The city’s biggest festival is back with interactive art installations, live musical performances, food and more.
Charlotte SHOUT! runs through April 17 in Uptown.
- You may know it as the festival that first brought you the giant bunnies back in 2019. There aren’t any bunnies this year, but you will find some large colorful Easter eggs.
There are a dozen Easter eggs painted by local artists at Romare Bearden Park. Photo: Laura Barrero/Axios
It was my first time going to the festival, which is presented by Atrium Health and Bank of America and put together by Charlotte Center City Partners. Here are my takeaways:
(1) Most of the activities and events are free
A small number of events require a ticket, but “that will be clearly stated in the description,” according to the Charlotte SHOUT! website.
- The festival has nearly 200 installations, performances and activations to check out from sunrise to sunset.
The Queens Greens putt-putt course at the Wells Fargo Plaza, for example, is completely free. Event coordinators will trade you a club and ball in exchange for an ID, which they return once you’re done taking your turn around the course.
The 9-hole miniature golf course was created by local artists from Upcycle Arts and Charlotte Is Creative. Photo: Laura Barrero/Axios
(2) All ages can enjoy
I cannot tell you how many grown adults I saw whooping and hollering on those light-up “Impulse” seesaws.
- “I just had too much fun!” Axios’ Symphony Webber told me as she hopped off her seesaw seat, and as I reluctantly got off on my end.
- “I can’t believe this is free,” I heard one parent say to the other while watching their kids hop on and off the life-size spinning tops called “Los Trompos.“
Los Trompos are eight, large, spinning tops in a variety of colors and shapes, located at Levine Avenue of the Arts. Photo: Laura Barrero/Axios
(3) Park nearby and walk the rest
Symphony and I parked on the street next to Romare Bearden and started walking from there.
- If you’ve ever tried to find parking in Uptown, you know it’s not exactly hassle-free. Here’s a map of convenient parking spots with different prices.
300 glowing Snails at Romare Bearden Park. Photo: Laura Barrero/Axios
(4) Grab some grub
All the swinging, spinning and seesawing will have you working up an appetite.
- There are 167 restaurants, bars and coffee shops in the area you can visit.
- Food options include vendors and food trucks along Tryon at MLK and Trade streets.
Pulled pork sandwich from Cuzzo’s Cuisine food truck. Photo: Laura Barrero/Axios
(5) You might have to go back for more
In all, Symphony and I spent about three hours walking around Uptown and we didn’t even get to see everything on our list.
- There’s something to do every night. Check out the event calendar for more.
The “Mi Casa, Your Casa” swings are located on The Green. Photo: Symphony Webber/ Axios
