The Charlotte International Arts Festival Returns September 1-30!
June 11, 2025 / Blog
(June 11, 2025) Charlotte, NC – Blumenthal Arts is pleased to announce that the Charlotte International Arts Festival (CIAF), a Blumenthal Arts Original, will return in 2025. In its fourth year, the annual celebration of global arts will span the entire month of September, at festival locations across the city. With more than 200 events, many of which are free, and ticketed events starting at $5, the monthlong fete offers an abundance of things to do, see, taste, and experience for every background, age, interest, and budget. For the full festival lineup, keep an eye on charlotteartsfest.com and @cltartsfest for the most up-to-date information.
“We began the Charlotte International Arts Festival four years ago to celebrate the incredible richness of international cultures and artists that call Charlotte home. We also bring extraordinary art and creative experiences from around the world. The result is a joyous reflection of Charlotte’s global spirit and creative energy. With art and activities in neighborhoods throughout our city, CIAF brings people together to create new bonds and appreciation for the cultures and traditions found here,” said Tom Gabbard, President and CEO of Blumenthal Arts.
As in previous years, international and local artists will exhibit work side by side for a cultural buffet of performances, art installations, global cuisines, and more. CIAF will again partner with numerous well-established festivals rooted in Charlotte’s international communities; the result will be a rich “festival of festivals” that celebrates the city’s vibrant multicultural scene.
New this year, several returning events will relocate to the Iron District, home of Blumenthal Arts’ creative hub, Blume Studios. The International Bazaar, a popular multi-vendor market; the Charlotte Brunch Festival, a delightful event featuring dishes from local culinary artists; and a celebration of Charlotte’s Asian communities with the CLTure Day + Night Market; among others, will occur at Blume Studios, also home to Monopoly Lifesized: Travel Edition, Blumenthal’s latest immersive experience that plays now through July 27, 2025.
Returning favorites will include two days of Indian cultural immersion with the 29th annual Festival of India; the milestone 35th year of the Latin American Festival; chic picnic en masse Le Dîner en Blanc; award-winning Australian sculptors Atelier Sisu; contemporary dance, theater, and acrobatic troupe Nouveau Sud; the Festival Biergarten, an open-air gathering spot serving snacks and local craft beer; art installations by nine local Blumenthal Fellows; the multifaceted Boom Fringe Festival; and others.
Also new this year will be two CIAF takeover weekends, September 13–14 in the Iron District (Charlotte Brunch Festival, CLTure Day + Night Market, and International Bazaar, in addition to live performances by local international artists) and September 20–21 in Ballantyne’s Backyard (Festival of India (day 2) and the Latin American Festival, with food, music, performances, shopping, family friendly events, and more). Satellite festivals and events will occur throughout the rest of the month of September in other festival locations, including free programming at Levine Avenue of the Arts and The Green in Uptown Charlotte.
New partners and featured events will include the percussive African dance event Step Afrika; DJ collective Radical Grove; Bloom Movement Artistry’s aerial dance; FOMO, a night of free access to three incredible Charlotte art museums; DRC ApeParel’s live screen printing; Afro-fusion dance party Su Casa; and more to be announced.
Returning CIAF cultural partners:
- Atelier Sisu
- Festival of India
- Latin American Festival
- Le Dîner en Blanc
- Charlotte Brunch Festival
- CLTure Day + Night Market
- Boom Fringe Festival
- Lowcountry Festival
- Festival in the Park
- UNCC International Festival
- Independent Picture House
- El Grito Festival
- Nouveau Sud
- SouthPark After 5
- Radical Groove
- Africa Live
- Bloom Movement Artistry
- Gravitate
- Anne Spring Clse Greenway
- Su Casa
- FOMO
Additional partners and events will be announced soon.
The third Charlotte International Arts Festival concluded on September 29, 2024. More than 500,000 experienced 200+ events representing 63 countries in a 17-day spree of creativity from around the world and around the corner. The festival saw 130 free events, 275 small business vendors, five large-scale art installations, and two custom soundscapes commissioned by local composers.
For even more—many more!—events, tickets, performance times, and more information, visit charlotteartsfest.com.
Watch the website and follow CIAF on social for updates, location details, and surprises! @cltartsfest #cltartsfest
