YOU READY TO SHOUT? 

Here’s how I’m planning to show up at SHOUT! 

Hello, Biscuit buddies. Makayla Binter here. I’m beyond excited for this year’s edition of Charlotte SHOUT! (starting today, Friday, April 4 to April 20). To get you wonderful Biscuit readers prepared for 17 days of art, music, ideas and food, we’re going to share our SHOUT! thoughts for the next few weeks. Starting with …

HOW DO I PREPARE TO SHOUT!?!?!

So much is planned for SHOUT! that it can be challenging to know where to start and how to enjoy everything packed into the next few weeks. To help, these are tricks and tips on how I get ready to SHOUT! 

ONE: SPEND TIME WITH THE CALENDAR BEFORE YOU GO

Before you jump into a car, bike, light rail or Uber/Lyft into Uptown, check out the calendar of events and creative activations happening across all 17 days. From talks and presentations to improv comedy, fashion installations, interactive art, workshops, tastings, and pairing classes—there’s truly something for everyone.

The website is new this year, with a jam-packed map to help you prep. 

TWO: HOW I NAVIGATE SHOUT!

SHOUT! events are organized into five creative pillars: Art, Ideas, Food, Fashion and Music. These pillars connect all events, installations and locations across Uptown.

I spend time looking through the categories to identify my “must do’s” … then I look at the date of those events to see what else I can add in.  

In addition to events, I search for featured artists and performers to see when and where they’re involved in SHOUT! and add them into my itinerary. You can make one for yourself under the MY LIST tab on the website. 

PRO TIP: It’s A LOT to try to do SHOUT! all in one day. I plan on going for a few hours at a time across several days during the festival. I get to experience what I want, leave space for surprises AND maintain my sanity. 

THREE: FIND MY STARTING POINT

SHOUT! takes over all of Uptown. If there’s not an event I’m focusing my visit on, I spend time with the SHOUT! map to find an area with lots of cool opportunities and activities within a reasonable walking distance and start there. 

The vibe of Uptown will be buzzing—street closures, park activations and crowds (and not just bankers, but the bankers seem to love SHOUT!, too). Here are a few of my go-to spots:

Near Levine Ave of the Arts / The Green:

• Wednesday Night Live (Free museum admission, thanks to Bank of America)
• Aura Rooftop
• Caroline’s Oyster Bar
• Coquette

Near Victoria Yards / The Market at 7th St / First Ward Park:

• Spice Charlotte
• 5th Street District

Near the SHOUT! Lounge:

• Luminous Lane
• The Punch Room
• The Alley at Latta Arcade
• Monarch Market

PRO TIP TWO: Use the map to figure out how to navigate parking and transportation during SHOUT!. Personally, it’s light rail and Uber/Lyft all the way for me.

FOUR: CHECK THOSE TAGS AND HASHTAGS

One of the best ways to discover the SHOUT! gems – from buskers (street performers, look it up) to music venues, art installations and hand-on activities – are through someone else’s eyes or lenses.

Once the fun has started, head to the SHOUT! Instagram page, @cltshout, and click their tags to see what others have seen. Or search the hashtags #CharlotteSHOUT, #CLTShout, #SHOUT2025 or #ExploringSHOUT to see what others recommend.

PRO TIP: Make sure your phone is charged and bring that backup charger because there is so much you’ll want to take photos and videos of. And, then … SHARE THEM! (We’ll be looking for them!)