Charlotte SHOUT! will fill Uptown Charlotte with art, music, dance, food and imagination from April 3 to 19, 2026, as it brings more than 200 events and attractions to Charlotte during those 17 days.
Here’s what else it will fill Uptown Charlotte with: kids! So many of the activities and events are perfect for kids. The art installations are colorful, interactive and open-ended, and beg to be explored by young visitors. There will also be plenty of music, dance, bubble shows, and more for kids to enjoy. There’s even a market run completely by kid entrepreneurs!
Need help getting a game plan together? Read on for a list of the top 10 things to kids to do at Charlotte SHOUT! This list is far from exhaustive! Make sure to visit CharlotteShout.com for many more attractions that are well-suited for kids. (By the way, I lied. There are 11 things in this list.)
And don’t worry — most of these activities and events are appropriate for the “kids at heart” too!
Street SHOUT! on the Green
Fridays to Sundays, from April 3 to 19, 2026
6 to 9 p.m. on Fridays and 1 to 8 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays
The Green
425 S Tryon Street, Charlotte, NC
Free
Learn more
Bring the kids to The Green any Friday, Saturday or Sunday of Charlotte SHOUT! for exciting performances by street artists. You can expect anything from giant bubbles to juggling circus arts. Follow the above link to see exactly what is happening each day.
The Trout Who Found the River
Sunday, April 12, 2026
1 p.m., 3 pm., and 5 p.m.
Wonderdome at Wells Fargo Atrium
325 S Tryon Street, Charlotte, NC
Free, but registration is required
Learn more and register
The Trout Who Found the River is a joyful, imagination-filled musical journey created especially for families. Blending live chamber music, storytelling, and theatrical magic, this original production invites children (and the grown-ups who love them) into a world of sparkling water, swirling currents, and big questions about courage, belonging, and the natural world.
Performed by a vibrant live ensemble of world-class musicians, the story unfolds through playful narration, rich soundscapes, and characters that leap right off the stage. Along the way, our brave trout encounters unexpected friends, surprising challenges, and the powerful realization that finding your place sometimes means venturing beyond what feels safe.
Los Trompos
April 3 to 19, 2026
All day
Levine Avenue of the Arts, Charlotte, NC
Free
Learn more
“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.
Kids’ Market
April 4 and 11, 2026
10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
First Ward Park
301 E 7th Street, Charlotte, NC
Free to visit (pay for purchases)
Lean more
Kids and their families can support other kids at the Charlotte Kids Market on April 4 and 11 at the beautiful First Ward Park in Uptown Charlotte during Charlotte SHOUT! Kids gain real-world, hands-on experience, learning money management, customer service, and problem-solving skills, all while discovering the excitement of running their own business in a fun and supportive environment.
Does your child want to participate? Follow the links here to learn more and sign your child up, if there is space.
Charlotte Ballet Day of Dance
Saturday, April 11, 2206
1 to 5 p.m.
Charlotte Ballet Academy
701 N Tryon Street, Charlotte, NC
Free
Lean more here
Spend your afternoon immersed in the joy of dance! Join Charlotte Ballet faculty and teaching artists through free classes in ballet, Afro-Brazilian, hip hop, tap, and jazz, and pop into the studios to catch a live performance by Charlotte Ballet’s professional company. All classes and rehearsals are free, open to the public, and perfect for general audiences.
Hive Mind
April 3 to 19, 2026
All Day
Curiosity Courtyard at Wells Fargo Plaza
301 S Tryon Street, Charlotte, NC
Free
Learn more
Welcome to Ian Wegener’s “Hive Mind,” where you can communicate to the other stations through tubes, and play games with each other while exploring the colorful and cozy stations! Use your imagination describing who is on the other side of the line, play games, and build and design your colorful peg wall.
Super Saturday at ImaginOn
Saturday, April 11, 2026
11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
ImaginOn, 300 E 7th Street, Charlotte, NC
Free (except for the performances of Disney’s Frozen the Broadway Musical)
Learn more
This Super Saturday, the Charlotte Mecklenburg Library and Children’s Theatre of Charlotte invite you to Let Wonder Lead the Way. This special collaboration with Charlotte SHOUT! will fuse the Broadway magic of Frozen with the whimsy of our favorite fairytale legends.
Enjoy Frozen-themed storytime, free performances of Topsy Turvy Cinderella, Puppy Karaoke, a puppet show, face painting, glitter tattoos, a princess meet and greet and more.
Easter Egg Hunt at First Ward Park
Saturday, April 4, 2026
10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
First Ward Park
301 E 7th Street, Charlotte, NC
Free, but registration is required and space is limited
Learn more. And register here.
Enjoy a day full of fun with a special appearance by the Easter Bunny, a bubble art show, face painting, sweet and savory treats, family entertainment, and golden eggs with fantastic prizes. Egg hunts are organized by age. This event is being promoted in Spanish, so will be especially accessible to Spanish-speaking families.
The Stamp Station
Stamp Station
April 3 to 19, 2026
All day
Disc Plaza, 101 S Tryon Street, Charlotte, NC
Free
Learn more
“Shayla Goes to SHOUT!” by Dominique Prescott is an interactive quest across nine SHOUT! festival locations where participants are artistic adventurers. Collect stamps throughout Uptown to complete the illustrations in “Shayla Goes to SHOUT!,” a story about a young girl exploring the festival with her family. (See page 21 of the Festival Guide to start your adventure.)
Start by picking up a Festival Guide and make your way around to the 9 stamp stops.
Stargate
April 3 to 19, 2026
All day
First Ward Park, 301 E 7th Street, Charlotte, NC
Free
Learn more
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.
Edgefest
Saturday, April 18, 2026
11 a.m. to 9 p.m.
First Ward Park, 301 E 7th Street, Charlotte, NC
Free
Learn more
Immerse yourself in a one-of-a-kind festival celebrating art, music, and community! Watch local mural artists bring their creations to life in a live painting showcase, groove to the DJ’s beats, and enjoy captivating music and dance performances. Experience the power of spoken word, unwind with yoga, and get hands-on with interactive art experiences. Explore stunning chalk art, embark on an exciting art scavenger hunt, and shop from talented local art vendors. With endless creativity around every corner, this is an event you won’t want to miss!
Double-Check Before You Head Out!
We make every effort to make sure that everything on Charlotte on the Cheap is 100% accurate.
However, sometimes things change without notice, and we are not always notified. It’s also possible that we can make a mistake.
Please verify all deals and events with the venue or organizer before you go.
New to Charlotte on the Cheap? You might also be interested in:
More Events for Kids
Check out our huge list of upcoming events for kids in the Charlotte area, or look at a few of them here:
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