30 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 15 in Uptown.

• The festival is from 10am to 6pm. 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 12-25 at participating restaurants. Prices vary per event.

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

What to expect: 10 award-winning films from countries like the Dominican Republic, Mexico and Colombia, WFAE reported.

If you go: The festival will be hosted by nonprofit Cine Casual at the Independent Picture House March 27-April 6. Ticket prices vary by film.

• All of the films are in Spanish or Portuguese with English subtitles.

Get a plate with all the fixin's at the Carolina BBQ Festival

What to expect: Pit masters from across the Carolinas will showcase the best of our region's BBQ. Plus, there'll be live music, other vendors and beverages for sale.

If you go: The event is April 4-5 at Victoria Yards (209 E 7th St.).

• Tickets are $35 for the Friday kickoff and $75-$125 for Saturday's festival.

Try a new workout at Strength in the City's health and wellness festival at Bank of America Stadium

What to expect: 25 fitness classes, workshops, recovery stations and local vendors.

If you go: The fest is Sunday, April 6. Doors open at 8:30am.

• Tickets start at $65 and include access to Charlotte FC's April 5 match vs. Nashville.

Sip on wine by the water at the 9th Annual University City Wine Festival

What to expect: On April 11, you and a guest will try a wine tasting on the boardwalk followed by a paddle boat ride with whatever wine you choose.

• The April 12 event will feature more than 100 wines from 25 different wineries. Your ticket covers the wine, cocktails, beer and cider samplings.

If you go: Tickets to the "Wine on the Water" event are $45 and you can reserve either the 6-7:30pm slot or the 7:30-9pm slot.

• Tickets to the April 12 event start at $35.

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 12 from 10am-6pm.

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 23-27.

• Tickets are $75 to $500, depending on the 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 April 25-27 at The Shoppes at University Place.

• There are free and ticketed experiences.

See big name artists at Lovin' Life Music Fest

What to expect: The Uptown music festival is returning for its second year. Headliners include Gwen Stefani, Pitbull, Dave Matthews Band, Benson Boone, Ludacris, Weezer, and Teddy Swims, along with dozens of other artists, including local acts, across three stages.

If you go: Lovin' Life is May 2-4 in First Ward Park.

• Three-day tickets start at $319. Single-day tickets go on sale March 14.

Go deeper: Read about Lovin Life 2024

Fill up on fresh strawberries at the 2025 South Carolina Strawberry Festival

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 2-3 at Walter Y. 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 market with free bites from nearby restaurants, local vendors, kids' crafts and a live DJ.

If you go: It takes place Saturday, May 3 from 11am-1pm.

Shop for art at the 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 3-4 on the Little Sugar Creek Greenway (600 South Kings Drive) and is free to attend.

Sip on mimosas at 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 May 17 at The Boardwalk at The Shoppes at University Place.

• Tickets go on sale in March — check their Instagram or website for updates.

Celebrate 108 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 17 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.

Date: The big race is Sunday, May 25 at Charlotte Motor Speedway.

• Tickets start at $94.

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 15 – v. FC Cincinnati
• March 22 – v. San Jose Earthquakes
• April 5 – v. Nashville SC
• April 19 – v. San Diego FC
• May 17 – v. Chicago Fire

Related story: 5 things to watch during Charlotte FC's 2025 season

Learn something new with SkillPop

What to expect: SkillPop offers a bunch of classes on a variety of topics, from cookie decorating to public speaking, starting at $25.

If you go: Here are a few that caught our eye.

• Self Defense — March 15 from 2-4pm.
• Vision Board Workshop — March 18 from 6:30-8:00pm.
• Running 1 March 25 from 6:30-8:00pm.

Ride all the coasters at Carowinds

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

• 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 15.

Go deeper: Carowinds will open 21 and up waterpark area with swim-up bar this summer

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 pass, you'll need an activity pass to explore Wildwoods, which costs an additional $18.
• If you don't have the annual pass, a day pass for a dog to enter the off-leash dog park is $10.

Upcoming events include:

• Green River Revival 2025 — March 15.
• Tuck Fest 2025 — April 25-27.
• River Jam — Kicks off May 1.

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

Shop local at Front Porch Sundays

What to expect: An open-air retail market featuring over 100 locally-owned businesses along Atherton in South End.

If you go: FPS takes place every first Sunday of the month April through December.

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 29
• Whitewater Center's New South Marathon — April 5
• Charlotte RaceFest Half Marathon — April 19
• PurpleStride Charlotte (Kannapolis) — April 26
• The Loop 5K in SouthPark — April 27
• Teal Diva 5K — May 3

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 30+ 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 4-20, 2025.

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

Go deeper: What to expect at Charlotte SHOUT! 2025

Catch a Knights game at Truist Field

What to expect: The home opener is Friday, March 28, against the Gwinnett Stripers, 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 throughout Uptown April 4, 12 and 13.

• Tickets to StrEATs Uncorked are $76, 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 May 25, June 29 and July 27.

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 2025 season—be sure to check with the farm before visiting.

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: 29 biggest events in Charlotte this year

Editor's note: This story was originally published in 2022 and is updated every year. It was last updated March 13, 2025.