40 of the Hottest Things to Do This Summer
Charlotte has plenty to do to fill those long summer days and warm nights.
by Arielle Patterson May 22, 2024
Camp North End
Discover Camp North End, where the mix of activity is what makes it amazing.
The temperature isn’t the only reason why Charlotte heats up during the summer months. From activities in the Queen City’s buzzing neighborhoods, afternoons on nearby lakes and annual events throughout the region, start planning your summer getaway to Charlotte around these can’t-miss happenings.
Season-Long Activities
Experience Camp North End in Summer
Soak up the sun and summer vibes at Camp North End! Check out North End Farmers Market every Thursday from 4-8 p.m., free outdoor movies starting in June and live music every Friday night from 6-9 p.m. While you’re there be sure to eat, drink and shop across Camp's more than 30 locally owned small businesses!
Watch Fireworks After a Charlotte Knights Game
The Charlotte Knights, a Triple-A affiliate of the Chicago White Sox, continue the 2024 season this summer at Truist Field. Check the promotions calendar for themed game days and post-game fireworks. Visiting the Queen City for a Knights game? Read the baseball fan’s guide to Charlotte.
Cheer on Charlotte FC
Charlotte FC continue another exciting MLS season at Bank of America Stadium. Can’t decide which game to go to? Check the team schedule to find giveaway nights and themed games. To learn more about matches in the Queen City, including the MLS Next Pro team, Crown Legacy FC, check out the soccer fan’s guide to Charlotte.
Make a Splash at Carolina Harbor Waterpark
Carolina Harbor Waterpark, at Carowinds, officially opens for the 2024 season on Saturday, May 25. This waterpark boasts giant water slides like the Boogie Board Racer, the largest mat-racing slide in the southeast, along with wave pools, aquatic play structures and a children’s play area.
Sip Cocktails at a Rooftop Bar
The Queen City’s rooftop bars and restaurants offer panoramic views of the skyline. These spots are perfect for if you want to feel the sun’s rays or enjoy an alfresco evening of drinks with an unbeatable view.
Hear Live Music at Carowinds
Carowinds Summer Music Fest is select Fridays and Saturdays in July and August. Spend the afternoon in the park then stick around once the sun goes down for performances from popular artists and bands, like LeAnn Rimes, Sugar Ray and Flo Rida.
Watch a Movie Under the Stars
Grab your blankets and chairs and settle in for an outdoor movie night in Charlotte. Crossroads Cinema returns to Camp North End with free movies on Thursday evenings. Just outside of Charlotte, downtown Belmont hosts Movies in the Park throughout the summer, while Birkdale Village’s Lights, Camera, Birkdale projects movies monthly in The Plaza.
Go for a Swim at Carrigan Farms
The Quarry at Carrigan Farms is a natural spring and the perfect place to go on a hot summer day. Make your registration in advance to swim, jump from the rocky cliffs or make a splash from the rope swing. Check out this and more water activities in Charlotte.
Watch Young Racers at the Summer Shootout
The Cook Out Summer Shootout showcases young racers at Charlotte Motor Speedway. These future stars battle it out in Legend Cars and Bandoleros on the frontstretch quarter mile. Races run on select dates from June through the end of July.
Rock Out at River Jam
Every Thursday, Friday and Saturday, from May through September, the U.S. National Whitewater Center features Americana, bluegrass, folk and funk performers for River Jam. Pick a spot on the grassy lawn, across from the world’s largest man-made whitewater river, and enjoy the scenery.
Lounge on a Rooftop Pool
Take advantage of all the amenities Charlotte’s rooftops offer with a day pass from ResortPass. A hotel day pass gives non-hotel guests access to the outdoor rooftop pools at Omni Charlotte Hotel, JW Marriott Charlotte and Sheraton Charlotte Hotel.
Dine On an Outdoor Patio
Enjoy a meal outside without being under the hot summer sun. The porches, patios and decks in Charlotte offer a shaded, open-air reprieve from the heat with delicious bites and drinks.
