62nd Annual Festival in the Park Sep 25-27

The 62nd Annual Festival in the Park will take place at Freedom Park, 1900 East Boulevard, from Friday, September 25, to Sunday, September 27, 2026.

It’s free to attend. There is a charge for rides.

Hours of Festival:

• Friday, September 25: 4 to 9 p.m.
• Saturday, September 26: 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.
• Sunday, September  27: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

We’ve included a lot of information about the festival, below. Keep reading or jump to:

• Artists
• Food
• Main Stage
• Folk Society Stage
• We Rock Youth Stage
• Family Fun Zone
• Children’s Art Area
• Parking
• Rules

Artists

More than 200 artists will be exhibiting and selling their work, in multiple media, including:

• Painting
• Watercolor
• Photography
• Mixed media
• Wood
• Metal
• Glass
• Clay
• Fiber and Leather
• Jewelry
• Sculpture
• Wearable crafts
• Drawing and graphics

See the full list of artists.

Food and Concessions

More than 40 vendors will be selling food and drink in the various zones of the festival. Find the whole list of food vendors here.

Entertainment

Find the updated list of performances here.

Main Stage

Friday, September 25

• 7 to 9 p.m.: Bailey Marie Band

Saturday, September 26

• 12 to 1:30 p.m.: Charlotte Pride Band
• 2 to 3 p.m.: Charlotte Youth Ballet
• 4 to 5 p.m.: Men Standing for Christ (Gospel)
• 7 to 9 p.m.: The Grateful Dudes (Grateful Dead tribute)

Sunday, September 27

• 12 to 1 p.m.: Hope of Israel (dance troupe)
• 2 to 3 p.m.:Youth Orchestras of Charlotte
• 4 to 5 p.m.: Randy Franklin & The Sardines (Americana)

Folk Society Stage

Friday, September 25

• 4:00 pm Kat Finnegan
• 4:30 pm Peregrine North
• 5:00 pm Mark Janney
• 5:30 pm Jim & Ron
• 6:00 pm Mike Alicke
• 6:30 pm Knight and Croft
• 7:00 pm Clare Marie
• 7:30 pm Tracy Simpson & Steve Simpson
• 8:00 pm Story Singer John Krizan

Saturday, September 26

• 10:00-10:50 am Mandolin Orchestra
• 11:00-11:50 am Kari Giles
• 12:00-12:50 pm Revolutionaries
• 1:00-1:50 pm Charlotte Appalachian Dulcimer Club
• 2:00-2:50 pm Cove Creek Bluegrass
• 3:00-3:50 pm Close Enough
• 4:00-4:50 pm The Side Jam
• 5:00-5:50 pm Mint Hill Express
• 6:00-6:40 pm Carolina Classic Cloggers
• 6:50-7:40 pm Toad & Possum

Sunday, September 27

• 11:00 am-12:45 pm Old Time Jam
• 1-1:30 pm Jubilant Jammers
• 2-3:30 pm Celtic Jam

We Rock Youth Stage

Friday, September 25

• 6 to 8 p.m.: Kids’ Karaoke

Saturday, September 26

• 11:45 a.m.: Backspinz (Dance)
• 12:30 p.m.: Aerial Performance (Dance)
• 2:00 p.m.: Aerial Performance (Dance)
• 3:00 p.m.: Youth Orchestras of Charlotte Ensemble (Live Music)
• 4:00 p.m.: University Park Creative Arts Elementary School (Live Music)
• 4:45 p.m.: Mayela World Dance (Dance)
• 5:30 p.m.: Shiva Dance Center (Live Music, Dance)
• 6:15 p.m.: Arts + Performers (Live Music)
• 7:00 p.m.: POCO PERRO (Live Music)
• 7:15 p.m.: Rock N’ Reel Movies (Children’s Entertainment)

Sunday, September 27

• Backspinz: Backspinz (DJ Performance)
• 10:30 a.m.: SipJin Taikwando (Martial Arts)
• 11:00 a.m.: CML Puppeteers (Children’s Entertainment)
• 11:30 a.m.: Children’s Storytelling (Children’s Entertainment)
• 12:30 p.m.: Aerial Performance (Dance)
• 2:00 p.m.: Aerial Performance (Dance)
• 3:00 p.m.: BabyPUNK (Live Music)
• 3:45 p.m.: We Rock Voices (Live Music)
• 4:30 p.m.: We Rock Band (Live Music)

Family Fun Zone

Single tickets will be available for sale. Rides vary in number of tickets needed.

Prices for tickets are:

• 1 ticket — $1.50
• 5 tickets – $5.00
• 10 tickets – $10.00
• 15 tickets – $15.00
• 20 tickets – $20.00

The “Family Fun Zone” surrounds the Freedom Park Locomotive. The Younger Festival-goers can experience the thrill of riding the Way Out Swing, sliding down the Rapid Slide, enjoying the Fun House, climbing through an inflatable Obstacle Course, Climbing Mt Everest in Myers Park, clanging the bell of a trackless train or challenging their parent on a dual slide.

Children’s Art Area

Small Hands Big Art is providing hands-on art activities for children. All activities are free, but a small donation is welcome. Look for this area near the Family Fun Zone.

Parking

Parking is available Friday after 5pm and all day Saturday and Sunday.

• Parking Lots are cash only
• Atrium Health Myers Park (GPS location: East Blvd. Charlotte, NC @ South Kings Dr.)
• Limited parking is available for $20 on Friday, Saturday & Sunday at Atrium Health Myers Park, located directly across from the Freedom Park entrance in the 1900 block of East Boulevard.
• Patrons are also encouraged to consider a ride share service, such as Uber or Lyft, with recommended drop off points at 2435 Cumberland Avenue or 1600 Princeton Avenue.
• Accessible parking for individuals who have disabilities is available on a first come first serve basis at the Freedom Park lot on East Blvd. Vehicles must display either a NC DMV issued disability placard or license plate to enter and park.

Rules

• Pets are not allowed
• Skateboards are not allowed
• Roller-blading is not allowed
• Scooters & Bikes must be walked