The very popular festival Matthews Alive is returning in 2026! It will take place from September 4 to 7, 2026, in Downtown Matthews, North Carolina.
- Friday: 4 to 10 p.m.
- Saturday: 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
- Sunday: 1 to 10 p.m.
- Monday: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The annual festival, a Charlotte area Labor Day weekend tradition, is dedicated to the support of local non-profit organizations through music, arts and community involvement.
The festival features three stages of live music, rides, games, the Dilling Small Shops, food and drink vendors, a kids’ zone, and a Labor Day parade.
The community center will host exhibits, including woodorking, robotics, weaving and spinning, baskets and quilts. McDowell Art Center will host the Matthews Artist Guild Art Show.
Admission is free. Tickets are required for the carnival rides, games, and inflatable attractions, and can be purchased on-site. There is an “all you can ride” wristband available on Friday, starting at 4 p.m., for $30.
Daily Schedule
Check matthewsalive.org/full-schedule/ for any changes, and for more details.
Friday, September 4
4 to 10 p.m.
- 4 p.m.: All-You-Can-Ride Wristband Night at the carnival ($30)
- 6 p.m.: Sponsor exhibits and food vendors open
Main Stage
- 6:30 to 8 p.m.: The Entertainers
- 8:30 to 10 p.m.: Electric Avenue — 80s MTV Experience
Saturday, September 5
10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
- 9:30 a.m.: The Matthews Alive Parade through downtown Matthews!
- 10 a.m.: Dilling Small Shops, Sponsor Exhibits, Carnival, & Food Vendors open.
- 11 a.m.: Community Center building opens.
Main Stage
- 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.: Festival tunes w/Jim Shafer
- 4:30 to 6 p.m.: Rudy’s Bluegrass Revue
- 6:30 to 8 p.m.: Dustin Wilson & The Howlers
- 8:30 to 10 p.m.: The American Ride/Toby Keith tribute
Children’s Stage
- 1 p.m.: Steve Langley’s Variety Show
- 2 p.m.: Corky the Magic Clown
- 3 p.m.: Steve Brogan, Comic Ventriloquist
- 4 p.m.: Jolly Roger the Pirate
Community Center Indoor Music
- 12 to 3 p.m.: Jonathan Gatton (keyboards/vocals, theater lobby)
- 4 to 6 p.m.: Signature Keys, dueling pianos (theater stage)
Sunday, September 6
1 to 10 p.m.
- 1 p.m.: Dilling Small Shops, Sponsor Exhibits, Carnival, & Food Vendors open.
- 1 p.m. Community Center building opens.
Main Stage
- 1 to 4 p.m.: Festival tunes w/ Jim Shafer
- 4:30 to 6 p.m.: Stella Rising
- 6:30 to 8 p.m.: U-Neek Flavur
- 8:30 to 10 p.m.: The Purple Experience (Prince tribute)
Children’s Stage
- 1 p.m.: Steve Langley’s Variety Show
- 2 p.m.: Corky the Magic Clown
- 3 p.m.: Steve Brogan, Comic Ventriloquist
- 4 p.m.: Jolly Roger the Pirate
Community Center Indoor Music
- 1 to 3 p.m.: Cori Rose (keyboards/vocals, theater lobby)
- 4 to 6 p.m.: Signature Keys, dueling pianos (theater stage)
Monday, September 7
9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.: Dilling Small Shops, Sponsor Exhibits, Carnival, & Food Vendors open
- 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.: Community Center building opens
Main Stage
- 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.: Festival tunes w/ Jim Shafer
- 1:30 to 3 p.m.: Distillery Cats
- 3:30 to 5 p.m.: Thirsty Horses
Children’s Stage
- 1 p.m.: Steve Langley’s Variety Show
- 2 p.m.: Corky the Magic Clown
- 3 p.m.: Steve Brogan, Comic Ventriloquist
- 4 p.m.: Jolly Roger the Pirate
Community Center Indoor Music
- 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.: Colby Dobbs (keyboards/vocals, theater lobby)
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.
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