Charlotte SHOUT! Get a sneak peek at some of the new art installations (and more!)

Charlotte SHOUT! is one of the most beloved festivals in Charlotte. It is presented by Charlotte Center City Partners.

It is returning to Uptown Charlotte from April 3 to 19, 2026.

Jump to:

• Art installations
• Live music
• Festivals within the Festival
• Pictures from past Charlotte SHOUT! festivals

Portal to the Imagination

Disc Plaza, 101 S Tryon Street, Charlotte, NC

Guests step up to a futuristic portal and press the green button. Once activated, the inter-dimensional portal opens up to one of 8 different randomized destinations, from the depths of the ocean, to the furthest reaches of space, leading guests on a journey of curiosity and wonder.

As the portal opens, a fantastical world emerges from the gateway, spilling out onto the ground at guests’ feet, blurring the boundaries between one dimension and the next. After a few moments, the magical world gets sucked back into the portal, it closes, and beckons the next guest to press the button to see where they’ll go.

Tumbling Textures

Bank of America Plaza, Trade and Tryon Streets

“Tumbling Textures” by Claire Kiester is a large-scale soft sculpture installation. It features 3 large orbs composed of recycled plastic containers filled with various materials. These vary from rice, bells and rocks to water and sand. As viewers spin them by hand, they are surrounded by a symphony of sounds, similar to that of a rain stick. “Tumbling Textures” sparks curiosity in viewers and challenges their previous conceptions of crochet and recycling.

Kalied-Escape

WFAE Uptown, 301 E 7th Street, Charlotte, NC

“Kaleid-Escape” by Rebecca Lipps and Caleb Dickerson is an interactive projection installation that transforms visitors into co-creators of a mesmerizing, ever-evolving kaleidoscopic world. Every movement, gesture, and interaction you make shapes the visuals, producing patterns that are uniquely yours. These interactions combine with environmental variables—like light, sound, and spatial dynamics—so that no two experiences are ever the same.

Step inside and become immersed in a vibrant, dynamic landscape where color, form, and motion respond to your presence. As you explore, you are both participant and conductor, orchestrating an evolving symphony of visuals that bend perception, time, and space. Whether you move slowly or with abandon, your engagement continuously reshapes the environment, inviting endless discovery and wonder. Kaleid-Escape is not just a projection—it’s a personal journey into a living, breathing kaleidoscope, where imagination and reality intertwine in extraordinary ways.

Fish

McColl Park, 108 S Tryon Street, Charlotte, NC

“Fish” by Doyle Bussey is a playful, interactive sculpture designed to spark curiosity and connection. Made from recycled translucent 55-gallon plastic drums and steel wire repurposed from old political signs, the piece transforms previously manufactured materials into something lively and new. By day, Fish can blow bubbles—or at least delight visitors with whimsical bubble sounds, depending on the setting—adding a sense of surprise and wonder. By night, it glows from within, illuminated by programmable LEDs that respond to the movement of nearby guests. As people approach, touch, and move around the sculpture, shifting light patterns create a visible link between human motion and the artwork’s behavior. Fish is meant to be fun and approachable, inviting hands-on interaction, while also quietly encouraging environmental stewardship through the creative reuse of discarded materials.

ShoutOke Frequency

Levine Avenue of the Arts, Charlotte, NC

“ShoutOke Frequency” by Aguinaldo Santos is a giant interactive radio sculpture that transforms sound, light, and space into a playful and creative experience. Its metal structure mixes shapes, materials, and sizes, creating a visually striking installation that invites audience participation. LED lights respond to voices and music, turning every performance into a dynamic, shared spectacle.

Welcome Voices

First Ward Park, 301 E 7th Street, Charlotte, NC

Tara Spil’s “Welcome Voices” is an interactive installation where viewers can meet and celebrate Charlotte’s newcomers. With 157 people moving here every day, there are many stories to be told. Interact with this vibrant and colorful sculpture to learn more about people and neighbors in the Charlotte community.

