Need summer plans? You’ve come to the right place.
The Queen City is full of festivals all summer long, from music to film, food, and even a HeroeCon. Sorted by date for your convenience.
We’ll keep updating this list, so be sure to check back!
June Charlotte 2023 Fairs & Festivals
Eat Black Charlotte Restaurant Week
June 2-11, 2023
Eat Black Charlotte Week (EATBLKCharlotte) is a week of pre-fixe lunch and dinner menus from Charlotte metro area Black-owned restaurants. The prix fixe menus are available from Friday, June 2nd through Sunday, June 11th, 2023
View the participating restaurants here.
Empanada Festival 2023 – RESCHEDULED
Saturday, June 3, 12p
Taste your way around Latin America’s famous pastry turnovers at the second Annual Empanada Fest. Whether you prefer them baked or fried, meat-filled or vegetarian, made with flour or with corn – you’ll be sure to find your perfect empanada here. They will also feature live music, a DJ, dancing, and drink specials.
3rd Annual Seltzer World Festival
June 3, 2023, 1 – 5p
South End
At this festival, you will be able to enjoy this one-of-a-kind immersive experience as you sample 100++ variety of seltzers. Plus it’s Pet Friendly, there will be DJ Spinning, Food Trucks, Local Vendors, Craft Artisans, Entertainment, Music, and lots of Fun Activities & Games!
GENERAL ADMISSION INCLUDES: Unlimited Samples of Seltzer and Craft Beer | Souvenir Tasting Glass | Music & Entertainment | Food For Purchase | Games Section | Vendors
Bloom Fest at Dallas Lavender Lane
June 3-4, 2023, 10a – 5p
See the lavender in full color at the 4th annual Bloom Fest at Dallas Lavender Lane. This free, family-friendly event features tons of vendors including food vendors, a DJ, a baby camel named Jeffery, a huge sale on lavender plants, face painting, train rides, door prizes, a lavender-infused store, and much more.
Experience Midwood Lamar & Central Ave
June 4, 2023, 1 – 4p
Plaza Midwood
Spend the day exploring all that Plaza Midwood has to offer! Enjoy great food and drink specials at Moo & Brew, The Kilted Buffalo, and Warmack, shop at Sanctuary Imports and local Pop-Up Vendors, and enjoy a live DJ, and roller skate on the POP-UP Skating Rink! In partnership with Rollin CLT ($10 to skate and includes rentals) NO ROLLERBLADES!
Roller Skating will be done at your OWN RISK – and a waiver must be signed.
This event is free to attend.
Charleston Spoleto Festival -Yes, We Realize it’s Not In Charlotte !! but Worth a Drive
May 26 – June 11, 2023
Charleston, SC
A totally do-able drive to Charleston for a music lover’s paradise. The annual Spoleto Festival gathers both established and emerging artists for 17 full days of performances. Tickets are required and can be purchased here.
Taste of Charlotte Festival
June 9-11, 2023
Uptown
Taste of Charlotte is a three-day food festival in Charlotte, NC. It features samples from area restaurants and various performances and activities that will surely delight the festival-goers. Aside from that, a large variety of local, regional, and national partners will provide information, coupons, and free stuff!
Admission to Taste of Charlotte is FREE. Purchase festival coins to use for restaurant samples, beverages and kid’s activities. You can purchase your coins on-site at booths located throughout the festival.
This is a family-friendly event, but please leave the pets at home.
Eat Blk Charlotte 3rd Annual Food & Culture Festival
June 10, 2023, 2 – 7p
Victoria Yards, Uptown
This exciting event will feature a variety of delicious foods from some of the best black-owned food trucks in the city, serving everything from classic soul food to modern fusion cuisine.
As you stroll through the lively outdoor festival, you’ll have the opportunity to indulge in mouth-watering dishes like birria tacos, Haitian classics, and much more. Don’t forget to save room for dessert – we’ll have plenty of sweet treats to satisfy your cravings.
In addition to the fantastic food offerings, the block party will feature a DJ and fun activities for kids of all ages. So, bring your family and friends and get ready to enjoy a full day of delicious food, great music, and more.
Juneteenth Festival of The Carolinas
June 15-18, 2023
Plaza Midwood
The Juneteenth Festival of The Carolinas is back for its 26th year. Join Pape Ndiaye in the heart of Plaza Midwood as they come together to honor the past, celebrate the present, and look toward a brighter future. The celebration will take place over three days and is free to attend.
Heroes Convention 2023
June 16-18, 2023
Featuring Comic’s greatest creators and exhibitors, HeroesCon will draw fans from all over to the Charlotte Convention Center. Tickets are on sale now, with 16 and under free with a paying adult.
