While most students return to their hometowns after the semester ends, those staying on campus for the summer will find that Charlotte offers an abundance of activities all season long. There is always something going on in Charlotte. Here are five things you can enjoy this summer in the Queen City.
Charlotte Ballet
The Charlotte Ballet’s 2024-2025 season is wrapping up, but there are still two more performances to enjoy. Roland Petit’s “Carmen“ is reimagined as a 1970s showgirl drama. It will be performed from May 2-11, 2025. Charlotte Ballet’s other production is “Flip,“ a choreographic workshop. Patrons, staff and dancers have all enjoyed their time at the Charlotte Ballet.
Free dance classes are also offered for the community. It is located uptown on Tryon Street and easily accessible via the Light Rail. Tickets are relatively affordable, with seats ranging from $42 to $167. Tickets for both “Carmen“ and “Flip“ are available now.
Charlotte FC
Charlotte FC’s 2025 season is in full swing, with games throughout the summer. Their next home game will be May 17, 2025, at Bank of America Stadium against Chicago Fire FC. For those attending in person, the stadium is also easily accessible via the Light Rail. The games are also available on Apple TV with the MLS Season Pass.
Tickets can get rather pricey, ranging from $45 to over $212, but student tickets are available. They start at $15 and go on sale on Monday, the week of a match, at 10 a.m. Season, premium and group tickets are also available. All tickets are available on the Charlotte FC website.
Thrifting
Interested in thrifting? Charlotte has plenty of thrift stores and other opportunities to find vintage collectibles and trending apparel, all for affordable prices.
While The Sleepy Poet on South Boulevard is more geared towards antiques, for apparel, there is Clothes Mentor in South Charlotte and Midtown, the Rat’s Nest in NoDa and Plato’s Closet locations in Matthews, South Charlotte and next to the University City Planet Fitness. Third-year student Morgan Cifarelli is planning a day-long thrifting spree with her friends to determine the best spots.
The White Water Center
There are plenty of things to do at the White Water Center, about 30 minutes from campus via I-485. River Jam, a concert series, is going on all summer, featuring Deltaphonic, McKinley James and Chamomile and Whiskey, among others. All River Jam concerts are free for the public, but there is a $12 fee for parking.
For those more interested in the athletics the White Water Center offers, there is also the Memorial Day Trail Race, Aqua Rock Deep Water Solo Climbing Competition and many yoga workshops. Races require participants to register for a fee, as does the Climbing Competition, and the yoga workshops cost $10 per person.
Festivals
Plenty of festivals are happening in and around Charlotte this summer. Music festivals like the Lovin’ Life Music Festival are very popular, returning to Charlotte for its second year from May 2-4, 2025. Lovin’ Life is held on North Brevard St. and is easily accessible via the Light Rail, CATS or car. Tickets are expensive, though, with a three-day pass totaling $319.99.
There are also plenty of free festivals. Fourth-year Sammy Wallach plans to attend the Urban District Market’s Japanese Festival. On May 17-18, 2025; attendees can enjoy games, raffles, Japanese food, drinks and cultural demonstrations, such as martial arts demonstrations and a traditional Yukata try-on. Urban District Market is easily accessible via the Light Rail.