Summer Bucket List in Charlotte, NC

Looking for fun activities in and around Charlotte, NC this summer? Here is our list of ideas to make Summer 2024 the best summer yet! 

VISIT A LOCAL FARMER'S MARKET

• • Camp North End Farmers Market 

    • Browse 20+ local farmers and crafters each Thursday from 4pm-8pm! Enjoy the live music and grab a bite to eat from the local restaurants Camp North End has to offer!

  • Southend Farmers Market 

    • Rain or shine, you can take a stroll through Atherton from 8am-1pm every Saturday to browse products of local farmers and artists! 

  • Mecklenburg County Farmers Market

    • This family-owned farmers market has been serving Charlotte organic produce for 80 years! Visit any day of the week until 6pm.

  • Charlotte Regional Farmers Market

    • Shop local produce, plants, flowers, crafts and more Wednesday-Sunday from 8am-5pm! 

  • Matthews Community Farmers Market 

    • Enjoy live music, cooking demonstrations, food trucks, fun contests and more on Saturdays from 8am-12pm! 

  • Village at Robinson Farm

    • Stop by on Wednesdays and Saturdays for local peaches, tomatoes, melons, squash, plants, herbs, fresh eggs, cut flowers and more!

  • Kings Drive Farmers Market 

    • Shop local produce, meat, flowers and more on Tuesday’s, Friday’s and Saturday’s!

VISIT A LOCAL WINERY

• • Childress Vineyards

    • Visit the wine estate of former NASCAR driver Richard Childress, to experience vineyard tours, tastings & a bistro in Lexington, NC.

  • Dynamis Vineyards

    • Visit the vineyard, attend a wine tasting, or join their wine club, located in Jonesville, NC! 

  • Shelton Vineyards 

    • Located in the heart of Yadkin Valley, this vineyard prioritizes sustainable farming practices and quality grapes. 

  • Rocky River Vineyards

    • Take a drive to Midland, NC for tastings, events, a gift shop and more!

  • Treehouse Vineyards

    • Rent a treehouse or attend a wine tasting at this vineyard in Monroe, NC!

  • Veronet Vineyards

    • Travel 30 minutes outside of Charlotte Friday-Sunday for tasting flights and a view of Crowders Mountain!

EXPERIENCE ONE OF CHARLOTTE'S MUSEUMS  

• • Mint Museum 

  • Bechtler Museum of Modern Art 

  • Levine Museum of the New South 

  • Harvey B. Gantt Center 

  • Museum of Illusions 

ATTEND A SPORTS GAME

• • Charlotte FC Games

    • Visit Bank of America Stadium to watch Charlotte's own FC team play soccer! Check the schedule for special themed games.  

  • Charlotte Knights

    • More of a baseball fan? Attend a Charlotte Knights baseball home game at Truist Field! Check the schedule for home games.

TAKE A STROLL ON A GREENWAY

• • Anne Springs Close Greenway 

  • Four Mile Creek Greenway 

  • Briar Creek Greenway 

  • Mcalpine Creek Greenway 

WATCH A MOVIE IN CAMP NORTH END

• • Bring a friend and a chair to enjoy free movie nights every Thursday in Camp North End! 

VISIT CARRIGAN FARMS 

BROWSE A POP-UP MARKET IN SOUTHEND

• • Bring the family to an outdoor party with shopping, games, and relaxation! The streets of Southend will be shut down on June 16th and June 30th to make way for a day of fun for the whole family.
  • Spend your Sunday morning shopping the work of 90+ local vendors with goods ranging from handmade jewelry, to art, to pottery, to food, and more! Front Porch Sundays occur on every first Sunday of the month. 
  • Watch Nebel's Alley come alive every second Saturday of the month with the night market! Shop 30+ local vendors, enjoy live music, and grab dinner or dessert from one of the many dining options Southend has to offer! 

JULY 4th CELEBRATIONS

• • Fireworks

    • Skyshow following Charlotte Knights Game
    • Star-Spangled Nights Fireworks Show at Carowinds
    • Charlotte Symphony Orchestra and Fireworks Show in Symphony Park
    • Kings Mountain Fireworks Show

  • Parades

    • Mount Pleasant Independence Day Celebration
    • Troutman Independence Day Celebration
    • Matthews Independence Day Celebration
    • Gastonia Independence Day Celebration
    • Stars and Stripes on Main (Mooresville)

ATTEND A FESTIVAL 

• • Bites on Seventh Festival: 

    • Celebrate Charlotte's best Black owned restaurants with a wide variety of street food to gourmet food, exceptional beverages, and entertainment on June 1st with the Bites on Seventh Festival! Tickets required.

  • Taste of Charlotte Food Festival 

    • From June 7th-June 9th, visit the largest food festival Charlotte has to offer! You will find a variety of foods from the Charlotte area, performances, and entertainment. Admission is free. 

  • Charlotte Water Lantern Festival 

    • Bring a friend, family member, or neighbor to experience the magic of the Water Lantern Festival on July 13th and 14th! Each ticket includes festival entry, a floating lantern kit, LED candle, commemorative bag, and other goods! 

ENJOY LIVE MUSIC 

• • Charlotte Symphony Park

    • Attend one of the four pop-ups this summer in Charlotte Symphony Park, located in Southpark!

  • Carowinds Summer Music Fest

    • On select Fridays and Saturdays this summer, enjoy 30+ performances from talents such as Leann Rimes, Sugar Ray, Better than Ezra, Flo Rida and more at Carowinds! Free with park admission.

  • Summer Concert Series at Anne Springs:

    •  Bring a chair and a friend to the Comporium Amphitheater at Anne Springs Close Greenway every Thursday this summer for live music and delicious food! 

  • Summer Concert Series Ballantyne

    • Dance the night away at The Amp Ballantyne with one of three live performances planned for the summer!

  • Outlaw Music Festival Tour

    • Watch live performances from legends Willie Nelson, Bob Dylan, and more on their Charlotte date of the Outlaw Music Festival Tour on Saturday June 22nd!

GO FOR A HIKE

• • Crowders Mountain

  • South Mountains State Park

  • Kings Mountain State Park

  • Morrow Mountain State Park

  • Latte Plantation Nature Preserve 

LOCAL DOG PARKS

• • Mary Warner Mack Dog Park

    • Bring your pups to play and socialize on 12 acres of land in Anne Springs Close Greenway! Separate park area for small dogs, membership required. 

  • Davie Dog Park

    • Take your pup to Davie Dog Park located at William R. Davie Park!

  • Plaza Midwood Community Dog Park: 

    • Free community dog park open from 8am to dusk in Plaza Midwood! 

  • Frazier Place Dog Park 

    • 1201 W Trade St, Charlotte, NC 28208

  • Renaissance Dog Park

    • Renaissance Park, 1536 W Tyvola Rd, Charlotte, NC 28217

  • Mcalpine Creek Dog Park

    • 8617 Monroe Rd, Charlotte, NC 28212