Rail Trail Lights returns to South End Feb. 7 to 23

Weavers

Atherton Mill Plaza
2000-2140 South Blvd, Charlotte, NC

Inspired by the writing spider’s intricate zig-zag webs, this installation honors nature’s resilient designs. Celebrating weaving as craft and structure, it reflects how patterns in nature inspire textile and tech innovation, showcasing their enduring influence on modern advancements.

Fairy Ring

Atherton Mill Lawn
2000-2140 South Blvd, Charlotte, NC

Inspired by natural arcs of mushrooms, this installation reflects the myth and lore of fairy rings across cultures. Seen as portals, omens, or spaces for dancing, they evoke mystery and wonder. Step inside to create your own story.

Honey

110 East
110 East Blvd, Charlotte, NC

Symbolizing community, wisdom, and abundance, honeycombs reflect the structure of a bee’s world and their vital role in pollination. Inspired by their beauty and efficiency, this installation celebrates how nature’s patterns influence sustainable design, robotics, and innovation, blending organic precision with modern creativity.

Cup Nests

Kingston Beds
1728 South Blvd, Charlotte, NC (next to Canopy Cocktails & Garden)

Inspired by native NC birds, this installation honors nature’s adaptability and artistry. Illuminated nests demonstrate how early weavers mirrored birds’ techniques, crafting hidden shelters from twigs and leaves. Look up and explore how organic patterns continue to shape art, technology, and design.

Chrysalis

Canopy Cocktails
118 E Kingston Avenue, Charlotte, NC

Symbolizing transformation and resilience, this installation invites contemplation of South End’s evolution from industrial beginnings to a flourishing creative community. It reflects the layers of history shaping our environment and serves as a reminder of the potential for renewal just below the surface.

Scales

Kingston Connection
108 E Kingston Avenue, Charlotte, NC

This serpentine sculpture, embedded in the earth, honors nature’s intricate patterns and the transformative symbolism of serpents as agents of change and rebirth. Crafted from sustainable materials mimicking snakeskin, it merges organic design with eco-conscious technology, demonstrating how nature influences advancements in fashion and textiles.

Water

Miller Services Building
100 E Park Avenue, Charlotte, NC

This installation of rippling light captures the fluidity and vital essence of water. Gentle waves of illumination highlight its role in sustaining ecosystems, shaping natural landscapes, and inspiring creative processes, encouraging deeper awareness of its life-giving properties and cultural significance.

Snails

Park Avenue 115 Condos
115 E Park Avenue, Charlotte, NC

The snail’s geometric spiral, one of the world’s oldest symbols, reflects life’s rhythm, birth, and the soul’s evolution across cultures. This installation reimagines its transcendental connectivity through photogrammetry, blending ancient symbolism with nature’s forms in a contemporary context.

Cairns

The Pavillion
222 East Bland Street, Charlotte, NC

These illuminated sculptures, inspired by the tradition of stacked stones, symbolize exploration, connection, and a sense of place. Their warm glow honors the journeys of early settlers while reflecting on the impact of settlement on Indigenous communities and their deep connection to the land.

Entertainment During Rail Trail Lights

Check back soon for information on entertainment.

Getting to Rail Trail Lights

The following light rail stops will get you along this stretch of the Rail Trail:

• Bland Street Station to be closest to The Pavilion
• East/West Blvd Station to be closest to Atherton

There is some free parking at Atherton, and some paid parking throughout the South End. If you’re driving, use this parking map, and may fortune be on your side.

Here are some garages with paid parking:

• 100 West Worthington Garage, 100 West Worthington Avenue
• 1616 Camden Road Garage, 1616 Camden Road
• The Design Center, 240 Doggett Street
• The Square, 212 W Boulevard