Charlotte On The Cheap

April marks the true beginning of spring, and that means that spring festivals and outdoor concerts are in full swing in Charlotte.

Plan the beginning of spring with this list of the top things to do this April, 2026, in Charlotte and surrounding areas.

Free Art Kits

Free Art Kits at Mint Museum Randolph
Date: April 1 to 4, 2026
Time: 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Wednesday; 11 a.m. to 6 pm. Thursday to Saturday
Place: Mint Museum Randolph, 2730 Randolph Road, Charlotte, NC
Cost: Free
Features: Pick up a free art kit to complete at home. This month, create your own stylized word art with pencil and markers inspired by I’m Taking Time Away to Dream by contemporary artist Jeffrey Gibson.

Easter Egg Hunts and Bunny Visits

Easter Egg Hunts and Bunny Visits
Date: Through April 5, 2026
Time: Varies
Place: Many
Cost: Varies, but most are free
Features: There are many Easter events taking place through April 5. Follow the above link for a big list.

Charlotte SHOUT!

Charlotte SHOUT!
Date: April 3 to 19, 2026
Time: Various times
Place: Multiple locations in Uptown Charlotte
Cost: Both free and ticketed events
Features: Large interactive installations, performances, food, more

Soul Junction

Soul Junction
Date: Friday, April 3, 2026
Time: 5 to 10 p.m.
Place: First Ward Park, 301 E 7th Street, Charlotte, NC
Cost: NC
Features: This vibrant celebration of sound features the powerful artistry of Rudy Currence, with the evening hosted by Quentin Talley. Also performing are Nero Tindall IV and Curt Keyz.

Asian Night Market

Asian Night Market
Date: Friday, April 3, 2026
Time: 5 to 11 p .m.
Place: Urban District Market, 2315 N Davidson Street, Charlotte, NC
Cost: Free to attend
Features: Entertainment, Asian food trucks, a vendor market, art and more

Gospel Sunday — Easter Edition

Gospel Sunday — Easter Edition
Date: Sunday, April 5, 2026
Time: 4 to 8 p.m.
Place: First Ward Park, 301 E 7th Street, Charlotte, NC
Cost: Free
Features: This music celebration is hosted by Isaiah Bell. Featuring the dynamic, Mike Brown & F.O.C.U.S., and in honor of the life and legacy of Kevin Lemons, the concert will conclude the opening weekend of Charlotte SHOUT! with a powerful performance from the choir he led for over 20 years, Higher Calling.

Regional Festival of India

Regional Festival of India @ Matthews
Date: Saturday, April 11, 2026
Time: 12 to 6 p.m.
Place: Stumptown Park, 120 S Trade Street, Matthews, NC
Cost: Free
Features: Performances, Indian cuisine, bazaar, Henna, much more

Chalk the Walk

Chalk the Walk
Date: Saturday, April 11, 2026
Time: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Place: The Linear Park beside the Municipal Complex, 400 E Central Avenue, Mt. Holly, NC
Cost: Free
Features: Compete by decorating a sidewalk square with chalk. There will also be music, food vendors and fun activities.

Charlotte Earth Day

Charlotte Earth Day
Date: Saturday, April 11, 2026
Time: 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Place: Independent Picture House
Cost: Free
Features: Films, exhibitors, poetry, children’s activities, panel discussions, and Carolina Farm Trust Food Truck

Common-Con

Common-Con
Date: Saturday, April 11, 2026
Time: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Place: Common Market Oakwold
Cost: Free
Features: Celebration of Common Market Oakwold’s birthday. Local comic vendors and artists. Cosplayers. Superhero wrestling from 2 to 4 p.m. Local music by Side Dish.

North Carolina Science Festival

North Carolina Science Festival
Date: All April
Time: Various
Place: All over North Carolina
Cost: Many events are free
Features: NC Science Festival features science events throughout the month. Follow the above link to see what’s going on in the Charlotte area!

Repair Café

Repair Café
Date: Saturday, April 11, 2026
Time: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Place: Innovation Barn, 932 Seigle Avenue, Charlotte, NC
Cost: Free
Features: Partner with skilled volunteers to fix your broken stuff!

STEAMfest

STEAMfest
Date: Sunday, April 12, 2026
Time: 12 to 4 p.m.
Place: Woodlawn School, 135 Woodlawn School Loop, Mooresville, NC
Cost: Free
Features: Over 100 fun and engaging hands-on activities centered around science

Charlotte StrEATs Festival

Charlotte StrEATs Festival
Date: Sunday, April 12, 2026
Time: 12 to 5 p.m.
Place: First Ward Park, 301 E 7th Street, Charlotte, NC
Cost: Free
Features: Neighborhood Cook-Off Battles, food trucks, art, artisan market with culinary vendors, more

Cambodian New Year Celebration

Cambodian New Year Celebration
Date: Sunday, April 12, 2026
Time: 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Place: Cambodian Buddhist Society, 201 Owen Blvd, Charlotte, NC
Cost: Free
Features: Live music, cultural performances, vendors, games, food, more

Charlotte VegFest Jr.

Charlotte VegFest Jr.
Date: Tuesday, April 14, 2026
Time: 6 to 8 p.m.
Place: Victoria Yards, 209 E 7th Street, Charlotte, NC
Cost: Free
Features: Demos, performances, panel discussions, vegan food and drinks for purchase

Free Cone Day at Ben & Jerry’s

Free Cone Day
Date: April 14, 2026
Time: 12 to 8 p.m.
Location: Participating Ben & Jerry’s Scoop Shops
Cost: Free
Features: Free ice cream cone. No purchase required.

