Ballantyne events guide 2025: Concerts, festivals and things to do
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A previous vendor market at The Bowl. Photo: Courtesy of The Bowl at Ballantyne
Ballantyne, once a corporate office park in south Charlotte, is quickly becoming a destination for outdoor concerts, seasonal festivals and a growing lineup of new restaurants.
What's happening: We've rounded up the biggest events coming to Ballantyne this year — from live music to food fests — plus a few favorite spots to hit while you're in the area.
Zoom in: At the center of it all is The Bowl at Ballantyne, a recently developed walkable town center with shops, restaurants, fitness studios and events.
- Most events are at The Bowl or in Ballantyne's Backyard, a nearby 100-acre community park full of green space and walking trails.
Festivals and markets
From BBQ tastings to holiday light shows, here are four major festivals and open-air markets happening in Ballantyne between now and the end of the year.
🛍 Shop local vendors at the Bowl Street Pop-Up Market on April 5, 10am–3pm.
- The outdoor market will take place on the first Saturday of the month from April to November.
🍖 Try over 60 beers, 40 bourbons and lots of BBQ at the Beer, Bourbon & BBQ Fest in Ballantyne's Backyard on May 17, noon–6pm.
- General admission is $45.
🥃 Find whiskey bars and open-fire cooking at the Whiskey, Wine and Fire Fest in Ballantyne's Backyard on Oct. 25, 5–9pm.
- General admission is $59.
🎄 Feel the Christmas spirit at the Carolina Holiday Light Spectacular in Ballantyne's Backyard.
- 2025 dates haven't been announced, but the display typically runs most of December.
Concerts
The AMP is Ballantyne's 3,500-seat outdoor music venue, and the 2025 lineup is stacked. From country icons to reggae legends, here are some shows to put on your radar.
- April 23: Chris Young
- June 7: The Beach Boys
- Aug 22: Ben Rector
- Sept 21: Ziggy Marley & Burning Spear
Go deeper: Check out all of The AMP's upcoming concerts
Fitness/parks and rec
Ballantyne boasts more than 20 parks and ponds and over 20 miles of walking paths and bike lanes.
🏃🏻♂️Set a new personal record in the 21st annual Run! Ballantyne 8K, 5K & Fun Run on April 5 at 7:30am.
- Register for all the races here.
☀️ Soak up the spring sun with a picnic, walk or bike ride at parks like Stream Park, Brixham Park, or Ballantyne's Backyard.
So much to do, so little time
If you're just in Ballantyne for a short time, here are some suggestions to get a quick taste of the neighborhood.
- ☕ Start with a coffee from Fly Kid Fly.
- 🎯 Pretend you're on a TV game show with your friends at Game Show Battle Rooms.
- 🍻Sip your way through happy hour at OMB.
- 💪 Get a workout in with a reformer Pilates class at Solidcore, a day pass at luxury fitness center Life Time, or at OMB's run club on Thursdays at 6:30pm.
- 🍰 Grab a sweet treat at Littl Madeleine, a bakery known for its Korean-inspired pastries and madeleines.
- 🧖♀️ Treat yourself to a spa day or afternoon tea at the Ballantyne Hotel.
- 🍣 End with a casual dinner at locally owned favorites like Sushi Hana, Harriet's Hamburgers, or go the upscale route with Hestia, a modern Asian restaurant with rooftop views.
Go deeper: Ballantyne guide