The 21 best things to do in Charlotte this summer

Of note: This guide is in no particular order. It is not a ranking.

Go to a River Jam Concert at the U.S. National Whitewater Center.

What to expect: The Whitewater Center hosts live music every Thursday, Friday and Saturday from May to September as part of its River Jam Concert Series.

• The concerts feature local and national bands, encompassing genres like Americana, roots and soul/R&B.
• Check out this summer's lineup.

If you go: River Jam runs 7-10pm and is free aside from the facility's $13 daily parking fee.

Catch an outdoor movie night in the city

What's happening: Camp North End and Uptown are both hosting free summer film series open to the public.

What to expect: Uptown's "Movies in the Park" kicks off in June, playing classic films in Fourth Ward Park on Fridays around 7pm.

• Camp North End's Crossroads Movie Series will play iconic '80s, '90s and 2000s films June through August outside the Ford Building on Thursdays from 8:30-10:30pm.

Enjoy a meal or a drink on a patio

Dig in: You can find a good patio in nearly all of Charlotte’s neighborhoods. Here are a few to check out:

• NoDa Company Store in NoDa.
• Dilworth Tasting Room in Dilworth, SouthPark and Plaza Midwood.
• Noble Smoke in Wesley Heights.
• Canopy Cocktails in South End.

Go deeper: The 40 best patios in Charlotte right now

Go on an ice cream tour

Here's the scoop: Charlotte has several delicious ice cream shops. And sunny days feel like the excuse you need to try all of 'em.

If you go: We've dropped our full guide, with 25 ice cream spots, below. Here are a few local spots our team loves to visit to get you started.

• Two Scoops Creamery: The Plaza Midwood shop has expanded to include five other regional locations, including South End, Concord, Spartanburg, Lake Norman and Rock Hill.
• Seemingly Overzealous: Find this dairy-free ice cream shop in Camp North End, Plaza Midwood, and Dilworth.
• Golden Cow: Stop by its South End, Uptown or SouthPark shops to try popular small-batch, handcrafted flavors, such as salted Oreo.

Full guide: 23 best ice cream spots in Charlotte

Honor Black history and culture during Juneteenth

Juneteenth is officially observed on June 19, but Charlotte offers plenty of ways to celebrate before and after the holiday. Here are a couple of events to check out:

Juneteenth Festival of the Carolinas: June 18-21 in Plaza Midwood.

• The free, weekend-long festival will feature speakers, a freedom march, a drum circle and performers from around the world.

Juneteenth at Harvey B. Gantt Center: June 19 in Uptown.

• Expect family-friendly arts and crafts activities, vendor pop-up, live music, discussions, live painting and more.

Juneteenth Arts Festival: June 19 in University City.

• The free event will have art, music, vendors, performances, Black-owned businesses and more.

Take a picture under the rainbow arch 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 businesses.

The vibe: A free, family-friendly block party open to all.

What's next: Camden Commons is from 11am-5pm on March 22 and May 17.

Shop local at Front Porch

The vibe: A block party-meets-vendor market on the first Saturday of every month, April through December, at FreeMoreWest in west Charlotte.

• This open-air market has a similar feel to Camden Commons, but with a bigger focus on shopping, and it recently moved from South End to west Charlotte.

What to expect: Artwork, handmade jewelry, clothes, baked goods and more from over 100 local businesses. Check out the full vendor list here.

What's next: FPS' summer dates are July 4, Aug. 1 and Sept. 5 from 11am-4pm.

Participate in an outdoor fitness class

From yoga flows to running clubs, Charlotte has plenty of options for outdoor group exercise.

Here are a few that occur regularly:

• Gantt Center: Join for a rooftop yoga class every Sunday at 12:30pm. Free for members, $10 for non-members.
• Whitewater Center: Free yoga classes are held daily, May through September, and are open to all levels.
• Morning Miles: This early-morning running club meets at 6am on Thursdays at The Giddy Goat Coffee Roasters South End. After a four-mile run, participants often stick around for coffee.
• MOVE Wellness: This open-air fitness series hosts a variety of mat-based classes (think yoga and pilates) on the lawn of The Music Yard in South End.

Then cool off with a cold plunge

What to expect: The cold plunge trend isn't going anywhere, and in the summer heat, it feels especially refreshing. Charlotte has over a dozen places where you can recover with a dunk in ice-cold water.

If you go: Many also offer saunas, making it easy to try contrast therapy (alternating between hot and cold). A few to try include:

• Sauna House in Wesley Heights.
• Plunge House in Lower South End.
• Sauna Culture in Cotswold.

Yes, and: Chilly Coffee Club, a wellness-centric day party series, rolls out group cold plunges and saunas at its parties. Check its Instagram for information on upcoming events.

17 places to try hot and cold therapy in Charlotte

Catch a Knights game at Truist Field

What to expect: Baseball season is in full swing, and the Knights have a list of home games between June and September.

• Check out the season schedule and all promotions, from fireworks shows to themed nights, here.

Plan a lake day on Lake Norman or Lake Wylie

The lakefront towns of Lake Norman and Lake Wylie are both about 30 minutes from Uptown.

• Whether you're looking to lounge the day away on a boat or enjoy a meal with a view, both lakes offer plenty of ways to have a successful day on the water.

Waterfront dining

• Lake Norman: Hello, Sailor at 20210 Henderson Road.
• Lake Wylie: Drift at 315-M Lanyard Lane.

Parks & Rec

• Lake Norman State Park has a 125-yard sand beach with a concession stand, bathhouse, restrooms and lockers. The main park is free to access.
• Ramsey Creek Beach in Cornelius is a 43-acre lakeside park with a half-acre sandy beach. Parking is $10 for Mecklenburg County residents and $15 for non-county residents.
• Ebenezer Park on the shores of Lake Wylie is a 26-acre park with boat access, open swim and a campground.

