Updated! 50+ Spring festivals in Charlotte in 2026

Spring festivals are blooming in Charlotte in 2026!

From cultural festivals to music festivals to kids’ festivals, there will be a lot going on! Check out this large, ever-growing list of spring festivals. We’re highlighting some major festivals, and then we are adding a day by day list that could include even more.

We include festivals in Charlotte, North Carolina, and surrounding areas.

Festivals by Month

• March Festivals
• April Festivals
• May Festivals
• Day by Day List of Festivals

Matthews Comic Con

Matthews Comic Con
Date: Saturday, March 7, 2026
Time: 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Place: Matthews Community Center, 100 E McDowell Street, Matthews, NC
Cost: Free
Features: Comics, vendors, comic artists, cosplay contest, cosplay wrestling, kids’ zone, more

Holi Celebration at Elon Rec Center

Holi Celebration
Date: Saturday, March 7, 2026
Time: 12 to 3 p.m.
Place: Elon Recreation Center, 11301 Ardrey Kell Road, Charlotte, NC
Cost: $8 for Mecklenburg County residents and $10 for non-residents
Features: There will be free food for the first 300 participants, food trucks, safe gulal (colored powder), music, games for all ages, and a dance performance.

Kings Mountain Founders Day

Kings Mountain Founders Day
Date: Saturday, March 7, 2026
Time: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Place: 100 East Mountain Street, Kings Mountain, NC
Cost: Free
Features: Living history demonstrations, children’s colonial games, old timey photo station, more

Holi Celebration

Holi Celebration
Date: Sunday, March 8, 2026
Time: 12:30 to 3:30 p.m.
Place: Hindu Center of Charlotte, 7400 City View Drive, Charlotte, NC
Cost: Free admission. Free parking and shuttle. Paid preferred parking available too.
Features: Celebrate the Hindu festival of Holi with music, shopping, food, dance and colors.

Green River Revival

Green River Revival
Date: Saturday, March 14, 2026
Time: 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Place: Whitewater Center, 5000 Whitewater Center Parkway, Charlotte, NC
Cost: Free admission. $13 for parking. Charge for rafting, trail race, activities.
Features: Music, “Color Me Green” 5K, and yoga. The river will turn green.

Charlotte Spring Fair

Queen Charlotte Fair
Date: March 12 to 22, 2026
Time: Varies
Place: Route 29 Pavillion, 5650 Sandusky Blvd, Concord, NC
Cost: Admission is $6.50 to $13. Rides are ticketed separately
Features: Rides, entertainment, fair food.

No Man’s Land Festival

No Man’s Land Festival
Date: Saturday, March 21, 2026
Time: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Place: 1900 block of Camden Road, in Charlotte’s South End
Cost: Free
Features: This festival celebrates Women’s History Month and International Women’s Day. It features hands-on fun, music, giveaways, photo ops, and a marketplace of over 80 woman-owned businesses.

Easter Celebrations

Easter Celebrations
Date: Dates in late March and early April
Time: Various
Place: Various
Cost: Most are free
Features: Egg hunts and much more

Gaston MAX Multicultural Arts Xperience

Gaston Max
Date: Saturday, March 28, 2026
Time: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Place: Rotary Centennial Pavilion, 107 N South Street, Gastonia, NC
Cost: Free
Features: Music, art, literature and culture

Japanese Spring Festival

Japanese Spring Festival
Date: Saturday, March 28, 2026
Time: 3 to 5 p.m.
Place: Saint Mark’s Lutheran Church, 1001 Queens Road, Charlotte, NC
Cost: Free
Features: Song, dance performances, Aikido demonstrations, baked goods and homemade items, and children’s activities

CRAFT Fest

CRAFT Fest
Date: Saturday, March 28, and Sunday, March 29, 2026
Time: 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday; 12 to 4 p.m. on Sunday
Place: Petty Thieves Brewing, 413 Dalton Avenue, Charlotte, NC
Cost: Free
Features: Art show, demonstrations, classes, make and takes. Some activities might not be free.

Lake Norman Holi Festival of Colors

Lake Norman Holi Festival of Colors
Date: Saturday, March 28, 2026
Time: 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Place: Primal Brewery, 16432 Old Statesville Road, Huntersville, NC
Cost: $14 for adults, $10 for kids ages 5-12.
Features: Color throw (colors included) dance floor with DJ, kids’ activities

Charlotte SHOUT!

