Spring festivals are blooming in Charlotte in 2024!
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 more than 20 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.
Most of the festivals are free to attend. Make sure to click on each link for details.
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Boomtown Bash: Life at a Carolina Gold Mine
Boomtown Bash
Date: Saturday, March 2, 2024
Time: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Place: Reed Gold Mine, 9621 Reed Mine Road, Midland, North Carolina
Cost: $4 for anyone age 5 and up
Features: Living history event featuring America’s first gold rush, in the 1850s. Period mining techniques, historic cooking, woodworking, more. Panning available for $3.
VAPAVERSARY
VAPAVERSARY
Date: Saturday, March 2, 2024
Time: 12 p.m. to 8 pm.
Place: VAPA Center, 700 N Tryon Street, Charlotte, North Carolina
Cost: Free
Features: Enjoy art, music and food at this celebration of the VAPA Center’s 2nd anniversary.
Charlotte Independence Fan Fest
Indy Fan Fest
Date: Saturday, March 2, 2024
Time: 2 p.m.
Place: American Legion Memorial Stadium, 310 N Kings Drive, Charlotte, North Carolina
Cost: Free
Features: Celebrate the upcoming season of the Charlotte Independence with a friendly preseason game, bounce houses, face painting, yard games and more. Charlotte Independence is Charlotte’s USL League One professional soccer team.
Old Town St. Patrick’s Day Festival
Old Town St. Patrick’s Day Festival
Date: Saturday, March 9, 2024
Time: 12 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Place: Main Street, Rock Hill, SC
Cost: Free
Features: Live music, inflatables, face painting, food trucks, vendors.
Green River Revival
Green River Revival
Date: Saturday, March 16, 2024
Time: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Place: Whitewater Center, 5000 Whitewater Center Parkway, Charlotte, NC
Cost: Free admission. $12 for parking. Charge for rafting, trail race, activities.
Features: Music, “Color Me Green” 5K, and yoga. The river will turn green.
Charlotte St. Patrick’s Day Festival
Charlotte St. Patrick’s Day Parade and Festival
Date: Saturday, March 16, 2024
Time: Parade: 11 a.m. to 1 p.m; Festival: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Place: Tryon Street in Uptown Charlotte
Cost: Free
Features: Irish music and dancing, vendors, food trucks, more.
Charlotte Fair
Charlotte Fair
Date: March 21 to April 1, 2024
Time: Varies
Place: Route 29 Pavilion, 5650 Sandusky Blvd, Concord, North Carolina
Cost: $12 for adults, $8 for children ages 5-11. Some discount days are planned.
Features: Rides, shows, fair food.
Olé España: Flamenco, Paella and Sangria
Olé España
Date: Saturday, March 23, 2024
Time: 12 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Place: Camp North End, 300 Camp Road, Charlotte, NC
Cost: Free
Features: Live music and dance performances, paella cooking demonstration
Gaston MAX Multicultural Arts Xperience
Gaston Max
Date: Saturday, March 23, 2024
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
Museum of the Waxhaws Spring Festival
Museum of the Waxhaws Spring Festival
Date: Saturday, March 23, 2024
Time: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Place: Museum of the Waxhaws, 8215 Waxhaw Highway, Waxhaw, North Carolina
Cost: Free
Features: Living history demonstrations, exhibits, games, crafts, Easter Bunny visit, egg hunt, more.
STEAMfest
STEAMfest
Date: Sunday, March 24, 2024
Time: 12 to 7 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 SHOUT!
Charlotte SHOUT!
Date: March 29 to April 14, 2024
Time: Various times
Place: Multiple locations in Uptown Charlotte
Cost: Both free and ticketed events
Features: Large interactive installations, performances, food, more
Pet Palooza
Pet Palooza
Date: Saturday, April 6, 2024
Time: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Place: Humane Society of Charlotte’s Animal Resource Center, 1348 Parker Drive, Charlotte, North Carolina
Cost: $5 per person, or a donation of pet supplies
Features: This is a fundraising walk, and also includes live music, food trucks, vendors and more.
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.
Come See Me Festival
Come See Me Festival
Date: April 11 to 20, 2024
Time: Various times
Place: Multiple locations in Rock Hill, South Carolina
Cost: Both free and ticketed activities
Features: Parade, concerts, beach party, visual art, more.
UNC 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.
Place: UNC Charlotte, 8844 Craver Road, Charlotte, NC
Cost: Free
Features: Performances and hands-on activities for kids, plus science demos, tours and activities.
Queen Charlotte Fair
Queen Charlotte Fair
Date: April 1 to 21, 2024
Time: Varies
Place: Route 29 Pavilion, 5650 Sandusky Blvd, Concord, North Carolina
Cost: $12 for adults; $7 for kids. Save with early bird tickets
Features: Rides, shows, fair food.
Paws in the Park
Paws in the Park
Date: Saturday, April 13, 2024
Time: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Place: Pineville Lake Park, 1000 Johnston Drive, Pineville, North Carolina
Cost: Free
Features: Dog contests, live music, vendors, food trucks
Holi Color Festival
Holi Color Festival
Date: Sunday, April 14, 2024
Time: 12 to 3 p.m.
Place: Hindu Center of Charlotte, 7400 City View Drive, Charlotte, North Carolina
Cost: Free
Features: Music, shopping, food, dancing, kids’ activities, and colored powders.
