
Mark your calendars: Circle K Speed Street 2019 is coming to Uptown May 23-25 — and around 300,000 people are expected to attend the three-day festival.
“The 600 Festival has been fortunate to be in the same location on Tryon Street and over the same three-day holiday weekend for the past 25 years,” said Jacqueline Gafrarar, Managing Director of the 600 Festival. “The biggest change? The cityscape is ever changing, and we are now able to entertain our fans in Romare Bearden Park with our nightly concerts. Our concerts continue to get bigger and better thanks to great partners like Circle K and Coca-Cola.”
What it is: Circle K Speed Street is a three-day festival that helps kick off summer — and the Coca-Cola 600. The event is packed with NASCAR driver appearances, concerts and family activities. You can also expect free samples, vendor booths and food and drink options. Everything during the day is free, and concert tickets for Friday and Saturday are $20 in advance, $25 at the door. Tryon Street will be closed starting at 9:30 a.m. and you can view the street closure schedule here.
Concerts: Headliners include Corey Smith for Thursday, Brothers Osborne for Friday and STYX Saturday. There will also be two opening acts per day.
Concert tickets: Thursday’s concert with Corey Smith is free, but you’ll need to pick up tickets from any participating Circle K. For Friday and Saturday, you can get your $20 tickets here — tickets are $25 the day of.
Schedule: The activities start at noon every day, and the concerts start at 6:30 p.m.
Free activities: The kids zone area will include bounce houses, slides, a climbing wall and treats to eat. Other activities — for all ages — include changing tires on a race car, cornhole, basketball, bowling and more.
NASCAR driver autographs: The full schedule of appearances is here, but big names to look out for include Joey Logano, Austin Dillon, Daniel Suarez and Bubba Wallace. Autographs are included in the free daytime activities.
Pro tips: Print your concert tickets beforehand, take a Lyft or walk to the event, and bring a lawn chair or towel to sit on.

Photos courtesy of 600 Festival