Charlotte, NC showcases festivals, parades, and celebrations that bring the city together year after year. Whether it’s food on Tryon Street, music in Uptown, or major sporting events at the speedway, the Queen City has something happening almost every season. Many of these traditions have been running for decades, while others are newer additions that already draw large crowds.
If you’re planning a visit or simply looking to experience more of the city, this guide highlights some of the standout annual events in Charlotte. You’ll find everything from art and culture to racing, parades, and even holiday ice skating — each offering a glimpse into the city’s character.
Charlotte SHOUT! (Spring)
Charlotte SHOUT! is a citywide arts celebration that fills Uptown with installations, pop-up performances, culinary programming, and talks for 17 days each spring. The 2025 edition ran April 4–20 with more than 200 programs spread across streets, plazas, and partner venues, continuing its multi-year run as a signature arts festival.
Organizers position SHOUT! as an annual platform for public art and city activation rather than a single-venue event. The festival’s structure (multiple stages, outdoor sculptures, and neighborhood tie-ins) keeps the footprint flexible across Uptown blocks and adjacent parks.
Organizers position SHOUT! as an annual platform for public art and city activation rather than a single-venue event. The festival’s structure (multiple stages, outdoor sculptures, and neighborhood tie-ins) keeps the footprint flexible across Uptown blocks and adjacent parks.
Coca-Cola 600 (Spring)
Charlotte Motor Speedway’s Memorial Day weekend tradition remains one of NASCAR’s crown-jewel races. The 66th running of the Coca-Cola 600 took place on May 25, 2025, with the track’s master calendar outlining the full racing season and other major dates like the fall ROVAL race.
For broadcast planning, NASCAR announced the 2025 Coca-Cola 600 start time and streaming details, marking a new media era for the series. If your spring visit aligns with race week, the speedway’s event pages consolidate ticketing, parking maps, and schedule updates.
For broadcast planning, NASCAR announced the 2025 Coca-Cola 600 start time and streaming details, marking a new media era for the series. If your spring visit aligns with race week, the speedway’s event pages consolidate ticketing, parking maps, and schedule updates.
Taste of Charlotte (Summer)
Taste of Charlotte takes over Tryon Street with restaurant booths, a ticketed tasting system, and live entertainment. The festival is scheduled in Uptown on June 5–7, 2026; it will use a street closure so guests can circulate between stages, vendors, and sponsor activations. Organizers publish first-timer guides each year with hours, payment options, and maps.
Media roundups confirm the core format (sample bites, beverage stations, and a rotating schedule of performances) so you can plan a route before crowds build. Because the festival stays on a central corridor, it pairs well with stops at nearby museums or public art installations.
Media roundups confirm the core format (sample bites, beverage stations, and a rotating schedule of performances) so you can plan a route before crowds build. Because the festival stays on a central corridor, it pairs well with stops at nearby museums or public art installations.
Charlotte Pride Festival & Parade (Summer)
Charlotte Pride Week runs citywide in August, culminating in a two-day festival and Sunday parade. For 2025, the main footprint shifted to First Ward Park, with published hours and a parade route along Uptown streets. The official schedule outlines Pride Week leading into the festival weekend.
Local coverage details the 2025 expansion and venue change, noting a larger layout with multiple stages and broader participation from partners and performers. If you’re mapping logistics, those reports include day-by-day time blocks and note the new festival site relative to light-rail stops.
Local coverage details the 2025 expansion and venue change, noting a larger layout with multiple stages and broader participation from partners and performers. If you’re mapping logistics, those reports include day-by-day time blocks and note the new festival site relative to light-rail stops.
Festival in the Park (Fall)
A Charlotte mainstay since 1964, Festival in the Park returns to Freedom Park each September with juried art, music stages, and food vendors around the seven-acre lake and lawn. The 62nd annual event will occur in fall 2025, with posted daily hours and site guidelines.
The setting is part of the draw: paved paths ring the water and connect to performance areas and exhibitor rows, so it’s easy to sample art and live music in a single loop. Local listings reiterate the weekend schedule and free admission model, underscoring its role as a long-running anchor among events in Charlotte.
The setting is part of the draw: paved paths ring the water and connect to performance areas and exhibitor rows, so it’s easy to sample art and live music in a single loop. Local listings reiterate the weekend schedule and free admission model, underscoring its role as a long-running anchor among events in Charlotte.
Carolina Renaissance Festival (Fall)
A short drive north of Charlotte, the Carolina Renaissance Festival operates on weekends in October and November. It transforms a wooded site into a 16th-century-themed village with staged jousts, craft markets, and performance tents.