Charlotte SHOUT!
Date: April 3 to 19, 2026
Time: Various times
Place: Multiple locations in Uptown Charlotte
Cost: Both free and ticketed events
Features: Large interactive installations, performances, food, more

Regional Festival of India

Regional Festival of India @ Matthews
Date: Saturday, April 11, 2026
Time: 12 to 6 p.m.
Place: Stumptown Park, 120 S Trade Street, Matthews, NC
Cost: Free
Features: Performances, Indian cuisine, bazaar, Henna, much more

Chalk the Walk

Chalk the Walk
Date: Saturday, April 11, 2026
Time: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Place: The Linear Park beside the Municipal Complex, 400 E Central Avenue, Mt. Holly, NC
Cost: Free
Features: Compete by decorating a sidewalk square with chalk. There will also be music, food vendors and fun activities.

Charlotte Earth Day

Charlotte Earth Day
Date: Saturday, April 11, 2026
Time: 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Place: Independent Picture House
Cost: Free
Features: Films, exhibitors, poetry, children’s activities, panel discussions, and Carolina Farm Trust Food Truck

Common-Con

Common-Con
Date: Saturday, April 11, 2026
Time: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Place: Common Market Oakwold
Cost: Free
Features: Celebration of Common Market Oakwold’s birthday. Local comic vendors and artists. Cosplayers. Superhero wrestling from 2 to 4 p.m. Local music by Side Dish.

North Carolina Science Festival

North Carolina Science Festival
Date: All April
Time: Various
Place: All over North Carolina
Cost: Many events are free
Features: NC Science Festival features science events throughout the month. Follow the above link to see what’s going on in the Charlotte area!

STEAMfest

STEAMfest
Date: Sunday, April 12, 2026
Time: 12 to 4 p.m.
Place: Woodlawn School, 135 Woodlawn School Loop, Mooresville, NC
Cost: Free
Features: Over 100 fun and engaging hands-on activities centered around science

Charlotte StrEATs Festival

Charlotte StrEATs Festival
Date: Sunday, April 12, 2026
Time: 12 to 5 p.m.
Place: First Ward Park, 301 E 7th Street, Charlotte, NC
Cost: Free
Features: Neighborhood Cook-Off Battles, food trucks, art, artisan market with culinary vendors, more

Cambodian New Year Celebration

Cambodian New Year Celebration
Date: Sunday, April 12, 2026
Time: 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Place: Cambodian Buddhist Society, 201 Owen Blvd, Charlotte, NC
Cost: Free
Features: Live music, cultural performances, vendors, games, food, more

Charlotte VegFest Jr.

Charlotte VegFest Jr.
Date: Tuesday, April 14, 2026
Time: 6 to 8 p.m.
Place: Victoria Yards, 209 E 7th Street, Charlotte, NC
Cost: Free
Features: Demos, performances, panel discussions, vegan food and drinks for purchase

Come See Me Festival

Come See Me Festival in Rock Hill
Date: April 16 to 25, 2026
Time: Various times
Place: Locations in Rock Hill, SC
Cost: Varies, most events are free
Features: Music, movie night, kids’ activities, races, fireworks, frog jump contest and much more

Empanada Fest

Empanada Fest
Date: Saturday, April 18, 2026
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.

Kings Mountain: Earth Day at the Gateway Trail

Earth Day at the Gateway Trail
Date: Saturday, April 18, 2026
Time: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Place: Gateway Trail, 807 S Battleground Avenue, Kings Mountain, NC
Cost: Free
Features: Butterfly release, storytelling, dinosaur friends, live zoo animals, entertainment, face painting, much more

More Earth Day Festivals

Earth Day Festivals
Date: Multiple dates
Time: Various times
Place: Multiple places
Cost: Mostly free (see individual events for details)
Features: Kids’ activities, entertainment, educational activities

CLT Edgefest

CLT Edgefest
Date: Saturday, April 18, 2026
Time: 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Place: First Ward Park, 301 E 7th Street, Charlotte, NC
Cost: Free
Features: Live painting, live music, fashion, spoken word, yoga, local art vendors, more

