Family Fun at Charlotte Shout: A Complete Family Guide

Charlotte Shout: A Free and Interactive Art Festival for Families – April 4-20, 2025

Get ready for an exciting, family-friendly art adventure in Charlotte this spring! From April 4-20, the Charlotte Shout festival takes over the city, bringing free and interactive art experiences to families, kids, and art lovers alike. Whether you're a local or visiting, this festival offers plenty of opportunities to explore the city’s vibrant art scene and enjoy some hands-on fun.

Charlotte Shout is more than just an art exhibit – it’s a celebration of creativity, community, and the arts that spans across Uptown Charlotte. With so much to explore, it’s best to divide your visit into two separate itineraries, especially if you're visiting with small children or prefer a more leisurely pace. Here’s how to break down your Charlotte Shout experience:

Itinerary 1: First Ward-Centered Fun

1. Start Your Day with Coffee & Pastries: Market at 7th Street

Begin your Charlotte Shout adventure at Market at 7th Street, a popular destination offering coffee and pastries. Head to Not Just Coffee for freshly brewed coffee and delicious treats to fuel your day of exploration.

2. Morning Fun at First Ward Park

From Market at 7th Street, take a short walk to First Ward Park. This park is home to the interactive Seesaws installation, which will be located near the playground this year. The colorful seesaws are an artful, fun way for kids to engage with the environment. While the little ones play, enjoy the beautiful park atmosphere.

Pro Tip: If you're visiting on April 5, plan your visit to coincide with the CLT BBQ Festival. It’s a short walk to Victoria Yards, where you can grab some delicious BBQ. Tickets for the BBQ Festival start at $35, and it’s a great way to add extra fun to your visit.

3. Lunch Options: BBQ or Geno’s Market at 7th Street

If you're at the BBQ Festival, enjoy a meal at Victoria Yards. For another day, head back to Geno's Market at 7th Street for a casual, tasty lunch.

4. Afternoon at the Children's Theatre: 'Cat in the Hat' Show or Charlotte Hornets Game

Finish your afternoon with a family-friendly show at the Children’s Theatre, where 'Cat in the Hat' will keep the kids entertained. The show is about an hour long, with several performances during the festival. If you visit on April 5, catch the Charlotte Hornets playing against the Chicago Bulls at 1:00 PM, a fun family-friendly event near First Ward Park and very kid-friendly gametime. My Complete Guide to Charlotte Hornets Games.

Super Saturday (April 14)

If you're visiting during April 14, don’t miss Super Saturday from 11 AM to 2 PM. This is a free, interactive event for families with kids. It’s open to the public and features art-filled activities the whole family can enjoy.

🏨Hotel Stay for First Ward-Centered Itinerary

For a budget-friendly option, book a stay at Homewood Suites near First Ward. It offers great amenities and is in a prime location to enjoy all the nearby attractions.

🅿️Parking at Market at 7th Street: The 7th Street Station Parking Garage offers convenient parking with two entrances on 6th and 7th Streets. The first 2 hours of parking are validated for anyone making a purchase at Market, including Not Just Coffee, after that, you’ll be charged at the posted garage rate. If you’re going to the Children’s Theatre for a show, they will also validate parking for the entire day. 

🚉Public Transportation: The 7th Street Station is a stop on the Lynx Light Rail Blue Line, making it easy to get to Uptown Charlotte. Park & Ride stations are available along the line for easy access to the festival.

Itinerary 2: Levine Avenue of the Arts-Centered Fun

1. Start Your Day with Coffee & Pastries: Coquette or Milkbread

Start your day at Coquette, a charming French bakery, or try Milkbread for delicious pastries and coffee. Both spots offer a perfect start before diving into art-filled adventures.

2. Morning at The Green and Levine Avenue of the Arts

After breakfast, head to The Green, a green space where you can experience the Art Easter Eggs installation followed by crossing the street to Levine Avenue of the Arts, where visitors will find and interactive putting green.

3. Lunch at Que Fresa Uptown

For lunch, walk over to Que Fresa, a Charlotte taco staple that just opened at Duke Energy Plaza. This casual spot serves up delicious tacos in a fun setting, perfect for a mid-day break. Enter the building on the College Street, near the corner of Brooklyn Ave.

4. Afternoon at Charlotte FC Game (April 5 or April 19) or Charlotte Knights Games (April 15-20)

Wrap up your Charlotte Shout adventure with an exciting Charlotte FC match on April 5 or April 19, or catch the Charlotte Knights baseball game against the Norfolk Tides between April 15-20th (start times vary). Spring Break for CMS schools makes the later start times and later bedtimes perfect for families to attend. Both Bank of America stadium and Truist Field are just a short walk from Levine Avenue of the Arts, offering a fun and easy way to end your day. My complete Guide to Charlotte FC Soccer Games.

