35 of the best things to do this spring in Charlotte

Shamrock and roll at The Charlotte St. Patrick's Day Festival and Parade

What to expect: Head to the intersection of 9th and Tryon Streets for the parade, followed by the festival, which will feature food, vendors and other themed attractions.

If you go: The festival and parade are free to attend on Saturday, March 14 in Uptown.

• The festival is from 10am to 7pm. The parade is 11am to 1pm.

Dig into Charlotte's culinary scene during Savor Charlotte

What to expect: Hands-on classes, demonstrations and exclusive menus at by local chefs and mixologists at some of Charlotte's best restaurants.

If you go: Savor Charlotte takes place March 11-28 at participating restaurants. Prices vary per event.

Celebrate Asian cultures at the Charlotte Asian and Dragon Boat Festival

What to expect: A cultural festival celebrating Asian Pacific Heritage Month with performances, traditional food, crafts, and vendors. The event also includes a Dragon Boat Festival race and cultural showcases at Ramsey Creek Park.

If you go: It's May 16 at Ramsey Creek Park on Lake Norman.

• Check out the schedule.

See some of the world's best golfers at the Truist Championship

What to expect: The Truist Championship will bring some of the best golfers in the world to Quail Hollow Club.

If you go: It runs May 6-10.

Go deeper: Scoop: Charlotte brands tee up for spotlight at 2026 Truist Championship

Head to Bank of America Stadium for the USMNT World Cup

The U.S. men's national team will play a FIFA World Cup send-off match at Bank of America Stadium.

If you go: The match is May 31 at 3:30pm.

Go deeper: USMNT to play World Cup sendoff match in Charlotte

Get outside at Tipsy Pickle's Spring Fest

What to expect: Live music, a hot dog eating contest, build-your-own bouquets and spring candles, a tattoo pop-up, spring coffee and cocktails and of course, lots of pickleball.

If you go: It's from noon-6pm March 28.

Bring the girlies to No Man's Land

What to expect: A women-owned takeover of Camden Road in South End celebrating International Women's Day, with a full day of music, food and shopping.

If you go: It's March 21 from 11am-5pm.

Kick off outdoor concert season

What to expect: Spring brings several major outdoor concerts to Charlotte venues like Bank of America Stadium and Truliant Amphitheater (formerly PNC).

If you go: Get these upcoming shows on your radar.

• April 18 — Zach Bryan at Bank of America Stadium
• April 29 — Bruno Mars at Bank of America Stadium
• May 16 — Dave Matthews Band at Truliant Amphitheater

Catch the action at a pro rugby game

What to expect: Watch Charlotte's professional rugby team, Anthem Rugby Carolina, take the field at American Legion Memorial Stadium this spring. Games run through early June.

If you go: The home opener is April 4 at 4pm against the Chicago Hounds.

Watch award-winning films from Latin American countries at Charlotte Latino Film Festival

What to expect: 10 award-winning films from Latin America.

If you go: The festival runs April 16-26 at the Independent Picture House and is hosted by nonprofit Cine Casual.

• Films are typically in Spanish or Portuguese with English subtitles.

Get a plate with all the fixins at the Carolina BBQ Festival

What to expect: Pit masters from across the Carolinas will showcase the best of our region's BBQ alongside live music and more vendors.

If you go: The festival is April 17-18 at Victoria Yards (209 E 7th St.) from noon-4pm.

• Tickets are $42 for the Friday kickoff and $82-$145 for Saturday's festival.

Try a new workout at Strength in the City Fest

What to expect: Fitness classes, workshops, recovery stations and local vendors.

If you go: The festival is May 14. The location is TBD.

Sip wine by the water at the University City Wine Festival

What to expect: The celebration begins with a wine dinner by Executive Chef Amit Padey at Sol'Delish CLT, followed by a paddle boat date night on the lake.

• It culminates with the festival on April 11 at the Shoppes at University Place, where guests can sample 100+ wines while strolling the boardwalk and enjoying food and entertainment.

