The groundhog may have declared six more weeks of winter, but the Charlotte Spring Festival line-up says otherwise… Spring may not have sprung just yet, but that doesn’t mean we can’t give you the inside scoop to plan your calendar.
March Charlotte Area Spring 2024 Fairs & Festivals
5th Annual CLT Donut Festival
Sunday, March 9, 2025 | 1 – 5 pm
Norfolk Hall, 2905 Griffith Rd
Consider the 5th Annual CLT Donut Festival your opportunity to have the “Ultimate Cheat Day” while supporting a great cause… the event benefits SAVE A NUT, an organization dedicated to spreading awareness for testicular cancer. The festival will have an abundance of donuts and sweet treat, artisan vendors, and six different ticket packages for drink and donut offers. Click here to secure your package today.
SAVOR Charlotte
March 12 – 25, 2025
Various Restaurants & Locations around the QC
SAVOR Charlotte’s extensive offerings will range from exclusive menus and special offers to hands-on demonstrations from some of Charlotte’s finest chefs, mixologists, restaurateurs, and bakers, making it an event you certainly do not want to miss. Luckily for us, the festival will take place from March 12 to March 25, giving us plenty of time to explore Charlotte’s diverse culinary scene.
Blue Star Blitz
Saturday, March 15, 2025Â
Anne Springs Close Greenway
Get ready for an action-packed day of trail racing, outdoor adventures and festival vibes at the Blue Star Blitz outdoor recreation festival. The event will offer something for everyone, from first-time racers to seasoned athletes to those looking to soak up the energetic atmosphere and enjoy 2,100 acres of unspoiled nature. 5Ks, 10Ks, hike challenges, and a new adventure race will be available to participants.
Green River Revival and Color Me Green 5K
Saturday, March 15, 2025
Whitewater Center
Kick off your spring festivities with the Green River Revival. Watch as the Whitewater Center’s resident leprechaun transforms the river green for St Patrick’s Day. Start the day with the Color Me Green 5K Trail Run before rafting down the river and listening to live music.
Charlotte St. Patrick’s Day Parade and Festival
Saturday, March 15, 2025, Parade: 11AM – 1PM | Festival: 10AM – 6PM
Uptown Charlotte
Continuing a Charlotte tradition, the Charlotte St. Patrick’s Day Parade is back for another year of Irish tradition in the QC. The festival will include a wonderful parade with marching bands, floats, food, vendors, attractions, and more.
Rich & Bennett’s St. Patrick’s Day Bar Crawl
Saturday, March 15, 2025 | 12 pm – 3 pm
Pub Crawl Party Lot Uptown
What is Pub Crawl Season you ask? ‘Tis the season where Rich & Bennett paint the town green with thousands of custom event t-shirts & koozies to keep your beverage cold (because that’s important), and prepay events all leading ​up to crawl day. Since the pub crawl’s inception in 2001, it has continuously grown in popularity with participants traveling to the Queen City from all over the country, and even internationally. To partake in this QC pub crawl, buy tickets here.
Holi Festival of Colors
Saturday, March 15, 2025 | 11 am – 4 pm
Elon Recreation Center at 11401 Ardrey Kell Rd., Charlotte
Get ready for an unforgettable Holi experience on March 15th at Charlotte City Center-Victoria Yards. This high-energy festival brings together the spirit of colors, music, dance, food, and community fun for an authentic Holi celebration in the city.
Olé España 2025
Saturday, March 22, 2025 | 12 pm
Camp North End (Boileryard Area)
Join Olé España and celebrate authentic Spanish cuisine and culture for a one-of-a-kind experience filled with the flavors and melodies of Spain. The festival will include live flamenco dancing, paella cooking demonstrations, and a delicious sangria and Spanish wine selection.
No Man’s Land Festival
Saturday, March 22, 2025 | 11 am – 5 pm
1900 block of Camden Road in South End, 28203
The second No Mans Land festival and market will be held in Charlotte on March 22nd and is designed to celebrate all women. Festival-goers can expect 70+ woman-owned businesses, hands-on workshops, breakout sessions, activations, and photo ops. This free-to-attend event is an amazing oppportunity to grab your girls and join the movement.
