31. Quail Hollow Championship
City: Charlotte, NC
Category: Annual Events & Festivals
Telephone: (800) 945-0777
Address: 3700 Glen Eagles Dr.
Description: Introduced in 2003, this PGA Tour golf tournament features top-notch players such as Phil Mickelson, Tiger Woods, Jim Furyk, Fred Couples, Vijay Singh, David Toms, Charles Howell III, and Anthony Kim; draws sell-out crowds; and offers a hefty purse. Many golfers on Tour consider it the premier event outside of golf’s four majors.
32. Race City Festival
City: Charlotte, NC
Category: Annual Events & Festivals
Telephone: (704) 664-3898
Description: Held the Sat after Mother’s Day, this family-friendly festival is a 25-year tradition in Mooresville, the Charlotte area’s capital of NASCAR racing about 30 minutes north of the city. Live entertainment, arts and crafts, food vendors, children’s activities, and a wide range of performers fill Main Street, which is shut down for the day. Take I-77 north to Mooresville’s exit 36. Free.
33. Speed Street
City: Charlotte, NC
Category: Annual Events & Festivals
Telephone: (704) 455-6814
Description: A NASCAR street festival, Speed Street is held Thurs through Sat prior to Memorial Day during Charlotte’s annual Race Weeks. Events include driver appearances and autograph signings, interactive exhibits, food vendors, kids’ activities, racing memorabilia, and live performers in country, urban, alternative, and oldies genres. Past headliners include George Jones, Keith Urban, REO Speedwagon, Three Doors Down, Styx, Herman’s Hermits, and Cameo. Free.
34. Charlotte Symphony Orchestra
City: Charlotte, NC
Category: Annual Events & Festivals
Telephone: (704) 972-2000
Description: Thousands of Charlotteans pack a picnic for free Sunday-night concerts under the stars at the Symphony Park in SouthPark. The symphony also plays free summer concerts in surrounding towns; see Web site for dates and details.
35. Dragon Boat Festival/Asian Festival
City: Charlotte, NC
Category: Annual Events & Festivals
Telephone: (704) 540-6808
Description: Members of the Carolina Asian American Chamber of Commerce representing 14 countries have sponsored this unique event for eight years. The festival includes cultural programs, stage performances, exhibits, merchandise, Asian food booths, and several races of the beautiful dragon boats with ornate heads and tails. A team of 22 people races in each boat, with 20 people paddling in synchronization, a drummer in an ornate headdress in the front, and a steer man in the back. Free admission.
36. Listen And Remember
City: Charlotte, NC
Category: Annual Events & Festivals
Telephone: (704) 843-2877
Description: This outdoor drama, presented for more than 40 years, recalls the days of Waxhaw’s Indians and early pioneers, including Andrew Jackson’s family. Beginning with events in 1670, the play culminates with Jackson’s presidency. Shows run at 8:30 p.m. Fri and Sat in June.
37. Taste Of Charlotte
City: Charlotte, NC
Category: Annual Events & Festivals
Telephone: (704) 947-6590
Description: Sample more than 100 tasty treats from Charlotte’s top restaurants at this three-day event held the first weekend in June in Uptown Charlotte. A beer and wine garden, live entertainment, children’s activities, and more than 100 artists from across the nation add culture to this culinary festival. Entertainment and art show are free.
38. Reenactment Of The Battle Of Huck’S Defeat In 1780
City: Charlotte, NC
Category: Annual Events & Festivals
Telephone: (803) 684-2327
Description: This exciting two-day drama of a local American Revolution battle is held on the second weekend in July. Historic Brattonsville, a 775-acre living-history village, is near McConnells, S.C., 9 miles south of York. Take exit 82B off I-77 South. Follow the historic markers.
39. 24 Hours Of Booty
City: Charlotte, NC
Category: Annual Events & Festivals
Telephone: (704) 839-6103
Description: Held in late July the weekend prior to Charlotte’s Invitational Criterium, this amateur bike ride for all skill levels is an around-the-clock endurance test. The quirky name comes from the popular three-mile bike route around Queens University known for its attractive bikers, runners, and walkers that is often called the “Booty Loop.” Proceeds benefit the Brain Tumor Fund for the Carolinas and the Lance Armstrong Foundation.
40. Wbt Skyshow
City: Charlotte, NC
Category: Annual Events & Festivals
Telephone: (704) 374-3558
Description: This Fourth of July fireworks extravaganza mixes baseball, hot dogs, apple pie, and fireworks. Nothing could be more American on a warm July evening!
41. Charlotte Irish Summer Festival
City: Charlotte, NC
Category: Annual Events & Festivals
Telephone: (704) 358-9070
Description: This annual family-friendly event features Irish music, dancing, drinks, and food, as well as crafts and games (for adults and kids). Dogs are welcome, too, as long as they are on a leash.
42. Presbyterian Hospital Invitational Criterium
City: Charlotte, NC
Category: Annual Events & Festivals
Telephone: (704) 386-3043
Description: First held in 2004, this professional bicycle race pits the country’s top USCF riders in a competitive, invitation-only twilight race over 50 miles. Uptown streets offer plenty of places to watch the race for free, or you can pay to party in the hospitality tent. Proceeds benefit the Brain Tumor Fund for the Carolinas.
43. Artfest Of Matthews
City: Charlotte, NC
Category: Annual Events & Festivals
Telephone: (704) 847-3649
Description: This annual juried fine arts and crafts festival held in late September attracts thousands of locals with 75 painters, potters, sculptors, and other artists. Free.
44. Blues, Brews, & Bbq
City: Charlotte, NC
Category: Annual Events & Festivals
Telephone: (704) 332-2227
Description: Approximately 60 teams compete for more than $20,000 in prizes and supreme bragging rights in the BBQ competition. Teams decorate their areas with elaborate decorations, but the cooking battle is just part of the fun. Be on the lookout for blues music, an array of beer samples, and some of the best barbecue around.
45. Festival In The Park
City: Charlotte, NC
Category: Annual Events & Festivals
Telephone: (704) 338-1060
Description: One of the largest and longest-running festivals in Charlotte, this volunteer-operated festival features arts and crafts, live music, food, clowns, games, and performances by various organizations. Free since 1964.