29 biggest events in Charlotte this year

Editor's note: Official dates for many popular events like Yiasou Greek Festival, Hola Charlotte, Durag Festival and Scarowinds have not been released. Keep up to date with weekly happenings in our weekday planner and weekender. 

Broadway's "Hamilton"

Watch Lin Manuel Miranda's hit Broadway musical, which highlights the life of one of America's founding fathers Alexander Hamilton.

When: Jan. 7-Feb. 2

Cost: Tickets start at $49.50.

Queen’s Feast

100+ restaurants in the Charlotte area will offer three-course, prix fixe dining deals. View participating restaurants here. Reservations are suggested.

When: Jan. 17-26

Cost: $30-$50 per person

African American Heritage Festival

Celebrate Black History Month at the Charlotte Museum of History. The family-friendly event will have performances, guest speakers, panels, and community-focused events.

When: Saturday, Feb. 22 from 11am-5pm

Cost: Free

Charlotte FC home opener vs. Atlanta United

Charlotte FC kicks off its fourth season at Bank of America Stadium against its rival.

When: Saturday, March 1

Cost: $18.45+

Rich & Bennett’s St. Patrick’s Day Bar Crawl

Paint the town green to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with Rich & Bennett’s 23rd St. Patrick’s Day bar crawl in Uptown.

When: Saturday, March 15. This event happens rain or shine.

Cost: Tickets for events leading up to the bar crawl start at $20 and $30 the day of.

Charlotte SHOUT!

The popular arts festival will return for another 17 days this spring. International and local performers will showcase their work through immersive art, music and food.

When: il 4-20

Cost: Free

Go deeper: What to expect at Charlotte SHOUT!

Charlotte Wine + Food Week

A week-long event that connects wine experts from around the world with Charlotte's top chefs. Proceeds from the event support local charities.

When: April 22-27

Cost: Tickets have not been listed but you can donate here.

Tuck Fest

Enjoy the annual three-day outdoor festival with competitions, exhibitions, demos and live music at the U.S. National Whitewater Center.

When: April 25-27

Cost: It’s free to enjoy live music, experience demos, explore festival vendors and spectate. Race and competition registration can be purchased here.  

Lovin’ Life Music Fest 

The Uptown music festival returns after a sold-out inaugural event. Headliners for this year's event include Gwen Stefani, Dave Matthews Band and Benson Boone. Additional artists will be announced later this year.

When: May 2-4

Cost: Tickets start at $299.

Go deeper: Gwen Stefani, Dave Matthews Band and Benson Boone to perform at Lovin' Life Music Fest 2025

Watch a music legend live

May is shaping into a huge music month with several huge names making tour stops at Bank of America Stadium.

• Vibe to Kendrick Lamar & SZA on May 3. Tickets are $158+.
• See Billy Joel & Sting on May 10. Tickets are $116+.
• Watch Shakira on May 13. Tickets are $55+.
• Rock out to Metallica on May 31. Tickets are $86+.

Meck Mile

Run your first or fastest mile around Charlotte's oldest stadium and cross the finish line inside the stadium.

When: May 10

Cost: Registration will open later this year.

Go deeper: Run around Charlotte's oldest stadium for the "Meck Mile"

PGA Championship

One of golf's biggest events returns to Quail Hollow Club this spring.

When: May 12–18

Cost: Tickets start at $69.

Go deeper: You don't have to go corporate to enjoy luxury at the 2025 PGA Championship in Charlotte

Cheerwine Festival

The annual festival will be packed with live entertainment, Cheerwine-inspired treats and kid-friendly activities in downtown Salisbury. 

When: Saturday, May 17 from 10am-7pm

Cost: Free

Coca-Cola 600

Start your engines for Charlotte's signature NASCAR race at Charlotte Motor Speedway. Festivities include a pre-race concert, driver appearances, military appreciation activities and performances.

When: Sunday, May 25, at 6pm

Cost: Tickets for adults start at $98.80 and $10 for children under 12 in select areas.

Taste of Charlotte Festival

Eat your way through a weekend of food and drink samples from local restaurants. You can also expect vendors, kid-friendly activities and live music along Tryon St. in Uptown.

When: June 6-8 

Cost: Admission is free but you’ll have to buy festival coins for food and drink items.

• Restaurant tastings range from one to three coins and drinks range from three to seven coins. 
• A Tasting Coin Cup is $20 and comes with 14 coins.