South End Wine & Hops Fest
Saturday, March 29, 2025 | 1– 6 pm
Lenny Boy Brewing, 3000 S Tryon St, Charlotte
Bring your friends and family (including four-legged friends) and have a blast at the South End Wine and Hops Festival. Your ticket will include 4+ hours of boundless sampling of wines, ciders, craft brews & cocktails, as well as live music, food trucks, and pop-up shops. To get your tickets for this year’s fest, explore various packages here.
CRAFT Fest
March 29 – 30, 2025
Petty Thieves Brewing, 413 Dalton Avenue, Charlotte
Craft Fest is CRAFT CLT’s annual fundraising event that merges vendor booths, an art show, demonstrations, classes, and food trucks into one vibrant location. Discover a new craft at Make-n-Take Stations, sign up for a class to learn a new skill, or wander through the marketplace to support talented local makers and craft suppliers.
April Charlotte Area Spring 2024 Fairs & Festivals
Come See Me Festival
April 3 – 12, 2025
Rock Hill, SC
Since 1962, the Come-See-Me Festival has heralded the beginning of spring for the greater Rock Hill area. This 10-day festival features a parade, live music, sidewalk chalk, beach bashes, hops on the park, and more. Visit the Festival Events page to start making your plans for this Rock Hill tradition.
Charlotte SHOUT!
April 4 – 20, 2025
Uptown Charlotte
Charlotte SHOUT! is an annual celebration of the city’s art, culture, and community. Built on the pillars of art, music, food, and ideas, Charlotte SHOUT! is an inclusive and inspirational feast for all ages, with more than 200 events and attractions taking place over 17 days in Uptown, Charlotte.
Carolina BBQ Festival
April 4 – 5, 2025
209 E. 7th Street, Charlotte
If you are looking for the Carolina BBQ Festival, you can find them smoking April 4th and 5th at Victoria Yards. Festival Kickoff will begin Friday, April 4th, from 6:00 PM to 10:00 PM. The festival itself will commence on Saturday, April 5th, from 12 PM to 4:00 PM, with VIP Access starting at 11:00 AM. Get your tickets here to enjoy tastings from 17+ pitmasters and much more.
Empanada Fest
Saturday, April 5, 2025 | 12 pm – 6 pm
Camp North End (Boileryard)
Come and taste your way around Latin America’s famous pastry turnovers at the 4th Annual Empanada fest in the Queen City. Vendors and food trucks representing multiple countries will be serving empanadas baked or fried, meat-filled or vegetarian, made with flour or with corn, to ensure you find the perfect empanada. The festival will also feature live music, a DJ, dancing, and drink specials.
STEAMfest 2025
Sunday, April 6, 2025 | 12 pm to 4 pm
Woodlawn School, 135 Woodlawn School Loop, Mooresville, NC
The largest STEM & Arts festival in North Carolina will be held on Sunday, April 6th, with over 2000 people visiting the Woodlawn School campus for STEAMfest 2025. The event will include over 100 free hands-on activity booths created by students, teachers, local colleges, community organizations, professional groups, clubs, and businesses. Register for free now.
Pet Palooza Fundraising Walk & Community Festival
April 12, 2025, Walk: 10 – 11 am | Festival: 11 am – 3 pm
Truist Field, 324 S Mint St
For over 25 years, Pet Palooza has been a beloved tradition in the Charlotte community. This annual fundraising walk and community festival brings people and pets together to enjoy live music, delicious food trucks, pet-focused vendors, and more for a family-fun filled day. This year, the walk route will take participants around a city block in Uptown Charlotte—be sure to register in advance! There is a $10 entry fee at the door or sign up for the walk ahead of time to breeze in. Children 10 and under will receive free entry.
