Spring has definitely sprung, as least as far as the Festivals are concerned. There are SO MANY festivals happening in the QC over the next few months that we feel compelled to write them all down in one place. So, without further ado…
March Charlotte Area Spring 2023 Fairs & Festivals
3rd Annual CLT Donut Festival
March 5, 2023 1 – 5 pm
Norfolk Hall 2905 Griffith Street Charlotte, NC 28203
This sweetest festival showcases the delicious round treat + some other tasty sweet treats from some of Charlotte’s favorite bakeries. Enjoy music, lifestyle vendors, and goods from other local artisans and artists. There will be a cash bar with multiple flavors of Mimosas, Bloody Mary’s, Suffolk Punch Brews, Florida Seltzer by Untitled Arts, Craft Cocktails, Nutrl and Cutwater Canned Cocktails.nFull sized donuts, sweet treats, and other goods will be available for purchase at selected vendors.
- Pepperbox Doughnuts [Donuts]
- Donut NV [Donuts]
- Beard Papa’s [Cream Puffs]
- Sweet Bread [Donuts]
- State Fair Mini Donuts [Donuts]
- Milkbread [Donuts]
- Sweet Cakes Bakery LKN [Cupcakes – Multiple Flavors]
- Fleming Simply Devine [Honey Buns – Multiple Flavors]
- Honeybear Bake Shop [Donut Cookies – Multiple Flavors]
- It’s Poppin Gourmet Kettle Korn [Kettle Korn – Multiple Flavors]
- Dulce Dreams Cafe [Concha]
- Urban Sweets [Ice Cream]
SAVOR CHARLOTTE
March 8 – 22, 2023
Savor Charlotte brings the QC’s culinary artists together to provide epicurean adventurers one-of-a-kind experiences, such as hands-on classes and demonstrations, exclusive menus and special offers. From March 8-22, indulge in the offerings from these talented tastemakers as you discover what makes Charlotte a vibrant culinary destination.
Green River Revival at Whitewater Center
March 11, 2023
Kick off spring festivities with 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.
Holi Festival of Colors
SUNDAY, MARCH 12, 2023 AT 12 PM – 3 PM
Popular Event by Hindu Center of Charlotte and Hindu Community of Charlotte – best known for its free-for-all throwing of colored powder at participants.
Baxter Village/Fort Mill Spring Festival & St. Patrick’s Parade
SATURDAY, MARCH 18, 2023 AT 2 PM – 6 PM
940 Market St, Fort Mill, SC
The largest running Spring Festival & St. Patrick’s Parade in the Fort Mill/ South Charlotte Region is March 18th, with more than 125 exhibitors, artisans, food and beverages, live entertainment, music, games, contests, prizes and more. The Festival is 2-6PM, with the St. Patrick’s Parade starting at 5PM. The parade features bagpipers, Irish Dancers, Shriner’s performance units, pro sports mascots, floats, decorated entries, military/fire/law enforcement, and more! To participate in the parade, no sign-up needed. Simply, be in the Baxter-Close YMCA North Lot by 4:15 p.m. day of event.
F2D: URBAN OUTSIDERS
Sunday, March 19, 2023 10 am – 10 pm
Lower Tuck Area
DUPP&SWAT is once again turning up the volume on Black creatives with FRESH2DEATH: URBAN OUTSIDERS, this spring in the Lower Tuck neighborhood on Charlotte’s west side.
F2D: URBAN OUTSIDERS is an all-day extravaganza of fashion, art, culture, food, music and activities that celebrate disconnecting and getting outside, such as horseback riding, yoga and meditation, scavenger hunts and singing bowls ~ all taking place in and around a 12,000 square-foot warehouse at 800 Gesco Street. With a decidedly urban take on the outdoors, the ticketed event will feature installations from 15-20 curated artists, all-day live music, fashion, workshops and pop-up shopping from Fresh Produce, DUPP&SWAT’s retail concept.
The Charlotte Fair
March 24 – April 2, 2023
Charlotte Motor Speedway,Concord
Tickets are ON-SALE NOW
- EARLY BIRD Child Admission Ticket for $3.50 SAVE UP TO $1.50
- EARLY BIRD Adult Admission Ticket for $7.50 SAVE UP TO $2.50
- MONDAY-THURSDAY RocketPass (Admission & Unlimited Rides) for $40 Available online only! Skip the line when you buy online
- FRIDAY-SUNDAY RocketPass (Admission & Unlimited Rides) for $44 Available online only! Skip the line when you buy online
- Family 4 Pack of Admission & Unlimited Rides for $150 SAVE UP TO $30
children 4 and under get free admission to The Charlotte Fair 2023
Charlotte SHOUT!
