Charlotte SHOUT Festival Returns With Record 200 Events

Uptown Charlotte will come alive from April 4 to April 20. This year's Charlotte SHOUT features 200 events, following last year's massive success that attracted 642,000 visitors and brought $17.1 million to local businesses.

“Charlotte SHOUT! continues to elevate the vibrancy of Uptown, drawing hundreds of thousands of visitors and creating unforgettable moments,” said festival producer Robert Krumbine to wcbecharlotte.com. “This festival is a celebration of Charlotte's creative spirit and its ability to bring people together through art, music, food, and ideas. We can't wait to see how this year's lineup inspires and engages our community.”

Two new attractions join the lineup this year. CanStruction will showcase teams creating amazing sculptures from canned goods, while Queen's Greens transform mini-golf into art with locally designed courses. The food drive made a real impact, last year's CanStruction gathered 100,000 cans for local food banks.

The main festival is split into three unique experiences. Charlotte StrEATs brings 50 food vendors to the streets. The Carolina BBQ Festival pits pitmasters from both states against each other. The Ideas Festival gathers innovators to explore tech challenges and social issues.

Thanks to support from Bank of America and Atrium Health, plus city and county funding, the festival continues to expand. Local artists earned 10% more in 2024, receiving $650,000 overall.

The Carolina Theatre hosts opening night on April 3rd. AI expert Noelle Russell will lead a discussion about how artificial intelligence influences creative work.

Popular events are back too. The Eggs on Parade sale helps fund arts programs, and musicians return to Pianodrome, a unique venue made from recycled pianos that debuted in 2023.

Charlotte Center City Partners filled the calendar after seeing attendance grow and community engagement rise. Their three-week celebration aims to offer something for everyone visiting Uptown.