The Charlotte Fair
April 10 – 20, 2025
Charlotte Motor Speedway
Non-Stop Fun is coming to Charlotte April 10th through April 20th and you don’t want to miss it. Come enjoy fair food, thrilling rides, petting zoos, circus acts, and more at the Charlotte Motor Speedway. For fair tickets, click here. For a daily schedule of all the fun to come, click here.
Regional Festival of India at Matthews
Saturday April 12, 2025 | 12 pm – 6 pm
Stumptown Park, 120 South Trade St., Matthews
The second Regional Festival of India will take place on Saturday, April 12th in Stumptown Park, Matthews. The fesetival will include dance performances, Indian street food, pop-up vendors, turban tying and Henna tattoos, yoga, art galleries, and more. This immersive festival offers free admission for all with no tickets required.
Loch Norman Highland Games
April 12-13, 2025
Historic Rural Hill, 4431 Neck Road, Huntersville, NC
The Loch Norman Highland Games at Rural Hill is a family friendly event presented by Historic Rural Hill. From highland dancing and bagpipe bands to all the highland athletics one could imagine, the Loch Norman Highland Games are an event like no other made to celebrate Scottish Heritage at Loch Norman.
Charlotte StrEATs Festival
April 4th, 12th, and 13th, 2025
Gateway Village
The highly anticipated Charlotte StrEATs Festival is back for another year, ready to celebrate the vibrant culinary landscape of the Queen City! StrEATs is made up of three exciting events, each offering a look at the incredible talent in Charlotte’s food and beverage scene.
- StrEATs Uncorked: Held on April 4th from 6 to 9 pm at Johnson & Wales. The event will feature North Carolina’s finest wines and regional cuisines, presented by NC Wine.
- StrEATs Tasting Tour: Commencing on April 12th from 12 to 3 pm (with VIP access at 11 am) at Gateway Village, enjoy bites from locally-owned restaurants, cooking demonstrations, and handcrafted cocktails created by your favorite Charlotte mixologists.
- Charlotte StrEATs Festival: This free festival will take place on April 13th from 12 to 4 pm at Gateway Village, featuring an artisan market, food trucks, Neighborhood Cook-off Battles, cocktail demos and tastings, and more.
Jeepster Easter Fest
April 19, 2025 | 10 am – 5 pm
Dallas Lavender Lane Farm, 937 Old Willis School Road, Dallas, NC
Join the Dallas Lavender Lane farm for an Easter egg hunt and show off your Jeep in the Shine and Show. Ride the Trails, shop local vendors and enjoy great food and music.
Charlotte Wine & Food Week Presented by Truist
April 23 – 27, 2025
Presented by Truist, Charlotte Wine and Food Week brings together leading wine industry experts from around the world and pairs them with Charlotte’s top chefs to create a celebration and appreciation of fine wine and food. Considered “Connoisseurs for a cause” these civic-minded wine and food enthusiasts join together to support charitable organizations benefitting children and their families in the Charlotte community.
Tuck Fest
April 25 – 27, 2025
Whitewater Center
Tuck Fest is a three-day celebration of the outdoor lifestyle that attracts 40,000 people to the Whitewater Center every April. Its schedule includes dozens of races and competitions across Whitewater’s 1,300-acre facility; performances by award-winning bands and musicians; plus expos, vendors, and clinics all weekend long. The event is free to attend, and a one-time race registration fee allows guests to participate in all citizen races/competitions scheduled throughout the weekend. For a complete schedule of Tuck Fest, click here.
Garibaldi Festival
Friday, April 25, 2025
Stowe Park, 24 S. Main St., Belmont, NC
Named after Giuseppe Garibaldi, an Italian general and founding father of Italy, the Garibaldi Festival is a celebration of community, culture, and creativity. With live music, art walks, food trucks, and much more, the Garibaldi Festival gathers NC residents from all over to join the fun.
