It’s back and better than ever. Returning to Charlotte for its third consecutive year, Charlotte SHOUT! offers visitors and locals alike the chance to dive into the city’s rich culture and spirit of innovation. The festival, which runs March 29 through April 14, features attractions, interactive art exhibits, live music and more divided into “zones” that are easy to explore.
Make plans to explore the festival’s endless fun with our guide to this weekend at SHOUT! for families, music-lovers, foodies, date nights and more.
Most Popular for Photos & Fun, Any Day during SHOUT!
e/motion
First Ward Park
Olivier Landreville created e/motion, a modern spin on the childhood see-saw, which immerses you in the sensations of moving water. The glowing liquid reacts to your movements as you ride.
Optik
WFAE
Optik, an interactive installation by The Urban Conga, allows users to play and explore their surroundings in a new way. The ten gyroscope-like forms, each with a dichroic film at the center, create a unique platform for users to manipulate and see the world from different perspectives. By rotating each unit, users can create a cascade of colors that change with the light of the day.
Sonic Runway
Levine Avenue of the Arts
The Sonic Runway is a light display where audio signals create patterns of light that move down a 350 ft path lined with 20 LED arches at the speed of sound.
Luminous Lane
100 East 4th Street
Luminous Lane is a colorful alley located near Tryon Street. It features murals, paste-ups, and fiber art. The project started in 2023 with the theme “Bringing Light to Dark Places” and was curated by Sydney Duarte and Treazy Treaz. Through April 6, visitors can come and buy artwork from the Luminous Lane artists themselves.
For Arts & Inspiration
Double Vision
First Ward Park
Double Vision is an installation featuring 12 oversized kaleidoscopes in six designs. By day, visitors can enjoy colorful views of the cityscape through these kaleidoscopes. At night, the lights and reflections create a mesmerizing display, offering a unique way to experience the festival after dark.
Nightingale and the Tower, featuring the Sonic Butterfly
Friday, April 5 | 8:30 pm | First Ward Park
Don’t miss your chance to see Sonic Butterfly, a harp with 60-foot strings, stretching above as part of the musical adventure Nightingale and the Tower that combines music, art and immersive storytelling.
Creative Art Workshop – Piece for PEACE
Sunday, April 7 | 1 pm | Victoria Yards
Tap into your own creative side as neighbors come together to create the word PEACE in whichever way you chose: chalk, crayon, paint, flowers, rocks and more. The possibilities are endless! There will also be food trucks, bubbles and more.
Charlotte Ideas Festival
April 3-9 | Various Locations
The Charlotte Ideas Festival is a 6-day celebration that aims to bring big ideas to Charlotte and amplify local thought leaders throughout the world. Don’t miss this weekend’s keynote speakers, David Pogue, Kelly Corrigan and Haley Liza Gafori. Other not-to-be-missed events include a signature Forum, a new city-wide Big Ideas contest, and of-the-moment panel discussions.
Have your own big idea that will make Charlotte better? Bring it to the “What’s the Big Idea?” fair on Saturday, April 6 at 4:30 pm.
VAPA Open Studios!
Saturday, April 6 | 12 pm | VAPA Center
Get an insider view of artists at work with an open studio event at the VAPA Center, the nation’s largest artist collective.
VAPA Artists Talk
Saturday, April 6 | 1 pm | VAPA Center
Hear three artists share about all of their professional tips: Emily Little, Mikel Frank, and Teil Buck.
For a Family Day Out This Week(end)
Birdhouse Forest
First Ward Park
Experience 30 stunning birdhouses adorned with ancient Mandala Art. Created by artist Anuja Jain, each birdhouse features intricate mandala patterns and sustainable design elements. Immerse yourself in the harmony of the universe as you listen to birdsongs in the background.
Easter Eggs on Parade
Romare Bearden Park
Around the park, find 12 giant eggs in Romare Bearden decorated by 12 different local artists.
Elephant & Piggie’s “We are in a Play!
April 6-14 | ImaginOn
Theater-lovers of all ages will love dancing and singing along in this lively musical based on the Elephant & Piggie books my Mo Willems.