Enjoy a Concert at Anne Springs Close Greenway
Every Thursday from now through July, Anne Springs Close Greenway hosts a summer concert series. Bring a lawn chair or blanket, grab food from the Gateway Canteen’s food truck and enjoy an evening of live music.
Shop for Seasonal Produce at a Farmers Market
Savor the flavors of fresh summer produce, along with meat, cheese, dairy and more, when shopping at an area farmers market. The Charlotte Regional Farmers Market, North End Farmers Market and brand-new Ballantyne Farmers Market are just a few of the local markets in the Charlotte.
Attend a Summer Concert
The summer season means a full slate of outdoor concerts at venues like Bank of America Stadium and PNC Music Pavilion. Country legends George Strait and Chris Stapleton kick things off in June, with 21 Savage, Maroon 5 and Janet Jackson making their way to the Queen City in later months. Read about more live music coming to Charlotte in the summer concert guide.
View the Mint Museum’s Newest Exhibition
“Whitfield Lovell: Passages” is artist Whitfield Lovell’s most comprehensive exhibitions of works. Visit the Mint Museum Uptown from June 29-Sept. 22 to view the two immersive installations, along with roughly 20 additional works, that focus on aspects of African American history.
Beat the Heat at the Lake
When you need a break from the city, head just outside of Uptown to nearby Lake Norman or Lake Wylie for some fun on the water, including boating, tubing, kayaking or simply lounging on the sandy shoreline.
June Events & Activities
Celebrate National Pride Month in Charlotte
Support Charlotte’s LGBTQ community by visiting a LGBTQ-owned business, such as 300 East, NoDa Canteen and White Rabbit. You can also pull out your dollar bills to tip the queens at one of the local drag shows in Charlotte.
Indulge in Black-Owned Eateries
Head to Victoria Yards in Uptown on Saturday, June 1 to get your fill of some of Charlotte’s Black-owned restaurants and food trucks. The Bites on Seventh Festival, formerly the Eat Black Charlotte Food & Culture Festival is a free event featuring plenty of food, drinks and good times.
Explore Charlotte’s Trails
June 1 is National Trails Day. Celebrate by exploring the great outdoors in and around the Queen City. Hike or bike the Little Sugar Creek Greenway from NoDa or use the Charlotte Trail Guide to find an adventure that fits your interest.
Catch a Professional Lacrosse Game
Some of the world’s best professional lacrosse players come to Charlotte, June 7-8, for four Premier Lacrosse League games at American Legion Memorial Stadium. The first game of the series will also be the homecoming game for Charlotte’s newest home team, Carolina Chaos.
Get a Taste of the City
Taste of Charlotte is the Queen City’s largest food festival, featuring samples from area restaurants, along with live performances and other family-friendly activities, in Uptown. Stop by for one day or all three, June 7-9.
Enjoy an Outdoor Concert
Charlotte Symphony’s Summer Pops series returns to Symphony Park with outdoor concerts on Sundays in June. Mark your calendar for Latin Sounds on June 9, A Juneteenth Celebration on June 16, Music from the Movies on June 23 and Celebration America with fireworks on June 30.
Meet Superheroes and Villains at HeroesCon
Comic lovers from around the country fill the exhibit halls of the Charlotte Convention Center for Heroes Convention, now in its 42nd year. HeroesCon features panel discussions, cosplayers, an art auction and more, from June 14-16.
Celebrate Juneteenth in Charlotte
Juneteenth, also known as Emancipation Day, commemorates the day that enslaved people in Galveston, Texas found out they were free on June 19. The Charlotte community honors Juneteenth with educational speakers, special programming, family-friendly festivals and live entertainment.
Attend the Met Gala of Durags
One of Charlotte’s most popular Juneteenth events is Durag Fest, known as the “Met Gala of durags.” Get your tickets for this event, June 21-22, featuring live music, an art exhibition, street fashion show and Black-owned vendor market at Camp North End.