‘Tawba Walk Arts & Music Festival
Saturday, April 26, 2025
Oak Street Mill, 19725 Oak Street, Cornelius, NC
‘Tawba Walk is a multidimensional, eclectic art crawl, which snakes through the heart of Cornelius, featuring dozens of local vendors, live street performances, shopping, amazing food and more, showcasing the best Cornelius and the surrounding areas have to offer. This event is free to attend.
BOOM Charlotte 2025 Festival
April 25 – 27, 2025
The Shoppes at University Place
Get ready for the eighth annual BOOM Charlotte 2025—a three-day celebration of art and the unexpected! Mark your calendar for April 25 – 27 and dive into an immersive experience featuring dance, music, theater, poetry, visual art, film, and more. At BOOM Charlotte, enjoy a unique blend of festival experiences:
- BOOM Fringe: Experience ticketed indoor performances that showcase bold, experimental art across intimate venues.
- BOOM Intersection: Enjoy free, family-friendly performances on an outdoor stage and at several pop-up locations throughout the festival. BOOM Intersection is where the community gathers to experience live art in an outdoor setting.
April is for Arts Davidson
April 25 – 27, 2025
Main Street, Davidson, NC
April is for Arts is a celebration of art and culture where visitors and residents have an opportunity to enjoy artists’ exhibitions, demonstrations, food, and live music. This year’s local April is for Arts celebration weekend will be held April 25-27 on the Town Green and throughout other areas of Town. The Gallery Crawl takes place on Friday, April 25 from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. where Main Street and South Main Street businesses and sidewalks will be transformed into lively art galleries.
May Charlotte Area Spring 2024 Fairs & Festivals
Lovin’ Life Music Fest
May 2 – 4, 2025
300 North Brevard Street, Charlotte
After a sold-out first year, Lovin’ Life Music Fest is returning with a lot more than just music. The festival celebrates Charlotte’s cultural diversity by featuring a mix of 50+ artists including national headliners, regional talent, and local artists. In addition to live music, the event offers a variety of culinary options, art installations, and interactive experiences, reflecting the vibrant local culture. Tickets for Lovin’ Life Music Fest 2025 are available now, with $39 payment plans available.
South Carolina Strawberry Festival
May 2 – 3, 2025
Walter Elisha Park, 345 N. White Street, Fort Mill
The South Carolina Strawberry Festival may have a lot to offer, but no matter what the event may be, we can be sure of one thing: its going to involve strawberries. Some highlights include strawberry eating contests, cornhole tournaments, merch, vendors, live music, and strawberry poster drawing contests.
Earth Day Festival
Saturday, May 3, 2025 | 3 – 7 pm
Sardis Presbyterian South Lawn, 6100 Sardis Road
The whole community is invited to come enjoy Sardis’ third annual Earth Day Festival. Come enjoy live music, kids’ activities, crafts, food, nature education, and more. Plus, bring your own refillable water bottle and receive a free Earth Day sticker.
RiverFest
Saturday, May 3, 2025
Kevin Loftin Riverfront Park, Belmont, NC
Enjoy a day on the banks of the South Fork of the Catawba River and head to downtown McAdenville (outside The River Room) on Saturday, May 3, for a jam-packed day filled with a great line-up of live music, a plein air art competition, local artisans, vendors, craft beer, and food trucks. Then, hop in your kayak (or rent one from Catawba Riverkeeper) and chill in the river with a Floating Concert floating down to Cramerton. Stow your boats and head to Confluence for more live music Saturday evening. Entry to the festival is free, with the option to purchase tickets for the Floating Concert.
Kings Drive Art Walk
May 3 – 4, 2025
Little Sugar Creek Greenway at 600 South Kings Drive
Since the fall of 1964, Festival in the Park has brought Charlotteans from all walks of life together to enjoy arts, crafts, music and family entertainment. With a focus on fine and emerging artists, the Kings Drive Art Walk and Spring Festival on this beautiful and easily accessible venue is an annual fine arts outing.