If you go: Events run April 9-11. Check ticket availability here.

Celebrate Charlotte Earth Day at The Independent Picture House

What to expect: This family-friendly celebration will be part of The Independent Picture House's Community Impact Film Series.

If you go: The event is April 11 from 10am-2pm.

Wine and dine during Charlotte Wine + Food Week

What to expect: A week-long series of wine dinners and tasting experiences, featuring wines from around the world and culinary creations from local chefs with proceeds benefitting local children's charities.

If you go: Charlotte Wine + Food week runs April 15-19.

• Tickets prices vary by event.

Immerse yourself in the arts at BOOM Charlotte

What to expect: This three-day art festival will showcase a variety of mediums, including theater, dance, music, comedy, film and visual art.

If you go: BOOM Charlotte runs May 1-3 at The Shoppes at University Place.

• There are typically both free and ticketed experiences.

Fill up on fresh strawberries at the 2026 South Carolina Strawberry Festival in Fort Mill

What to expect: Live entertainment, rides, vendors and lots of strawberry-themed activities, including a strawberry eating contest.

If you go: The festival is May 1-2 at Walter Elisha Park (345 N. White St) in Fort Mill, S.C. and is free to attend.

Make your own flower bouquet at The Bowl in Bloom

What to expect: The Bowl at Ballantyne will transform into a pop-up vendor market with Shop Local QC, plus free bites from nearby restaurants, kids' crafts and a live DJ.

If you go: It takes place Saturday, May 9 from 11am-1pm.

Stroll the artwork at Kings Drive Art Walk

What to expect: A two-day festival showcasing artwork from fine and emerging artists, plus crafts, family activities and live music.

If you go: Kings Drive Art Walk is May 2-3 on the Little Sugar Creek Greenway (600 South Kings Drive) and is free to attend.

Sip on mimosas at the Charlotte Brunch Festival

What to expect: A brunch menu by local chefs, cocktails and mocktails, live entertainment and vendors.

If you go: The Charlotte Brunch festival is April 25 at The Boardwalk at The Shoppes at University Place.

• General admission is $10.

Celebrate 109 years of Cheerwine at the Cheerwine Festival in Salisbury

What to expect: Salisbury is the birthplace of the popular soda, so there'll be Cheerwine-inspired everything, including BBQ, desserts and, of course, drinks.

If you go: The festival is Saturday, May 16 from 10am-7pm and is free to attend.

Start your engines for a weekend of racing at the Coca-Cola 600

What to expect: All the big names in NASCAR, a performance from Old Dominion, lots of beer, a salute to military heroes and 600 miles of loud, heart-pumping racing.

If you go: The big race is Sunday, May 24 at Charlotte Motor Speedway.

Go to a Charlotte FC game

What to expect: This season, there will be plenty of opportunities to see our Major League Soccer team play on home turf.

If you go: Some upcoming home games include:

• March 14 – v. Inter Miami
• March 21 – v. New York
• April 4 – v. Philadelphia
• April 11 – v. Nashville
• May 9 – v. Cincinnati

Ride all the coasters at Carowinds

What to expect: Carowinds has more than 60 rides at varying thrill levels.

• Last summer, it opened an adults-only waterpark.
• Day passes cost $40. You can also opt for a season pass, which includes unlimited visits.

If you go: Carowinds opens for the season March 14.

Get outdoors at the Whitewater Center

What to expect: The massive outdoor center offers dozens of recreational activities, such as whitewater rafting, hiking, and rock climbing. It also has a 70-acre off-leash dog park, a kids' zone with tree houses, and numerous festivals and events.

If you go: Parking is $12 per car, or you can purchase an annual parking pass for $40.

• A day/activity pass is $79 for adults and from $69 for kids.
• If you don't have an annual or monthly pass, you'll need an activity pass to explore Wildwoods ($18).

