BOOM Charlotte 2026 « BOOM Charlotte

BOOM Charlotte Is Back In University City on May 1st-3rd 2026!

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.

Friday, May 1, 6pm – 10pm
Saturday, May 2, 12pm – 10pm
Sunday, May 3, 12:00am – 6pm

BOOM consists of three distinct parts with the freedom to flow between them seamlessly.

BOOM Fringe: original edgy and experimental art in intimate settings. Fringe features ticketed performances in non-traditional indoor venues that push the boundaries of creativity.
BOOM Intersection: free, family-friendly performances, interactive activities, visual art installations and workshops throughout the festival grounds at University City. Intersection is the epicenter of the festival, where creativity and community collide.
BOOM Marketplace: an open-air market of vendors selling handcrafted arts and goods around the lake. Marketplace is an opportunity to support local artisans and makers around the city.

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.

APPLICATIONS FOR BOOM 2026 ARE NOW OPEN!

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.

BOOM Fringe: Have a bold, edgy, or experimental performance idea? Apply to BOOM Fringe! These intimate, indoor shows will be ticketed, showcasing the latest in avant-garde and cultural art.
Apply to BOOM Fringe »
BOOM Intersection: Creating family-friendly performances or visual art installations? Apply to BOOM Intersection! This outdoor festival centerpiece hosts live performances on two central stages, site-specific performances, as well as visual art and installations in unique pop-up locations around University City Place.
Intersection is where community and creativity come together. This year we’ve created three different Intersection applications:
BOOM Marketplace: This is the space to sell artwork. Apply as a vendor and sell locally made arts, crafts, and foods.
Apply to BOOM Marketplace »

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!

BOOM Submission Info Sessions:

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

BOOM Submission Office Hours with Artistic Director Camerin Watson:

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.

Volunteer with BOOM!

BOOM wouldn’t be possible without our amazing volunteers. If you’d like to support the festival as a volunteer, register here.