Charlotte Folk Music Festival

Charlotte Folk Music Festival
Date: Saturday, April 18, 2026
Time: 12 to 7 p.m.
Place: St. Martin’s Episcopal Church, 1510 E 7th Street, Charlotte, NC
Cost: $10 for adults. Free for ages 16 and under
Features: Live music, bluegrass, old time and Celtic jams, food trucks, beer and vendors

Tuck Fest

Tuck Fest
Date: April 24 to 26, 2026
Time: Time varies per day. Competitions start in the morning and continue all day
Place: Whitewater Center, 5000 Whitewater Center Parkway, Charlotte, NC
Cost: Admission is free. Parking is $13. There’s a cost for activities, races and competitions.
Features: Live music, outdoor clinics, vendors, races, yoga

Paws in the Park

Paws in the Park
Date: Saturday, April 25, 2026
Time: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Place: Pineville Lake Park, 1000 Johnston Drive, Pineville, NC
Cost: Free
Features: Dog contests, vendors, food trucks and entertainment. Benefits Charlotte Black Dogs.

‘Tawba Walk Arts & Music Festival

‘Tawba Walk Arts & Music Festival
Date: Saturday, April 25, 2026
Time: 2 to 8 p.m.
Place: Oak Street Mill, 19725 Oak Street, Cornelius, NC
Cost: Free
Features: Multiple stages of live entertainment, two kids’ zones, 100+ local artists, food truck courts, local craft beer, more.

Día de los niños / Día de los libros

Día de los niños / Día de los libros
Date: Saturday, April 25, 2026
Time: 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Place: ImaginOn, 300 E 7th Street, Charlotte, NC
Cost: Free
Features: A celebration of children and literacy, this festival features storytelling, music, art, and much more. It includes a book giveaway.

UNC Charlotte STEAM Expo

UNC Charlotte STEAM Expo
Date: Sunday, April 26, 2026
Time: 12 to 4 p.m.
Place: Cauble Quad on UNC Charlotte campus, 8838 Craver Road, Charlotte, NC
Cost: Free
Features: 100+ hands-on exhibits in science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics.

BOOM Charlotte Fringe Festival

BOOM Charlotte
Date: May 1 to 3, 2026
Time: 6 to 10 p.m. on Friday, 12 to 10 p.m. on Saturday, and 12 to 8:30 p.m. on Sunday
Place: Boardwalk at University City (formerly known as Shoppes at University Place), 8931 JM Keynes Drive, Charlotte, NC
Cost: Outdoor performances are free. Indoor performances: $15
Features: Fringe festival with music, dance, spoken word, and visual art

Piedmont Art and Cultural Exchange

Piedmont Art and Cultural Exchange
Date: Saturday, May 2, 2026
Time: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Place: Downtown Mt. Holly, NC
Cost: Free
Features: Live music, community art, live art, vendors, more

Goat Island Games

Goat Island Games
Date: May 2, 2026
Time: Check back soon for the schedule.
Place: Mostly on Goat Island Park, 141 8th Avenue, Cramerton, NC
Cost: Most activities are free, but some competitions have a fee
Features: A day of outdoor sports and recreation, including races, fishing tournaments, yoga, workouts, disc golf and more

RiverFest

RiverFest
Date: May 2, 2026
Time: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Place: Outside Dynamo 31 Building, 102 Main Street, McAdenville, NC
Cost: Free
Features: Live music, kids’ activities, plein air art show, artisan vendors, more. Then there’s a ticketed floating concert on the river, followed by more live music in Cramerton, NC.

South Carolina Strawberry Festival

South Carolina Strawberry Festival
Date: May 1 and 2, 2025
Time: 5 to 10 p.m. on Friday and 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Saturday
Place: Walter Elisha Park, 345 N White Street, Fort Mill, South Carolina
Cost: Free
Features: Entertainment, contests, car show, vendors, food trucks

Kings Drive Art Walk

Kings Drive Art Walk
Date: May 2 and 3, 2026
Time: Saturday: 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Sunday: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Place: Little Sugar Creek Greenway, 600 South Kings Drive, Charlotte, North Carolina
Cost: Free
Features: More than 70 artists, musicians and performers

Hello Huntersville

Hello Huntersville
Date: Sunday, May 3, 2026
Time: 1 to 6 p.m.
Place: Veterans Park, Main and Maxwell Streets, Huntersville, NC
Cost: Free
Features: art stations, characters, food trucks, beverage vendors, arts and crafts vendors.

