Enjoy the summer in June with some of these events. You’ll find lots of outdoor concerts, festivals, markets, kids’ events and more.
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 June. This calendar will be updated all the time. Every day! You can also jump right to the day-by-day list.
Of course, we focus on the “free and cheap” here, so many of these events are absolutely free.
June Highlights in Charlotte
Japan Fest
Japan Fest
Date: June 1 and 2, 2024
Time: 11:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. each day
Place: Urban District Market Mill District, 2315 N Davidson Street, Charlotte, NC
Cost: Free admission. Food for purchase
Features: Performances, games, martial arts demonstrations, origami, cosplay, karoake, movies, food, more.
Summer Break Kick-Off with Charlotte Mecklenburg Library
Summer Break Kick-off Events
Date: Several dates from June 1 to 12, 2024
Time: Various times
Place: Several libraries
Cost: Free admission.
Features: Charlotte Mecklenburg Library is kicking off its summer reading program with multiple events, featuring fun activities like performances, arts and crafts, games and more.
Taco Fest Carolinas
Taco Fest Carolinas
Date: Saturday, June 1, 2024
Time: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Place: Route 29 Pavilion, 5650 Sandusky Blvd, Concord, NC
Cost: Free admission. Food for purchase
Features: Live shows, children’s activities, community service providers, and tacos for purchase.
Big Mecklenburg County Fair
Big Mecklenburg County Fair
Date: May 24 to June 2, 2024
Time: Weekdays: opens at 5 p.m.; Saturdays and Sundays: opens at 1 p.m.; Monday, May 27: Opens at 1 p.m.
Place: The Park Expo and Conference Center, 800 Briar Creek Road, Charlotte, NC
Cost: $15 for gate admission. Half price tickets available online and at Walgreens. Unlimited rides: $35 at the gate, and $25 online or at Walgreens.
Features: Rides, shows, fair food and more.
Hippie Daze Festival
Hippie Daze Festival
Date: Saturday, June 1, and Sunday, June 2, 2024
Time: 12 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Place: Dallas Lavender Lane, 937 Old Willis School Road, Dallas, NC
Cost: $9.99 for a day pass and $12.99 for a weekend pass. Kids 12 and under are admitted for free.
Features: Bands, stilt walkers, jugglers, face painting, VW show, petting zoo, more.
Bites on Seventh Festival
Bites on Seventh
Date: Saturday, June 1, 2024
Time: 12 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Place: 7th Street in Uptown Charlotte, from College to Brevard Streets, including Victoria Yards, The Market at 7th Street and First Ward Park
Cost: Free to attend. Pay for food and drinks.
Features: Multiple food trucks, entertainment.
Indian Trail Family Fun Day
Indian Trail Family Fun Day
Date: Saturday, June 1, 2024
Time: 2 to 9:30 p.m.
Place: Crooked Creek Park, 9500 Oakwood Lane, Indian Trail, NC
Cost: Free
Features: Free carnival rides and kids’ activities. Food trucks and vendors. The night ends with a fireworks show.
Soccer Festival
Charlotte Rise Soccer Festival
Date: Saturday, June 1, 2024
Time: 9:30 a.m.to 12 p.m.
Place: Harrisburg Athletic Complex, 10167 Harrisburg Road, Fort Mill, SC
Cost: Free, but registration is required
Features: Soccer scrimmages, races and competitions
Plaza Midwood Dog Park Party
Plaza Midwood Dog Park Party
Date: Saturday, June 1, 2024
Time: 2 to 5 p.m.
Place: Plaza Midwood Dog Park, 1265 Clement Avenue, Charlotte, NC
Cost: Free
Features: Music, games, photo booth, raffle, adoption event, more
Taste of Charlotte
Taste of Charlotte
Date: Friday, June 7, through Sunday, June 9, 2024
Time: 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. on Friday and Saturday; 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday
Place: Tryon Street from Trade Street to Brooklyn Village Avenue, Charlotte, NC
Cost: Free admission. Pay for food and drink, and kids’ activities.
