22 Family-Friendly Events and Activities in Charlotte: May 2021

Where to get out and about with your family this month

May 1

Bark at the Park. Emmett Scott Recreation Center, 801 Crawford Rd., Rock Hill. 1-4 p.m. Free. Bring your leashed pup for the Paw Parade, contests, onsite pet clinic, vendors, dog play area, and more. Dogs will be available for adoption. https://fb.me/e/3iMVimvNA.

May 2

Hello Huntersville Music and Arts Festival. Downtown Huntersville. 2-6 p.m. Free. Shop local artists, listen to local musicians, and grab a bite from an onsite food truck. This year, attendees are invited to color a block of sidewalk with sidewalk chalk. huntersville.org.

Teacher Appreciation Day Craft. Steven’s Creek Nature Preserve, 15700 Thompson Rd., Mint Hill. 2-3 p.m. Ages 5-10. $4. Make a corkboard for your teacher to show your appreciation for all of their hard work. Adult supervision and participant pre-registration are required. parkandrec.com.

May 7

Sit-In Movie. Downtown Waxhaw. 8:30-10 p.m. Free. Watch “Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker” with the family under Waxhaw’s water tower. waxhaw.org.

May 8

Burger Fest 2021. Aw Shucks Farm, 3718 Plyler Mill Rd., Monroe. 5-10 p.m. $10.50 per person. Enjoy live music from The Hackens Boys, shop for arts and crafts, and eat delicious burgers. Then vote for your favorite! burgerfestnc.com.

Rockin the ‘Burg. Harrisburg Park, 191 Sims Pkwy., Harrisburg. 6:30-9 p.m. Free. Hear music from The Embers featuring Craig Woolard at this live outdoor concert. harrisburgnc.org.

Mountain Island Lake SUP for Teens. Latta Nature Preserve, Paddlesport Pavilion, 6345 Sample Rd., Huntersville. 10 a.m.-noon. Ages 11-16. $25. Practice basic techniques and safety before paddling around the coves of Mountain Island Lake. No experience is needed, and all equipment will be provided. parkandrec.com.

Water Lantern Festival. Symphony Park at SouthPark Mall, 4400 Sharon Rd. 5:30-10 p.m. $16-$55, children 7 and younger get in free with no lantern. Decorate a lantern and set it afloat on the water. Ticket price covers the cost of lantern cleanup after the event. Food trucks will be on site. waterlanternfestival.com.

May 9

Mother’s Day Concert in the Courtyard. Optimist Hall, 1115 N. Brevard St. 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Free. Bring Mom to Optimist Hall for shopping, brunch, drinks, and live music from Colby Dobbs. optimisthall.com.

May 10

Owlet Nature Play Date. Reedy Creek Nature Preserve, 2900 Rocky River Rd. 10-11:15 a.m. Ages 3-6. Little ones can enjoy hands-on experiences, nature hikes, songs and stories, and free play. Adult participation is required. parkandrec.com.

May 11

Beginner Buddies. Rescue Ranch, 1424 Turnersburg Hwy., Statesville. 9:30-11:30 a.m. Ages 1-5 and parent. $7 per child and one adult. Discover the animals at Rescue Ranch with this hands-on educational program that lets young learners explore themed stations, nature trails, and the playground. This month’s theme is “life in the pond.” rescueranch.com.

May 12

Birkdale Buds. Birkdale Village, Birkdale Commons Pkwy. and Sam Furr Rd., Huntersville. 10:30 a.m.-noon. $15 per social distance ring. Preschool children are invited to the Grove every Wednesday morning from April to October. Enjoy activities like face painters, storytellers, magicians, or crafts. Be sure to reserve a ticket for your social distance ring, which may include up to four guests. birkdalevillage.com.

May 14

Open Mic Night. Spirit Square, 345 N. College St. 7 p.m. Free. Spectators and performers of all ages are welcome at this free, outdoor event. Space is limited, and admission will be first-come, first-serve. Tune in to watch virtually via Blumenthal’s Facebook page. blumenthalarts.org.

May 15

Cartoons and Coffee. Rea Farms, 9855 Sandy Rock Pl. 9-11 a.m. Free. On the third Saturday of the month from April to August, watch cartoons on the video wall. Bring chairs, blankets, and face masks. Characters from the movie or show will be on site, courtesy of Children’s Party Plus. This month watch Doc McStuffins and PJ Masks. reafarmsclt.com.

Model A Concert Series. Runde Park, 5116 Windward Dr., Tega Cay. 6-10 p.m. Free. Visit Tega Cay for an evening of food, fun, and live music. Hear On the Border perform at this month’s concert. See the website for the list of food trucks and bands for future concerts. tegacaysc.org.

Spring Scavenger Hunt. North Mecklenburg Park, 16131 Old Statesville Rd., Huntersville. 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Ages 4 and older. $8 per group of 6 or fewer participants. Children with a disability, along with their family and friends, are invited to this outdoor scavenger hunt. Registration is required. For more information, email Candice.Moore@MeckNC.Gov. parkandrec.com.

May 21

Evenings in the Park. Symphony Park at SouthPark Mall, 4400 Sharon Rd. 7 p.m. $25 per person, sold in groups of four. Enjoy the sights, the scene, and especially the sounds as Charlotte Symphony performs acoustic selections from Beethoven, Debussy, Mozart, and more. Evenings in the Park occurs May 7, 21, and 28. charlottesymphony.org.

May 22

Carowinds Opening Day. Carowinds, 14523 Carowinds Blvd. 11 a.m.-7 p.m. $45 Funday Bundle (admission, parking, and single meal). Experience the rides, songs, characters, and food. carowinds.com.

Spring Fling. Blackberry Ridge Farm, 14820 Beatties Ford Rd. 2 p.m. – 8 p.m. $5 per adult and children over age 2. Come for disc golf competitions, farm tours, face painting, and more. Local brewery Royal Bliss will be onsite, plus 12 local vendors selling artwork. blackberryridgefarmnc.com

May 29

Carolina Harbor Opening Day. Carowinds, 14523 Carowinds Blvd. 11 a.m.-6 p.m. $45 Funday Bundle (includes admission, parking, and a single meal). Make a splash at Carolina Harbor, the exciting, all-ages waterpark at Carowinds, and don’t miss the new Boogie Board Racer slide. carowinds.com.

May 27

Anne Springs Close Greenway Summer Concert Series. ASC Greenway Comporium Amphitheater, 291 Dairy Barn Lane, Fort Mill. 6-9 p.m. Free concert, $6 greenway use fee. Bring a chair or blanket to enjoy the great outdoors and live music on Thursday nights. See the website for the full band lineup through July 29. ascgreenway.org.

May 30

Memorial Day Celebration. US National Whitewater Center, 5000 Whitewater Center Pkwy. See website for schedule. Free admission, additional cost for activities, $5 parking fee. Come out for the five- and eight-mile Memorial Day trail races, yoga, food, live music, and fireworks. usnwc.org.