Boat rentals

• If you'd like to be the captain of your own ship, here are a handful of boat rental companies starting at $250.
• Or if you're looking for entertainment on the water (perhaps with a drink in hand), consider a tiki boat cruise with Tiki Time Boat Rentals on Lake Norman.

Swim in the rock quarry at Carrigan Farms

What to expect: The natural spring-fed body of water in Mooresville, part of the family-owned and operated farm, was discovered in the 1960s when crews were mining for granite stone.

• Now, it’s a popular destination for Charlotteans to spend blazing summer days. The best part? It has a mini beach with sand.

If you go: Reservations are recommended. Pricing varies by date but starts at $30 per person. Only cash is accepted at the door.

Stop by: 1261 Oak Ridge Farm Hwy., Mooresville.

Hit a concert at one of Charlotte's outdoor music venues

Why it matters: Nothing says summer like a photo on the lawn of the PNC Music Pavilion. Here are a few outdoor concerts coming to Charlotte this summer.

• June 13: The Be More Grateful Fest at Route 29 Pavilion in Concord.
• June 15: Khalid at Skyla Credit Union Amphitheatre.
• June 16: Rufus Du Sol at Truliant Amphitheater.
• June 20: Chris Stapleton at Bank of America Stadium.

Go deeper: Live music: 12 can't-miss concerts in Charlotte, including Chris Stapleton

Lounge on a rooftop

If you go: Here are a few suggestions for your next rooftop outing, depending on the vibe you’re going for:

• For Uptown views: Fahrenheit (222 S Caldwell St., 21st Floor.)
• For fun cocktails: The Royal Tot Tiki Bar (933 Louise Ave.)
• For something chill (and lots of options): Charlotte Beer Garden (1300 S Tryon St.)

Go deeper: The 18 best rooftop bars in Charlotte for drinks with a view

Watch a fireworks show on the 4th of July

What to expect: Depending on your point of view, sometimes you can see multiple fireworks shows at once. Here are a few celebrations on our radar:

• June 28: Celebrate America! with Charlotte Symphony Orchestra at Symphony Park. 8:15pm.
• July 4: Skyshow at Truist Field. Fireworks will start at 9:15pm following the Knights game.
• July 3-4: Star-Spangled Nights at Carowinds. 9:30pm nightly.

Get your rear in gear during 24 Hours of Booty

Date: July 24-25

What to expect: 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 timeframe) around the famous "Booty Loop" in Myers Park.

Context: Levine Cancer Institute, Levine Children’s Hospital, The Livestrong Foundation and Queens University of Charlotte are the main beneficiaries of the event. Several other cancer-related nonprofits will receive support, too.

If you go: You can cheer on the participants from the sidelines or hang out in the food/expo area if you don't plan to walk or bike.

Hike to the top of Crowder's Mountain and take in the views

Pro tip: Take Crowder's Trail for a more moderate climb. Go with Rocktop Trail for a more strenuous hike and views along the way. If you want a shorter climb to the summit, hit up Backside Trail. It’s steep, but it’ll get you to the top quicker.

• Trails are accessible from 8am-9pm May to September.

If you go: Keep in mind that Veronét Vineyards is a 12-minute drive away for a post-hike drink and snack.

Gather your friends to ride a pedal pub

Details: This two-hour tour lets you and up to 14 others pedal around town while stopping at local bars and breweries.

• Expect 2-3 stops along the way in South End or Uptown.

Cost: Individual seats are $39; private parties for groups of 8-15 start at $399.

Sashay away to a drag show

What to expect: If you've never been to a drag show, you're in for a treat. They're a mix of comedy, burlesque, lip-syncing and dancing.

A few upcoming shows include:

• June 13: Dracula Drag Brunch of Terrors at Midtown Tavern. | 11am-2pm | $22+ | Details
• June 14: "Be Proud" Drag Brunch at The Kounter in Rock Hill. | 11am-2:30pm | $55+ | Details
• June 18: A Pride Party Drag Show at Starlight on 22nd. | 7:30-11pm | $10 | Details
• June 20: EuroSummer Drag Brunch by The Vanity House at Catalú. | 12pm | $25+ | Details

Pro tip: Bring dollar bills to tip the queens.

Go deeper: Sashay away to these Charlotte drag shows during Pride Month

Take part in Charlotte Pride

Date: Saturday, Aug. 15-Sunday, Aug. 16

What to expect: Join thousands in Uptown's First Ward Park to celebrate Charlotte Pride with a weekend of live music, vendors, food and special performances.

• Check Charlotte Pride's website for the most up-to-date information, like headliners and the festival schedule.

Ride all the rides at Carowinds and grab a drink at the swim-up bar (if you're 21+)

What to expect: Carowinds has more than 60 rides at varying thrill levels — from family-friendly to adrenaline-pumping coasters and a massive waterpark across its 400 acres.

• Scan Carowinds’ full list of rides here and sort by attraction type, thrill level, minimum height and fast lane accommodations.

Yes, and: The park has a new adults-only swim-up bar called Carolina Harbor Waterpark.

• Paul Metto's Boathouse Bar is over 27,000 square feet and will offer six signature cocktails, beer and wine.

If you go: Day passes cost $39. Or you can spare yourself the time spent standing in line for all the major rides with a Fast Lane pass. You can also opt for a season pass, which includes unlimited visits.

• Admission to the waterpark is included with general park entry.

Editor’s note: We first published this guide in June 2022 and updated it June 12, 2026.