Spring Festivals for Families in Charlotte: 2023

Options from March to May

March 3, 2023

Charlotte Magazine Contributors,

Spring Festivals For Families In Charlotte — Fort Mill Strawberry Festival

Get out and enjoy the warm weather at these festivals in and around Charlotte:

March Festivals

Charlotte St. Patrick’s Day Festival

(March 11)

Watch a parade full of marching bands, floats, and civics organizations, then head to the festival with food, vendors, and attractions.

Green River Revival

(March 11)

Festivities begin with the Color Me Green 5K Trail Run and continue with yoga, the coloring of the river, and live music.

Clover’s Annual St. Patrick’s Day Festival

(March 17-18)

This two-day event includes a performance from the Ghost of Bannockburn, a beer garden, food trucks, a dog show, and family talent search.

Old Town St. Patrick’s Day Festival

(March 18)

Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with live music, inflatables, a balloon artist, face painting, food trucks, vendors, and beer.

Shamrocks & Shenanigans

(March 18)

Head to downtown Mooresville for a St. Patrick’s Day festival and beer crawl with Irish dancers, a pipe band, food trucks, and more.

Charlotte Fair

(March 24-April 2)

Enjoy big dogs flying through the air and Lady Houdini on stage, then ride the wild thrill rides and wind down at the petting zoo.

Top Deck Car/Truck Show

(March 25)

See cars of all makes, models, and years and vote for your favorites! There’ll be music from the Tim Cook Band and free coffee. Pre-registration is required.

Charlotte SHOUT!

(March 31-April 16)

This multi week festival features 200+ installations, performances, events, and activations. Nearly all the events are outdoors, free, and open to the public without tickets.

April Festivals

Paws in the Park

(April 1)

Bring your family to this festival and see dog contests, dog rescue groups with dogs available for adoption, a photo booth, blessing of the animals, and more.

The event features a dog-friendly fundraising walk as well as a vendor fair, adoption area, music, a picnic pavilion, food and beer trucks, and fun activities for people and pets alike. Be sure to register for the walk in advance.

Tawba Walk Arts and Music Festival

(April 8)

Discover the best of Cornelius at this eclectic art crawl with dozens of local vendors, live street performances, shopping, food, and more.

Come-See-Me Festival

(April 13-22)

This festival features more than 80 activities. Take part in a parade, a frog jump, teddy bear tea party, food trucks, live music, kids’ activities, fireworks, and more. Locations vary. See website for full schedule of events.

Live music is part of the family-friendly fun at the Come See Me Festival in Rock Hill.

Photo by Blackston Photography

Charlotte AutoFair

(April 13-16)

This automotive extravaganza brings together thousands of hot rods, muscle cars, exotic sports cars, and classic automobiles. Don’t miss the AACA Southeastern Spring Nationals on April 15, in addition to vendor booths and antique cars and car parts for sale.

South Carolina Strawberry Festival

(April 14-May 2)

Celebrate the strawberry at this award-winning festival. Attend beauty pageants, a golf tournament, a strawberry scavenger hunt, and strawberry eating contest.

Tractors and Train s Festival

(April 14-15)

This historic site hosts antique farm equipment, modern tractors, farm-life demonstrations, and hay rides. Friday is geared toward field trips, and Saturday is open to the public.

See modern tractors, antique equipment and steam-powered tractors at this agriculture and arts festival.

Photo courtesy of N.C. Transportation Museum

Earth Jam 2023

(April 15)

Come to Cornelius’ Robbins Park for wildlife habitat improvements, nature walks, demonstrations, crafts, and live music.

Loch Norman Highland Games

(April 15-16)

Come for a unique mix of the sporting, the cultural, the music, and the social. Activities include track and field events, piping and dancing competitions, tug-o-war, and a hammer throw.

Earth Day Celebration at Anne Springs Close Greenway

(April 21-23)

Take part in outdoor activities like lead-line horse rides, fishing clinics, kayaking, guided hikes, reptile encounters, and historic cabin tours, and vote on your favorite recycled art.

Tuck Fest 2023

(April 21-23)

Celebrate the great outdoors and try something new at this festival filled with outdoor competitions, exhibitions, demos, and live music.

Garibaldi Festival

(April 29)

Visit the Spring Garibaldi Festival, which features local art and music.

Art on the Green

(April 29-30)

This juried art festival features regional artists, along with musical performances by local talents and food from on-site vendors and area restaurants.