Imagination Bay
Saturdays 4-7 pm | Levine Avenue of the Arts
Are you ready to see a pirate ship in Uptown? Travel to Imagination Bay, a world packed with pirates, mermaids and magic. Explorers can expect new characters and surprises every hour along with dance parties, puppets, stilt performers and more. Plus, don’t miss the DJ dance parties each weekend during “Disco Skies: Where Jellyfish Pirates Dance.”
Space-themed fun at Discovery Place
April 5-8 | Discovery Place
Science on Screen: Apollo 13: Older astronauts-to-be will enjoy a special screening of Apollo 13 accompanied by informational speakers who will discuss the film. April 5, 6:00PM-9:00PM.
Eclipse Day at Discovery Place Science: On April 8, get ready for the eclipse with hands-on demonstrations and activities related to sun science. Then, opt for one of the eclipse viewing parties: one on top of the Discovery Place Science parking deckand the other in the Accenture IMAX Dome Theatre for a livestream event featuring the eclipse in totality.
Queen’s Greens Putt-Putt
Through April 14 | Wells Fargo Plaza
Create some healthy family competition by grabbing clubs and hitting the green. The 9-hole miniature golf course was created by local artists from Upcycle Arts and Charlotte Is Creative.
For Feasting & Food this Week at SHOUT!
Carolina BBQ Festival
Saturday, April 6 | Victoria Yards
Join more than 15 pitmasters from the Carolinas and beyond in celebrating the whole hog tradition. In addition to great tasting BBQ, guests will enjoy live music from Carolina Gator Gumbo, Justin Fedor, Charlotte Bluegrass Allstars, and Todd Johnson and the Revolvers, plus adult beverages available for purchase. The festival benefits Operation BBQ Relief, Hungry Heroes and Folds of Honor. Can’t wait? Get tickets now for the 2024 Carolina BBQ Festival Kickoff on April 5, featuring a BBQ spread, live crawfish boil and live music.
StrEAT Smarts: Shop Like a Chef
Saturday, April 6 | 9 am | South End Farmers Market
Start the day off with a tour of the South End Farmers Market with Chef Eugene Briggs, where he’ll show you how to pick the best in-season produce and how to tailor your menu to the seasons before tasting a breakfast made with those very market ingredients.
For the Perfect Date Night this Weekend
Ally Silent Disco
Friday & Saturday, April 5 and 6 | First Ward Park
Break out of your typical date night routine and bust out your best dance moves. Ally is hosting a free silent disco on April 5 and 6 from 5:30-8:30 pm.
SHOUT! Beer Garden
Thursday – Sunday afternoons | First Ward Park
If you and yours are into craft beer, don’t miss your chance to soak in the atmosphere when First Ward Park turns into a vibrant beer garden in the heart of the city. On weekend afternoons, you can enjoy craft beers and wines plus live music in the park.
For Music Lovers (view the full schedule here)
Local Night featuring bands from around Charlotte
Thursday, April 4 | 5 pm | Ally Main Stage at First Ward Park
Get ready for the weekend with live music from local artists at First Ward Park from 5-10 pm.
Thursday Night at Pianodrome featuring Ethan Uslan
Thursday, April 4 | 6 pm | Pianodrome at Grace A.M.E. Zion Church
Another Thursday night option for music-lovers? An intimate performance inside Grace A.M.E. Zion Church’s Pianodome made from upcycled pianos. This performance will feature Ethan Uslan.
Friday Night at Pianodrome
Friday, April 5 | 6, 7 and 8:30 pm | Pianodrome at Grace A.M.E. Zion Church
Want to head back for more? Friday night performances at the pianodrome feature performances by Reinaldo Brahn and Jim Brock. Music is theatre in this musical hug made entirely of upcycled pianos. Enjoy an all-acoustic performance by local musicians!
Saturdays at SHOUT! featuring Gino Vannelli
Saturday, April 6 | 2 pm | Ally Main Stage at First Ward Park
Soak up your Saturday afternoon at First Ward Park with live music, food trucks, art installations and more.
Rosanne Cash
Saturday, April 6 | 7:30 pm | Sarah Belk Gambrell Center for the Arts & Civic Engagement
Don’t miss your chance to see Grammy award winner and author Rosanne Cash at the Sarah Belk Gambrell Center at Queens University.
