automobiles.

Carolina BBQ Festival

April 5 – 6
Victoria Yards

Sample a full range of Carolina BBQ, live crawfish boil, and lots of live music.

Charlotte Brewfest

April 6South End 

Enjoy unlimited sampling of beer made by 25+ national, regional, and local craft breweries in celebration of National Beer Day.

Courtesy, Pet Palooza

Pet Palooza

April 6
Humane Society of Charlotte

The event features a dog-friendly fundraising walk as well as a vendor fair, adoption area, music, a picnic pavilion, food and beer trucks, and fun activities for people and pets alike. Be sure to register for the walk in advance.

Moo, Brew, & ‘Que Music Fest 

April 12 – 14
AvidXchange Music Factory

The three-day event will deliver on everything in its name – local and regional BBQ delights, over 50+ beers, craft cocktails, games, entertainment, and live music.

South Carolina Strawberry Festival

April 12 – 30
Fort Mill

Celebrate the strawberry at this award-winning festival. Attend beauty pageants, a golf tournament, a strawberry scavenger hunt, and strawberry eating contest.

Paws in the Park

April 13
Pineville Lake Park 

The family-friendly event will host 15 rescue groups with dogs looking for forever homes.

Charlotte StrEATs Festival 

April 14
Gateway Village 

Part of Charlotte SHOUT!, this free event will host celebrity chef, Aarón Sánchez, an artisan market, cooking demonstrations, food trucks, and art.

Earth Day Celebration at Anne Springs Close Greenway 

April 19 – 24
Anne Springs Close Greenway

Take part in outdoor activities like lead-line horse rides, fishing clinics, kayaking, guided hikes, reptile encounters, and historic cabin tours, and vote on your favorite recycled art.

Tuck Fest 2024

April 19 – 21
Whitewater Center

Celebrate the great outdoors and try something new at this Whitewater Center festival filled with outdoor competitions, exhibitions, demos, and live music.

Loch Norman Highland Games

April 20 – 21
Rural Hill, Huntersville 

Come for a unique mix of the sporting, the cultural, the music, and the social. Activities include track and field events, piping and dancing competitions, tug-o-war, and a hammer throw.

Got Soul | Savor the Culture

April 27
The AMP Ballantyne

The inaugural event will feature live music, immersive art installations, culinary treats from local food trucks, and exclusive VIP experiences, all benefitting Do Greater, Families Forward Charlotte, Freedom Within Walls, and the Jack and Jill Foundation.

Art on the Green

April 27 – 28
Davidson

This juried art festival features regional artists, along with musical performances by local talents and food from on-site vendors and area restaurants.

May Festivals

Jiggy with the Piggy

May 2 – 5
Kannapolis

Jiggy with the Piggy includes a Kansas City Barbecue Society Competition, rides, a 5k race, more than 100 artisans, concerts, an outdoor family movie night, a pancake breakfast, and people’s choice BBQ and baseball games.

Lovin’ Life Music Fest

May 3 – 5Uptown 

Post Malone, Stevie Nicks, and Noah Kahan headline this first time concert event featuring over 40 artists over three days.

Courtesy, Lovin Life Music Fest

Kings Drive Art Walk

May 4 – 5
Little Sugar Creek Greenway

This outdoor exhibition showcases paintings, drawings, sculptures, pottery, metal, stone, wood, and glass works from emerging artists. Families can also enjoy music and entertainment.

Cinco de Mayo Charlotte

May 5
Symphony Park 

Enjoy international acts, festive music, arts and crafts, and a dog costume contest to celebrate Cinco de Mayo.

Hello Huntersville

May 5
Veterans Park 

This festival highlights regional artists and musicians. Listen to live music while supporting local artists, food, and beverage vendors.

BeachFest Matthews

May 10 – 11
Stumptown Park 

Put your “toes in the sand” with live beach music, shag dancing, carnival rides, axe throwing, street food, and kids’ activities.

Charlotte Dragon Boat and Asian Festival

May 11
Cornelius

Learn about various Asian cultures through food and activities and see teams race to the finish line in colorfully-decorated dragon boats.

The Cheerwine Festival

May 18
Salisbury

Cheerwine fans can enjoy cold Cheerwine, live music, great Southern food, shopping for Cheerwine merchandise, family-friendly activities, a beer garden, and local craft vendors in downtown Salisbury.

Festa Italiana 

May 19
Gateway Village Promenade

Charlotte’s only Italian gourmet food and wine festival offers unlimited fine Italian food, wine, beer, continuous live entertainment, silent auction and more.