CLT Spring Activities '26

Spring Activities Guide

Check out these 100+ spring activities happening in the Charlotte area! There is a variety of fun things to enjoy this spring - festivals, sports games, live music, and so much more!

🗓️ Spring Activities

Now-April 10: Head to a home Hornets game at the Spectrum Center!

March 6-28: Join The Independent Picture House for their Women’s History Month Film Series. This series features a diverse selection films, highlighting cinematic female storytelling.

March 7: Celebrate QueenCity Holi - a vibrant festival of colors with music, dance, food, and fun at Victoria Yards!

March 7: Girls Rugby is offering a FREE, introductory clinic of flag rugby for the community taking place at Mountain Island Charter School!

March 7: Pull for a purpose at the 7th Annual Mighty Mission 24K Meter Row! Join Sugar Creek Brewing, Crossfit Mecklenburg, & the 24 Foundation for this event.

March 7: Calling all brides! You don’t want to miss the 7th Annual Goodwill Bridal Pop-Up Sale at the Goodwill Opportunity Campus.

March 7: Gilde Brewing is celebrating their 4-year anniversary by turning the taproom all the way up! Join them for great food, amazing bier, & an atmosphere that feels like a proper party.

March 7-June 6: Candlelight Concerts is your go-to experience to elevate any occasion! See both classical and modern music in a new light at one of their concerts.

March 7-October 31: Cheer on Charlotte FC at their home games during the 2026 soccer season!

March 8: Don’t miss the 6th Annual CLT Donut Festival presented by Elevate Lifestyle - this sweetest festival showcases the delicious round treat + some other tasty treats from CLT’s favorite bakeries.

March 8: Messy hair, colorful faces, happiest hearts! Get excited for Rang De Charlotte presented by Tamasha Nights at The Music Yard!

March 8-October 11 (select dates): Discover the best of local shopping during the Birkdale Village Commons Market presented by Shop Local QC happening on the second Sunday of the month!

March 10-14: Head to the Spectrum Center for the 2026 ACC Men’s Basketball Tournament!

March 11-28: Savor Charlotte is a 3-week, can’t miss celebration of the chefs, mixologists, & culinary community who define the community of the Queen City.

March 11, April 18: If you hike with your dog, MyOutdoorJoy is hosting a Trail Safety for Dogs class where you can learn about heatstroke prevention, paw protection, hydration strategies, + trail readiness.

March 12-22: Get ready for the Queen Charlotte Carnival happening in Concord!

March 13-15: The St. Patrick’s Day Festival at Great Wagon Road Distilling Co will be a weekend-long celebration with bagpipes, Irish dancers, live music, festive food specials, Sunday brunch, & Irish-inspired cocktails.

March 14: Kick off the spring season with Green River Revival at the Whitewater Center!

March 14: Celebrate the season opening of Carowinds! Another amazing season awaits with excitement, laughter, & unforgettable memories.

March 14: Shop at Shamrock’n the Village at Ballantyne Village!

March 14: The Rich & Bennett St. Patrick’s Day Bar Crawl is back & better than ever! Get ready to crawl through 40+ locations involved throughout South End & Uptown - your ticket includes access to participating bars, an event koozie, drink specials, swag at check-in, & more.

March 14: Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day at The 13th Acre and experience the frights of Clover’s Curse, their annual St. Patrick’s Day themed event!

March 15: Join The Independent Picture House for their Oscars celebration of film, art, and connection!

March 20-21: Watch the entire Encanto film on the big screen as the Charlotte Symphony Orchestra performs the score live on stage.

March 21: Get ready for the Charlotte Bloody Mary Fest at Pine Venue - your ticket to the ultimate cocktail experience!

March 21: Step into the new season with intention, movement, & mindful connection during Breathe & Begin Early Spring Reset with MyOutdoorJoy!

March 21: Celebrate the warming weather by getting a FREE, professional photo with the Easter Bunny during the annual Ring in Spring Event in Downtown Salisbury!

