Things To Do in Charlotte This Weekend: May 1-May 3

The Charlotte area has a packed weekend ahead, with BOOM Charlotte Festival bringing three days of diverse arts to University City, the Kings Drive Art Walk showcasing fine and emerging artists along Little Sugar Creek Greenway, and Chelsea Handler delivering her signature humor at Ovens Auditorium. From outdoor festivals to a headline comedy show, there's plenty to fill the weekend.

BOOM Charlotte Festival 2026 is a three-day arts event. The festival features a wide range of performances spanning dance, music, theater, spoken word, poetry, and visual art installations, with both free and ticketed events. Highlights include West African dance, Bharatanatyam, improv theater, aerial performance, and multidisciplinary works drawing from cultures around the world. The festival is presented by BOOM Charlotte, a nonprofit arts organization.

Kings Drive Art Walk is a spring fine arts event presented by Festival in the Park, the Charlotte arts organization that has brought the community together since 1964. The event takes place along the Little Sugar Creek Greenway between East Morehead Street and Pearle Park Way Bridge on Kings Drive. With a focus on fine and emerging artists, the outdoor festival is held on a publicly accessible stretch of reclaimed natural waterway and serves as an annual complement to Festival in the Park's fall event.

Chelsea Handler is a comedian, television host, and seven-time New York Times best-selling author known for hosting the late-night talk show "Chelsea Lately." Her comedy draws on personal storytelling and unfiltered commentary on pop culture, politics, and everyday life. Beyond stand-up, she has built a following through bestselling books, Netflix specials, and advocacy work.

Charlotte has a lively weekend ahead, with live music, a rock-inspired musical, and stand-up comedy in the lineup. Options range from an outdoor riverside concert to a theatrical spectacle and an evening of laughs.

The Charlotte area offers up a full week of entertainment, with options ranging from an open mic night and Cinco de Mayo festivities to jazz legend Herbie Hancock and stand-up comedy. Several shows offer a mix of local flavor and nationally recognized performers.