Your Guide to the Charlotte International Arts Festival
Explore whimsical visual and performing arts from local and international artists during this month-long event.
by Arielle Patterson Sep 1, 2025
The Charlotte International Arts Festival (CIAF) is an annual celebration showcasing imaginative art installations, live performances and free events in Uptown, Ballantyne and more. With so much to see and experience from Sept. 1-30, here are the CIAF experiences you need to know about, including partner events.
For more information on the Charlotte International Arts Festival lineup, visit charlotteartsfest.com.
Women of the World
When: Sept. 1-30
Where: Various Locations
Throughout CIAF locations, keep an eye out for the larger-than-life “Women of the World” pageant puppets.
Songs for a New World
When: Sept. 5-7
Where: Stage Door Theater
Written by Jason Robert Brown, this moving collection of powerful songs examines life, love, and the choices people make.
ArtPop Upcycled Fashion Show
When: Sept. 6
Where: Blume Studios
Watch a runway show unlike any other featuring couture fashion made with retired ArtPop artist billboards.
Festival Biergarten
When: Sept. 12-28
Where: Levine Avenue
Grab an ice cold beer and take a break from exploring the art installations and free entertainment in Uptown.
Meliora by Atelier Sisu
When: Sept. 12-28
Where: The Green
“Meliora” is a public art-chitecture piece that exists as a space of reflection, immersion and joy for the audience.
Splendour By Atelier Sisu
When: Sept. 12-28
Where: Levine Avenue
As you’re walking along Levine Avenue, look up to catch the iridescent bubbles of the “Splendour” piece.
CIAF x CLTFC
When: Sept. 13
Where: Levine Avenue
More information to come on this collaboration between Charlotte FC and CIAF.
Gravitate
When: Sept. 13
Where: Levine Avenue
Move your body to deep Afro house music, accompanied by live percussionists.
Leaving Your Mark
When: Sept. 13
Where: Knight Theater
Queen City Zine Festival leads this interactive workshop teaching self-expression through zine making.
International Bazaar
When: Sept. 13-14
Where: The Iron District
Browse merchants and vendors representing local cultural groups and nonprofit organizations.
Labyrinth by Atelier Sisu
When: Sept. 13-14, Sept. 20-21
Where: The Iron District, Ballantyne’s Backyard
This “modular colorful art-chitecture and a temporary playground” is inspired by the golden ratio and the Fibonacci sequence.
Roots to Rise
When: Sept. 13, 20
Where: Levine Avenue
Reconnect with your breath, body and inner stability during this 45-minute healing experience.
Forest Forms
When: Sept. 13-30
Where: Anne Spring Close Greenway
Experience renowned artist Huelani Mei’s enchanting traveling outdoor art exhibition that celebrates the harmony of the natural world.
CLTure Day + Night Market
When: Sept. 14
Where: The Iron District
This day and night market showcases an array of Asian culture, from authentic cuisine and cultural performances to art exhibits and a local-makers market.
Move Together
When: Sept. 14
Where: The Green
This family-friendly celebration of movement and music will get all ages dancing with playful dance, rhythm games and connection-based movement.
FOMO: Museum Block Party
When: Sept. 17
Where: Levine Avenue
Come out for Charlotte’s biggest museum block party, featuring free admission to the Uptown museums, DJs, live music, interactive art and more.
Annual Gala: Gil Shaham Plays Tchaikovsky
When: Sept. 18
Where: Belk Theater
Music director Kwamé Ryan conducts his first Charlotte Symphony Gala, opening the season with Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 1.
All My Friends are Fly
When: Sept. 18, 25
Where: Levine Avenue
Music, art, culture and community collide to connect people and celebrate originality.
Neon Nights with Radical Grove
When: Sept. 19, 26
Where: Levine Avenue
DJ collective, Radical Grove, presents a silent disco party with two DJs playing each hour on two separate channels.
3rd Annual AfroCareCLT Cultural Gala
When: Sept. 19
Where: Project 658
Help raise money to install a technology lab in Kamsi, Ghana, as you enjoy an authentic African dance troop and food from Ghanaian chef, Awo.
Step Afrika!
When: Sept. 19
Where: Knight Theater
Step Afrika! blends percussive dance styles, traditional African dances, and an array of contemporary dance and art forms into cohesive compelling artistic experience.
The Jazz Room Presents: Arturo O’Farrill Sextet
When: Sept. 19-20
Where: Stage Door Theater
Enjoy an evening of Afro Latin grooves with prolific pianist Arturo O’Farril with his high-energy sextet, in celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month.
International Dance Day
When: Sept. 20
Where: Levine Avenue
Get on your feet for an afternoon of dance, featuring performances from around the globe.
Mindful Sketching: Collidoscope
When: Sept. 20
Where: Mint Museum Uptown
Sketch a work in the exhibition “Collidoscope: de la Torre Brothers Retro-Perspective,” showcasing vibrant glass mixed media sculptures.
Catawba Nations Artistry Celebration
When: Sept. 20
Where: Blume Studios
Watch live pottery, basketry and feather fan demonstrations by skilled artisans from the Catawba Indian Nation.
The Orchestra
When: Sept. 20
Where: Knight Theater
The Orchestra, starring Electric Light Orchestra and ELO Part II former members, bring their dynamic sound to Knight Theater.
Inner Child Play Day
When: Sept. 21
Where: The Green
All ages can experience 90 playful minutes of movement, imagination and creativity.
Africa IS LIVE!
When: Sept. 21
Where: Levine Avenue
This partnership between CIAF and Africa LIVE showcases authentic African music and culture.
Indie on Wheels: The Mecca
When: Sept. 24
Where: Harvey B. Gantt Center for African-American Art + Culture
Enjoy a screening of “The Mecca,” a coming-of-age film that follows a Black boy navigating the culture shock of transitioning from a predominantly white prep school to a prestigious HBCU.
The BREWmenthal
When: Sept. 26
Where: Levine Avenue
Start your morning off with a coffee and music from Radical Grove’s DJs.
Verses + Vibes
When: Sept. 27
Where: Levine Avenue
This poetry experience, hosted by Zulynette, is a spoken word event designed to celebrate culture.
Su Casa
When: Sept. 27
Where: Levine Avenue
Enjoy an Afro-fusion dance party with DJ Bloc and DJ Black.
The Guild POP Up Artists Market
When: Sept. 28
Where: Mint Museum Randolph
This market features more than 70 artists who are all members of the Guild of Charlotte Artists.
Boom
When: Sept. 28
Where: Levine Avenue
Close out the final weekend of CIAF with dance, music and interactive activities where you can be the audience and the artist.
CIAF Partner Events
SouthPark After 5
When: Sept. 4-25
Where: Symphony Park
Thursday evenings, bring your picnic blanket or lawn chair and head to Symphony Park in SouthPark for a free outdoor concert.
El Grito Festival
When: Sept. 7
Where: Route 29 Pavilion
Celebrate Mexican Independence Day with live entertainment, authentic Mexican street food, mariachi music, folkloric dancers and more.
Lowcountry Food & Culture Festival
When: Sept. 13
Where: Shoppes at University Place
Experience Lowcountry cuisine and culture, through soulful music, art and crafts from local makers, as you sip Southern cocktails and learn the history of the Lowcountry.
Charlotte Brunch Festival – Fall Pop Up
When: Sept. 13
Where: The Iron District
Indulge in an array of brunch dishes from local chefs as you sip on brunch cocktails and mocktails.
Festival in the Park
When: Sept. 19-21
Where: Freedom Park
Over three days, enjoy performances on multiple stages, food vendors, a Family Fun Zone and art from almost 200 artists.
35th Annual Latin American Festival
When: Sept. 20
Where: Ballantyne’s Backyard
The rich cultural tapestry of several Latin American countries is on display through food, dance, music and more.
Diner en Blanc
When: Sept. 20
Where: Secret Location
Join the email list to find out the secret location for this year’s Diner en Blanc, an all-white outdoor dining experience.
Festival of India
When: Sept. 20-21
Where: Belk Theater, Ballantyne’s Backyard
Both days of Festival of India offer a chance to immerse yourself in this vibrant culture, from Bollywood-style performances to arts, crafts, clothing and food vendors.
Charlotte Film Festival
When: Sept. 23-28
Where: Independent Picture House
Get tickets for moving documentaries, animated shorts, student films and more, as well as selections from some of the world's best film festivals.
UNC Charlotte International Festival
When: Sept. 27
Where: UNC Charlotte
Booths showcase the art, culture, costumes, food, music and dance of more than 35 nations at this marketplace-style event.
Arielle Patterson
Arielle is the Digital Content Specialist for the Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority. A Baltimore native, Arielle quickly fell in love with everything the Queen City has to offer after her first visit. When she's not writing and editing, she's indulging in Charlotte's culinary scene or at home watching reality television.
