In Charlotte, May is the beginning of the summer season. That means that free outdoor concerts are in full swing, festivals are kicking in, and there’s tons of kid-friendly fun as well.
Plan May with this list of the top things to do this May(2026) in Charlotte and the region.
We’re highlighting 28 events this month. But then, scroll down for our huge calendar of things to do in Charlotte, and surrounding areas in May. This calendar will be updated all the time. Every day! You can also jump directly to the day-by-day list.
Of course, we focus on the “free and cheap” here, so most of these events are absolutely free.
May Highlights in Charlotte
River Jam
River Jam
Date: Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays
Time: 7 to 10 p.m.
Place: Whitewater Center, 5000 Whitewater Center Parkway, Charlotte, NC
Cost: Admission is free. Parking is $13. An annual parking pass is $45.
Features: This popular outdoor music series runs from May to September. Activities are at regular price.
Free Comic Book Day
Free Comic Book Day
Date: Saturday, May 2, 2026
Time: All day
Place: Various locations
Cost: Free
Features: On this day, comic book stores (and even libraries) are giving away free comic books. Some venues have special activities as well, including artists making sketches, or costume contests.
RiverFest
RiverFest
Date: May 2, 2026
Time: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on McAdenville; 6:30 to 10:30 p.m. in Cramerton
Place: Outside Dyamo 31 Building, 102 Main Street, McAdenville, NC
Cost: Free, except for the floating concert.
Features: Celebrate the Catawba River at this event. There will be live music, food trucks, craft beer, artisans, vendors, kids’ activities and more. There is a special ticketed floating concert from McAdenville to Cramerton, and then the free live music picks up again in Cramerton for the evening.
Star Wars Day
Star Wars Day
Date: Monday, May 4, 2026 (but events happen other days as well)
Time: All day
Place: Various locations
Cost: Admission is free to most events
Features: May the Fourth be with you! Follow the above link for a collection of events to celebrate Star Wars Day.
Kings Drive Art Walk
Kings Drive Art Walk
Date: May 2 and 4, 2026
Time: 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday, and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday
Place: Little Sugar Creek Greenway at 600 South Kings Drive (at the corner of East Morehead Street) near the Metropolitan
Cost: Free
Features: More than 70 artists who work in many media, including painting, photography, metal, glass and more. Acoustic musicians will be providing live music for the event.
Cinco de Mayo
Cinco de Mayo
Date: May 5, 2026 (but some events are on other days)
Time: Various
Place: Various
Cost: Varies (most events are free)
Features: Celebrate with restaurant deals, parties and more
Hello Huntersville
Hello Huntersville
Date: Sunday, May 3, 2026
Time: 1 to 6 p.m.
Place: Veterans Park, Main and Maxwell Streets, Huntersville, NC
Cost: Free
Features: Live music, ice sculpture showdown, characters, rides for kids, art stations and more.
Outdoor Movies
Outdoor Movies
Date: Various
Time: Various
Place: Various
Cost: Varies (most events are free)
Features: This is the time when you’ll start to see many outdoor movies pop up around the Queen City. Some are for kids and some for adults. Most are free. The movies start at dusk, but the events often feature kids’ activities beforehand. Some even offer free popcorn!
Matthews Summerfest
Matthews Summerfest
Date: May 8 and 9, 2026
Time: 6 to 10 p.m. on Friday, and 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Saturday
Place: Stumptown Park
Cost: Admission is free. There’s a cost to rides and other activities
Features: Enjoy music of different genres. There are also carnival rides, small shops, exhibitors, craft beer and more.
Tega Cay’s Best Dam Food Festival
Tega Cay’s Best Dam Food Festival
Date: Saturday, May 9, 2026
Time: 2 to 10 p.m.
Place: Catawba Park, 2351 New Gray Rock Road, Tega Cay, SC
Cost: Free
Features: Live music, free amusements, a vendor marketplace and food trucks
Carolina Clay Matters Pottery Festival
Carolina Clay Matters Pottery Festival
Date: Saturday, May 9, 2026
Time: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Place: Ford Building, Camp North End, 400 Camp Road, Charlotte, NC
Cost: Free
Features: Explore the work of over 100 Charlotte area ceramic artists.
Kaleidoscope Fest in Waxhaw
Kaleidoscope Fest
Date: May 9, 2026
Time: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Place: Downtown Park, 301 Givens Street, Waxhaw, NC
Cost: Free
Features: Performances, artists, demos, kids’ activities, more
Charlotte Asian and Dragon Boat Festival
Charlotte Asian & Dragon Boat Festival
Date: May 16, 2026
Time: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Place: Ramsey Creek Park, 18441 Nantz Road, Cornelius, NC
Cost: Free
Features: Watch the racing of colorful dragon boats by local teams, and enjoy a cultural festival with performances, food stands and vendor booths. Parking is at 8900 North Pointe Executive Park, Huntersville, NC.
Outdoor Concerts
Outdoor Concerts
Date: Various dates
Time: Various times
Place: Various places
Cost: Mostly free
Features: May is prime season for outdoor concerts. They are happening everywhere, and it’s usually not too hot yet. Just follow the above link for a round-up of many concert series, as well as a day-by-day list of outdoor concerts.
St. Philip Neri Italian Festival in Fort Mill
St. Philip Neri Italian Festival
Date: May 14 to 16, 2026
Time: 5 to 10 p.m. on Thursday; 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and 5 to 10 p.m. on Friday; 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Saturday
Place: St. Philip Neri Catholic Church, 292 Munn Road East, Fort Mill, SC
Cost: Admission is free
Features: Children’s parade, artisans, fun zone, live music, wine and beer tastings, more.
Roly Poly Fest
Roly Poly Fest
Date: May 16, 2026
Time: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Place: Rob Wallace Park, 12900 Bethel School Road, Midland, NC
Cost: Free
Features: Celebrate the Roly Poly bug, as well as springtime with this fun festival. Nature crafts, family games, trail hikes, live animals, more.
Cheerwine Festival
Cheerwine Festival
Date: May 16, 2026
Time: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Place: Downtown Salisbury, NC. Consider taking the train to Salisbury!
Cost: Free
Features: Celebrate Cheerwine’s 100+ years in Salisbury. This festival features live music, a kids’ zone, Cheerwine-infused craft beer, Cheerwine-inspired food, vendor booths and much more.
Japan Fest
Japan Fest
Date: May 16 and 17, 2026
Time: 12 to 9 p.m. each day
Place: Urban District Market, 2315 N Davidson Street, Charlotte, NC
Cost: Free
Features: Martial arts, cosplay, origami, music, Matsuri games, food and drink and more
Meck Dec Day Noon Commemoration
Meck Dec Day Commemoration
Date: Wednesday, May 20, 2026
Time: Noon
Place: Trade and Tryon Streets, Charlotte, NC
Cost: Free
Features: Celebrate the signing of our nation’s first Declaration of Independence! This annual celebration includes debate, reenactments, dignitaries, mascots, plus musket and cannon fire.
Armenian Food Festival
Armenian Food Festival
Date: May 29 to 31, 2026
Time: 5 to 9 p.m. on Friday, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Saturday and 12 to 6 p.m. on Sunday
Place: St. Sarkis Armenian Apostolic Church, 7000 Park Road, Charlotte, NC
Cost: Free
Features: Authentic Armenian food for purchase, plus entertainment, and auction
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