FIFA Club World Cup

Charlotte will host four FIFA Club World Cup matches at Bank of America Stadium.

When: Spanish powerhouse Real Madrid will play Mexican team Pachuca on June 22.

• German giant Bayern Munich faces Benfica of Portugal on June 24.
• Round of 16 matches are scheduled for June 28 and June 30.

Cost: Prices vary

Go deeper: Real Madrid, Bayern Munich among teams coming to Charlotte for the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup

Charlotte Pride Festival and parade

Charlotte's annual Pride Festival will be held in First Ward Park and surrounding streets — a shift from its previous home on South Tryon.

• The parade will take place on Sunday along Tryon Street, like in years past, starting at 9th Street.

When: Aug. 16-17

Cost: Free 

Go deeper: Charlotte's Pride Festival will be bigger and in a new location this year

Around the Crown 10K

Run through Uptown on I-277 for a new perspective. Proceeds benefit multiple local non-profit organizations.

When: Sunday, Aug. 31. Registration opens Jan. 11.

Carolina Panthers upcoming season

The Panthers' opponents for the upcoming season are set. Expect NFC South rivals Tampa Bay, New Orleans, and Atlanta to make trips to Charlotte, plus the Rams, Seahawks, Bills, Dolphins, and Cowboys.

When: Preseason starts this summer.

Cost: Season tickets start at $21 per month.

Charlotte International Arts Fest

Experience over 200 attractions through visual and performing arts from international and local creatives. Events, some of which are free, will happen in Uptown and Ballantyne.

When: An official date has not been announced but the festival is usually held in September.

Cost: Free

Festival in the Park

Head to Freedom Park for the 60th annual festival of arts, crafts, live music and food. 

When: Sept. 19-21 

Cost: Free

Go deeper: Annual festival featuring art, music and food returns to Freedom Park

Breakaway Music Festival

Vibe to EDM, pop, house, and dance music from popular artists at zMAX Dragway in Concord. 

When: Sept. 26-27

Cost: Two-day general admission tickets are $157, $273 for VIP and $1,049 for Ultra VIP.

Charlotte Film Festival

Check out the weekend-long festival showcasing a range of documentaries to special screenings from established and emerging filmmakers at the Independent Picture House.

When: Oct. 14-19.

Go deeper: New indie movie theater to open in NoDa this month

Charlotte Hornets season

Cheer on the home team at the Spectrum Center, which is getting a massive makeover.

When: An official game schedule hasn’t been released but the season typically starts in October.

Cost: Buy season tickets here.

Carolina Renaissance Festival

Travel back in time to the fictional village of Fairhaven with performance stages, hands-on games and rides, an artisan marketplace and plenty of food.

When: Saturdays and Sundays, Oct. 4-Nov. 23 from 9:30am-5:30pm

Cost: View ticket pricing here.

Go deeper: 5 takeaways from the Carolina Renaissance Festival

Charlotte Marathon

Thousands of people will run a full marathon (26.2 miles), half marathon (13.1 miles), 5K (3.1 miles) or a relay through the streets of Charlotte. Proceeds benefit the Novant Health Hemby Children's Hospital.

When: Saturday, Nov. 15

Cost: Prices vary. Register here.

Go deeper: 4 takeaways from my fourth Charlotte Marathon

Southern Christmas Show

This annual holiday tradition takes place at the Park Expo and Conference Center. Shop from over 400 vendors selling apparel, gifts, food and home decor. There will also be decked-out holiday rooms, live performances plus food and drinks.

When: Nov.13-23

Cost: Join the email list for ticket updates.

Novant Health Thanksgiving Parade

Get into the holiday spirit with the 78th annual Thanksgiving Eve Parade in Uptown.

When: An official date has not been announced, but the annual parade typically happens the day before Thanksgiving (Wednesday, Nov. 26).

Cost: Free.

CLT NYE

Event organizers haven't confirmed the location of this year's NYE celebration. In 2024, it moved from Levine Avenue of the Arts to Truist Field for the first time.

When: Dec. 31

Cost: Free

Go deeper: Uptown's New Year's Eve celebration will look different this year

Editor's note: This story was last updated on Jan. 15, 2025.

Go deeper: Looking for something seasonal to do? Check out our spring, summer, fall or winter/holiday guides.