July Events & Activities
Celebrate National Ice Cream Month
July is National Ice Cream Month. Cool down from the summer heat with an ice cream cone, scoop of sorbet or refreshing milkshake at one of Charlotte’s must-try ice cream shops.
Watch Fireworks on the Fourth of July
Celebrate Independence Day in Charlotte with dazzling fireworks displays throughout the region. Following the Charlotte Knights game on Thursday, July 4, stick around for the sensational SkyShow Fireworks Spectacular, one of the largest fireworks shows in the Southeast.
Don’t Miss International Soccer in Charlotte
For the first time ever, Copa America, a prestigious international competition headlined by Argentina, Brazil, Mexico and the U.S., comes to the Queen City. Bank of America Stadium hosts two CONMEBOL Copa America 2024 matches, Wednesday, July 10 and Saturday, July 13.
Spend the Evening Laughing with Nikki Glaser
Comedian Nikki Glaser is one of the funniest voices in the industry today. Recently featured in “The Roast of Tom Brady,” Glaser will perform at Ovens Auditorium on Saturday, July 13.
Celebrate Charlotte Black Pride
Charlotte Black Pride is a week-long event, July 14-21, with a schedule that includes a townhall, an expo with more than 40 vendors, a ball and pageant. This year’s theme is P.O.P. Pride on Purpose - Make it POP!
Have a Hot Tomato Summer
From July 18-28, Duke’s Mayo is teaming up with local restaurants during Hot Tomato Summer. Participating restaurants offer specialty dishes, and even cocktails, made with Duke’s Mayo and juicy tomatoes.
Dine on a Discount during Queen’s Feast
Don’t miss the summer edition of Queen’s Feast: Charlotte Restaurant Week, July 19-28, when nearly 100 restaurants in the Charlotte region offer three-course, prix-fixe menus. This is your chance to enjoy your favorite restaurant at a discounted price or discover something new from Charlotte’s dining scene.
Join the Revolution during Les Misérables
Children’s Theatre of Charlotte presents a production of Les Misérables, July 26-27 at McColl Family Theatre. This award-winning musical is performed entirely by students from the teen summer studio.
August Events & Activities
Have High-Flying Fun with Cirque du Soleil
Prepare to be amazed as Cirque du Soleil: "Corteo" comes to Bojangles Coliseum, Aug. 1-4. “Corteo” showcases a festive parade with dazzling acrobatics that transport the audience to a world of theatrical fun, comedy and spontaneity.
Catch Even More International Soccer in Charlotte
CONMEBOL Copa America isn’t the only international soccer match coming to the Queen City. Real Madrid and Chelsea FC face off in a friendly match at Bank of America Stadium as part of the Soccer Champions Tour on Tuesday, Aug. 6.
See The Lion King at Belk Theater
Disney’s “The Lion King,” winner of six Tony Awards including Best Musical, returns to Belk Theater, Aug. 8-Sept. 8. The whole family will love this stage adaption of the fan-favorite animated film.
Watch Women’s Soccer in Charlotte
Charlotte’s newest professional sports team makes their debut in August. Carolina Ascent FC, part of the United Soccer League Super League, kick off their inaugural season at American Legion Memorial Stadium with a match against DC Power on Saturday, Aug. 17.
Celebrate Charlotte Pride Month
Want more pride-themed events and activities? The Queen City honors the LGBTQ community in August. The 2024 Charlotte Pride Festival & Parade, Aug. 17-18, features performances from drag superstar Bob the Drag Queen, along with singer/rapper Baby Tate and singer Slayyyter.
Get Ready for Football Season
The Carolina Panthers, led by head coach Dave Canales, prepare for the 2024 season at Bank of America Stadium with a home preseason game against the New York Jets on Saturday, Aug. 17.
