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Charlotte SHOUT! Festival Returns with New Attractions

Crowd enjoying the Charlotte SHOUT! Festival with colorful art installations and food trucks

News Summary

The Charlotte SHOUT! Festival is set to make its vibrant return from April 4 to April 20, 2025. This highly anticipated celebration promises 17 days filled with art, music, and food, featuring over 200 events designed for the entire community to enjoy. Following last year’s success, the festival is introducing exciting new attractions, alongside returning favorites. Attendees can look forward to a grand opening night at the Carolina Theatre, setting the stage for an unforgettable experience fueled by local creativity.

Charlotte SHOUT! Festival: A Colorful Celebration Returns!

Get ready, Charlotte! The Charlotte SHOUT! Festival is back and bigger than ever, running from April 4 to April 20, 2025, right in the heart of Uptown. This vibrant event, produced by Charlotte Center City Partners and presented by Atrium Health and Bank of America, promises a delightful mix of art, music, and food for everyone to enjoy.

A Jumpstart to Spring

With 17 days of festivities lined up, it’s the perfect opportunity to gather your friends and family to experience over 200 events designed to celebrate our diverse culture and community. From art exhibitions to live performances, this annual celebration truly has something for all ages.

Last Year’s Success

In 2024, the festival was a smashing success, attracting over 642,000 attendees and generating a whopping $17.1 million for local businesses. Not only did this festival showcase the incredible talent of local creatives, who received $650,000 for their contributions, but it also featured an impressive lineup of 28 food trucks catering to attendees’ appetites. Educational and artistic activities drew in around 1,200 students who got to dive into the creative world.

A Grand Opening Night

Mark your calendars for April 3 at 7:00 PM, as the festival kicks off with a special ticketed event at the Carolina Theatre. After its recent restoration, this venue is poised to host a spectacular night filled with performances across all festival pillars—art, music, food, and ideas. The evening will conclude with an exciting keynote speech by a leader in the AI industry, providing insightful perspectives.

Exciting New Attractions

New experiences are in store for 2025, including:

CanStruction: A live competition where teams will showcase their sculpting skills using canned food, which will then be donated to the Second Harvest Food Bank.
Queen’s Greens: An interactive mini-golf course featuring unique holes designed by local artists.
Oracle: Catch these inflatable characters powered by AI that will engage with festival-goers.
EdgeFest: Enjoy live spray-painting displays by talented local artists.
Mi Casa, Your Casa 2.0: An interactive installation with glowing houses and swings, inviting public participation.

Returning Favorites

In addition to the newcomers, many attractions loved by attendees will be returning, such as:

Eggs on Parade: A showcase of giant Easter eggs brought to life by local artists.
Pianodrome: An amphitheater constructed entirely from recycled pianos, where concerts and workshops take place.
E/motion: An interactive experience with see-saws that mimic the feeling of water movement.
SHOUT! Lounge: Step into a nostalgic recreated 1990s mall space filled with local shops, food, and entertainment.
Temple of Change: An engaging art installation located at Bank of America Plaza.

Festivals Within the Festival

Charlotte SHOUT! isn’t just about one festival; it’s a mesh of events that include:

Charlotte Ideas Festival (April 3-8): An engaging gathering featuring speakers discussing contemporary topics, including AI and astrophysics.
Carolina BBQ Festival (April 4-5): A treat for barbecue lovers, showcasing top pitmasters and local vendors.
Charlotte StrEATs (April 12-13): Celebrating Charlotte’s culinary scene, this event will feature local wines and delightful bites.

A Festival for Everyone

With local musicians and bands performing throughout, most events will be free to the public, while certain experiences may require tickets. Expect surprise performances and activations throughout various Uptown locations, keeping the excitement alive.

For more information about the festival and all it has to offer, visit www.charlotteshout.com. Gather your loved ones and prepare for an unforgettable celebration of creativity and community in Charlotte!