2023 North Carolina Juneteenth Festival
June 17, 2023, 1 – 5p
The 2023 North Carolina Juneteenth Festival themed “Educating, Empowering, Entertaining” will feature 100 black-owned companies. Crafts, culture, performances, art, kids’ games, information, and more are some of what attendees can expect. Free giveaways, discounts, and coupons make the vendor shopping experience like no other. Come support black business and black excellence. This is a family-friendly free event!
Bonus:
- 1000 Free Clif Bars (Assorted Flavors)
- $25 Gift Card to Postmates for All Attendees
Kids Zone:
- Bounce House
- Kids Playground
- Face Painting
- Basketball
- Baby Bumper Cars
Performances:
- Steppers of Dystinction Step Team
- House Of Dreams
- The Red Royalettes
Inaugural Juneteenth Cookout & Father’s Day Celebration
June 17-18, 2023
Victoria Yards, Uptown
Saturday, 6/17: Free live music & entertainment, food & merchant vendors, Spades Tournament
Hosted by Charlotte’s very own – Eddie O.!
Sunday, 6/18: Father’s Day Celebration, food& merchant vendors
Tacos N Taps Festival
June 17, 2023, 12 – 5p
Ballantyne’s Backyard
This ALL YOU CARE TO TASTE Beer and Tequila Festival offers up some of Charlotte’s Best Tacos and Mexican Food, the best dancing music from Triangle Area DJs, margaritas, piñata punching, contests, and many other surprises.
ALL GUESTS WILL ENJOY:
- Souvenir Glass for an ALL YOU CARE TO TASTE experience with over 60+ craft beers, mezcals, margaritas, and tequilas. We’ll throw in some ciders and wine as well…just for the gringos.
- ALL TEQUILA Bars will be chilled.
- Over 30 different types of tacos. Each taco vendor will offer a wide variety of tacos and Mexican-inspired dishes available. We guarantee they will ALL feature at least one taco option for $3.
- The festival will feature over 15 Taco Trucks, Taquerias, and Mexican Restaurants in the area.
- Dueling Margarita Bars with more choices.
- Mariachi Bands and your favorite Triangle Area DJs.
- Great boutiques offering brewerania, jewelry, hot sauces and other items.
- Pinata Playground. Take a Swing… fun and prizes available all day – including muchos pesos!!
- Hot Pepper Eating Contest
- Lawn activities and games.
FRESH2DEATH: It’s Giving Ballroom
June 17, 2023
Harvey B. Gantt Center
It’s Giving Ballroom has a full day of activities planned, including:
- 
IT’S GIVING GOOD BREAD: Rooftop drag brunch featuring performer Erica Chanel, DJ Micki Blendz and food from Chef Renaldo’s Culinary Experience. 11 a.m.-2 p.m.; $35 per person.


- IT’S GIVING RUNWAY: Fashion show featuring Venchi Love Club, Haus of NiVet, Inkkdup, Allodari, Blvssom and William Walker, with DJ Dexter Dynamite. 4:30-6 p.m.; $60 per person, price includes seat and swag bag with treats from sponsors and vendors. Limited tickets available at door (increased price). 


- IT’S GIVING KIKI: Kiki ball with categories of runway, performance, sneaker vs. sneaker and face. Participating houses include: Haus of Wintour, Haus of Marie Laveau, House of Juicy Couture, Haus of Telfar, House of Bodega, Haus of Von Dutch and more; 7-10 p.m.; $60 per person (secures a seat, but not at a table), price includes seat and swag bag with treats from sponsors and vendors. Limited tickets available at door (increased price).
- 
IT’S GIVING GENERAL ADMISSION: Access to almost everything without the extra perks of seating, goodie bags; Free, but registration is strongly suggested.
There are a plethora of activities included in the free general admission, including IT’S GIVING TEA: Panel discussion featuring DJ Fannie Mae, Cathay Dawkins, Chef Joya, Sur Ellz and moderated by Tierany Griffin-Purdie. 2-3:30 p.m.
Camden Commons – Last One of the Season!!
June 18, 2023, 11a – 5p
South End
South End’s main street, Camden Road, transforms into an outdoor living room called Camden Commons, presented by Lowe’s. Come spend your #SundayFunday shopping locally, discovering new food, playing games, listening to music, and getting creative as if in your own living room. This family-friendly event is free and open to all.
Charlotte Caribbean Carnival
June 23-25, 2023
An entire weekend to celebrate Caribbean Culture during National American-Caribbean Heritage Month. Expect live performances, a Queen show, a carnival village, Sunday brunch, and more.