Charlotte StrEATs Festival
Charlotte StrEATs Festival
Date: Sunday, April 14, 2024
Time: 12 to 5 p.m.
Place: Gateway Village, 900 W Trade Street, Charlotte, North Carolina
Cost: Free
Features: Watch chefs battle in the Neighborhood Cook-Off. There will also be cooing demonstrations, culinary vendors, food trucks, art and 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.
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
Tuck Fest
Tuck Fest
Date: April 19 to 21, 2024
Time: Time varies per day
Place: Whitewater Center, 5000 Whitewater Center Parkway, Charlotte, NC
Cost: Admission is free. Parking is $12. There’s a cost for activities, races and competitions.
Features: Live music, outdoor clinics, vendors, races, yoga
Loch Norman Highland Games
Loch Norman Highland Games
Date: April 20-21, 2024
Time: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Place: Rural Hill, 4431 Neck Road, Huntersville, North Carolina
Cost: Early bird pricing is $25 per day for adults, or $35 for a weekend pass. Discount for children 12 and under
Features: Highland dancing, bagpipe bands, highland athletics, kids’ zone, historic reenactments, more
BOOM Charlotte Fringe Festival
BOOM Charlotte
Date: April 26 to 28, 2024
Time: Friday: 6 to 10 p.m.; Saturday: 12 to 10 p.m.; Sunday: 12 to 8 p.m.
Place: Camp North End, 300 Camp Road, Charlotte, North Carolina
Cost: Outdoor performances are free. Indoor performances are $13 each.
Features: Fringe festival with music, dance, spoken word, and visual art
BrightFire Music & Arts Fest
BrightFire Music & Arts Fest
Date: April 26 to 28, 2024
Time: 6 p.m. on Friday through midnight on Sunday. (Saturday night.)
Place: GreenLife Family Farms, 281 Odell School Road, Concord, North Carolina
Cost: Price varies
Features: Music, art, dance, fire performances, more
Mooresville Day Festival
Mooresville Day
Date: Saturday, April 27, 2024 (rescheduled from March 23 due to the rainy forecast)
Time: 12 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Place: Downtown Mooresville, North Carolina
Cost: Free admission. Might be a cost for some features of the festival
Features: Street fair, artisan market, live performances, rides and attractions.
Regional Festival of India @ Matthews
Regional Festival of India @ Matthews
Date: Saturday, April 27, 2024
Time: 12 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Place: Stumptown Park, 120 South Trade Street, Matthews, North Carolina
Cost: Free
Features: Dance performances, Indian street food, interactive kids’ corner, marketplace
‘Tawba Walk Arts & Music Festival
‘Tawba Walk Arts & Music Festival
Date: Saturday, April 27, 2024
Time: 2 to 8 p.m.
Place: Oak Street Mill, 19725 Oak Street, Cornelius, North Carolina
Cost: Free
Features: Live bands, over 100 local artists and vendors, craft breweries, food courts, kid zone, street art and live demonstrations, games, giveaways
South Carolina Strawberry Festival
South Carolina Strawberry Festival
Date: Saturday, May 4, 2024
Time: 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
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 4-5, 2024
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 5, 2024
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.
Foothills Folk Art Festival
Foothills Folk Art Festival
Date: Saturday, May 11, 2024
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
BeachFest Matthews
BeachFest Matthews
Date: May 10-11, 2024
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 beach music, shag dancing, carnival rides, arts and crafts vendors, more
St. Philip Neri Italian Festival
St. Philip Neri Italian Festival
Date: May 16-18, 2024
Time: TBD
Place: St. Philip Neri Catholic Church, 292 Munn Road East, Fort Mill, South Carolina
Cost: Free admission. Cost for some activities.
Features: Children’s parade, fun zone, silent auction, live music, wine and beer tastings, bocce tournament, more
RiverFest
UPDATE: This event has been postponed.
RiverFest
Date: Saturday, May 18, 2024
Time: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Place: Kevin Loftin Riverfront Park, 1400 E Catawba Street, Belmont, NC
Cost: Free (fee for kayaking)
Features: Live music, food trucks, beer, educational activities, kids’ activities, kayaking
Pineville Arts in the Park
Pineville Arts in the Park
Date: Saturday, May 18, 2024
Time: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Place: Pineville Lake Park, 1000 Johnston Drive, Pineville, North Carolina
Cost: Free
Features: live entertainment, a children’s art show, food trucks, vendors, more.
Cheerwine Festival
Cheerwine Festival
Date: Saturday, May 18, 2024
Time: 12 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Place: Downtown Salisbury, North Carolina
Cost: Free
Features: Live music, vendors, Cheerwine-inspired food, Cheerwine-infused craft beer, kids’ zone
Cornelius Jazz Festival
UPDATE: This event has been postponed.
Cornelius Jazz Festival
Date: Saturday, May 18, 2024
Time: 5 to 9 p.m.
Place: Smithville Park, 19710 S Ferry Street, Cornelius, North Carolina
Cost: Free
Features: Live music, food trucks, vendors, beer and wine, and art, as well as children’s activities.
Hippie Daze Festival
Hippie Daze Festival
Date: June 1-2, 2024
Time: 12 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Place: Dallas Lavender Lane Farm, 937 Old Willis School Road, Dallas, North Carolina
Cost: $9.99 for day pass and $12.99 for weekend pass. Kids ages 12 and under admitted for free.
Features: Live music, VW show, petting zoo, stilt walkers, face painting, jugglers, more
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