Matthews Summerfest

Matthews Summerfest
Date: May 8 and 9, 2026
Time: Friday: 6 to 10 p.m.; Saturday: 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Place: Stumptown Park, 120 South Trade Street, Matthews, North Carolina
Cost: Admission is free. There’s a cost for rides and other actiities
Features: Live music, shag dancing, carnival rides, arts and crafts vendors, more.

Foothills Folk Art Festival

Foothills Folk Art Festival
Date: Saturday, May 9, 2026
Time: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Place: 31 N College Avenue, Newton, North Carolina
Cost: Free
Features: Local and regional folk artists, folk art demos, kids’ art activities, live music, beer garden

Tega Cay’s Best Dam Food Festival

Best Dam Food Festival
Date: Saturday, May 9, 2026
Time: 2 to 10 p.m.
Place: Catawba Park, 2351 New Gray Rock Road, Tega Cay, SC
Cost: Free
Features: Live music and food trucks

Mooresville Day X Race City Festival

Mooresville Day X Race City Festival
Date: Saturday, May 9, 2026
Time: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Place: Downtown Mooresville, NC
Cost: Free
Features: Live music, entertainment, family fun zone, artisans, more

Hippie Festival

Hippie Festival
Date: May 9 to 10, 2026
Time: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. each day
Place: Dallas Lavender Lane, 937 Old Willis School Road, Dallas, NC
Cost: $10 per car.
Features: Bands, VW show, petting zoo, stilt walkers, jugglers, much more

St. Philip Neri Italian Festival

St. Philip Neri Italian Festival
Date: May 14 to 16, 2026
Time: 5 to 10 p.m. on Thursday; 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and 5 to 10 p.m. on Friday; 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Saturday
Place: St. Philip Neri Catholic Church, 292 Munn Road East, Fort Mill, S
Cost: Free
Features: Entertainment, Cannoli run, artisans and vendors, kid zone, wine tastings, parade and more.

Cheerwine Festival

Cheerwine Festival
Date: Saturday, May 16, 2026
Time: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Place: Downtown Salisbury, North Carolina
Cost: Free
Features: Live music, vendors, Cheerwine-inspired food, Cheerwine-infused craft beer, kids’ zone

Roly Poly Fest

Roly Poly Fest
Date: Saturday, May 16, 2026
Time: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Place: Rob Wallace Park, 12900 Bethel School Road, Midland, NC
Cost: Free
Features: Live animals, family games, trail hikes, children’s market, bounce house, fishing, much more

Cornelius Jazz Festival

Cornelius Jazz Festival
Date: Saturday, May 16, 2026
Time: 6 to 10 p.m.
Place: Smithville Park, 19710 S. Ferry Street, Cornelius, NC
Cost: Free
Features: Live music, kids’ activities, food trucks, local beer and wine, vendors

Japan Fest

Japan Fest
Date: Saturday, May 16, and Sunday, May 17, 2026
Time: 12 to 9 p.m. each day
Place: Urban District Market, 2315 N Davidson Street, Charlotte, NC
Cost: Free
Features: Games, cosplay contest, karaoke, martial arts, origami, music, food and drinks

Memorial Day Celebration at Whitewater Center

Whitewater Center’s Memorial Day Celebration
Date: May 23 and 24, 2026
Time: Check back soon for exact hours. Around 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Saturday and 9:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Sunday.
Place: Whitewater Center, 5000 Whitewater Center Parkway, Charlotte, NC
Cost: Free, but $13 for parking. There is a cost for activities and races.
Features: Live music, yoga, trail race and more.

Armenian Food Festival

Armenian Food Festival
Date: May 29 to 31, 2026
Time: 5 to 9 p.m. on Friday, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Saturday, and 12 to 6 p.m. on Sunday
Place: St. Sarkis Armenian Church, 7000 Park Road, Charlotte, NC
Cost: Free (pay for food and drink)
Features: Authentic Armenian food, as well as live cultural performances.

Day by Day Festival List