🏨Hotel Stay for Levine Avenue of the Arts Itinerary

For a comfortable and upscale stay, book a room at the JW Marriott or Westin in the heart of Uptown Charlotte. Both hotels offer modern amenities and are within walking distance of the Levine Avenue of the Arts and other key attractions.

🅿️Parking at The Green: The Wachovia Center Parking Garage at 435 S Tryon St is the closest parking garage for the Levine Avenue of the Arts area.

🚉Public Transportation: The Brooklyn Village Station on the Lynx Light Rail is the closest stop, making it easy to access the Levine Avenue of the Arts and surrounding areas.

Upcoming Family-Friendly Charlotte Events around Charlotte Shout 

Here are some upcoming events that are ideal for family fun:

• Apr 4 Cat in the Hat at the Children's Theater @ 7:00 PM
  When the Cat in the Hat appears, Sally and her brother know they're in for a fun, mischievous adventure. With wild tricks and crazy ideas, he turns a rainy day into an unforgettable experience – but what will Mum think when she gets home? Tickets

• Apr 5 Carolina BBQ Festival 11 am - 4 PM
  The Festival tickets include tastings from each of our 17 Pitmasters (that's a whole lotta 'Q). Barbecue is a style of cooking and each Pitmaster brings a unique dish to The Festival. You better come hungry. 

• Apr 5 Cat in the Hat at the Children's Theater @ 11:00 AM & 3:00 PM
  When the Cat in the Hat appears, Sally and her brother know they're in for a fun, mischievous adventure. With wild tricks and crazy ideas, he turns a rainy day into an unforgettable experience – but what will Mum think when she gets home? Tickets
  

• Apr 5 vs Charlotte FC Soccer vs Nashville SC @ 2:30 PM
  Foam Goalie Glove Giveaway presented by Bojangles – The first fans to arrive will receive this limited-edition giveaway. Tickets

• Apr 6 Cat in the Hat @ 11:00 AM, 1:00PM &  3:00 PM
  When the Cat in the Hat appears, Sally and her brother know they're in for a fun, mischievous adventure. With wild tricks and crazy ideas, he turns a rainy day into an unforgettable experience – but what will Mum think when she gets home? Tickets
  

• Apr 6 Charlotte Hornets Basketball vs Chicago Bulls @ 1:00 PM
  Midday tip-off times makes this feasible for families to attend. Tickets.

• Apr 12 Cat in the Hat @ 11:00 AM, 1:00PM &  3:00 PM
  When the Cat in the Hat appears, Sally and her brother know they're in for a fun, mischievous adventure. With wild tricks and crazy ideas, he turns a rainy day into an unforgettable experience – but what will Mum think when she gets home? Tickets
  
• Apr 13 Cat in the Hat @ 11:00 AM &  3:00 PM
  When the Cat in the Hat appears, Sally and her brother know they're in for a fun, mischievous adventure. With wild tricks and crazy ideas, he turns a rainy day into an unforgettable experience – but what will Mum think when she gets home? Tickets
  

• Apr 15-20 Charlotte Knights Baseball vs Norfolk Tides @ Start times vary 
  Spring Break for CMS schools makes the evening start times and later bedtime feasible for families to attend. Tickets.

• Apr 19 Cat in the Hat @ 11:00 AM, 1:00PM &  3:00 PM
  When the Cat in the Hat appears, Sally and her brother know they're in for a fun, mischievous adventure. With wild tricks and crazy ideas, he turns a rainy day into an unforgettable experience – but what will Mum think when she gets home? Tickets
  
• Apr 19 Earth Day Celebration at Discovery Place Science
  Celebrate Earth Day at the Museum with hands-on activities exploring natural resources and sustainability. Activities are included with Museum admission. Tickets.
• Apr 20 Cat in the Hat at the Children's Theater @ 1:00PM 
  When the Cat in the Hat appears, Sally and her brother know they're in for a fun, mischievous adventure. With wild tricks and crazy ideas, he turns a rainy day into an unforgettable experience – but what will Mum think when she gets home? Tickets 

Final Thoughts on Charlotte Shout

Charlotte Shout is the perfect opportunity to immerse yourself and your family in the city’s thriving art scene. Whether you choose the First Ward-Centered Itinerary or the Levine Avenue of the Arts-Centered Itinerary, you're sure to have a memorable and interactive experience filled with art, performances, and fun for everyone. Be sure to plan your visit, check the festival schedules, and take advantage of the easy parking and transportation options. See you at Charlotte Shout!