Outdoor Concerts

Outdoor Concerts
Date: Multiple
Time: Varies
Location: Many locations
Cost: Mostly free
Features: Many of Charlotte’s summer concert series start in April and continue through the summer or fall. Follow the above link for a list of outdoor concert series and a day-by-day list.

Come See Me Festival

Come See Me Festival in Rock Hill
Date: April 16 to 25, 2026
Time: Various times
Place: Locations in Rock Hill, SC
Cost: Varies, most events are free
Features: Music, movie night, kids’ activities, races, fireworks, frog jump contest and much more

Empanada Fest

Empanada Fest
Date: Saturday, April 18, 2026
Time: 12 to 6 p.m.
Place: Camp North End, 1824 Statesville Avenue, Charlotte, North Carolina
Cost: Admission is free. Pay for food and drinks.
Features: Wide variety of empanadas for purchase. Live music, DJ, dancing, drink specials.

Voices From the Past

Voices From the Past
Date: Saturday, April 18, 2026
Time: 1 to 4 p.m.
Place: Old Settlers’ Cemetery at 200 W 5th Street, Charlotte, and Elmwood/Pinewood Cemetery at 700 W 6th Street, Charlotte.
Cost: $15. Kids 12 and under admitted for free
Features: Costumed historical interpreters will portray former residents who are buried in the cemetery.

Kings Mountain: Earth Day at the Gateway Trail

Earth Day at the Gateway Trail
Date: Saturday, April 18, 2026
Time: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Place: Gateway Trail, 807 S Battleground Avenue, Kings Mountain, NC
Cost: Free
Features: Butterfly release, storytelling, dinosaur friends, live zoo animals, entertainment, face painting, much more

More Earth Day Festivals

Earth Day Festivals
Date: Multiple dates
Time: Various times
Place: Multiple places
Cost: Mostly free (see individual events for details)
Features: Kids’ activities, entertainment, educational activities

CLT Edgefest

CLT Edgefest
Date: Saturday, April 18, 2026
Time: 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Place: First Ward Park, 301 E 7th Street, Charlotte, NC
Cost: Free
Features: Live painting, live music, fashion, spoken word, yoga, local art vendors, more

Charlotte Robot Rumble

Charlotte Robot Rumble
Date: Saturday, April 18, 2026
Time: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Place: Belk Gym, UNC Charlotte, 8911 University Road, Charlotte, NC
Cost: Free
Features: Watch 72 combat robots “fight to the death” in a fascinating day-long destructive double elimination tournament.

Charlotte Folk Music Festival

Charlotte Folk Music Festival
Date: Saturday, April 18, 2026
Time: 12 to 7 p.m.
Place: St. Martin’s Episcopal Church, 1510 E 7th Street, Charlotte, NC
Cost: $10 for adults. Free for ages 16 and under
Features: Live music, bluegrass, old time and Celtic jams, food trucks, beer and vendors

Star Party at Discovery Place Science

Star Party at Discovery Place Science
Date: Friday, April 24, 2026
Time: 7:30 to 9:30 p.m.
Place: Discovery Place Science, 301 N Tryon Street, Charlotte, NC
Cost: Free
Features: Telescopes on the top floor of the parking deck, plus space-related activities on Level 3 of the museum.

Tuck Fest

Tuck Fest
Date: April 24 to 26, 2026
Time: Time varies per day. Competitions start in the morning and continue all day
Place: Whitewater Center, 5000 Whitewater Center Parkway, Charlotte, NC
Cost: Admission is free. Parking is $13. There’s a cost for activities, races and competitions.
Features: Live music, outdoor clinics, vendors, races, yoga

Paws in the Park

Paws in the Park
Date: Saturday, April 25, 2026
Time: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Place: Pineville Lake Park, 1000 Johnston Drive, Pineville, NC
Cost: Free
Features: Dog contests, vendors, food trucks and entertainment. Benefits Charlotte Black Dogs.

Second Chance at Innovation Barn

Second Chance
Date: Saturday, April 25, 2026
Time: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Place: Innovation Barn, 932 Seigle Avenue, Charlotte, NC
Cost: Free
Features: Get free design samples, including fabric, tile, flooring and much more. They’ll be giving away thousands of pounds of samples. A limited number of 8:30 a.m. early access passes are available for $20.

Día de los niños / Día de los libros

Día de los niños / Día de los libros
Date: Saturday, April 25, 2026
Time: 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Place: ImaginOn, 300 E 7th Street, Charlotte, NC
Cost: Free
Features: A celebration of children and literacy, this festival features storytelling, music, art, and much more. It includes a book giveaway.

‘Tawba Walk Arts & Music Festival

‘Tawba Walk Arts & Music Festival
Date: Saturday, April 25, 2026
Time: 2 to 8 p.m.
Place: Oak Street Mill, 19725 Oak Street, Cornelius, NC
Cost: Free
Features: Multiple stages of live entertainment, two kids’ zones, 100+ local artists, food truck courts, local craft beer, more.

UNC Charlotte STEAM Expo

UNC Charlotte STEAM Expo
Date: Sunday, April 26, 2026
Time: 12 to 4 p.m.
Place: Cauble Quad on UNC Charlotte campus, 8838 Craver Road, Charlotte, NC
Cost: Free
Features: 100+ hands-on exhibits in science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics.