Your Guide to Charlotte SHOUT!
Celebrate Charlotte’s vibrant arts and culture scene during this multi-day festival.
by Arielle Patterson Apr 01, 2026
Charlotte SHOUT! is one of the Queen City’s most-anticipated annual festivals. The 17-day event in Uptown, April 3-19, features interactive and immersive installations, performances, classes and more under four main pillars: art, music, food and ideas. With so much to see and do, here’s your guide to some of the experiences available during Charlotte SHOUT!
Featured Events
Charlotte StrEATs Festival
When: April 3, 11-12
Where: Wells Fargo Atrium, First Ward Park
The Charlotte StrEATs Festival is made up of three signature events, including ticketed tasting experiences during StrEATs Uncorked and StrEATs Tasting Tour and the free StrEATs Festival with the Neighborhood Cook-Off Battles.
Charlotte Ideas Festival
When: April 9-14
Where: Carolina Theatre, WonderDome at Wells Fargo Atrium, The Dubois Center
The Charlotte Ideas Festival offers six days of engaging conversation and community discussion through thoughtful programming.
Tosco Music Party
When: Saturday, April 11
Where: Knight Theater
A dozen local, regional and national acts share the stage for an evening of performances from a variety of genres.
FOMO: Museum Block Party
When: April 15-16
Where: Levine Avenue of the Arts
Enjoy free activations at The Mint Museum Uptown, Harvey B. Gantt Center for African American Arts + Culture and the Bechtler Museum of Modern Art, with extended programming from 5-9 p.m.
Carolina BBQ Festival
When: April 17-18
Where: Victoria Yards
Indulge in smoked meats from more than 30 pitmasters and chefs, from the Carolinas and beyond, during this festival that supports Operation BBQ Relief.
CLT Edgefest
When: Saturday, April 18
Where: First Ward Park
Watch local artists live paint murals, dance to the beats of a DJ, and enjoy captivating music and dance performances, as well as spoken word, interactive art experiences and a scavenger hunt.
Art
When: April 3-19
Where: Disc Plaza
Pick up a Festival Guide and make your way to the nine stations at SHOUT! locations to collect stamps and complete the “Shayla Goes to SHOUT!” story by Dominique Prescott.
When: April 3-19
Where: WonderDome at Wells Fargo Atrium
Browse art from K-12 visual arts students at Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools.
Easter Eggs on Parade
When: April 3-19
Where: The Green
A SHOUT! tradition, 11 giant eggs dot The Green and showcase the artists’ interpretation of the theme “curiosity.”
Art Search
When: April 3-19
Where: First Ward Park
Every weekend of SHOUT!, be on the lookout for small, collectible art from 10 local artists. Find clues on the Charlotte Is Creative Instagram.
Will White’s Wondrous Wardrobe
When: April 3-19
Where: 400 S. Tryon St.
The theme of this year’s immersive, fashion-forward installation is “Let Wonder Lead the Way,” where visitors can navigate through a catwalk corridor inspired by “Alice in Wonderland.”
LAPS: The Hourglass for another time.
When: April 3-19
Where: First Ward Park
LAPS, created by Olivier Landreville in collaboration with Serge Maheu, is an interactive installation that’s a modern take on a traditional hourglass that offers a sound and light experience when turned.
Portal to the Imagination
When: April 3-19
Where: 400 S. Tryon St.
Step up to this futuristic, inter-dimensional portal, an installation by Jeff Cason, that opens to one of eight randomized destinations.
Symbolic Peace
When: April 3-19
Where: Curiosity Courtyard at Wells Fargo Plaza
“Symbolic Peace” is a10-foot installation from Liquid PXL that is laser cut with a diverse collection of religious and non-religious symbols.
WHAT IF…?
When: April 3-19
Where: ImaginOn
“WHAT IF…?,” an installation from artist Pam Imhof, features a dinosaur, unicorn and monster that invite visitors to get curious and think about what it would be like to live with these creatures.
Fish
When: April 3-19
Where: The Green
Take a stroll around the green and find the fish sculpture created by Doyle Bussey. During the day, this fish blows bubbles and, at night, this installation glows.
Tumbling Textures
When: April 3-19
Where: Bank of America Plaza
“Tumbling Textures” by Claire Kiester showcases three large orbs made from recycled plastic containers filled with various materials that visitors can spin.
ShoutOke Frequency
When: April 3-19
Where: Levine Avenue of the Arts
Sound, light and space transform into a playful, creative and interactive installation by Aguinaldo Santos.
Welcome Voices
When: April 3-19
Where: First Ward Park
On average, 157 people more to the Charlotte region every day. Meet some of them and read their stories through “Welcome Voices,” a vibrant installation from Tara Spil.
The Oracles Speak
When: April 3-19
Where: Curiosity Courtyard at Wells Fargo Plaza, ImaginOn
Talk to the oracles, the giant inflatable aliens from Dorne Pentes, that respond with kindness and wisdom.
Weci | Koninut
When: April 3-19
Where: First Ward Park
Created by Indigenous artists, Julie-Christina Picher and Dave Jenniss, this sensory installation features six large dream catchers that encourage visitors to explore their own dreams and inner reflections.