Durag Fest 2023
June 24, 2023
Camp North End
Celebrate Juneteenth and Black creativity and innovation at this year’s Durag Festival, featuring music, fashion, food, and art. VIP tickets are sold out, but general admission+ and general admission are still available.
G.A. Includes:
- Access to Durag Market
- Access to Art Exhibition
- Dedicated Restrooms
- Dedicated Food Vendors
G.A.+ Includes:
Everything in GENERAL ADMISSION plus:
- Access to Main Stage (Day Party & Concert)
- Access to Skate Party*
- Access to Full Service Bar**
- Dedicated GENERAL ADMISSION+ Restrooms
- Pop-Up Art and Activations
Tickets can be purchased here.
July Charlotte 2023 Fairs & Festivals
‘Tawba Walk Arts & Music Festival
July 1, 2023, 2 – 8p
Old Town Cornelius
Experience Lake Norman’s most exceptional talent on full display at ‘Tawba Walk Arts & Music Festival in Old Town Cornelius (Oak St Mill, Town Hall, and Catawba Ave). Gather the crew and leash up the pups for a day filled with over 100 local artists, craftsmen & vendors, two stages of live bands, street art, live demonstrations, multiple food truck courts, an epic kid zone, and more.
Fourth of July Celebrate at The Whitewater Center
July 3-4, 2023
Celebrate the holiday outside at the Whitewater Center. The festivities span over two days include live music, races, multiple yoga practices, and more.
Click here for the full schedule.
13th Annual Charlotte Black Film Festival
July 6-9, 2023
The Charlotte Black Film Festival is an annual event that empowers Black artists and showcases a wide range of entertainment content made by and about people of African descent. The festival brings together Black culture enthusiasts, executives and content creators from around the world for three days of screenings, workshops, fashion, comedy shows, exclusive parties and Industry networking.
Join them on the Boardwalk @ University Hilton Hotel July 6-9 in person and virtually streaming on the IOCTV.net platform. Tickets can be purchased here.
Charlotte Water Lantern Festival
July 8, 2023
Experience the magic of the Water Lantern Festival where you will enjoy tasty food trucks, fun music, and an incredible sight as thousands of floating lanterns reflect unique messages of love, hope, and happiness.
Tickets are required to participate in this event.
CLT Edge Fest
July 15, 2023, 3 – 9p
Charlotte Art League
Calling all art lovers! This one-of-a-kind festival allows you to experience art first-hand with live paintings by local mural artists, music and dance performances, a live DJ, spoken word, yoga, interactive art experiences, art scavenger hunt, food & beverage vendors, & more. This event is free and will take place at the Charlotte Art League (4237 Raleigh Street).
FabFest: Charlotte’s Beatles Festival
July 21-22, 2023
FabFest is a weekend celebration of Beatles music unlike anything previously staged in the Southeast. Beatles fans from near and far arrive in Charlotte to have a fabulous time with John, Paul, George and Ringo in their hearts and great music ringing in their ears!
FabFest 2023 includes two evening concerts at Knight Theater in Uptown Charlotte: BritBeat and the Tosco Music Beatles Tribute. Plus, FabFest Daytime – a full day of live music, memorabilia, speakers and activities at Central Piedmont Community College.
August Charlotte 2023 Fairs & Festivals
2023 Charlotte Pride Festival & Parade
August 19-20, 2023
Uptown
After an incredible 2022 Pride season, Charlotte’s largest street festival and parade returns to Uptown Charlotte August 19-20. From their roots 50 years ago, when early gay rights leaders first attempted organizing in Charlotte, to the first Gay Pride Day in 1981, to the founding of Charlotte Pride and their first event in 2001 — CLT Pride is excited to celebrate all the ways our community has grown and triumphed. From 2,000 attendees in 2001 to a record-breaking 275,000 at last year’s event, the Charlotte Pride Festival & Parade returns again to the streets of Uptown Charlotte to celebrate 20+ years of Charlotte Pride and more than 40 years of Pride legacy in the Queen City.
Charlotte Pride Festival
Aug. 19-20, 2023
Charlotte Pride Parade
Aug. 20, 2023
RAIN OR SHINE!
Last Week of Summer 🙂 Charlotte Area 2023 Fairs & Festivals
Matthews Alive
September 1-4, 2023
Downtown Matthews, NC
The Matthews Alive Festival is a Labor Day weekend celebration dedicated to the support of local non-profit organizations. Packed with family activities, great food, arts, and fantastic entertainment, this festival is one that the whole family is sure to enjoy.