Hello Huntersville Music & Arts Festival
Sunday, May 4, 2025 | 1 – 6 pm
Veterans Park, Downtown Huntersville
The Hello! Huntersville Music and Arts Festival will be filled with local food trucks, beverage vendors, unique art & craft vendors, art stations, whimsical characters and more. Bring your lawn chair and/or blanket to enjoy performances on the IceHouse Stage. Event admission, parking, and activities are FREE to the public.
Matthews Summerfest
May 9 – 10, 2025
Stumptown Park, Matthews
What was once BeachFest Matthews has now been rebranded to SummerFest in 2025 to include more music genres and even more fun. The festival features live music, carnival rides, food vendors, arts and craft vendors, and more. Plus, craft beer vendors (Seaboard Brewing and others) will be selling beer on site.
Foothills Folk Art Festival
Saturday, May 10, 2025 | 10 am – 4 pm
31 N College Avenue, Newton, NC
This family-friendly festival, which draws thousands of visitors from throughout the region, will showcase a variety of local and regional contemporary folk and fine artists—whose work will be for sale—as well as artist demonstrations, hands-on art activities for children, live music, food from downtown restaurants and food truck vendors, a beer garden, and more!
Reel Out Charlotte
May 14 – 18, 2025
The Independent Picture House, 4237 Raleigh St., Charlotte
Reel Out Charlotte, the Queen City’s Annual LGBTQ+ Film Festival, is back for another year. The festival celebrates the beauty of independent cinema, with options to purchase individual screening tickets and all-access passes. Purchase individual tickets to the film screening of your choice for $10 and all access passes to get you access to all festival screenings, including the paid and free shows for $40. Free tickets are first come, first served and must be reserved.
St. Philip Neri Italian Festival
May 15 – 17, 2025
292 Munn Road East, Fort Mill, SC
The St. Philip Neri Italian Festival is 3 days and nights of non-stop festivities. Arguably, the best part of any festival is the food, and the Italian Festival delivers. More than 20 different festival favorites and specialties are there for your tasting. The festival prides itself on bringing the community together to cook, eat, drink, dance, sing, and show everyone how to be an Italian at heart.
Dilworth Jubilee
Saturday, May 17, 2025 | 12 pm – 5 pm
Latta Park
The first Dilworth Jubilee was held in 1972 as a neighborhood celebration and community builder. The Dilworth Community Association has continued the tradition of this free, family-friendly neighborhood festival every year. Come out and enjoy some live music, food trucks, local breweries and festivities for all ages.
Cheerwine Festival
Saturday, May 17, 2025
Salisbury, NC
The yearly celebration of Cheerwine will be held on May 17th, joining together all the people who make Cheerwine the uniquely Southern favorite drink what it is today. The festival will not only have an abundance of Cheerwine, but also amazing food, dynamic entertainment, and live music.
Cornelius Jazz Festival
Saturday, May 17, 2025 | 6 – 10 pm
Smithville Park, 17738 W. Catawba Avenue, Cornelius
This Cornelius Jazz festival includes an evening filled with local jazz bands, food trucks, craft beer, local business vendors, children’s activities, and more.
Hippie Daze Festival
May 17 – 18, 2025
Dallas Lavender Lane Farm, 937 Old Willis School Road, Dallas, NC
The hippie-inspired festival welcomes summer with bands, jugglers, face painting, petting zoo, and a Vintage Volkswagen Show. You can buy tickets here.
Japan Fest
May 17 – 18, 2025
Urban District Market, 2315 N Davidson St., Charlotte
The second Annual Japan Fest celebration at Urban District Market will feature Matsuri games, raffles, Japanese food and drinks, origami, and both a Karaoke Contest and Cosplay Contest.
Midwood Maynia
Saturday, May 17, 2025
Midwood Park, Plaza Midwood
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. This event is free to all and will be held in Midwood Park.
Taste of Charlotte Festival 2025
June 6 – 8, 2025
Uptown Charlotte Tryon St.
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 delight 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 tasting restaurant food, beverages and kid’s activities. You can purchase your coins on site at booths located throughout the festival or or go contactless with the new Taste of Charlotte App.
