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 in Charlotte.
We’re highlighting more than 20 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.
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: 19 independent book stores throughout the Charlotte region
Cost: Free (unless you buy books)
Features: Visit the bookstores and get your passport stamped to receive a 2024 Book Crawl Finisher’s tote bag
Charlotte SHOUT!
Charlotte SHOUT!
Date: March 29 to April 14, 2024
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.
Jazz Appreciation Month
Jazz Appreciation Month
Date: All April
Time: Various times
Place: Multiple venues, both inside and outside
Cost: Varies. Some events are free.
Features: Many concerts of a wide variety of jazz, throughout the month, as well as some workshops.
Earth Day
Earth Day Events
Date: Earth day is April 22, 2024, but events take place various dates
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 STEAM on the Wing and On the Water at Carolina Raptor Center, UNC Charlotte STEAM Innovation Expo, Remote Control Race Car STEM Challenge, multiple star parties and more.
Voices From the Past
Voices From the Past
Date: Saturday, April 6, 2024
Time: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Place: Old Settlers’ Cemetery at 200 W 5th Street, Charlotte, and Elmwood/Pinewood Cemetery at 700 W 6th Street, Charlotte.
Cost: $10. Kids 12 and under admitted for free
Features: Costumed historical interpreters will portray former residents who are buried in the cemetery. There will also be live music from Charlotte Folk Society, food trucks, and free golf cart rides for those who have trouble walking around Elmwood/Pinewood.
Empanada Fest
Empanada Fest
Date: Saturday, April 6, 2024
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 6, 2024
Time: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Location: Downtown Concord
Cost: Free
Features: All-day arts festivals featuring art vendors, food trucks, live music, more.
Partial Solar Eclipse
Partial Solar Eclipse
Date: Monday, April 8, 2024
Time: 1:54 p.m. to 4:26 p.m., with the peak around 3:11 p.m.
Location: Anywhere
Cost: Free
Features: In the Charlotte area, around 80% of the sun will be obscured by the moon. Make sure to use solar eclipse glasses to look at it. There will also be a number of solar eclipse parties in the area.
Come See Me Festival in Rock Hill
Come See Me Festival
Dates: April 11 to 20, 2024
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.
Queen Charlotte Fair
Queen Charlotte Fair
Dates: April 11 to 21, 2024
Times: Varies
Location: Route 29 Pavilion, 5650 Sandusky Blvd, Charlotte, NC
Cost: $12 for adults, $7 for kids ages 6-12, Free for kids 5 and under, $6 for seniors. Rides and games are extra.
Features: Rides, games, entertainment, fair food.
Charlotte Kids Fest and UNC Charlotte STEAM Innovation Expo
Charlotte Kids Fest and UNC Charlotte STEAM Innovation Expo
Date: Sunday, April 14, 2024
Time: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Location: UNC Charlotte campus, 8844 Craver Road, Charlotte, NC
Cost: Free
Features: Two festival in one. Charlotte Kids Fest will feature performances and hands-on activities and the STEAM Innovation Festival will include science talks, lab tours, nature experiences, exhibits and performances.
Holi Color Festival
Holi Color Festival at Hindu Center
Date: Sunday, April 14, 2024
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 limited, so please carpool.
Charlotte StrEATs Festival
Charlotte StrEATs Festival
Date: Sunday, April 14, 2024
Time: 12 to 5 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 14, 2024
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.
Free Cone Day at Ben & Jerry’s
Free Cone Day
Date: April 16, 2024
Time: 12 to 8 p.m.
Location: Participating Ben & Jerry’s Scoop Shops
Cost: Free
Features: Free ice cream cone. No purchase required.
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.
Loch Norman Highland Games and Scottish Festival
Loch Norman Highland Games and Scottish Festival
Dates: Saturday, April 20, and Sunday, April 21, 2024
Times: Saturday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. There’s also a Celtic concert Saturday from 5 to 9 p.m.
Location: Historic Rural Hill, 4431 Neck Road, Huntersville, NC
Cost: $25/day or $35/weekend for adults, but use promo code COTC for 20% off
Features: Highland athletics, highland dancing, bagpipe bands, historic reenactments, much more.
Charlotte History Festival: This is Meck
Charlotte History Festival: This Is Meck
Date: Saturday, April 20, 2024
Time: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Place: Independence Park, 300 Hawthorne Lane, Charlotte, North Carolina
Cost: Free
Features: This history festival, presented in partnership with Trail of History, will celebrate the 50th anniversary of Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation. The festival will feature performers, speakers, artists, historical and community organizations, food and beverages.
Tuck Fest
Tuck Fest
Dates: April 19 to 21, 2024
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: Six bands, plus outdoor clinics, races, competitions, yoga sessions, more.
Charlotte Folk Music Festival
Charlotte Folk Festival
Date: Saturday, April 20, 2024
Time: 2 to 9 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.
Mooresville Day Festival
Mooresville Day
Date: Saturday, April 27, 2024
Time: 12 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Location: Downtown Mooresville, North Carolina
Cost: Free (there might be a cost for some attractions.)
Features: Tons of attractions, like a ferris wheel, fun house, carnival games, face painting, golf simulator and much more.
Regional Festival of India @ Matthews
Regional Festival of India
Date: Saturday, April 27, 2024
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.
BOOM Charlotte
BOOM Charlotte
Dates: April 26 to 28, 2024
Times: Friday: 6 to 10 p.m.; Saturday: 12 p.m. to 10 p.m.; Sunday: 12 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Location: Camp North End, 300 Camp Road, Charlotte, NC
Cost: Some performances are free and some require $13 tickets
Features: This fringe arts festival features music, dance, spoken word, visual art and more.
Charlotte on the Cheap is a member of 
