Charlotte's biggest music festival — Lovin' Life Music Fest (LLMF) — returns to First Ward Park for its sophomore year, and music fans are preparing for a weekend-long, star-studded music celebration.

"[Lovin' Life is a] love letter to the city we call home," Chasity Todd of Lovin' Life Music Fest told CLTtoday. "And this May, LLMF is bringing it all to life — one stage, one bite, one beat, one moment at a time.

In its inaugural year in 2024, LLMF drew an estimated 80,000+ people to Uptown. With headliners like Post Malone, Stevie Knicks, and Noah Kahan, it's no wonder the event ranked as a top USA Today Reader's Choice Award Winner for Best New Festival.

"This isn’t just a music fest. It’s Charlotte’s crown jewel — where global talent meets local dreams," said Lovin’ Life co-founder Bob Durkin. "Where skyline views meet street-level soul. Where music, art, food, and people come together to create something unforgettable."

The festival kicks off Friday, May 2, and runs through Sunday, May 4. If you haven't gotten your tickets, "What You Waiting For?"

Gwen Stefani, Dave Matthews, and Benson Boone join a 50+ artist lineup for the second annual festival. | Photos via Wikimedia Commons and Ashley Osbourn

Lineup

The weekend kicks off with "Beautiful Things." Gwen Stefani and Benson Boone will headline the festival's first night starting at 8 p.m. Saturday's performers include Pitbull and Weezer, with Dave Matthews Band and Teddy Swims closing out the weekend-long festival on Sunday.

During all three days, Switchfoot, Ludacris, Petey Pablo, Third Eye Blind, and Stranger Company will all light up the two additional stages on site. Check out the full schedule.

Food + bev

With an emphasis on community, this festival will have a dedicated Culinary and Arts Village, highlighting the works of local artists and chefs. Here's what you can expect:

Pro tip: If it's an option, snag the Chicken on the Bone or the new Mac Bowl from Mac’s Speed Shop.

Bossy Beulah's will be available for Lovin' Life Music Fest's VIP ticket holders. | Photo via Plaid Penguin + Bossy Beulah's

In addition, SuperVIP ticket holders get exclusive access to some of Charlotte's biggest names in food, including:

Bossy Beulah's
Amélie’s French Bakery & Café
A special selection from FS Food Group — the group behind Midwood Smokehouse, YAFO Kitchen, Paco’s Tacos, and Mama Ricotta’s

Pro tip: A Bossy Beulah sandwich reaches its full potential when you include Bossy's delicious homemade sauce.

Outside the festival grounds, hungry diners can savor the tastes of the Queen City by walking to several nearby restaurants and food halls like The Market at 7th Street, Monarch Market, or the Queen City Quarter.

Unique activations

Lights will shine during the festival's first-ever synchronized light show. During Benson Boone's set on Friday, May 2, fans are encouraged to sync their phones through the LLMF app so their phones will pulse, flash, and glow in sync with the music.

Editor's note: If you're attending the festival on Saturday and/or Sunday, light shows will take place on those days as well.

Returning to the festival, fans can take selfies with massive art installations like this giant heart + expect artist surprises and more.

Festival-goers can also find lineup t-shirts designed by local artists + emerging bands performing on the local and regional stages.

The West Charlotte Marching Lions know how to play a mean tune. | Photo by CLTtoday

A community-minded affair

Recently, festival organizers replaced musical instruments stolen from West Charlotte High School.

Bonus: The students will perform during the festival.

“Music education is vital,” said Durkin. “And we want these students to know their talent, dedication, and passion matter.”

In addition, the festival funded micro-grants to support Charlotte’s creative community in partnership with Charlotte is Creative + partnered with Generation WE to bring its ME Records Workshop to Ranson Middle School and Westerly Hill Academy, helping provide a platform for creativity and to celebrate their voices.

Picture youself singing along with thousands of your closest friends in Uptown. | Photo via Lovin' Life Music Fest

Tickets

A three-day general admission ticket costs $319, VIP tickets are $549 for a three-day pass and $399 for two-day passes. Single day tickets are $129.
Children under the age of 10 enter free.

Watch: See how this deal compares to tickets for individual artists coming to Charlotte.

FAQs

According to the festival map, there will be one main stage and two other stages. Super VIP and VIP ticket holders will be closest to the main stage + general admission ticket holders will fill the remaining space.

Festival gates will open at 1 p.m. on all three days — make sure to arrive early to see your favorite band.

Items like your phone, empty reusable water tumblers, non-aerosol sunscreen, blankets, festival flags, and small clear bags will be allowed in. Be sure to familiarize yourself with what is and is not allowed inside the festival.

Ticket holder wristbands must be worn the day of the event and cannot be removed. The wristband serves as your entry ticket + can be linked to a credit card for faster transaction times.

Spectrum Center hosted the 2019 NBA All-Star Game. | Photo by Nan Palmero via Wikimedia Commons

Hotels

LLMF partnered with 15 Uptown hotels offering discounted rates. Here are the hotels found within a 10 minute walk to the festival gates:

DoubleTree by Hilton
Springhill Suites Charlotte City Center
The Ritz-Carlton, Charlotte
AC Hotel Charlotte City Center
Aloft Charlotte City Center
Hyatt House Charlotte/Center City
Omni Charlotte
The Ivey's Hotel
The Dunhill Hotel
Homewood Suites by Hilton Charlotte Uptown First Ward
Charlotte Marriott Center City

You can reach the Spectrum Center via the Charlotte Area Transit System's 501 Light (Lynx Blue Line). | Photo by Mark Clifton via Wikimedia Commons

Transportation

Public transportation is easy. LLMF conveniently sits between the 7th Street and 9th Street light rail stations. Consider parking at any CATS Park and Ride lot to take the Blue Line to Uptown.

Pro tip: CATS is offering discounted three-day passes for unlimited rides. Through Thursday, May 1, three-day unlimited passes will be $12. The price will increase to $15 for Saturday and Sunday. Tickets can be purchased using the CATS-Pass App.

For Uber/Lyft/ride shares, the recommended drop-off location is 418 N. College St., Charlotte.

Nothing ruins your day more than a parking ticket. Consider mapping out your parking in advance at any of these garages.

If you plan to drive to the festival, the location is 300 N. Brevard St., Charlotte, and there are five parking lots nearby:

401 S. Graham St.
501 E. Trade St.
401 E. 7th St.
709 E. Trade St.
418 E. 7th St.

Parking along First Ward Park is limited due to site construction for the three-day festival. | Photo by CLTtoday

Road closures

The City of Charlotte announced road closures surrounding the festival, including:

East 8th Street between North Caldwell Street and the light rail tracks
East 9th Street between North Caldwell Street and the light rail tracks
East 7th Street between North Brevard Street and the light rail tracks
North Brevard Street between East 6th Street and East 9th Street
North Caldwell Street between 6th Street and 9th Street

Drivers can expect detours surrounding First Ward Park. Keep an eye on any closures using this map.