March 21, April 9: Learn to use a compass during MyOutdoorJoy’s Compass 101 class.

March 21, April 25: Join MyOutdoorJoy for their Compass 201 Land Navigation class happening at the Quest Center.

March 21: Grab your best friend(s), their leashes, and meet at the Charlotte Dog Jog 2026 presented by LendScout.

March 21: Lace up for the 14th Annual Run Jen Run 5K & Festival at TowneBank Symphony Park!

March 21: No Man’s Land returns for their 2nd festival on Camden Road. Expect 90+ woman-owned businesses, hands-on workshops, moments of connection, activations, & photo opps.

March 21-22: Kick off spring with the St. Patricks Day Festival at Davesté Vineyards - this weekend will feature live music, award-winning wine, local beer, festive slushies, their famous green waterfall, + more!

March 22-October 25 (select dates): Join Shop Local QC every 4th Sunday for the Birkdale Village Farmers Market, a curated open-air shopping experience showcasing some of LKN & Charlotte’s best farmers, bakers, & more.

March 22, May 13: Life is unpredictable, but you can feel prepared. Join MyOutdoorJoy for their Emergency Prepping Class! 

March 23: Head to MyOutdoorJoy’s Beach Camping class where you will learn everything from tent selections to cooking delicious meals.

March 26: Something new is shaking up at Taco Boy LoSo! Join them for Shaken & Served, a ticketed tequila pairing dinner featuring a three-course menu & handcrafted cocktail pairings designed to complement every bite!

March 26-29: Shop until you drop at the Statemint South Charlotte Spring Pop-Up where you can find thousands of items of men’s and women’s clothing, shoes, handbags, jewelry and more from all of your favorite brands!

March 26-April 6: The Charlotte Fair is bringing non-stop fun to the ZMax Dragway at CLT Motor Speedway - get excited for rides, food, games, live entertainment, & more

March 27: Orchestra Noir, the acclaimed Atlanta-based orchestra is coming to the Queen City! Their brand new Culture 2000 Tour will celebrate the spirit of early 2000s culture.

March 27-September 13 (select dates): Cheer on the Charlotte Knights during their 2026 season!

March 28: Join My Farm Camps for their Spring Jam 2026 - there will be live music, food trucks, horse rides, a petting zoo, & more!

March 28: Step into spring with MyOutdoorJoy during (Re)new: A 3-Mile Restorative Hike at Latta Nature Preserve.

March 28: Take on 51 stories at the tallest residential building in the Carolinas during the Fight for Air Climb presented by the American Lung Association.

March 28: Join Unity Classical Charter School for an evening of celebration and support during the Night of Excellence Gala.

March 28: Get ready for The Spring Edit at Blakeney Town Center. This will be a day full of shopping, music, & local flair!

March 28: Join Puerta for a Spirited Lunch featuring El Tesoro!

March 28-29: Join MyOutdoorJoy for their Intro Backpacking Trip at Crowders Mountain!

March 28-29: Get ready for Craft Fest CLT - an annual CRAFT CLT Guild Fundraising event that merges vendor booths, an art show, demonstrations, classes, & food trucks in one vibrant location!

March 29-June 28 (select dates): Join HandCrafted Market for Sundays at Atherton - a thoughtfully curated monthly vendor event at Atherton Mill, designed to bring together small businesses, local shoppers, & the South End community.

April-May: Go strawberry picking at a local farm!

April-October: Head to a farm in & around the Charlotte area for U-Pick Flowers!

April 2-8: Laugh into the week of April Fools’ at the April Fools’ Festival presented by Carolina Theatre.

April 3-19: Charlotte SHOUT! 2026 returns for their annual celebration of the city’s art, culture, & community!

April 4: Celebrate National Beer Day at the Charlotte Brewfest, the city’s signature beer festival presented by Bottoms Up Events.

April 4-November 7 (select dates): Join Shop Local QC every first Saturday at The Bowl at Ballantyne for the Bowl Street Market!

