Events & Festivals in Charlotte

Run 26.2 miles past Romare Bearden Park, the BB&T Ballpark, and the gold-leaf dome of the Old City Hall while cowbells clang and orange slices fly on Tryon Street.

150+ kitchens, three-course prix-fixe, Korean fried chicken in South End to pecan-crusted trout in Myers Park without emptying your wallet.

Step-dance battles, griot storytelling inside the Harvey B. Gantt Center, djembe drums bouncing off glass walls, sweet-potato pie thick in the lobby air.

Citrusy IPAs poured inside Charlotte Motor Speedway's infield while indie rock rattles aluminum grandstands.

Tulips, hydrangeas, heirloom tomato seedlings along the Rail Trail behind the Charlotte Farmers Market.

Five nights, national headliners, brass glinting under string lights at Romare Bearden Park.

750-horsepower stock cars scream through the NASCAR All-Star Race at Charlotte Motor Speedway, Concord, tires clawing North Carolina clay, feel the rumble in your ribs.

Paints the Catawba River at the U.S. National Whitewater Center, 40-foot canoes, drumbeats, pork-bun steam.

Rolls a mile-long rainbow down Tryon Street to Gateway Village, confetti cannons, rainbow doughnuts, humidity thick as syrup.

Shuts six blocks of Tryon for lamb gyros, mac-and-cheese cones, Cheerwine-glazed ribs.

Keeps drums circling 12 straight hours at House of Africa, Thomas Avenue, okra stew, kente-cloth looms, stories under canvas.

15-minute pyro barrage over BB&T Stadium reflects off downtown's glass canyon.

Fills the Charlotte Convention Center with smoker-sized brisket and popping bourbon barrels.

Holy Trinity Orthodox Church parking lot becomes a taverna, loukoumades dripping honey, tsarouhia stomping.

Larger festival at Holy Trinity Cathedral, gold-leaf icons, choir echoes, anise misting off ouzo bars.

Turns Levine Center for the Arts plaza into an alfresco gallery, kinetic sculptures, flamenco heels, churros, turpentine.

Opens in Huntersville, 25 acres of turkey-leg smoke, clanking armor, bagpipe duels.

Parks circus tents inside Charlotte Motor Speedway infield, home-brewers, oompah tubas, autumn leaves in every sip.

Keeps Freedom Park mellow, brass under maple leaves, pizza boxes, battery candles recommended.

Marches with the Veterans Day Parade down Tryon Street, snare drums, butterscotch candies, bomber-jacket leather in crisp air.

Pops up in First Ward Park, German cabins, carved ornaments, Glühwein fog on vendor glass.

Skates at Holiday on Ice outside the NASCAR Hall of Fame, 5,000-square-foot rink, LED colors bouncing off chrome fenders.

Ends the year, button hunt through museums, fireworks, a cappella harmonies under the clock tower at midnight.