Let’s Kick It Outside

SPRING GUIDE 2022

Let’s get together

Listen, we can’t say whether the pandemic is over or not, but we can let you know about these outdoor events to hit up this spring as the weather warms up. Hang out and stay safe.

SPORTS

CHARLOTTE FC’S INAUGURAL SEASON HAS ALREADY KICKED OFF.

PHOTO BY TAYLOR BANNER/CHARLOTTE FC

Charlotte FC

Bank of America Stadium, 800 S. Mint St., charlottefootballclub.com March 19 vs. New England Revolution March 26 vs. FC Cincinnati April 10 vs. Atlanta United FC May 7 vs. Inter Miami CF May 14 vs. CF Montreal May 22 vs. Vancouver Whitecaps FC June 11 vs. New York Red Bulls

Charlotte Knights

Truist Field, 424 W. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., milb.com/charlotte-knights

Other Baseball at Truist Field

Mar. 23: Davidson College vs. UNC Charlotte Apr. 5: University of South Carolina vs. University of North Carolina

Charlotte Motor Speedway

5555 Concord Pkwy. S, charlottemotorspeedway.com

April 7-10: Charlotte AutoFair April 29-May 1: NHRA Four-Wide Nationals May 11-14: Colossal 100 May 27: NC Education Lottery 200 May 28: ALSCO Uniforms 300 May 29: Coca-Cola 600 June 13-14: Summer Shootout

April 30: Queen’s Cup Steeplechase

Dress like you’re going to a fine-dining establishment, drink like you’re going to a NASCAR race. $60 and up; April 30, 10 a.m.; Queen’s Cup Grounds, 6103 Waxhaw Hwy., Mineral Springs; queenscup.org

April 12-17 vs. Memphis Redbirds April 19-24 vs. Nashville Sounds April 26-May 1 vs. Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp May 3-8 vs. Gwinnett Stripers May 10-15 vs. Indianapolis Indians May 17-22 vs. Norfolk Tides May 24-29 vs. Durham Bulls May 31-June 5 vs. Memphis Redbirds June 7-12 vs. Louisville Bats June 14-19 vs. Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp

ARTS, CULTURE AND RETAIL

March 20 & May 22: Girl Tribe Pop Up in the Garden

Shopping, cocktails and food featuring a lineup of women-owned businesses and brands. $5-$10; March 20 & May 22, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Alexander Homestead, 4717 Shamrock Drive; girltribepopup.com

March 26-27: CRAFT Fest

A blend of craft vendors, a viewers’ choice art show, demonstrations, classes and food trucks. Free; March 26, 11 a.m.-7 p.m.; March 27, noon4 p.m.; Sleepy Poet Antique Mall, 6424 South Blvd.; wecraftclt.org

April 1-17: Charlotte SHOUT!

A celebration of creativity and innovation through art, music, food and ideas, featuring large-scale installations throughout Uptown. Free; April 1-17; Center City Charlotte; charlotteshout.com

April 2: Paws in the Park

A pet-friendly party that promotes dog rescues and adoption. Free; April 2, 10 a.m.-3 p.m.; Pineville Lake Park, 1000 Johnston Drive, Pineville; charlotteblackdogs.com

April 9-10: Loch Norman Highland Games

Experience Scottish history and culture through traditional dancing, food, bagpiping, athletics and reenactments. $8 and up; April 9-10, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.; Historic Rural Hill, 4431 Neck Road, Huntersville; lochnorman.com

April 23: Joedance Rock the Cemetery

Live music from Southbound and screenings of four short films. $20 and up; April 23, 6 p.m.; Historic Elmwood Pinewood Cemetery, 700 W. 6th St.; joedance.org

April 30: Brightfire Music & Arts Festival

A kaleidoscopic celebration of life, hope and renewal through music, art, fire, dance and nature. $20 and up; April 30, 4-10 p.m.; Historic Rural Hill, 4431 Neck Road, Huntersville; brightfire.eventbrite.com

May 11-15: Reel Out Film Festival

An annual LGBTQ film festival and program of Charlotte Pride. Prices vary; May 11-15, times vary; Camp North End Boileryard, 300 Camp Road; charlottepride.org

May 28: Water Lantern Festival

A festival that includes DIY floating lanterns made to reflect messages of love, hope and happiness. $15 and up; May 28, 5:30-10 p.m.; Symphony Park, SouthPark Mall, 4400 Sharon Road; waterlanternfestival.com/charlotte.php

May 29: Nick Cannon Presents Wild ‘N Out Live

A live run of MTV’s improv/competition show with comedy, variety and game show elements. $29.50 and up; May 29, 8 p.m.; PNC Music Pavilion, 707 Pavilion Blvd.; tinyurl.com/ WildNOutLive

June 18: North Carolina Juneteenth Festival

Themed “Educating, Empowering, Entertaining,” this festival features 40 Black-owned companies, crafts, performances, art and kids activities. Free; June 18, 1-5 p.m.; Cabarrus Arena, 4751 NC49, Concord; tinyurl.com/NCJuneteenthFestival