Upcoming events include:

• Green River Revival 2026 — March 14.
• Tuck Fest 2026 — April 24-26.
• River Jam kicks off in May.

Go deeper: 15 ways to spend a day at the Whitewater Center

Shop local at Front Porch CLT

What to expect: An open-air retail market featuring over 100 locally-owned businesses (formerly called Front Porch Sundays)

If you go: This year, the monthly series is moving to Thrift Road and will take place on the first Saturday of the month rather than Sundays,

Run in a local race

What to expect: Whether you're an avid runner or new to the sport, the spring has several races for all levels, including:

• Craft Beer Half Marathon & 5 Miler — March 28
• Whitewater Center's New South Marathon — April 4
• Charlotte RaceFest Half Marathon — April 17-18
• PurpleStride Charlotte (Kannapolis) — April 25
• Teal Diva 5K — May 2

Join a run club

What to expect: Run club meetups happen nearly every day in our city.

Here are a few to put on your radar:

• Morning Miles — Thursdays at 6am at Backyard Brew in Dilworth.
• Barn Burners — Mondays at 6:15pm at Trolley Barn in South End.
• Mad Miles — Mondays at 6:30pm at Social Status in Plaza Midwood, Tuesdays at 6:30pm at YVY in Camp North End and Saturdays at 10am in Elizabeth Park.

Go patio hopping

What to expect: Charlotte is stacked with patios where you can sit and sip the day away, from cozy neighborhood spots to expansive beer gardens.

Here are several to put on your list:

• NoDa Company Store — NoDa
• Canopy Cocktails — South End
• Dilworth Tasting Room — Dilworth/SouthPark/Plaza Midwood
• Noble Smoke — Wesley Heights

Related guide: The 40 best patios in Charlotte, right now

Interact with fun art installations at Charlotte SHOUT!

What to expect: An annual Uptown festival with more than 200 events and attractions celebrating the city's art, culture and community, from mini golf courses to pop-up markets and live music.

If you go: Charlotte SHOUT! runs April 3-19, 2026.

• Much of the festival is free, with select ticketed events.

Catch a Knights game at Truist Field

What to expect: The home opener is Friday, March 27, against the Durham Bulls, a fireworks show will follow the game.

If you go: The season runs through September. Get tickets here.

Celebrate our local food scene at the annual Charlotte StrEATs Festival

What to expect: The local food festival celebrates Charlotte's culinary landscape and is made of three events hosted in Uptown, including a wine tasting, a food tour and a free festival featuring an artisan market and food trucks.

If you go: Charlotte StrEATs takes place April 3, 11 and 12.

• Tickets to StrEATs Uncorked are $88, the Charlotte StrEATs Tasting Tour is $111, and the Sunday festival is free.

Hang out at Camden Commons

What to expect: South End's Camden Road will close off to street traffic and transform into a pop-up outdoor living space where folks can hang out, play games, listen to music and eat tasty food from local restaurants.

If you go: Upcoming dates are March 22, April 19 and May 17.

Go flower picking at a local farm

What to expect: Many Charlotte-area farms offer U-pick flower experiences, which allow you to create your own bouquet with seasonal blooms.

If you go: Most locations open in April or May, but exact dates vary for the 2026 season.

Go deeper: 7 pick-your-own flower farms within 2 hours of Charlotte

Climb to the summit of Crowders Mountain

What to expect: Crowders Mountain State Park has hiking trails that lead to stunning views of Charlotte and the surrounding Piedmont.

If you go, Take Crowders Trail for a more moderate climb. Go with Rocktop Trail for a more challenging hike and views along the way. If you want a shorter climb to the summit, take Backside Trail.

• Veronét Vineyards is a 12-minute drive from Crowders for a post-hike wine stop.

Related guide: Top 6 places to hike near Charlotte, plus a guide to their best trails

Go deeper: The 33 biggest events in Charlotte in 2026

Editor's note: This story was originally published in 2022 and is updated every year. It was last updated March 13, 2026.