April marks the true beginning of spring, and that means that spring festivals and outdoor concerts are in full swing in Charlotte.
Plan the beginning of spring with this list of the top things to do this April, 2025, in Charlotte.
We’re highlighting number of special events this month. But then, scroll down for our huge calendar of things to do in Charlotte and surrounding areas in April. This calendar will be updated all the time. You can also jump directly to the day by day list.
Of course, we focus on the “free and cheap” here, so most of these events are absolutely free.
April Highlights in Charlotte
Greater Charlotte Book Crawl
Greater Charlotte Book Crawl
Date: All April
Time: All day
Place: 22 independent book stores throughout the Charlotte region
Cost: Free (unless you buy books)
Features: Visit the bookstores and get your passport stamped to win prizes.
Charlotte SHOUT!
Charlotte SHOUT!
Date: April 4 to 20, 2025
Time: Various times
Place: Throughout Uptown Charlotte
Cost: Most events are free
Features: Major Charlotte festival, featuring dozens of concerts, interactive art installations, fashion, food and more.
Earth Day
Earth Day Events
Date: Earth day is April 22, 2025, but events take place all month
Time: Various times
Place: Multiple venues, both inside and outside
Cost: Varies. Most events are free.
Features: The Charlotte region goes all in for Earth Day, with multiple festivals in the region.
North Carolina Science Festival
North Carolina Science Festival
Date: All month
Time: Various times
Place: Multiple locations
Cost: Many events are free
Features: North Carolina Science Festival is a month-long celebration of science. Some events in the Charlotte area include star parties, the Charlotte Robot Rumble, Battle X at Charlotte Motor Speedway, Treetops and Tombstones tour at Elmwood Cemetery, STEAM Day at Latta, and UNC Charlotte STEAM Innovation Expo.
Voices From the Past
Voices From the Past
Date: Saturday, April 19, 2025
Time: 1 to 4 p.m.
Place: Old Settlers’ Cemetery at 200 W 5th Street, Charlotte, and Elmwood/Pinewood Cemetery at 700 W 6th Street, Charlotte.
Cost: $15. Kids 12 and under admitted for free
Features: Costumed historical interpreters will portray former residents who are buried in the cemetery. There will be a free shuttle between the cemeteries. Parking will be easier at Elmwood than Settlers.
Empanada Fest
Empanada Fest
Date: Saturday, April 5, 2025
Time: 12 to 6 p.m.
Place: Camp North End, 1824 Statesville Avenue, Charlotte, North Carolina
Cost: Admission is free. Pay for food and drinks.
Features: Wide variety of empanadas for purchase. Live music, DJ, dancing, drink specials.
Art Walk on Union
Art Walk on Union
Date: Saturday, April 5, 2025
Time: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Location: Union Street in Downtown Concord, NC
Cost: Free
Features: All-day arts festival featuring art vendors, food trucks, live music, more. ClearWater Arts Center and Studios will be participating, and there will be a free shuttle to get there and back.
Free Cone Day at Ben & Jerry’s
Free Cone Day
Date: April 8, 2025
Time: 12 to 8 p.m.
Location: Participating Ben & Jerry’s Scoop Shops
Cost: Free
Features: Free ice cream cone. No purchase required.
Come See Me Festival in Rock Hill
Come See Me Festival
Dates: April 3 to 12, 2025
Times: Varies
Location: Various places in Rock Hill, South Carolina
Cost: Mostly free
Features: Parade, music, beach bash, frog jump race, movie night, skydiving show, fireworks, more.
Regional Festival of India @ Matthews
Regional Festival of India
Date: Saturday, April 12, 2025
Time: 12 to 6 p.m.
Location: Stumptown Park, 120 South Trade Street, Matthews, NC
Cost: Free
Features: Music and dancing, art, authentic Indian food, Henna tattoos, a marketplace, more.
Charlotte Folk Music Festival
Charlotte Folk Festival
Date: Saturday, April 12, 2025
Time: 1 to 7 p.m.
Location: St. Martin’s Episcopal Church, 1510 E 7th Street, Charlotte, North Carolina
Cost: $10. Free for kids 16 and under.
Features: Two stages of music, bluegrass, old time and Celtic jams, food trucks, instrument petting zoo, vendors, beer.
Holi Color Festival
Holi Color Festival at Hindu Center of Charlotte
Date: Sunday, April 13, 2025
Time: 12 to 3 p.m.
Location: Hindu Center of Charlotte, 7400 City View Drive, Charlotte, NC
Cost: Free admission. Colors available for purchase.
Features: Colored powder to throw, food, dancing, shopping, more. Parking is $5 to $15 per car.
Charlotte StrEATs Festival
Charlotte StrEATs Festival
Date: Sunday, April 13, 2025
Time: 12 to 4 p.m.
Location: Gateway Village, 900 W Trade Street, Charlotte, NC
Cost: Free. Pay for food.
Features: Neighborhood cook-off, celebrity chef, cooking demonstrations, food trucks, art and more.
Party in the Park
Party in the Park
Date: Sunday, April 13, 2025
Time: 1 to 5 p.m.
Location: Mint Museum Randolph, 2730 Randolph Road, Charlotte, NC
Cost: Free
Features: Live music, art activities, free museum admission, cash bar, and food trucks.
Outdoor Concerts
Outdoor Concerts
Date: Multiple
Time: Varies
Location: Many locations
Cost: Mostly free
Features: Many of Charlotte’s summer concert series start in April and continue through the summer or fall. Follow the above link for a list of outdoor concert series and a day-by-day list.
Tuck Fest
Tuck Fest
Dates: April 25 to 27, 2025
Times: Friday and Saturday 10 a.m. to 11 p.m.; Sunday 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Location: Whitewater Center, 5000 Whitewater Center Parkway, Charlotte, NC
Cost: Free, but parking is $12. There’s also a cost for the races and competitions.
Features: Seven bands, plus outdoor clinics, races, competitions, yoga sessions, more.
BOOM Charlotte
BOOM Charlotte
Dates: April 25 to 27, 2025
Times: 6 to 10 p.m. on Friday, 12 to 10 p.m. on Saturday, and 12 to 6 p.m. on Sunday (with ticketed shows going on until 9 p.m.)
Location: Shoppes at University Place, 8931 JM Keynes Drive, Charlotte, NC
Cost: Some performances are free and some require $15 tickets
Features: This fringe arts festival features music, dance, spoken word, visual art and more.
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