Annual Events & Festivals - Annual Events
Charlotte is a can-do city with an appetite for fun, so it’s only natural that the Queen City supports a full calendar of special events. From galas to garden tours, from small-town festivals to big-city extravaganzas, there’s an annual event for everyone. Some of the major events are listed below, while more detailed calendars are available upon request from Visit Charlotte, 330 South Tryon St., Charlotte, NC 28202, (704) 331-2700, or visit www.visitcharlotte.com. For Uptown events, check out www.findyourcenter.com.
Additionally, the state’s annual “Calendar of Events” is a handy reference. It’s available by calling the N.C. Division of Travel and Tourism, (800) VISIT NC (847-4862), or online at www.visitnc.com. Local newspapers provide another good way to keep informed on specific dates and events. Events in this chapter are listed in alphabetical order within each month.
1. Charlotte Fly Fishing Show
City: Charlotte, NC
Category: Annual Events & Festivals
Telephone: (866) 481-2393
Address: 2500 East Independence Blvd.
Description: When it’s too icy to fish the trout streams in the mountains, anglers from all over the Carolinas descend on The Park for two days of fly fishing demonstrations, seminars, and clinics. Anglers also shop for the latest in fly rods and equipment, and learn about popular fishing destinations, such as the Western North Carolina Fly Fishing Trail.
2. Charlotte Restaurant Week
City: Charlotte, NC
Category: Annual Events & Festivals
Description: Charlotte Restaurant Week, also known as Queen’s Feast, is a 10-day culinary extravaganza. Participating upscale restaurants offer a delicious three-course selection of meals at a reduced price of $30 per person (not including tax and gratuity).
3. Fight Night For Kids
City: Charlotte, NC
Category: Annual Events & Festivals
Telephone: (704) 688-8520
Address: 501 South College St.
Description: The black-tie charity extravaganza starts with a reception, followed by gourmet dining and live entertainment from a big-name performer. Next is a live auction leading into the evening’s main event: professional boxing and mixed martial arts sanctioned by the World Boxing Council. When the bell sounds, ringside is where you’ll want to be. Best of all, the proceeds benefit children’s charities throughout Mecklenburg County.
4. Martin Luther King Day
City: Charlotte, NC
Category: Annual Events & Festivals
Telephone: (704) 332-2227
Description: Charlotte honors Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. on the third Mon of each January with a breakfast and march, an Uptown parade, children’s activities, programs at the Harvey B. Gantt Center for African-American Arts + Culture, and inspirational concerts.
5. Twelfth Night
City: Charlotte, NC
Category: Annual Events & Festivals
Telephone: (704) 568-1774
Address: 3500 Shamrock Dr.
Description: Instead of the ubiquitous colonial Christmas celebration that most museums do, the Charlotte Museum of History celebrates Twelfth Night as many Scots-Irish who settled in the Carolinas did. The end of the 12-day Christmas season marks the arrival of Epiphany, the day when wise men brought gifts to baby Jesus in the manger. To Scots-Irish, Christmas was a day of reverence, and Twelfth Night was the day to celebrate with presents and treats. The first Sat in Jan, the museum celebrates with open-hearth cooking, cake, colonial dancing, storytelling, and a candlelight tour of the 1774 home. Cost is $6 per person.
6. Charlotte Coin Club Show
City: Charlotte, NC
Category: Annual Events & Festivals
Telephone: (704) 641-2959
Address: 7100 Statesville Rd.
Description: Coin collectors across the Carolinas have flocked to this three-day mid-February event every year since 1970. It is a utopia for coin aficionados with nearly 150 exhibitors.
7. Charlotte Heart Ball
City: Charlotte, NC
Category: Annual Events & Festivals
Telephone: (704) 208-5585
Address: 501 South College St.
Description: Sponsored by the American Heart Association, this black-tie gala held every February for more than 50 years features a silent auction, seated dinner, and dancing to live music. Reservations are required. The oldest and largest black-tie event in the Charlotte area.
