Top 10 Biggest & most Family Friendly Happenings in Charlotte this Summer
🎵 Live Music & Concerts
1. Ten major concerts hit Charlotte venues this July, including Styx & REO Speedwagon (July 8), Counting Crows (July 15), Big Time Rush (July 16), Ocean Alley (July 19), Goo Goo Dolls & Dashboard Confessional (July 25), Willie Nelson & Bob Dylan at Outlaw Music Festival (July 26), and Rod Stewart (July 29) Charlotte Parent+4WSOC TV+4tasteofcharlotte.com+4.
2. Sofar Sounds returns to South End: On August 8, Suffolk Punch will host “The Voice in the Carolinas,” featuring Charlotte-area alumni of The Voice .
⚽ Major Sports & Events
3. Charlotte named host for the 2026 MLS All‑Star Game at Bank of America Stadium—mark your calendars for an event expected to bring over $20 million in economic impact .
4. USA Rugby in town: International test matches at American Legion Memorial Stadium—USA Eagles beat Belgium (July 5) and faced Spain (July 12) .
🎉 Community & Festivals
5. Festival Colombiano returns July 19 in First Ward Park—an inclusive celebration of Colombian and Hispanic culture, with live music, artisan markets, and food .
6. Queen City’s major July events: Fireworks on July 3 (Skyshow after Knights game), USA Rugby matches, Front Porch Sundays market (July 6), Black Boat Weekend (July 18–20), Queen’s Feast Restaurant Week (July 18–27), and Peruvian Festival (July 27) .
💡 Culture & Development
7. Brooklyn Village redevelopment remains on track: The massive 17‑acre Uptown project will include housing, offices, hotels, and retail. Construction began fall 2023 with estimated completion by 2035 .
8. Queensbridge Collective in South End topped out: A $700 million, two-building mixed-use development (office + residential) is underway, linking South End to Uptown .
9. Carolina Theatre reopened in March after a $90 million restoration—now hosting films, concerts, community events, and backed by a planned InterContinental hotel tower .
10. Discovery Place Nature to get a redesign: The children’s museum closed in March 2024; construction for the new “Charlotte Museum of Nature” is underway with a 2026 opening target .