As spring unfolds, Charlotte’s arts and entertainment calendar is filling up with festivals, concerts, workshops, exhibitions, theater productions and community events across the city. The season includes a mix of large-scale cultural festivals, LGBTQ+ programming, local music performances and nationally touring shows, giving audiences a wide range of ways to engage with the city’s creative life.
From chorus concerts and film festivals to museum exhibitions and neighborhood art walks, Charlotte’s spring offerings reflect both the scale of its major venues and the energy of its local arts community. We’ve collected a selection of events taking place through May and hope they help guide your spring plans.
Ongoing through Spring 2026
ArtWalks CLT/ASC Public Art Trail
Location: Throughout Charlotte
Details: ArtWalks CLT connects visitors to murals, public art and street art through free, self-guided digital walks and trails across Charlotte.
https://artwalksclt.com
Bechtler Museum of Modern Art exhibitions
Location: Bechtler Museum of Modern Art
Details: The Bechtler’s current exhibitions, including Hansjürg Brunner: The Trial, Chakaia Booker: Weighted Balance, and David McGee: The Griot and the Nightingale add another option for readers looking for modern and contemporary art in Uptown.
https://www.bechtler.org/onview
Harvey B. Gantt Center exhibitions
Location: Harvey B. Gantt Center for African-American Arts + Culture
Details: The Gantt Center is presenting multiple exhibitions this season, including Jazz Greats: Classic Photographs from the Bank of America Collection, In Pursuit of Home: Mario Moore and Presence of Color: Jeremy Okai Davis.
https://www.ganttcenter.org/exhibitions
Mint Museum exhibitions
Location: Mint Museum
Details: The Mint is presenting multiple exhibitions this season, including Designing Dynamism: Kuba, Interventions: Weaving Joy, Woven Resistance, Art of Devotion: The Santos Tradition of Puerto Rico and Across the Nation: Masterpieces from the National Gallery of Art.
https://www.mintmuseum.org/exhibitions
March Events
March 2-25 — Unleash Your Creativity Art Workshops
Location: Ivory/Baker Recreation Center
Details: Charlotte artist LaDara McKinnon leads a series of free community art workshops throughout March as part of the Unleash Your Creativity program funded by ASC Culture Blocks.
https://www.ladaramckinnon.com/unleashyourcreativity
March 15 — Overcome
Location: Park Road Baptist Church
Details: Charlotte Pride Band presents Overcome, a spring concert program featuring music centered on resilience, justice and community.
https://www.charlotteprideband.org/2026
March 15 — OSCARS® Viewing Party & Fundraiser
Location: Independent Picture House
Details: Independent Picture House will host its fourth OSCARS® Viewing Party & Fundraiser, a celebration of film, art and community featuring a live broadcast of the Academy Awards.
https://independentpicturehouse.org/programs/oscars-program/
March 19-21 — The Big Gay Sing 7: Mamma Mia!
Location: The Galilee Center
Details: The Gay Men’s Chorus of Charlotte and Women’s Chorus of Charlotte present The Big Gay Sing 7: Mamma Mia! with performances on March 19, 20 and 21.
https://www.gmccharlotte.org/mamma-mia
March 20 — Janelle Sy’mone and LAMÄR
Location: Petra’s
Details: Singer-songwriter Janelle Sy’mone and independent R&B artist LAMÄR perform a live concert at Petra’s in Plaza Midwood. Doors open at 8 p.m. with the show beginning at 9 p.m. Tickets are $15.
March 21 — Latine Party
Location: Chasers
Details: This 21+ event features performers including Nacho Novio, Thi Vee, Lolita Chanel, Oso Chanel, Quetzali Rose and Mia Diva. Doors open at 9 p.m. with the main show at midnight. Presale tickets are $10 and $15 at the door.
https://www.sickening.events/e/3-21-latine-party-chasers/tickets
March 22 — Sheena Easton
Location: Cain Center for the Arts in Cornelius
Details: Legendary 1980s pop icon who brought us such hits as “Strut,” “Morning Train” and “Sugar Walls” in concert. Long an LGBTQ+ ally with support for queer equality & performances at multiple Pride events. Showtime 7 p.m. Tickets $63 – $83.
March 28 — She/They/We: Honoring Pauli Murray
Location: One Voice Chorus
Details: One Voice Chorus Charlotte presents a concert honoring civil rights activist, poet and Episcopal priest Pauli Murray. The program highlights Murray’s legacy and contributions to movements for racial and gender justice.
https://onevoicechorus.com/event/ovcs-march-concert-2026-she-they-we/
March 30 — Unladylike and Unwritten: Badasses That History Tried to Erase
Location: Free Range Brewing
Details: Project Enough hosts an interactive talk highlighting historical figures whose contributions were often left out of traditional narratives.
March 31-April 5 — Mamma Mia!
