May the Spring festival fun continue in May… from garden parties and private tours to cultural celebrations, we’ve got the scoop on a world of wonderful entertainment including those dedicated to the best wine tastings, and a stadium of craft beers. (It’s early days so we will be updating this article as news comes out. Bookmark and check back!)
Charlotte SHOUT!
Various locations in Uptown
If you hit one festival in May make sure it’s Charlotte SHOUT! A celebration of art, music, food and ideas in Uptown Charlotte with something for everyone of every age. Literally Dozens of Events. Here are just a few of the things we are not going to miss:
- The Giant Bunnies of Intrude
- The Light Up Seesaws at Levine Center for the Arts
- Hola Charlotte
- The Soap Bubble Circus
- L’Homme Cirque
- Lunch Hour Jazz
- Wynton Marsalis
- Patina Miller Sings Nina Simone
- Davina and the Vagabonds
- and OF COURSE The Headliners ~ Anthony Hamilton, Umphrey’s McGee & The Bleachers
Check our Charlotte SHOUT! post here for more info and get your tickets now.
Jiggy with the Piggy
Downtown Kannapolis
Jiggy with the Piggy includes a Kansas City Barbeque Society Competition, rides, 5k race, over 100 artisans, concerts, an outdoor family movie night, a pancake breakfast, and people’s choice BBQ and wings tasting. Free.
South Carolina Strawberry Festival
Fort Mill
Celebrate the strawberry at this award-winning festival. Check out antique cars; buy fresh strawberries and strawberry shortcake. Attend pig races, and let the kids enjoy the rides. (Walter Elisha Park). Free admission; additional cost for activities.
Midwood Mayina
Midwood Maynia is Plaza Midwood’s official event to welcome warmer weather, the blossoms of spring and the beginning of the outdoor festival season with live music, food, beer from a local brewery, parade, great local merchants and fun activities for the kids.
Davidson Town Day
Town Day will offer family games, entertainment and food available for purchase. Free.
Untapped Beer Festival
Bank of America Stadium
Untappd Beer Festival (Level 1) is a one-day celebration of Untappd’s Community of beer drinkers, breweries, and venues.
Charlotte Gets Weird: Music & Arts Festival
Come enjoy a celebration of the humanities featuring an all local lineup of musicians and artists, art installations, live music, DJ’s, high end lighting and sound production provided by Prism Live Design and participate in reckless self-expression.
Gardeners’ Garden Tour Wing Haven The 25th annual tour features five private, inspiring gardens as well as open visitation both days at Wing Haven Garden & Bird Sanctuary, SEED Wildlife & Children’s Garden, the Elizabeth Lawrence House & Garden with live music on Sunday at Wing Haven.
Kings Drive Art Walk
A festival by the park – features fine art for sale, including paintings and drawings, sculptures, pottery, metal, stone, wood and glass works from emerging artists. Little Sugar Creek Greenway, 600 S. Kings Drive. Free.
Cinco de Mayo Festival
3800 Shamrock Drive, Charlotte Live events such as Lucha Libre, Children’s Fun Zone, and Cultural Dance presentations. Free.
Hello Huntersville Festival
Downtown Huntersville This festival highlights regional artists and musicians. Visit local breweries, wineries, and food trucks while listening to live music, shopping the vendor booths, making murals and doing STEM activities.
BeachFest Matthews
Stumptown Park + S. Trade St Put your “toes in the sand” with live beach music, shag dancing, carnival rides and inflatables. Free.
END-to-END
Camp North End
Innovators of all kinds are invited to celebrate the creative process during two days of “confluence of innovation” designed to open doors and deepen connections between mediums, industries and people by pairing the best of local and global talent.
2019 North Carolina Brewers and Music Festival
Rural Hill
An amazing day of local craft beer and live music and it all takes place on a non-profit historic site and farm just minutes outside of Charlotte in Huntersville, NC.
Spring into Arts Festival
Historic Downtown Concord
This festival promotes the visual and performing arts, and features musical entertainment, food and drink vendors, a juried art show, and a children’s creation station. Free.
Mother’s Day Weekend Wine Walk
Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden
Treat mom! Guests will receive a Garden wine glass and sample six wines at stations throughout the Garden. Register in advance online.
Art in the Garden Tour + Garden Party
Enjoy the splendor of a southern spring during the Charlotte Garden Club’s Art in the Garden tour of various area gardens. Artists will paint “en plein air,” capturing on canvas the serene beauty of the gardens. The work will be for sale, at the celebratory party on the Sunday following the Art in the Garden Tour.
Glencairn BloomFest
Rock Hill
Family event with kids activities and vendors offering garden-themed items for sale. You’ll find plants, garden art, pottery, baskets and other items — many handcrafted — for sale by local vendors. Also have a variety of activities for children to celebrate “National Kids to Parks Day.” Plus, strolling musicians, garden tours and you can grab a hot dog plate for lunch. Free.
Charlotte’s Cuban Festival
11126 S. Tryon St. Charlotte, NC
Featuring live music performances, fun kids’ activities, arts and crafts and delicious Cuban cuisine, the 11th Annual Charlotte Cuban Festival promises to be an unforgettable celebration of Cuba’s rich culture and traditions.
Wine Fest CLT 2019 – ‘Mother’s Day- Celebration’
Sample premium varietals from some of the best wineries, all while four music performers and other secret performers keep the party lively. Must be at least 21-years old.
Festa Italiana Charlotte
Promenade at Gateway Village
Enjoy the 14th Annual Festa Italiana Charlotte 2019 with a day full of ‘the best Italian cuisine in Charlotte’.
Your ticket gets you all-you-can-eat delicious Italian fare from many of your favorite Restaurants and award-winning Chefs, all paired with bottomless Wines, Proseccos, and Peroni Beer.
US National Whitewater Center – Memorial day Celebration
Spend your holiday weekend with friends and family at the Whitewater Center for the Memorial Day Celebration. The festivities include 5 and 8 mile trail races, yoga, as well as live music on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday evening. Stick around Sunday evening to enjoy our fireworks display at dusk, capping off the Memorial Day Celebration. Free.
Southern Living Inspired Home at The Bramble – Opening Gala
Don’t miss this exclusive opportunity, an evening full of the seasons’ hottest Southern Living Inspired Home trends in architecture and interior design and the unveiling of Charlotte’s first ever Southern Living Inspired Home, with a fully catered dinner, hand crafted cocktails, live music, and a live charity auction. All proceeds will benefit the Levine Cancer Institute & the Anne Springs Close Greenway.
WORTH THE DRIVE:
Biltmore Blooms – Asheville, now – May 23
Fine Art + Flora – Greenville, May 3 – 5
Strawberry Festival and Country Fair – Slater, May 4
The Cheerwine Festival – Salisbury, May 18
*Images sourced from Facebook/websites of events listed or free sources.
