Matthews, NC Summerfest 2026 Returns May 8–9
Let The Summer Season Begin!
Downtown Matthews fills up fast when Matthews Summerfest 2026 comes around. For two days, Stumptown Park is lined with live bands, carnival rides, food vendors, and booths—something happening in every direction. Matthews Summerfest 2026 is the perfect way to kick off the summer season—bringing together live music, food, rides, and community in the heart of downtown Matthews.
Presented by Novant Health – Matthews Medical Center, this 18th annual event is one people put on their calendar.
The festival takes place on:
📅 Friday, May 8 (6–10 PM)
📅 Saturday, May 9 (10 AM–10 PM)
📍 Location: Stumptown Park, 120 South Trade Street, Matthews
Free Admission & Festival Details
Admission is free, with a cost for rides and select activities.
🎡 Friday Night Special:
Get a $30 all-you-can-ride wristband for the carnival.
🚫 Important:
No pets or outside alcohol allowed (service animals permitted).
Early Carnival Access
The carnival opens early on Friday at 4 PM, giving guests extra time to enjoy rides before the main festival begins.
🎟 Tickets and wristbands will be available for purchase onsite.
Fun for All Ages at Matthews Summerfest 2026
Matthews Summerfest has something for everyone
- Carnival rides and interactive games
- Food vendors and street food
- Arts & crafts vendors and shopping
- Commercial exhibits
- Live music on the main stage
- Shag dancing
2026 Matthews Summerfest Live Music Lineup 🎸
This year’s entertainment lineup features a mix of tribute, beach, country, and throwback hits:
Friday, May 8
- 6:30–8 PM: Hard 2 Handle (Black Crowes tribute)
- 8:30–10 PM: Jim Quick & Coastline (beach/party)
Saturday, May 9
- 2:30–4 PM: Save Tonight (90s/2000s)
- 4:30–6 PM: Remington Cartee (country)
- 6:30–8 PM: Motown Revue
- 8:30–10 PM: Rock the 90s
Craft Beer Garden 🍺
Local breweries are back in 2026, including:
- Seaboard Brewing
- Southern Range Brewing
- Edge City Brewery
Beer is available for guests aged 21+ and must be enjoyed within the designated festival area.
Parking, Traffic & Street Closures
🅿️Parking Options Include:
- Public lot on North Trade Street (across from Matthews Station Street)
- On-street parking along North Trade Street
- Matthews Town Hall (232 Matthews Station Street)
🚧 Street Closures:
- Trade Street (John St. to McDowell St.) closes Friday morning
- Closures extend further into downtown later in the day
- Roads reopen after the festival ends Saturday night
What Makes Matthews, NC Such A Special Place To Call Home?
Matthews Summerfest is just one thing that makes the Town of Matthews a special place. Matthews, North Carolina has been named:
- "the best town in North Carolina"
- "one of the 10 best cities in North Carolina"
- a "best North Carolina town for young families"
- one of the "50 safest cities in North Carolina"
- one of "Charlotte's Top 12 Suburbs."
Matthews is known far and wide in the Greater Charlotte area for lots of great local events and festivals. There's also the weekly Matthews Farmer's Market drawing shoppers from all over the Charlotte metro area. The town enjoys an active Chamber of Commerce, a Heritage Museum, a Playhouse, a Public Library, the McDowell Arts Center, the Levine Senior Center. The 9-acre Stumptown Park in the heart of Matthews is the center of many town events and the Sportsplex featuring five multi-purpose fields, playground equipment and shelter.
If you've been thinking about buying a home in Matthews, contact Nina Hollander with Coldwell Banker Realty. I've been opening doors for Matthews home buyers and sellers since 1999. I'd love to help you and to introduce you to the best town in North Carolina, as well as to show you why experience matters and how:
"The Right Broker Makes All The Difference."
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