Show Review of the Month Festival in the Park
Festival in the Park
Location: Charlotte, NC
Dates: Sept. 19-21, 2025
Contact: Festival in the Park, Inc.
Website: festivalinthepark.org
Email: festival@festivalinthepark.org
Phone: 704-338-1060
Venue: 100% outdoors
Space fees: $445 to $890
Exhibitors: 200
Attendance estimate: 130,000
COMPILED FROM FASTAUDIT REVIEWS
Festival in the Park ranked CC63 in 2025’s 200 Best list. Eighty-four percent of the artists who reviewed the last four shows said they would exhibit again.
“Best in Charlotte,” said a fine art artist whose mediums are painting, wood, and printmaking. The artist reported $24,000 in sales at the 2025 show and would participate again.
A fine art artist whose sales totaled $11,500 said, “Year after year, I make great money, and I’ve been very fortunate to have great weather.” This artist would return.
Another fine art artist who would also participate again said, “The Wi-Fi needs to be improved. I lost sales because of the intermittent connection.” The artist did not report how much was made at the 2025 show.
Also interested in returning to this show is a fine art artist whose medium is painting. The artist had $3,100 in sales.
Sales totaled $4,300 for a fiber/textile/leather artist who would also do the show again.
A fine art artist who made $7,000 would return to the show.
An arts and crafts artist who had $5,000 in sales said it is always a great show.
SHOW PROMOTER’S SELF‑REVIEW
Two-hundred artists participated in the 61st annual Festival in the Park, having the opportunity to sell to more than 130,000 attendees.
Paintings, one-of-kind handmade furniture and sculptures, intricately woven baskets, and quirky yard ornaments were on display in tents wrapped around the park’s lake. When the temperatures rose, visitors stayed cool under shaded park areas and enjoyed beverages and items from food trucks and vendors dotted throughout the park.
There was a variety of live music throughout the three-day event. Larger-than-life puppets roamed the park grounds.
“From our vantage point, this year’s Festival in the Park was a tremendous success,” said Executive Director Julie Whitney Austin. “The energy from the artists, many of whom returned to participate in this year’s festival, the quality and absolute beauty of their work, and their positive feedback made the festival a joyful and successful event.”
What Artists Said
Survey comments from participating artists were shared. One artist said, “Overall, we had a fantastic time being part of Festival in the Park and appreciate all the effort that goes into making it such a special event!”
An artist who hopes to return in 2026 said, “Saturday exceeded expectations and ended up being our second-highest grossing day ever and is our highest grossing three-day event every year.”
A participant since 2001 said, “We have many people returning to shop with us each year. Our favorite show — always an extremely well-coordinated and seamless operation — the result of sustained, focused, and dedicated effort by many throughout the year.”
What the Promoter Learned
The festival’s artists receive a detailed support packet — sent by email and provided again at check in — that outlines all available resources and assistance. This packet will be updated for future shows.
Their Best Improvement
Social media continues to play a significant role in their strategy to reach new audiences. They are expanding their partnerships with individuals who can help them connect with a broader base of potential patrons and extend the event’s visibility across diverse communities.
Austin’s message to those considering this show is that the Festival Planning Committee is always looking for ways to improve the free event experience. “Festival in the Park may be over, but we are already excited about next year’s festival, as well as the annual Kings Drive Art Walk. Charlotte is the perfect city to hold both events,” she said.