Location: Belk Theater at Blumenthal Arts Center
Details: The 25th anniversary tour of Mamma Mia! stops in Charlotte for a six-day run at Belk Theater.
https://www.blumenthalarts.org/events/detail/mamma-mia-3
April Events
April 4 — Gospel Drag Brunch
Location: Catalú
Details: The Vanity House presents a gospel-themed drag brunch featuring live drag performances alongside brunch service. Doors open at 11 a.m. and the show begins at noon.
https://www.eventbrite.com/o/the-vanity-house-23375278523
April 3-19 — Charlotte SHOUT!
Location: Uptown Charlotte
Details: Charlotte SHOUT! returns this spring with a multi-week celebration of art, music, food and ideas across Uptown. The festival includes public art installations, performances, culinary experiences and community events.
https://charlotteshout.com/
April 6-29 — Unleash Your Creativity Art Workshops
Location: Ivory/Baker Recreation Center
Details: Charlotte artist LaDara McKinnon leads a series of free community art workshops throughout April as part of the Unleash Your Creativity program funded by ASC Culture Blocks.
https://www.ladaramckinnon.com/unleashyourcreativity
April 16-26 — Charlotte Latino Film Festival
Location: Independent Picture House
Details: Presented by Cine Casual, the Charlotte Latino Film Festival returns with films from Latin America and a North Carolina short film block.
https://charlottelatinofilmfestival.com/
April 18-19 — The Art of Song
Location: Arts Plus Community Campus
Details: Queen City Performing Arts presents The Art of Song, featuring the small ensembles of the Gay Men’s Chorus and Women’s Chorus of Charlotte.
https://www.gmccharlotte.org/art-of-song
April 24 — Floetry: Say Yes Tour
Location: Ovens Auditorium
Details: Floetry returns to the stage for its first national run together in a decade, joined by Raheem DeVaughn and Teedra Moses.
https://www.boplex.com/events/floetry-say-yes-tour
April 24-26 — Tuck Fest
Location: U.S. National Whitewater Center
Details: Tuck Fest combines outdoor recreation with live music, competitions and festival activities including trail races, yoga sessions and concerts.
https://tuckfest.whitewater.org/
April 25 — Song & Savor: A Place at the Table!
Location: The Long Room
Details: One Voice Chorus hosts its dinner and concert fundraiser featuring Chroma, with a reception, meal and performance.
https://onevoicechorus.com/event/song-and-savor26
April 26 — Rockin 4 Rescues
Location: Skiptown Charlotte
Details: Join Beer Money Entertainment for a concert benefitting Charlotte-Mecklenburg Animal Care & Control.
https://www.facebook.com/events/4277275612525079
April 30 — Kathy Griffin, New Face, New Tour
Location: Knight Theater
Details: Kathy Griffin brings her latest comedy tour to Knight Theater on April 30.
https://www.blumenthalarts.org/events/category/comedy
May Events
May 1 — Chelsea Handler, The High and Mighty Tour
Location: Ovens Auditorium
Details: Chelsea Handler brings new material to Charlotte as part of her High and Mighty Tour.
https://www.boplex.com/events/chelsea-handler
May 1-3 — BOOM Charlotte
Location: The Shoppes at University Place
Details: BOOM Charlotte is a multidisciplinary arts festival showcasing experimental theater, dance and performance art from local and visiting artists.
https://boomcharlotte.org/boom-charlotte-2026/
May 1-3 — Kinky Boots
Location: Belk Theater at Blumenthal Arts Center
Details: The Broadway tour of Kinky Boots comes to Charlotte for a three-day run at Belk Theater.
https://www.blumenthalarts.org/events/detail/kinky-boots-2
May 2-3 — Kings Drive Art Walk
Location: Little Sugar Creek Greenway
Details: The Kings Drive Art Walk features artists and makers displaying paintings, photography, ceramics and jewelry along the greenway. The outdoor event also includes live music and food vendors.
https://festivalinthepark.org/kings-drive-art-walk/
May 8 — Ashnikko: Smoochies Tour
Location: The Fillmore
Details: Pop artist Ashnikko brings the Smoochies Tour to Charlotte, performing songs from her genre-blending catalog.
https://www.ticketmaster.com/ashnikko-smoochies-tour-charlotte-north-carolina-05-08-2026/event/2D00632C895F259A
May 15-17 — Reel Out Charlotte LGBTQ+ Film Festival
Location: Independent Picture House
Details: Reel Out Charlotte celebrates LGBTQ+ cinema through screenings of independent features, documentaries and short films from queer filmmakers.
https://charlottepride.org/reeloutclt/
May 28 — Ilana Glazer Live!
Location: Knight Theater
Details: Ilana Glazer is scheduled to perform at Knight Theater on May 28.
https://www.blumenthalarts.org/events-tickets/category/comedy
May 26-31 — Moulin Rouge! The Musical
Location: Belk Theater at Blumenthal Arts Center
Details: Moulin Rouge! The Musical closes out the month with a Charlotte run at Belk Theater.
https://www.blumenthalarts.org/events/detail/moulin-rouge-the-musical