BOOM Charlotte is an annual artist-led festival that champions creative risk-taking and artistic freedom. As Charlotte’s premier fringe festival, BOOM amplifies independent artists across theater, dance, music, poetry, and visual arts.
Each year, the festival transforms the city into a vibrant showcase of boundary-pushing performances and immersive experiences. This year we’re back in University City at The Shoppes at University City Place, 8931 J M Keynes Dr, Charlotte, NC 28262 from May 1-3, 2026.
BOOM consists of three distinct parts with the freedom to flow between them seamlessly.
BOOM was started by a group of Charlotte artists in 2016, and quickly grew into one of the largest, most diverse, multidisciplinary creative gatherings in the city. Featuring a wide range of mediums from chalk art to classical music, aerial dance to slam poetry, BOOM is a unique explosion of Charlotte’s creative ecosystem.
Calling all Artists, Creatives and Cultural Organizations! You’re invited to be a part of BOOM Charlotte 2026! From May 1st-3rd 2026, let’s join together to create an immersive, electrifying mix of dance, music, theater, poetry, visual art, and more.
BOOM is more than an arts festival, it’s an interactive, unforgettable experience and we want your art to be part of it!
BOOM is made up of three key elements. BOOM Fringe, BOOM Intersection and BOOM Marketplace. Learn more about each one to decide where to submit your application.
Intersection is where community and creativity come together. This year we’ve created three different Intersection applications:
Want to learn more about what makes a great BOOM application? Have questions about where your art fits best or which application to choose? Want to learn more about BOOM in general? Join us for an Info Session or Office Hours!
Thursday, 10/16: 12pm – 1pm
In person at VAPA Center
700 N Tryon St, Charlotte, NC 28202
(Virtual Zoom link available)
Tuesday, 10/21: 7pm – 8pm
Virtual
Tuesday, 10/28: 12pm – 3pm
In person at VAPA Center
700 N Tryon St, Charlotte, NC 28202
(Virtual Zoom link available)
Thursday, 11/6: 7pm – 9pm
Virtual
Thursday, 11/13: 12pm – 2pm
Virtual
To sign up for an Info Session and/or Office Hours, register here.
BOOM wouldn’t be possible without our amazing volunteers. If you’d like to support the festival as a volunteer, register here.