April 4-December 5: Front Porch has a new home! Head to the FreeMoreWest Business District for the same 100+ small businesses to explore, live music, food & bev, and tons of fun!

April 9-11: The 4th Annual Heritage Invitational returns to Ten Tenths Motor Club for a weekend of speed, craftsmanship, & community! Use code: CLTGUIDE for 20% off.

April 11: Get ready for the Charlotte StrEATs Tasting Tour - savor signature bites from Charlotte’s best locally owned spots, sip on craft cocktails created by top mixologists, & enjoy chef cooking demos.

April 11: Head to Stumptown Park in Matthews for the 5th Regional Festival of India presented by the India Association of Charlotte in partnership with the Town of Matthews.

April 11: Get ready to transform the sidewalks into a colorful masterpiece at Chalk the Walk in Mount Holly! This FREE community event invites artists of all ages & skill levels to decorate a sidewalk square.

April 11: Celebrate Charlotte Earth Day at the Independent Picture House! This event will feature dozens of exhibitors representing Charlotte-based organizations & businesses.

April 11: The Sprout N’ Shout Spring Festival is an annual festival at Hampton Homestead Farm in Gastonia. This event will feature a petting zoo, local artisans & makers, live music, arts & crafts, kids zones, & more!

April 11: The Common Market Oakwold presents Common-Con! Celebrating their 1-year anniversary, this event will feature local comic vendors, artists, cosplayers, superhero wrestling, + local music.

April 11-November 14: Presented by Shop Local QC, the Second Saturdays Market in SouthPark brings 20+ local shops & makers to the green beside Legion Brewing each 2nd Saturday of the month.

April 12: The 5th Annual Charlotte StrEATs Festival - part of Charlotte SHOUT! returns for another year of immersive tastings, chef & mixologist showcases, and a marketplace of local culinary artists.

April 15-19: Mark your calendars for Charlotte Wine & Food Week presented by Truist!

April 16-25: It’s Come-See-Me time again! Head to Rock Hill for this year’s lineup of great events at the Come See Me Festival.

April 17-18: The Carolina BBQ Festival returns for another year at Victoria Yards!

April 17-19: Reconnect with nature, community, and your inner calm at MyOutdoorJoy’s Lake Norman Campout - a weekend designed to restore your spirit and spark outdoor joy.

April 17-19: Panda Fest is returning to the Queen City for another weekend full of fun experiences & great food at ZMax Dragway!

April 18: Step into spring with movement, breath, & intention during Flow & Flourish at South Fork Catawba Trail in McAdenville presented by MyOutdoorJoy!

April 18: The Empanada Fest is back at Camp North End - get ready for the most acclaimed Latin American pastry celebration of the year!

April 18: The 3rd Annual Charlotte Folk Music Festival will take place at St. Martin Episcopal Church and have live performances, food trucks, vendors, dance demonstrations & lessons, storytelling, kids activities, & much more!

April 18: Get ready for Earth Jam at Robbins Park in Cornelius! You can enjoy free “green” activities including crafts, demonstrations, wildlife habitat improvements, nature walks, live music, & concessions.

April 18: Get excited for the Happy Roots Earth Day Jam in Downtown Salisbury! This will be a full day of live music featuring some of NC’s best artists.

April 18, May 16, June 20: Join Ballantyne Village every third Saturday of the month for the Pop-Up Market at Ballantyne Village!

April 19: The Just Us Girls Market is your go-to event for sipping & shopping! Join Shop Local QC for a thouhtfully curated lineup of women-owned businesses with vendors offering everything from accessories, beauty, sweet treats, & fun gifts!

April 19-June 14: Join MyOutdoorJoy for Trail to 5K: A 10-Week Walk/Run Progression Series with Coach Brianne.

April 24: Curious about backpacking? Join MyOutdoorJoy for their Intro to Backpacking Workshop happening at Hygge Jay Street.

April 25: Get excited for the Tawba Walk Arts & Music Festival in Downtown Cornelius! From 100+ artists & makers to food trucks, live music, and family-friendly fun, Tawba Walk is Cornelius’ flagship community celebration!