March 31- April 16, 2023
SHOUT! is back! Over 17 days, Charlotte SHOUT! transforms Uptown Charlotte into a creative playground for art, food, music, and ideas. SHOUT! celebrates our community’s innovative spirit with exceptionally curated programming from around the corner and around the world.
April Charlotte Area Spring 2023 Fairs & Festivals
Pet Palooza Fundraising Walk & Community Festival
April 1, 2023 11:00 am — 3:00 pm
Humane Society’s Animal Resource Center
Celebrate together at the Humane Society of Charlotte’s Animal Resource Center with their building open & full of adoptable animals, plus a backyard set up complete with a dog park and all the vendors and activities you know and love. Pet Palooza is an annual fundraising walk and community festival featuring live music, food trucks, pet-loving vendors, and fun for the whole family. While the festival is free to attend, those who wish to participate in the walk must register ahead of time.
Paws In the Park
Saturday, April 1, 2023 10am-3pm
Rain or Shine Pineville Lake Park 1000 Johnston Drive, Pineville, NC 28134
Annual event which features Dog Rescue Groups and Shelters with dogs available for adoption, Food Trucks, Arts/Crafts and Business Vendors, Demonstrations, Photo Booth, Kids Playground, Dog Contests at noon and Award-Winning Entertainment – Circus Stella, and the Chairmen of the Board band.
South End Wine & Hops Fest
April 1, 2023
Charlotte’s most award-winning festival celebrates one of our most beloved neighborhoods in the city. Join over several days to sip on wines, and craft brews and enjoy live music.
Hinducenter Art Festival
SUNDAY, APRIL 9, 2023 AT 11 AM
HC Annual Art festival invites all artists and art lovers to spend one afternoon with us at Hinducenter – Even Kids – Please register for free to display art. Perfect opportunity for an exhibition experience. Contest fee is same for everyone.
‘Tawba Walk Arts & Music Festival
April 8, 2023 from 2-8 pm
Oak Street Mill
The 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.
Come See Me Festival
April 13-22
Rock Hill SC
Since 1962, the Come-See-Me Festival has heralded the beginning of spring for the greater Rock Hill area. What started out as a weekend event has grown to a 10-day festival full of merriment and memories for all ages. Kick off the Festival with the Come-See-Me Parade, enjoy live music and food throughout the week and wrap things up with the Tailgate Party and Fireworks Extravaganza! Visit the Festival Events page and start making plans for this beloved Rock Hill tradition.
Loch Norman Highland Games
April 15-16 at Rural Hill
The Loch Norman Highland Games at Rural Hill is a family friendly event presented by Historic Rural Hill. Come and experience all the fun with Highland Dancing, Bagpipe Bands, Highland Athletics, a Giant Kid’s Zone, Scottish Merchants, Haggis, Celtic Rock and Traditional Performers, Historic Reenactments, Scottish Country Dancing, Sunday Church Service, Hearth Cooking, NC Beer and Wine, Whiskey Tastings, Kilted Running Events, Scottish Clan Societies, Shoot Long Bows and Blowguns, Throw a Battle Axe and more.
2023 Charlotte Earth Day Celebration
Sat., April 15, 2023 10am-3pm
First Ward Park 301 E 7th St, Charlotte, NC 2820
Stay Tuned for More Event Info!
Earth Jam Cornelius
Saturday, April 15, 2023, 4 – 7 p.m.
Robbins Park Cornelius NC
Each year the town of Cornelius holds its Earth Day celebration at Robbins Park where participants enjoy free “green” activities including crafts, demonstrations, wildlife habitat improvements, nature walks, plus live bands and more. Check the link above for updated info as it is made available.
Charlotte StrEATs Festival
Sunday, April 16 Noon
Gateway Village
Celebrate the city’s culinary scene in a FREE, family-friendly event featuring food & restaurant vendors, a celebrity chef (to be announced soon), cooking demonstrations, food trucks, live music, art, and more. Don’t miss the Neighborhood Cook-off pitting chefs head-to-head in a cook-off to win the title of StrEATs Neighborhood Champion.
Charlotte Wine & Food Week
APRIL 18 – 23. 2023
Presented by Truist, in its 35ᵗʰ year of fundraising, Charlotte Wine + Food Week features a week-long Online Charity Auction (participation is free and fully open to the public!) and a series of restaurant vintner dinners including its signature walk-around Grand Tasting on Saturday night featuring 100+ carefully selected wines, tastings from Charlotte-area restaurants, and live music.
Proceeds for the 2023 event benefit four local children’s charities; A Child’s Place – a program of Thompson Child & Family Focus, Augustine Literacy Project, GenOne, and The Learning Collaborative.
