Mark your calendars: 18 must-do Charlotte events in July
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Photo: Courtesy of the U.S. National Whitewater Center
Looking for cool things to do in July? Here’s a quick list of the 18 top July events, ranging from July Fourth at the U.S. National Whitewater Center to 24 Hours of Booty in Myers Park.
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(1) Celebrate America! With Fireworks
July 3 | Symphony Park | 8:15 p.m. | $18 in advance, $20 day of (adults) | Details
Why you should go: The Charlotte Symphony will be playing American-themed classics, and the night ends with a big firework show. Pack a picnic, bring the whole family.
(2) USA Baseball to host Cuban National Team
July 3 | BB&T Ballpark | 7 p.m. | $9+ | Details
Why you should go: It’s the 8th Annual USA vs. Cuba International Friendship Series, and the third time the game will be here in the Queen City. Plus, there’s a firework show afterward.
(3) Whitewater’s Fourth of July Celebration
July 3-4 | USNWC | All day | Free | Details
Why you should go: The annual two-day celebration includes live music, yoga by the water and of course a huge firework show each night. If you want something a little more rigorous, you can try stand-up paddle boarding and one of the day-pass activities (whitewater rafting, zip lining, kayaking, etc.) for an extra cost.
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(4) 43rd Annual WBT SkyShow
July 4 | BB&T Ballpark | 5-9 p.m. | $13+ | Details
Why you should go: Watch the Knights beat the Norfolk Tides, get a mac and cheese dog, indulge in Thirsty Thursday, and stay for the beloved SkyShow — what could be more American? Pro tip: Tickets are selling quick, so snag yours soon.
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(5) Hello, Dolly!
July 9-14 | Belk Theater | Varies | $25+ | Details
Why you should go: There’s something so special about seeing a Broadway show, and Tony Award-winning Broadway legend Betty Buckley (star of this show) won’t let you down.
(6) Paddle to Table
July 10 & July 26 | USNWC | 6 p.m. | $55 | Details
Why you should go: Take a sunset paddleboard or kayak tour of the Catawba River, take a quick hike, enjoy an outdoor meal, and hang out at the Ridge Pavilion for a beer afterward.
[Agenda related story: How does the Whitewater Center’s $55 Paddle to Table experience work?]
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(7) Luke Combs: Beer Never Broke My Heart Tour
July 13 | PNC Music Pavilion | 7 p.m. | $37-$78 | Details
Why you should go: His first five single releases all made the No. 1 spot on Billboard’s Country Airplay, so this Charlotte-native has become a big deal in the country music world. You hear his songs “She Got the Best of Me” and “Beautiful Crazy” on the radio all the time.
(8) Whitewater Triathlon
July 13 | USNWC | All day | $65-$80 to participate | Details
Why you should go: If you’re participating, you’ll do a 1K open water swim on the Catawba River, a 23K mountain bike leg and a 6.5K trail run. If you’re exhausted just reading this, you should grab a beer and cheer for everyone taking on the challenge.
(9) Save the Date to Celebrate 4 Years!
July 13 | Free Range Brewing | Noon to 11 p.m. | Free | Details
Why you should go: Free Range is turning 4, and they’re throwing down to celebrate. Exact schedule is TBD.
(10) Charlotte Black Pride Week
July 17-21 | Citywide | All day | Varies| Details
Why you should go: From an artists exhibit to a jazz brunch, there are tons of events going on throughout the week to celebrate black pride. Check out the full schedule here.
(11) Cirque du Soleil in Charlotte
July 17-21 | Spectrum Center | Varies | $50+ | Details
Why you should go: You’re getting Vegas-level entertainment without having to leave Charlotte, so if you’re someone who loves unique shows, grab tickets.
(12) Dave Matthews Band
July 19 | PNC Music Pavilion | 8 p.m. | $45.50-$115 | Details
Why you should go: This group needs no introduction, but expect a set list packed with all the DMB classics you always turn the volume up for when they come on the radio or on a Spotify playlist like “Ants Marching,” “Satellite,” and “Crash into Me.”
(13) Shrek the Musical
July 19-20 | Booth Playhouse | 2 p.m. & 7 p.m. | $15-$25 | Details
Why you should go: Not everybody likes onions, but everyone in your family will love “Shrek the Musical.”
(14) International Champions Cup: Arsenal v ACF Fiorentina
July 20 | Bank of America Stadium | 6 p.m. | $35-$375 | Details
Why you should go: These English and Italian teams are going head-to-head for the International Champions Cup. Very cool they’re playing in Charlotte.
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(15) blink-182 & Lil Wayne
July 20 | PNC Music Pavilion | 7 p.m. | $37-$128 | Details
Why you should go: If you know, you know. Anyone born in the 90s with taste will be at this concert (or at least wishing they were).
(16) Nelly, TLC, and Flo Rida
July 26 | PNC Music Pavilion | 7 p.m. | $25-$125 | Details
Why you should go: Don’t go chasing waterfalls but do go buying tickets for this show. I mean, what a trifecta.
(17) Florida Georgia Line
July 27 | PNC Music Pavilion | 7 p.m. | $81-$122+ | Details
Why you should go: An outdoor summer country concert is what Carolina summers are made for. Even if you don’t love the genre, it’s a great experience.
(18) 24 Hours of Booty
July 26 | Booty Loop in Myers Park | 7 p.m. | $50+ fundraising minimum | Details
Why you should go: Every year, hundreds of walkers and more than 1,000 bikers commit to walking and cycling for 24 hours (or as much as they’d like in that 24-hour period) around the famous Booty Loop in Myers Park. Levine Cancer Institute, Levine Children’s Hospital, The LIVESTRONG Foundation and Queens University of Charlotte are the main beneficiaries of the event, but 10-20 other cancer-related nonprofits will receive support too. If you don’t plan to walk/bike, you can cheer on the participants from the sidelines or hang out in the food/expo area.
Cover image of this story courtesy of Whitewater Center. Looking for more events? Here’s the Agenda’s definitive event calendar and our guide to the 30 coolest things to do in Charlotte this summer.