April 25: Join MyOutdoorJoy for A Restorative Hike & Breathwork Experience at Latta Nature Preserve.

April 25: Paws in the Park is a FREE family event presented by Pineville Parks & Rec & Charlotte Black Dogs. This is one of the largest dog events in the CLT area and will have rescues & animal shelters with dogs available for adoption, food trucks, vendors, dog contests, a photo booth, kids playground, & more!

May 1-2: Head to Fort Mill for the South Carolina Strawberry Festival!

May 1-3: BOOM Charlotte is back in University City - this annual artist-led festival that champions creative risk-taking & artistic freedom!

May 2-3: The Kings Drive Art Walk is held along the Little Sugar Creek Greenway and features tons of local artists & vendors!

May 3: Hello Huntersville is an annual music & arts festival taking place at Veterans Park at Main & Maxwell Streets. Get ready for local food trucks, arts & crafts vendors, interactive art experiences, rides for kids, ice sculpture carving demonstrations, two stages of live music, & more!

May 6-10: The PGA Truist Championship returns to Quail Hollow Club!

May 8-9: Matthews Summerfest 2026 brings the sights & sounds of summer to Matthews! This festival includes a full carnival, commercial vendors/interactive exhibits, street food vendors & food trucks, arts & crafts, + more.

May 9: Spend the day at the Ballantyne Wine Festival!

May 9: Head to the Charlotte Grilled Cheese Festival with bites of melty, gooey cheesy goodness paired with delicious drinks from Bloody Mary & Mimosa bars.

May 9: Get ready for the 19th Annual Beer, Bourbon, & BBQ Festival presented by Drink Eat Relax and happening in Ballantyne’s Backyard!

May 9-10: Join Dallas Lane Lavender Farm in Dallas, NC for their annual Hippie Daze Festival!

May 14-16: The 29th Annual St Philip Neri Italian Festival takes place in Fort Mill, SC. This 3-day event is a celebration of faith, heritage, & community!

May 14-18: Reel Out Charlotte, the Queen City’s Annual LGBTQ+ Film Festival, is back for another year at Independent Picture House!

May 15: Ease into the warm weather with a gentle evening walk, meaningful connection, & space to unwind during Stretch & Hike with MyOutdoorJoy.

May 16: Join MyOutdoorJoy for Gentle Start Kayaking - a guided kayaking experience designed to welcome both beginners & seasoned paddlers into a morning of movement, connection, & nature.

May 16: Mark your calendars for the FIRST Latin Lavender Festival at Dallas Lavender Lane Farm - this will be a full day of Latin culture, music, food, & fun surrounded by beautiful lavender fields.

May 16: Head to Salisbury for The Cheerwine Festival and enjoy a unique Southern favorite - there will be amazing food, lively entertainment, & all the Cheerwine you can drink!

May 16-17: The 2026 Japan Fest at Urban District Market will be a weekend of celebrating the Japanese culture! You can expect raffle prizes, games, live music, martial arts performances, Japanese food & drinks, Origami, Anime & Gashapon, a cosplay & karaoke contest, + much more.

May 17: Run for a cause with the Mental Health Matters 5K & Festival! Mental Health Matters NC is a nonprofit organization that aims to create awareness & reduce stigma associated with mental health.

May 23: Witness the beauty of thousands of lanterns & lights reflecting upon the water during the Water Lantern Festival happening at Symphony Park!

May 23-25: Camp out during Memorial Day Weekend at Hammocks Beach State Park with MyOutdoorJoy!

May 29-31: The Armenian Food Festival will take place at St. Sarkis Armenian Apostolic Church and have plenty of Armenian dishes to enjoy.

May 30-31: Go backpacking with MyOutdoorJoy during their Introductory Backpacking Trip at Crowders Mountain!

June 5-7: The Taste of Charlotte Festival returns for another year of great food, three stages of entertainment, performances, & interactive tours along Tryon Street in Uptown!