BOOM Charlotte 2023 Festival
April 21-23, 2023
BOOM is back! BOOM 2023 will be the 6th year of the annual arts festival, at a mix of indoor and outdoor venues. BOOM Fringe: original edgy/experimental art performed in intimate settings. It features ticketed performances created by the presenting artists in several small venues. BOOM Intersection: a broad range of art performed on a central stage, plus interactive installations and activities – all free and open to the public. The Intersection is the epicenter of the festival. It becomes a location for artists, audiences, and community members to come together and enjoy live art in an outdoor living room.
Tuck Fest
April 21-23,2023
Whitewater Center
This is one of the area’s biggest festivals in spring, a multi-day festival that celebrates the outdoor lifestyle through competitions, exhibitions, demos, and live music at the U.S. National Whitewater Center. The festival features a variety of outdoor competitions, along with 3 days of live music. The name “Tuck Fest” comes from the Tuckaseegee Ford and Trail, a historical landmark located at the Whitewater Center.
For guests who are interested in simply experiencing the sights and sounds of Tuck Fest, there is no ticket or registration required (standard parking fees apply). Everyone is welcome to enjoy the live music, demos and view all of the competitions free of charge.
10th Annual Charlotte African-American Festival
April 22, 2023 10am-6pm
710 East Martin Luther King Junior Boulevard , Charlotte, North Carolina 28202
The 10th Annual Charlotte African American Festival (CAAF) is a celebration of the rich heritage and accomplishments of African-Americans. The festival will include exhibits, musical performances, art, literature, food, dancers, drummers, a pageant, speakers, vendors, and special awards and recognitions. Proceeds raised by the festival will support technology and media programs and The Black Knowledge Initiative non-profit organization.
April is for Arts Davidson
April 28-30, 2023
April is for Arts is a month-long celebration of the arts in Davidson.
- Gallery Crawl: Friday, April 28, 6:00 to 9:00 p.m.
- Art on the Green Festival: Saturday, April 29, 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and Sunday, April 30, noon until 4:00 p.m.
- Concert on the Green: Sunday, April 30 at 6:00 p.m. featuring the Davidson College Jazz Ensemble
Garibaldi Festival
Apr 29, 2023 12 noon – 10 pm
24 S. Main Street, Belmont, North Carolina 28012
A full day of live music, activities, artisan vendors and food vendors including a a two-day Plein Air painting competition and wet paint sale during the Garibaldi Festival in downtown Belmont. The event will be focused on plein air paintings within the city limits of the scenic town of Belmont. This is a judged event with prizes totaling more than $2,000. Paintings will be hung in Stowe Park.
Astro Pop Mural + Music Festival
Saturday, April 29, 2023 Noon to Midnight
The Chamber at Wooden Robot
This 2nd Annual FREE art and music extravaganza will have live painted murals, live music, food trucks, vendors, and more throughout the patio and rooftop beer garden.
Regional Festival of India @ MATTHEWS
Saturday April 29, 2023 from Noon to 6PM
Stumptown Park, 120 South Trade St., Matthews, NC 28105
A one-day event in an open setting in downtown Matthews, with focus on live performances of Indian Dance forms in the Stumptown Park. Dance performances ~ Cultural exhibits ~ Visual art gallery and kids interactive art corner ~ Indian Food Court ~ Souvenir Bazaar ~ Henna Tattoos ~ Saree wearing ~ Turban tying. FREE Admission and Ample free public parking is available around the venue site. PLEASE BRING YOUR OWN BLANKET & CHAIR.
May Charlotte Area Spring 2023 Fairs & Festivals
SouthPark Wine & Food Festival (Postponed from October 1, 2022)
Sat, May 6, 2023, 12 noon – 6 PM
Symphony Park – SouthPark Mall
This year offering EXCITING NEW INTERNATIONAL WINES FOR TASTING. GUESTS can now enjoy over 100 wines from all over the World, as well as NC producers. BEERS & SPIRITS, TOO! This year will feature a great new selection of beers plus one area dedicated to LOCAL NC Beers. As well, your favorite liquors will be on hand for tasting.
ANNUAL KINGS DRIVE ART WALK
Saturday, May 6, 2023 11:00 am – 6:00 pm Sunday, May 7, 2023 11:00 am – 5:00 pm
Little Sugar Creek Greenway
Held along the Little Sugar Creek Greenway, a reclaimed natural waterway between East Morehead Street and Pearle Park Way Bridge along Kings Drive with a focus on fine and emerging artists, this spring festival on this beautiful and easily accessible venue is an annual fine arts outing. The KDAW festival is located on the King’s Drive section of the Little Sugar Creek Greenway, a beautiful public space that is open to all in the community.
