FAQs

CLT250 is a yearlong, citywide celebration of events marking the City of Charlotte's 250th anniversary. It is a time to recognize our history, commemorate our spirit and celebrate our future and continued growth. Kicking off July 3, 2018, the festivities will include large events and small, community-led celebrations culminating with a citywide art, music, food and film festival, Charlotte Shout, in May 2019.

CLT250 invites and empowers residents to get involved and celebrate our city's independence, ingenuity, determination, collaboration, compassion and resiliency and imagine a successful and unified future filled with hope and opportunity for all.

Telling the story of Charlotte's 250th anniversary brings us together in an unprecedented way to share in past accomplishments and celebrate all that's to come. More than sharing the city's legacy, CLT250 can help us imagine our future - a blank canvas rich with opportunity.

CLT250 is a community-led engagement, presented by Atrium Health. Gene Woods, CEO of Atrium Health, is the initiative's honorary chairman.

CLT250 is spearheaded by the City of Charlotte with partnership from the Arts & Science Council, Charlotte Center City Partners, Charlotte Chamber, Charlotte Mecklenburg Library, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools, Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority, Foundation For The Carolinas and corporate leaders including AT&T, Bank of America, Duke Energy, Novant Health and Wray Ward. An advisory committee and planning work group made up of business leaders and community advocates helped shape the vision and mission of CLT250.

CLT250 will include large citywide events, synergy events and community-led and legacy projects.

The yearlong celebration kicks off on July 3, 2018, at Memorial Stadium as part of the City of Charlotte's annual Fourth of July celebration. Large events throughout the year include National Night Out 250 (August 7, 2018), a special event to promote police-community partnerships and neighborhood camaraderie; Charlotte Takes the Cake Day (December 3, 2018), marking the city's official anniversary; the Novant Health Thanksgiving Day Parade, which this year will be dedicated to the city's 250th anniversary and bring to life the city's heritage, diversity, and welcoming and innovative spirit; and the signature event, Charlotte Shout (May 2019), a citywide art, music, food and film festival that will be as diverse and vibrant as those who call Charlotte home.

CLT250 will find synergy with existing events, from annual, longtime resident favorites such as Queen's Feast and Festival in the Park to events that define our evolution and future potential such as the 2019 NBA All-Star Game.

The special anniversary celebration also will include small community-led initiatives in neighborhoods, public spaces and parks, colleges and universities, and businesses, as well as ongoing legacy projects that will create hope and promise for the next 250 years.

Everyone who has a passion for Charlotte is encouraged to get involved and join the movement by volunteering, connecting their event to the movement and attending events throughout the year. An online CLT250 toolkit will be available with resources to help get the party or dialogue started and to provide information on how to share stories and photos with others.

Visit CLT250.com for more information on Charlotte's yearlong celebration of its 250th anniversary.