Annual Events

The calendar will stay full all year with exciting events around the lake! Begin planning for a good time on the Lakeside of Charlotte with friends and family by browsing some of the annual festivals and events listed below for 2020.

St. Patrick's Day Celebration

March 14, 2020

Galway Hooker

Bagpipers and Irish dancers, food trucks, outdoor bars, great drink specials, Irish cuisine, raffles & game and merchandise! Join us at the region's largest St. Patrick's Day party! This event will leave you feeling like you have the luck of the Irish and will keep you coming back!

April is for Arts!

April

April is all about the arts at Lake Norman! Gallery crawls, Art on the Green, art crawls, art exhibitions, Concerts on the Green, and shows are only a few of
the colorful events held around the area in April! For a more detailed and complete list of art galleries and cultural attractions, visit the listings here.

Loch Norman Highland Games

April 18-19, 2020

Historic Rural Hill

704.875.3113  |  www.ruralhillscottishfestivals.net

This event is a celebration of Scottish culture and heritage. The two-day event features competitions and attractions like clachneart throwing, turning of the caber, hammer tossing, highland dancing, battle axe contests, kilt races, bagpipes, whisky seminars, traditional Scottish folk music, and authentic fare and libations. 

North Carolina Brewers & Music Festival

May 8-9, 2020

Historic Rural Hill

704.875.3113  |  www.ncbrewsmusic.com

This event is both for those with a palate for quality craft brews made right here in North Carolina, and those who enjoy a good outdoor jam!

Asian Festival and Dragon Boat Race    

May 16, 2020

Ramsey Creek Park

704.336.8869  |  www.charlottedragonboat.com  

The Asian Festival is held at Ramsey Creek Park and is an annual family-oriented event for the Asian and non-Asian community throughout the Carolinas. The festival celebrates Asian cultures, diversity, ethnicity, roots and history.  

Living History Events at Historic Latta Plantation

June & August 2020

Historic Latta Plantation

704.875.3113  |  www.lattaplantation.org

Throughout the year, Historic Latta Plantation in Huntersville, NC holds reenactments from a number of different battle and wars. These events are a unique opportunity to learn about history in an interesting and exciting way! Check out the living history events listed on our website for more details.

The Charlotte Symphony Orchestra

June 20, 2020

Founded in 1932, the Charlotte Symphony is the largest and most active professional performing arts organization in the central Carolinas, giving nearly 70 performances each season and reaching an annual attendance of 130,000 listeners. 

Duke EnergyExplorium 

980.875.5600  |  www.duke-energy.com

If you cannot make that concert, then fear not! The Charlotte Symphony will be returning to Bailey Road Park. Fireworks will be held after the concert!

Bailey Road Park

704.892.6031  |  www.cornelius.org

Fourth of July Celebrations

July 1-4

Lake Norman is THE place to be for the 4th of July! From cookouts, to watching fireworks on the lake, it is sure to be a great time! For more detailed information on events held around the area, visit our July 4th events page.

Paddle 4 Purpose

To be determined 2020

Peninsula Yacht Club

704.412.2999  |   www.standuplkn.com

Part of the Southern Stokes Series, Paddle 4 Purpose is the 2nd race of the 12 race series for 2018. Advanced and recreational races will benefit 3 local charitable organizations.

The Amazing Maize Maze

September-November 2020 (Fri-Sun)

Historic Rural Hill

704.875.3113 |  www.ruralhill.net/AmazingMaizeMaze.asp

Get lost in the giant seven acre corn maze featuring over two miles of interconnecting paths. One of the largest in the Southeast, the maze is sure to please! Looking for an even bigger challenge? Traverse the maze in the dark during one of the famous Friday Night Mazes!

Carolina Renaissance Festival

October 3 - November 22, 2020 (Sat-Sun)

Carolina Renaissance Festival

877.896.5544  |  www.carolina.renfestinfo.com

The Renaissance Festival is a 16th century European style art and entertainment festival combining outdoor theater, circus entertainment, arts and crafts marketplace, a jousting tournament, a feast fit for royalty, and much, much more.

Joe Gibbs Racing Fan Fest

September 27, 2019

Joe Gibbs Racing 

704.944.5000   | www.joegibbsracing.com

Denny Hamlin, Kyle Busch, Martin Truex Jr., Erik Jones, and part time Xfinity Series drivers will be signing autographs throughout the day. In order to receive an autograph, you must have a wristband for each respective driver. Beginning at 8am, 300 wristbands for each driver will be distributed in separate lines.

Sheepdog Trials & Harry Pawter Quidditch Tournament

November 7-8, 2020

Historic Rural Hill

704.875.3113 | www.ruralhill.net/SheepdogTrials.asp

What better way to wrap up the fall season than with your canine pal and several hundred of their new best friends? Bring your family, friends, and dog(s) to this fun filled festival for one of the area's best known dog events! Get your dog sorted into Hufflefluff, Ravenpup, Gryffindog, or Slobberyn. Enter them into the Harry Pawter Costume Contest, and watch college Quidditch at its finest.

Christmas Events at Lake Norman

December

Get in the spirit and join in the festivities on the lake! Holidays spent at Lake Norman are not a disappointment, and are sure to bring you jingling all the way back to the area for years to come! A few notable Christmas events include: Christmas in Davidson, North Mecklenburg Christmas Parade, A Huntersville Christmas, A Candlelight Christmas, and the Lighted Boat Parade. 

For more details on events,
visit our Calendar of Events page.