By CLTure
September 3, 2025
CLTure, Blumenthal Arts, and the Carolinas Asian American Chamber of Commerce will host the free Charlotte International Arts Festival Day + Night Market on Sunday, September 14 at Blume Studios’ festival grounds in the Iron District (1001 S. Clarkson Street).
This year’s festival will feature over 25 local food and beverage vendors and 40-plus local makers, alongside live performances by briZB and Grace Lucia, art by Hoan Rahlan and Edelweiss Vogel, vintage video games from The Gaming Lounge CLT (including a Tekken 8 tournament), K-pop silent disco by Radical Grove, and cocktails crafted by Roger Kongkham (Thai Taste).
The food lineup will feature Asian classics from Noom Yai, Banh Mi Brothers, Dumpling Girls, Cutting Board CLT, VJ’s Chicken Inasal, Blasian Asian Way, Kuya Bear, YumBai CLT, and Hotta Grill, alongside Indian specialties from Chutney Cat and Nizam Bistro, plus Caribbean flavors from Don’s Jamaican Kitchen.
Attendees can enjoy arts and crafts activities such as fan and kite making, a hip-hop dance showcase by Synko Dance Crew, a performance by Cattywampus Puppet Council, a Hello Kitty-themed custom hat bar by Lunch Line CLT, a Paper Skyscraper pop-up, a Kawaii Shop by Hello Treasures, caricatures by artist Shin, vintage fashion from Needle & Thread Co. and Standout Vintage, hand-poured soy candles from Pretty Honest Candles, and more.
Festival-goers can also sip boba teas from B&K Tea Cafe, enjoy onigiri from Oni Stop Riceball Shop, drink freshly pressed sugarcane juice from Sugarcane Co., and savor matcha teas from YuYu Kitchen.
Dessert lovers can indulge in Beard Papa’s Japanese cream puffs, nostalgic ice cream bars from Yeller Ice Cream, rolled ice cream from Creamy Rolls, and creative waffle treats from Waffle Snacks World, along with snacks from the BuuSo International, offering rare and authentic Asian grocery store snacks.
Local nonprofits, including the Cambodian Organization of Charlotte, Project Sol, and the Vietnamese Student Association at UNC Charlotte, will also host activities at the event.
Bring a chair and blanket to enjoy this fun, all-day community event picnic-style! The CIAF CLTure Day + Night Market is 100% free admission (no ticket needed) with plenty of free parking. All vendors are local and reasonably priced.
The free, family- and dog-friendly Charlotte International Arts Festival CLTure Day + Night Market will take place from 12 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Sunday, September 14 at Blume Studios’ festival grounds in The Iron District (1001 S. Clarkson Street). This community event is made possible thanks to the support of sponsors Town Brewing Company, El Jimador, and Old Forester.
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