Features: Three stage of live entertainment, kids’ activities, many local restaurants and food vendors.
Outdoor Concerts
Outdoor Concerts
Date: Various dates
Time: Various times
Place: Various places
Cost: Mostly free
Features: June is prime season for outdoor concerts. They are happening everywhere. Just follow the above link for a round-up of many concert series, as well as a day-by-day list of outdoor concerts.
Summer Movie Programs for Kids
Summer Movie Programs for Kids
Date: Various dates, usually Mondays to Thursdays
Time: Various times
Place: Various places
Cost: Varies, but all are $3 or less
Features: Many movie theaters host low-price weekday movies for kids. We’ve compiled a list of participating theaters.
Jam at the Dam
Jam at the Dam
Date: Saturday, June 8, 2024
Time: 2 to 9 p.m.
Place: The Boathouse, 115 Willow Drive, McAdenville, NC
Cost: Free
Features: Three bands, food trucks, artisan vendors, kayak rentals.
Mess Fest
Mess Fest
Date: Saturday, June 8, 2024
Time: 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Place: Promenade on Providence, 5361 Ballantyne Commons Parkway, Charlotte, North Carolina
Cost: Free
Features: Kids can participate in 25 messy activities using materials like slim, paint, shaving cream, face paint, sand, mud and more.
Free Family Movie at Independent Picture House
Free Family Screening: The NeverEnding Story
Date: Saturday, June 8, 2024
Time: 10:30 a.m.
Place: Independent Picture House, 4237 Raleigh Street, Charlotte, NC
Cost: Free
Features: Free family-friendly movie, plus free milk and cookies
Juneteenth Celebrations
Juneteenth Celebrations
Date: Various
Time: Various
Place: Various
Cost: Most are free
Features: We’ve compiled a big list of Juneteenth celebrations around the Charlotte area.
St. Sarkis Armenian Food Festival
St. Sarkis Armenian Food Festival
Date: June 14 to 16, 2024
Time: 5 to 9 p.m. on Friday; 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Saturday; 12 to 8 p.m. on Sunday
Place: St. Sarkis Armenian Apostolic Church, 7000 Park Road, Charlotte, NC
Cost: Admission is free. Pay for food.
Features: Enjoy authentic Armenian food, including beef and chicken kebabs, side dishes, homemade pastries, desserts and more.
Lavender Bloom Festival
Lavender Bloom Festival
Date: June 15 and 16, 2024
Time: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Place: Dallas Lavender Lane, 937 Old Willis School Road, Dallas, NC
Cost: Admission is free. Parking is $5.
Features: Lavender plant sale, U-cut lavender, music, bubble show, train rides, face painting, more.
Outdoor Movies
Outdoor Movies
Date: Various dates
Time: Various times
Place: Various places
Cost: Mostly free
Features: We update a calendar of outdoor movies throughout the Charlotte area. Most are free.
Open Demo at Hot Glass Alley
Open Demo at Hot Glass Alley
Date: Friday, June 21, 2024
Time: 6 to 9 p.m.
Place: Hot Glass Alley, 438 Atando Avenue, Charlotte, NC
Cost: Free
Features: Hot Glass Alley, Charlotte’s first hot glass art studio, holds and open demo the third Friday of every month. Watch the artists create a special piece of art.
Fire Truck Festival
Fire Truck Festival
Date: Saturday, June 22, 2024
Time: 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Place: NC Transportation Museum, 1 Samuel Spencer Drive, Spencer, NC
Cost: $9 for adults, $8 for seniors/military, $7 for kids 3-12, and free for children under 3.
Features: Fire trucks to check out, Lil’ Firefighter Costume Contest, Jaws of Life demonstration, much more.
Party in the Park at Mint Museum Randolph
Party in the Park
Date: June 30, 2024
Time: 1 to 5 p.m.
Place: Mint Museum Randolph, 2730 Randolph Road, Charlotte, NC
Cost: Free
Features: Live music, art activities, free museum admission, a cash bar and food trucks.