Let’s go – it’s April! From garden parties to plant sales we’ve got the scoop on where you need to be this Spring – including a few must-be-seen-at festivals worth the drive.
Come-See-Me Festival
Rock Hill
This festival features more than 80 activities. Take part in fun that includes beautiful gardens, a parade, a frog jump, teddy bear tea party, food trucks, live music, kids’ activities, fireworks and more. Locations vary. See website for full schedule of events.
Spring Plant Sale
Winghaven Garden
Shop our wide variety of plants, trees and shrubs assisted by our expert garden volunteers. All proceeds benefit Wing Haven gardens, programs and educational outreach. Enjoy the Wing Haven Nursery Shop with arts and related merchandise.
Sensoria: A Celebration of Literature and the Arts
Central Piedmont Community College
This literary festival showcases events that celebrate literature, music, visual arts, history, culture and food. Various locations. Free; admission to certain events. See website for full schedule of events.
Tractors and Trains Festival
NC Transportation Museum
This railroading historic site hosts antique farm equipment, modern tractors, music, games and more for kids and adults.
Arbor Day Celebration
Belmont
When J. Sterling Morton founded Arbor Day back in 1872, his idea was simple – set aside a special day for tree planting. The City of Belmont and the Town of Cramerton are proud to continue this tradition at our 2019 Arbor Day Festival. Come celebrate our leafy friends and all things green with us.
Festival of Food Trucks
Mooresville
Sample gourmet fare, stroll the streets, shop, and listen to live music. This event reoccurs the first Saturday of each month through October. 5:00 – 8:30pm. Free.
Paws in the Park
Pineville
Bring your friendly dog to spend the day at this festival. There will be more than 150 vendors, dog rescue groups with dogs available for adoption, music, dog contests, demonstrations, food trucks, a playground and a dog walk. 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. Free.
Tawba Walk Arts and Music Festival
Tawba Walk will feature two stages of live bands and performances, more than 100 local artists, food trucks, local craft beer, sidewalk shop specials, a kids’ zone and street art. Oak Street Mill, 19725 Oak St., Cornelius. 2-8pm. Free.
Spring Plant Sale
UNC Charlotte Botanical Gardens
Shop from an exceptional array of plants including native plants; colorful annuals, wildflowers, perennials, trees and shrubs, plus harder-to-find exotics, carnivorous plants, tropical, herbs, and select veggies. Botanical jewelry also for sale. (New location this year: just down Mary Alexander Road from the Greenhouse, at the CAB building (behind Hickory Hall).
Loch Norman Highland Games
Rural Hill
This annual event celebrates all things Scottish and features athletic games, pipe bands, drumming, dancing, food vendors and a kids’ zone. Huntersville. $6-$20.
Water Lantern Festival
Symphony Park
Experience the magic of the lanterns as they light up the water. $18-$35, children 7 and younger free. 5:00 – 10:00 p.m.
Charlotte Wine & Food Weekend From casual sippers and samplers to serious connoisseurs and collectors –attendees will not just be imbibing the world’s finest wines, savoring the creations of the area’s top chefs, hobnobbing with renowned vintners and somms, adding to their wine knowledge, and bidding on fantastic one-of-a-kind items, they will also be helping area children.
Tuck Fest 2018
U.S. National Whitewater Center
Celebrate the great outdoors, and try something new at this festival filled with outdoor competitions, exhibitions, demos and live music. Kids can participate in obstacle challenges, kids’ yoga, bicycle races and more. Free admission, $6 parking fee. Registration fees apply for competitions.
Secret Gardens of the Fourth Ward
An urban garden and lifestyle tour in the heart of center city Charlotte. From the micro to the magnificent, the tour showcases a mix of private gardens, courtyards and outdoor living spaces that are rarely, if ever, open to the public.
Iredell Garden Fair
Make plans to support the Iredell Extension Master Gardener Volunteers by being a vendor, sponsor or both. 9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Art on the Green
Davidson
This juried art festival features regional artists, along with musical performances by local talents and food from on-site vendors and area restaurants. 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.; Sun., Noon – 4:00 p.m. Free.
Garibaldi Spring Festival
Belmont
Visit the Spring Garibaldi Festival, which features local art and music! Stowe Park, Noon-5:00 p.m. Free.
Earth Jam 2019
Robbins Park
Come to Robbins Park for bluegrass music, food, vendors and family fun. Cornelius. 4:00 – 7:00 p.m. Free.
Open Streets 704
Check out this sprawling festival, which ranges from Commonwealth and Plaza Midwood into NoDa. The route is broken into four different zones: arts and science, green, family fun and wellness. 1:00 -5:00 p.m. Free.
Charlotte SHOUT!
A celebration of art, music, food and ideas in Uptown Charlotte taking place Kicking off with the Charlotte Jazz Festival, and culminating with a three-day convergence, this celebration will feature exceptionally curated programming from around the corner and around the world. This year, SHOUT! is the grand finale of CLT250, the year-long commemoration of Charlotte’s 250th anniversary. With 75+ concerts, installations, performances and everything in between, everyone can discover something inspiring.
DESTINATIONS WORTH THE DRIVE:
Airlie Luncheon Garden Party – Wilmington, April 5
Festival of Houses & Gardens – Charleston, now – April 18
Biltmore Blooms – Asheville, now – May 23
