Not everyone wants to have a lazy summer. In fact, many people want to do more and see more of their city during the longer summer days. While the warm weather may have you running for the pool at your Charlotte apartment five days out of seven, you can use the other two days of the week to have fun at some of these cool Queen City events. They may just be the coolest ways to soak up all the Charlotte summer fun.
Charlotte Caribbean Carnival
Since June is National American-Caribbean Heritage Month, it is the perfect time to head to the AfroCaribbean Carniva that is being held at the Open Air Market on Central Avenue on Saturday, June 29th. The party will feature plenty of local artists, and attendees can expect live music from drummers and steel pan players.
The street parade will feature Carnival inspired attire and entertainment. Plus, everyone will be on hand to see Charlotte's first Carnival Queen get her crown. Food trucks will be on site to keep Carnival goers well-fed. Tickets to the even run between $10 and $15.
U.S. National Whitewater Center's Fourth of July Celebration
This event is a summer classic in the Queen City, and it is the perfect event to get you out of your Charlotte apartment. This is the ninth year for this two-day event, and there is plenty of outdoor fun to be had.
The activity schedule starts on Wednesday, July 3rd, and it includes stand up paddleboard yoga, live music, and a fireworks display. On Thursday, July 4th, there will be more yoga classes and live music, and the grand finale fireworks display over the man-made whitewater river. Musical guests include Los Colognes, Rayland Baxter, Smooth Hound Smith, and the North Mississippi Allstars.
The Charlotte French Festival
This event is being presented by the French American Chamber of Commerce, and it will be held at Nevin Park which is on Statesville Road. Kids under three get to enjoy all of the fun for free, and everyone else simply needs to bring a $5 admission fee.
Admission gets festival goers all the music, live entertainment, and kids’ activities they can stand. Plus, there will be a French-style market, a dog costume contest, and a Petanque tournament to enjoy. Food and wine will be available as will plenty of crepes and pastries. The fun starts at 10:30 am on Sunday, July 14th.
The Homegrown Tomato Festival
Those looking for something quirky and unusual to get them out of their Charlotte apartment may find the Homegrown Tomato Festival is just what they were looking for. This festival supports over 100 gardens, and there is are plenty of local produce, canned goods, and more on display.
Attendees of the festival can help vote for the People's Choice Award for best tasting tomato. This event is produced by a local non-profit that help provides hands-on farm learning at local schools. It will be hosted at the Neighborhood Theatre in NoDa on July 27th.
Margarita Bar Crawl
After sampling homegrown tomatoes all day, you should make then head to the Margarita Bar Crawl and sample tequila all night! This event will start at 2 pm on the 27th, and it will last until 8 pm…or until you can't stand anymore and have to Uber back to your Charlotte apartment. Tickets are $20 if purchased in advance or $35 the day of the event. There are at least 5 venues signed up for the event, and all of them are offering discounted drinks.
Tickets to the crawl also get attendees into the after party, and the first 100 people get a swag bag to take home. Weather is no issue because this event goes on rain or shine!
10th Annual Joedance Film Festival
This three-day event helps raise funds for pediatric cancer research and benefits the Atrium Health Levine Children's Hospital. Starting on Thursday, August first and ending on Saturday, August 3rd, the film festival will take place at The Charlotte Ballet on North Tryon Street.
The festival screens a handful of original films that were created by filmmakers either from North or South Carolina or with a connection to the two states. There are two ticket tiers for the event: regular admittance at $30 and VIP at $65.
2019 Mid-Atlantic Boat Show
Those that love the open water, fishing, and all things Lake Norman may enjoy an afternoon spent at the only summer boat show to grace the Charlotte region. All the boats on display are rigged and ready to hit the water, so any purchase made at the boat show can easily be taken straight to the lake!
Tickets to this event start at $7, and the boat show lasts from Friday, August 2nd at 10 am to Sunday, August 4th at 5 pm. The Charlotte Convention Center in Uptown is hosting the show.
Charlotte Pride Festival
As one of the biggest Pride celebrations in the country, the Charlotte Pride Festival is definitely an event worthy of leaving your Charlotte apartment over. The big event will take place on August 17th with the parade rolling through the city on the 18th.
It doesn't cost anything to go and hang out, but there are plenty of vendors selling food, drinks, art, and more. Plus, there are tons of area businesses on site handing out free stuff. It's best to bring a bag in order to take home all that swag.
Charlotte has got a lot going on!
As usual, the city of Charlotte is absolutely bursting at the seams with stuff to do this summer. While the pool is definitely an excuse to stay home, these fun festivals and events are surely enough to get you out and about at least once or twice! Your Charlotte, NC apartment makes the perfect home-base for all things Queen City!