Weci | Koninut

First Ward Park, 301 E 7th Street, Charlotte, NC

Weci | Koninut invites passerby to a sensory journey through the forest (Notcimik) guided by the six seasons of the Atikamekw culture. The interactive installation offers an evocative space that encourages visitors to explore their own dreams and inner reflections.

The peaceful spirit of the forest meets the urban landscape.

Composed of six giant dream catchers, Weci | Koninut embodies the wisdom of the ancestors and deep respect for our environment. Each season—from Pitcipipon, the Pre-Winter, to Takwakin, the Autumn—creates a vibrant, immersive setting with its own unique interplay of light and sound. Visitors are invited to settle comfortably within this space, where their presence activates the experience and carries them into a world of dreams.

Stargate

First Ward Park, 301 E 7th Street, Charlotte, NC

Step into the future with “STARGATE,” an innovative projection sculpture by Jay Tettamanti the creative mind behind Chalk River Labs. Featuring a 12ft square encompassing a circular ring, ingeniously designed to usher viewers on an awe-inspiring journey through the cosmos. This sculptural marvel employs projection mapping to wrap the entire structure with mesmerizing visuals that can be appreciated from any vantage point. Viewers are encouraged to climb into the central ring, serving as both a meditative space and a source of breathtaking photo opportunities, creating interaction and shared experiences. Hypnotic visuals seamlessly meld with a contemplative soundtrack, creating an otherworldly portal where the audience is transported to the realm of the stars.

The Oracles Speak

Wells Fargo Plaza, 301 S Tryon Street, Charlotte, NC and ImaginOn, 300 E 7th Street, Charlotte, NC

Come talk with the Oracles! Dorne Pentes’ giant inflatables. Creatures of numerous sizes and shapes are waiting to talk with you! Giant aliens, happy hearts, and even baby aliens! Are you curious? Ask the Oracles anything (well, almost anything) and they’ll respond with kindness and wisdom. Some Oracles are up in the air, and some are down on the ground; see how many you can find! Come visit the Oracles for great conversations and knowledge!

Los Trompos

Levine Avenue of the Arts, Charlotte, NC

“Los Trompos” (“Spinning Tops” in Spanish) draws its inspiration from a toy that has been popular with children around the world since the dawn of time. This large scale, interactive artistic installation engages visitors in a way that is both meaningful and playful.

Los Trompos features eight larger-than-life, three-dimensional spinning tops in a variety of colors and shapes. The colorful surfaces of each top are created in part by fabric woven in a traditional Mexican style. The fabric is stretched over the modules to seat several people at once.

Functioning as both artwork and rotating platform, each sculpture acts as a gathering place for relaxation, social interaction and entertainment. By working together to create momentum, visitors can spin the tops on their bases. Through interaction and collaboration, Los Trompos comes to life and gives new meaning to the art of play.

Live Music at Charlotte SHOUT!

These are just a few of the live music events taking place at Charlotte SHOUT! Please make sure to follow the links to get all the details.

• Soul Junction: April 3, 5 p.m., First Ward Park (free)
• Gospel Sunday, Easter Edition: April 5, 4 p.m., First Ward Park (free)
• Tosco Music Party: April 11, 7:30 p.m., Knight Theater (ticketed)
• The Trout Who Found the River: April 12, several times, Wells Fargo Atrium (free)
• Gospel Shout, April 14, 7:30 p.m., United House of Prayer for All People (free)
• Charlotte Symphony Live on the Plaza, April 15, 12 p.m., The Green (free)
• FOMO Museum Block Party: April 15, 5 p.m., Levine Avenue of the Arts (free)

Festivals Within The Festival

• Carolina BBQ Festival, April 17 and 18, Victoria Yards (ticketed)
• Charlotte StrEATs Festival, multiple dates, Wells Fargo Atrium and First Ward Park (free and ticketed components)
• Charlotte Ideas Festival, April 9 to 14, multiple locations (free and ticketed components)
• Edgefest: April 18, First Ward Park (free)