Independent listings post 2025 weekend dates within that October–November window. Because attendance builds later in the day, early-morning arrival typically means quicker entry and easier access to headline shows. Planning ahead helps you align stage times with artisan demos you don’t want to miss.
Independent listings post 2025 weekend dates within that October–November window. Because attendance builds later in the day, early-morning arrival typically means quicker entry and easier access to headline shows. Planning ahead helps you align stage times with artisan demos you don’t want to miss.
Novant Health Charlotte Marathon (Fall)
The Charlotte Marathon returns each November with a full marathon, half marathon, and 5K through center-city streets and adjoining neighborhoods. Registration for the 2025 race opened months in advance, and the organizer's site maintains course maps, corral information, and expo details.
Runners often use the fall schedule to pair the race with other events in Charlotte, especially as the city heads into a busy holiday period. If you’re building a race-weekend plan, check the organizer’s communications for minor course tweaks tied to construction or streetcar work.
Runners often use the fall schedule to pair the race with other events in Charlotte, especially as the city heads into a busy holiday period. If you’re building a race-weekend plan, check the organizer’s communications for minor course tweaks tied to construction or streetcar work.
Novant Health Thanksgiving Eve Parade (Fall)
Charlotte’s Thanksgiving Eve Parade continues as a prime holiday kickoff with floats, bands, and performance units staged through Uptown. Organizers list the next edition on Wednesday, November 26, 2025, and provide parade-route information, viewing tips, and ticket links for reserved seating.
National event calendars echo those details and note the parade’s multi-decade history. Because it runs the night before the holiday, it ties neatly into long-weekend itineraries that include ice-skating pop-ups and tree-lighting ceremonies around the center city.
National event calendars echo those details and note the parade’s multi-decade history. Because it runs the night before the holiday, it ties neatly into long-weekend itineraries that include ice-skating pop-ups and tree-lighting ceremonies around the center city.
ACC Football Championship Game (Winter)
College football’s ACC title game is set for Saturday, December 6, 2025, at Bank of America Stadium, continuing Charlotte’s long run as host. The conference’s releases detail kickoff time, TV coverage, and ticket portals, while national outlets track the game’s return to primetime.
If you plan an early-December trip, the stadium’s Uptown location makes pre-game dining and post-game transit straightforward. Event platforms and schedules provide additional context on start time and seating options as the matchup approaches.
If you plan an early-December trip, the stadium’s Uptown location makes pre-game dining and post-game transit straightforward. Event platforms and schedules provide additional context on start time and seating options as the matchup approaches.
Ice Skating at The Bowl at Ballantyne (Winter)
Ice Skating at The Bowl begins in Charlotte on November 22, 2025, and runs through January 4, 2026. The event transforms the outdoor AMP concert venue at Ballantyne into a seasonal ice skating rink open to people of all ages.
Typical hours are Monday-Thursday 4–9 p.m., Friday 4–10 p.m., Saturday 11 a.m.–10 p.m., and Sunday noon–9 p.m. Ticketing opens October 1, 2025. This event adds a festive outdoor option among holiday events in Charlotte, perfect for weekend plans and evening outings.
Typical hours are Monday-Thursday 4–9 p.m., Friday 4–10 p.m., Saturday 11 a.m.–10 p.m., and Sunday noon–9 p.m. Ticketing opens October 1, 2025. This event adds a festive outdoor option among holiday events in Charlotte, perfect for weekend plans and evening outings.
Get the Most out of Charlotte with The Dearing Team
Charlotte’s annual lineup covers arts, food, sports, and cultural celebrations across the calendar year. If you want a single planning prompt, track spring street festivals, peak summer parades, and a dense fall calendar that stacks heritage festivals with marquee sporting championships. The mix reflects the breadth of events in Charlotte without requiring long drives outside the metro core.
Those considering a move to Charlotte will find that The Dearing Team is an invaluable resource for navigating Charlotte homes for sale. Their experienced team of Charlotte real estate agents offers deep insight into the area's neighborhoods and trends, helping clients discover the right home to match their needs. Contact The Dearing Team today as your next key step toward a rewarding life in Charlotte.
Those considering a move to Charlotte will find that The Dearing Team is an invaluable resource for navigating Charlotte homes for sale. Their experienced team of Charlotte real estate agents offers deep insight into the area's neighborhoods and trends, helping clients discover the right home to match their needs. Contact The Dearing Team today as your next key step toward a rewarding life in Charlotte.