Carolina BBQ Festival
May 7,2023
Camp North End
For the second year in a row, some of the most talented Pitmasters (14) from the Carolinas and beyond are coming together to BBQ for a cause. Back at Camp North End, the Carolina BBQ Festival will be delicious BBQ, live music, vendors, cocktails, beer and more.
Dallas Lavender Lane Farm Hippie Daze Festival
May 6 & 7 12 noon – 7pm both days
937 Old Willis School Road Dallas NC
Over 100 vendors, sky walkers, jugglers, bubble show, VW car and van show, music performers, best dressed contest male and female, petting zoo, DJ, lavender infused store, photo opts, door prices, food vendors that sell Ribs, Turkey legs, bbq, funnel cakes, and so much more food and entertainment.
Jiggy With the Piggy Festival Kannapolis
May 4 – 6, 2023
125 N. Research Campus Drive and Downtown Kannapolis
The Free festival (some ticketed events) returns with the smells and tastes of barbeque and fun for the entire family with over 50 barbeque competition teams. The BBQ teams are from across the U.S. and will compete for top bragging rights and prize money. This is one of the largest sanctioned events by the Kansas City Barbeque Society in the United States.
You can taste the competing team’s cooking expertise by purchasing a $10 ticket for the People’s Choice Pork Tasting Contest. You will receive ten samples of pork and then cast your vote for the best one. You will want to hurry and get your tickets for this contest. Limited tickets go on sale at 11:45 a.m. The Pork Tasting Event is from noon- until 2 p.m. (or until the pork is gone). Find the large white tent at N.E. Research Campus Drive to purchase tickets and the contest.
The Jiggy with the Piggy Festival, which has earned the recognition of being a Top 20 Event by the Southeast Tourism Society, will have more than 100 arts & crafts vendors, concerts, the Jiggy 5K walk/run, fireworks, and an exciting kid’s zone with a new ninja course. Rides are $2 each or $10 for a wristband. Kids and adults can also try out their axe throwing skills during the event.
Hello Huntersville Music & Arts Festival
Sunday, May 7, 2023 12:00pm-6:00pm
Veterans Park – Downtown Huntersville
Hello Huntersville is an art and music festival that highlights local/regional area artist and musicians. Listen to live music while supporting local artists, food & beverage vendors. This event is FREE to the public.
North Carolina Brewers & Music Festival
May 12-13, 2023
Rural Hill, Huntersville
Your favorite North Carolina beer festival returns bringing you all your favorite breweries, an exciting music lineup that you’ve been waiting two years to hear, and the idyllic setting of Historic Rural Hill. Kick back for two days, with or without camping, of fun on the farm. Awesome vendors, delicious food, and an atmosphere that can’t be beat!
BeachFest Matthews
Friday, May 12 6pm – 10pm Saturday, May 13 10am – 10pm
Stumptown Park Matthews
No pets are allowed at BeachFest Matthews per Town Ordinance
Reel Out Charlotte
May 17-21, 2023
The Independent Picture House 4237 Raleigh St., Charlotte, NC 28213
The Queen City’s Annual LGBTQ Film Festival is back in-person after two years of virtual and small-scale events. Join in to celebrate the beauty of independent cinema and see LGBTQ lives, loves, and triumphs on the big screen at the new venue, The Independent Picture House, in partnership with the Charlotte Film Society. More event details and ticket purchases coming soon.
Midwood Maynia
May 20, 2023
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, so we welcome you to join friends, family, neighbors, artisans and many of our local businesses in beautiful Midwood Park for the annual Midwood Maynia festival.
Cheerwine Festival
MAY 20, 2023 NOON – 10 P.M
Salisbury NC
In 2022, the Cheerwine Festival returned to the Downtown with a big turnout of locals and Cheerwine fans from across the eastern seaboard. The music stage was rocked by headline act the Spin Doctors as well as Ayron Jones, Lauren Light Trio, Tsunami Wave Riders and 9daytrip. All day long, crowds of cheerful people browsed craft and food stalls filled with Cheerwine specialties and the two beer gardens overflowed with hospitality.
Foodees Food and Culture Festival
May 26-28, 2023
Blackberry Ridge Farm 14820 Beatties Ford Road Huntersville, NC 28078
This year’s festival promises to be bigger and better than ever before, with an array of food trucks, vendors, artists, artisans, crafters, and makers showcasing their skills and wares. You’ll be able to taste your way through a variety of cuisines and flavors, and learn about the cultural traditions and histories behind each dish. It’s the perfect opportunity to broaden your culinary horizons and discover new favorites.