8. Mid-Atlantic Boat Show
City: Charlotte, NC
Category: Annual Events & Festivals
Telephone: (704) 339-6000
Address: 501 South College St
Description: Since 1972, this has been the place for Charlotteans to start the boating season. It may still be chilly in February, but about 12,000 people attend this four-day event that highlights top-of-the-line boats, personal watercrafts, boating accessories, and water-sports gear. Tickets are $8 for adults, $7 for seniors, $5 children age 6–12. Under 6 free.
9. Palm Night At The Palm
City: Charlotte, NC
Category: Annual Events & Festivals
Telephone: (704) 376-7180 extension 215
Description: This annual black-tie event held at the Palm restaurant draws Charlotte’s business, civic, and social elite, from the owners of the NFL Carolinas Panthers to banking bigwigs to Mercedes dealers. The evening includes a five-course dinner, dancing, and a silent and live auction with items such as a new Mercedes-Benz, a limited-edition Harley-Davidson motorcycle, Super Bowl tickets, and a diamond necklace and earrings from Tiffany & Co. Sponsorships with two tickets start at $1,500 and sell out months in advance to benefit the Family Center, a nonprofit devoted to the prevention and treatment of child abuse and neglect in Mecklenburg County. Previous events have raised more than $750,000.
10. Ringling Brothers Barnum & Bailey Circus
City: Charlotte, NC
Category: Annual Events & Festivals
Telephone: (704) 688-9000
Address: 333 East Trade St.
Description: Step right up! In late February or early March, elephants and other circus creatures lead an Animal Walk through Uptown to kick off the Big Top show with clowns, acrobats, daredevils, and exotic animals.
11. Rich & Bennett’S St. Patrick’S Day Pub Crawl
City: Charlotte, NC
Category: Annual Events & Festivals
Telephone: (704) 376-4441
Description: Join in the merriment of the world’s largest pub crawl. Two buddies—Rich and Bennett—started this event in 2001 and it grew so large it was featured on the Travel Channel in 2009, when 4,987 crawlers turned out for this all-afternoon and into-the-night crawl. Event starts at 1 p.m. the Sat before St. Patrick’s Day (or St. Patrick’s Day if it falls on Sat). The crawl includes more than 20 pubs and bars, and every crawler gets a green T-shirt.
12. St. Patrick’S Day Parade And Irish Festival
City: Charlotte, NC
Category: Annual Events & Festivals
Telephone: (803) 802-1678
Description: Not to worry if you aren’t Irish—lots of people in Charlotte celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with the city’s annual parade and family-friendly festival held Uptown. Grab something green to wear and join the fun. Free.
13. Southern Spring Home & Garden Show
City: Charlotte, NC
Category: Annual Events & Festivals
Telephone: (800) 849-0248
Address: 2500 East Independence Blvd.
Description: Southern Shows, founded by Robert and Joan Zimmerman in 1959, is Charlotte’s homegrown producer of consumer and trade shows held throughout the Southeast. One of Charlotte’s most popular events, the Spring Show draws thousands of visitors to see the latest in home improvement, remodeling, gardening, outdoor living, craft, and travel exhibits and merchandise. The Spring Show is usually held in early March.
14. Alive After Five At Epicentre
City: Charlotte, NC
Category: Annual Events & Festivals
Telephone: (704) 609-4010
Address: 210 East Trade St.
Description: Bankers and other young professionals roll up their Brooks Brothers shirt sleeves to enjoy Thurs evening outdoor concerts from late Apr to late Aug. Performers include popular beach bands, college-party crooners, regional rock ’n’ roll groups, and tribute bands. Beer, wine, and food are sold. Free admission.
15. Charlotte Wine & Food Weekend
City: Charlotte, NC
Category: Annual Events & Festivals
Telephone: (704) 332-2227
Description: This two-day series of events started in 1989 and raises money for charity. The goal of the weekend is to create an educational and fun series of food- and wine-related activities. Over time the event has grown in stature and notoriety, attracting guest winemakers from around the world.