Matthews Alive Festival 2026
Celebrating Labor Day Weekend, Matthews Style
Labor Day Weekend 2026 is almost here and if you've lived in the Charlotte area for any period of time, you know it's time for the annual Matthews Alive Festival.
Starting Friday, September 4th through Labor Day, September 7th, you'll not only have a ton of fun at the Matthews Alive Festival, you'll be helping the Town of Matthews contribute to local non-profit organizations. 100% of the proceeds from the festival go to local non-profits, living up to the festival's "motto" of: "good times funding good works."
Matthews Alive is a true Labor Day Weekend tradition in the Greater Charlotte area for over 50 years.
$2.2+ million have been contributed to the local community by the Town of Matthews from funds raised by this festival since 1992. As many as 100,000 people are expected to attend Matthews Alive this coming weekend.
What can Matthews Alive Festival visitors expect to find at the festival?
- Small Shops with 150+ arts and crafts vendors.
- Community Center exhibits with handmade quilts, woodworking, fiber spinning, woven baskets, and more on display.
- Food Court featuring some 30+ vendors.
- Labor Day Parade (the largest Labor Day Parade in the Southeast) on Saturday, September 5th at 9:30 am. The parade lasts about 1-1/2 hours.
- Tons of games and rides for kids and adults alike.
- Matthews Artists Guild Art Show at the McDowell Art Center.
- Main Stage, featuring a variety of music throughout the event, from beach, to country, to classic rock, and everything in between.
- Kid’s Stage, featuring lots of fun-filled children’s entertainment.
When: Labor Day Weekend: September 4-September 7, 2026
Festival Hours:
Friday: 4:00 pm till 10:00 pm
Saturday: 10:00 pm till 10:00 pm
Sunday: 1:00 pm till 10:00 pm
Monday: 9:00 am till 5:00 pm
DOWNLOAD THE FULL FESTIVAL SCHEDULE
Admission: Free. Ride tickets: $2 for 1 ticket; $40 for a sheet of 30 tickets; $60 for a sheet of 50 tickets. On Friday night, you can buy an all you can ride ticket/wristband for $30. Multiple booths will accept credit cards and there will also be ATMs on site.
Where: Historic Downtown Matthews (at the corner of John & Trade Streets) | Directions and Parking
PLEASE NOTE: Pets are not allowed at the Festival unless they are service animals. No alcohol permitted on festival grounds.
WHAT MAKES MATTHEWS SUCH A SPECIAL PLACE TO CALL HOME
The Matthews Alive Festival 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," and 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 recently completed Sportsplex featuring five multi-purpose fields, playground equipment and shelter.
Thinking About Making A Matthews, NC Move?
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."
SEARCH MATTHEWS, NC HOMES FOR SALE
FIND OUT WHAT YOUR MATTHEWS, NC HOME IS WORTH
Originally published on www.GreatHomesInCharlotte.com
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