FOOD, DRINK & WELLNESS

PHOTO CREDIT: PIXABAY

Walks, Runs & Races

March 20: Dash for Down Syndrome; tinyurl.com/DashForDown March 26: Craft Beer Half Marathon & 5-Milers; tinyurl.com/CraftBeerHalf March 26: Get your Rear in Gear 5K; tinyurl.com/RearInGearCLT March 26: USNWC: The Whole Enchilada MTB Race; whitewater.org April 2: Hemophilia Walk for Blood Disorders; tinyurl.com/HemoWalkCLT April 2: USNWC: New South Trail Marathon; whitewater.org April 9: Charlotte Racefest; charlotteracefest.com April 9: USNWC: Whitewater Triathalon; whitewater.org May 12: USNWC: River Jam Run Race Edition; whitewater.org May 20: USNWC: Time Lapse 24-Hour Relay Race; whitewater.org

March 27: CLT Donut Festival

A showcase of donuts and other treats, plus coffee, smoothies and alcoholic beverages. $25 and up; March 27, 1-5 p.m.; Norfolk Hall, 2905 Griffith St.; tinyurl.com/CLTDonutFestival

April 9: Empanada Fest

Pastry turnovers, live music and dancing. Free; April 9, Noon; Camp North End, 300 Camp Road; tinyurl.com/EmpanadaFest

April 29-May 1: Tuck Fest

A celebration of the outdoor lifestyle through competitions, exhibitions, demos and live music. Free; April 29-May 1, times vary; U.S. National Whitewater Center, 5000 Whitewater Center Pkwy.; tuckfest.whitewater.org

May 6-7: NC Brewers & Music Festival

A weekend of local craft beer and live music. $8 and up; May 6, 5:30-10 p.m.; May 7, 12:3010 p.m.; Historic Rural Hill, 4431 Neck Road, Huntersville; ncbrewsmusic.com

May 7: Charlotte Seltzerland

Fairways lined with 100-plus varieties of hard seltzer to sample, plus photo ops, music and activities. $35 and up; May 7, 11 a.m.-5:30 p.m.; Paradise Valley Golf Club, 110 Barton Creek Drive; seltzerland.com/charlotte-2022

May 14: Cup in Hand Kickball Tournament

Play kickball with a cup of liquid in your hand and try not to spill it. Beer and mimosas included, plus cornhole, beer pong and flip cup. Free; May 14, 9 a.m.-6 p.m.; Veterans Park, 2136 Central Ave.; tinyurl.com/CupKickball

May 14: Wing a Ding Ding Festival

Over 30 kinds of wings and fried chicken to sample from top chefs and food vendors. $15-$45; May 14, 11:30 a.m.-9 p.m.; Symphony Park, SouthPark Mall, 4400 Sharon Road; wingadingdingfest.com

May 21: Beer, Bourbon & BBQ Festival

An all-you-can-taste sampling of beer and bourbon, plus live entertainment. $42-$75; May 21, Noon-6 p.m.; Ballantyne’s Backyard, 11611 N. Community House Road; charlotte.beerandbourbon.com

FOO FIGHTERS

PHOTO BY MR. ROSSI/CC

PNC Music Pavilion

707 Pavilion Blvd., tinyurl.com/PNCMusicPavilion

April 30: Jimmy Buffet May 8: AJR: The OK Orchestra May 12: Tim McGraw May 20: Dave Matthews Band May 24: Foo Fighters May 27: Halsey June 2: Morgan Wallen June 8: The Doobie Brothers June 13: Tears for Fears June 17: Kid Rock

LEON BRIDGES

Charlotte Metro Credit Union Amphitheater 1000 NC Music Factory Blvd., tinyurl.com/CMCUAmphitheatre

April 2: KALEO April 20: Modest Mouse May 3: Khruangbin May 16: Leon Bridges May 22: Parkway Drive June 5: Barenaked Ladies June 8: Russ June 9: Ben Rector June 14: The War on Drugs June 17: Cody Johnson & Friends

PHOTO BY CAL QUINN/CC

Other Live Music

April 23: Spring Fest at Sycamore Brewing

Live music on two stages featuring seven artists, plus indoor and outdoor pouring stations, local vendors and food trucks. Free; April 23, Noon-10 p.m.; Sycamore Brewing, 2161 Hawkins St.; tinyurl.com/SycamoreSpringFest

May 15: EpiPalooza III

A concert founded by Matt Perrone to raise money for the Epilepsy Foundation. $15-$25; May 15, 12:30-5 p.m.: Heist Brewery and Barrel Arts, 1030 Woodward Ave.; epipalooza.net

Bank of America Stadium

800 S. Mint St., panthers.com/stadium April 23: Billy Joel April 30: Kenny Chesney