HIVE MIND
When: April 3-19
Where: Curiosity Courtyard at Wells Fargo Plaza
Ian Wegener’s “Hive Mind” invites visitors to communicate to the other stations through several tubes and play games with each other.
STARGATE
When: April 3-19
Where: First Ward Park
“STARGATE” is a 12-foot sculpture by Jay Tettamanti that leads visitors on a journey through the cosmos through projection mapping and mesmerizing visuals.
!cons 2026
When: April 3-19
Where: Legacy Union Plaza
The theme of this year’s decorative exclamation points, created by local Charlotte artists, is “Let WONDER Lead the Way.”
Los Trompos
When: April 3-19
Where: Levine Avenue of the Arts
Inspired by the popular spinning tops toy, “Los Trompos” encourages visitors to go for a whirl on one of these eight, brightly colored installations by Esrawe + Cadena.
Kaleid-Escape
When: April 3-19
Where: First Ward Park
Press buttons on a custom MIDI controller and gaze at the kaleidoscope of colors projected onto a building at First Ward Park, created by Hex Visuals, Rebecca Lipps and Caleb Dickerson.
Street SHOUT! on The Green
When: Friday, April 3, 10, 17
Where: The Green
Street artists take over The Green with a lively, interactive activity, such as juggling, circus arts and bubbles.
Kids Market
When: Saturday, April 4, 11
Where: First Ward Park
Support local children artists at this market.
Artists Block Party
When: April 11
Where: VAPA
Connect with artists and creatives in a fun, friendly atmosphere with food trucks and live performances. The fun continues at the VAPA Night Market from 6-10 p.m.
Music
Pop-Up Performances
When: April 3-19
Where: Uptown
Above Your Head and Unheard Of are two pop-up music series during SHOUT!. Text SHOUT to 980-374-8808 to get alerts when they’re about to start.
SHOUT! Showcase
When: April 3-5, 10-12, 17-19
Where: First Ward Park
Local and regional musicians take the stage to perform everything from soulful melodies to high-energy sets.
Song on the Spot
When: Friday, April 3, 10, 17
Where: Curiosity Courtyard at Wells Fargo Plaza
Learn to create an impromptu song with singer Nigel Malone.
Meant to Move: Joy in Motion
When: Saturday, April 4, 11, 18
Where: WonderDome at Wells Fargo Atrium
This guided movement experience invites visitors to move their bodies through prompts that encourage mindfulness, breath and intuitive movement.
The Art of The DJ: Free DJ Workshop
When: Saturday, April 4, 11, 18
Where: WonderDome at Wells Fargo Atrium
Learn the fundamentals of mixing and transitions during this free, interactive workshop with professional equipment.
I Love Gospel Bingo
When: Sunday, April 5, 12, 19
Where: WonderDome at Wells Fargo Atrium
Compete for prizes and sing along during this music bingo featuring gospel music, hosted by Luna Love.
When: April 9-12
Where: Mint Museum Uptown
This four-day cultural festival honors African-Brazilian, Indigenous and African diasporic tradition through dance, music, community gatherings and educational workshops.
When: Tuesday, April 14
Where: United House of Prayer for All
This free concert features brass bands and gospel choirs.
Charlotte Symphony Orchestra Live on the Plaza
When: Wednesday, April 15
Where: Duke Energy Plaza
Take a midday and midweek break and enjoy a free concert from The Charlotte Symphony’s Brass Quintet.
Joyful Noise: A Celebration of All Voices
When: Sunday, April 19
Where: WonderDome at Wells Fargo Atrium
Joyful Noice brings a mix of a cappella singers to join in harmony for powerful performances.
Food
When: April 3-19
Where: The Market at 7th Street
Flour & Ink features several opportunities to blend art and food, including a recipe-to-art exhibition, portrait series featuring local chefs and their recipes, weekend vendor market and cultural workshops.
Food Trucks on Levine Avenue
When: April 4-5, 11-12, 18-19
Where: Levine Avenue of the Arts
Indulge in a variety of food trucks on Levine Avenue of the Arts each weekend of SHOUT!, serving sweet and savory options.
When: Tuesday, April 14
Where: Victoria Yards
Experience Charlotte VegFest in the spring, featuring local vegan food vendors and plant-based bites.
When: Sunday, April 19
Where: Victoria Yards
Four winemakers from South Africa offer a curated selection of wines paired with small bites from chef Taylor Kastl of Teal Turnip.
Ideas
Haiku Huts
When: Saturday, April 4, 11, 18
Where: Curiosity Courtyard at Wells Fargo Plaza
Let a poet craft a personalized haiku for you in a cozy space.
Celebrate National Poetry Month
When: April 9, 13, 15
Where: WonderDome at Wells Fargo Atrium
Celebrate National Poetry Month during SHOUT! with special performances from electrifying poets.
When: Saturday, April 18
Where: First Ward Park
Learn more about UNC Charlotte’s Center for Community, Heritage and the Arts (CHArts) current projects by visiting the mobile studio, parked on 8th Street.
