Head to the National Whitewater Center in Charlotte for a one-of-a-kind annual event every spring. The Tuck Fest will have you tuckered out with sports, competitions, live music, and a ton of activity over a weekend. Interested? Here’s more to help you plan a trip to this exciting outdoor adventure for all ages.
Looking for Whitewater Center Charlotte events? You can’t miss the annual Tuck Fest in April! The multi-day festival is perfect for getting sporty and winding down with live music. The family-friendly event celebrating the outdoor lifestyle is free to anyone who wishes to attend the concerts or watch the competitions. However, if you want to compete or participate in any of the activities, pre-registrations are now open for a one-time fee.
Tuck Fest 2023 is only a month away; no time to waste if you can’t miss it this year. Keep reading for more event details. And if it’s your first trip to tuck fest – we got you. Here’s all you need to know about the upcoming outdoor adventure:
So, you’re planning a trip to Charlotte? The National Whitewater Center is at least a 20-minute drive from Center City, and you’re likely to stay in the city or around the airport. If you are bringing a car or renting one, don’t forget to look for affordable Charlotte parking garages and lots near you. While the Whitewater Center offers event parking, and hotel rooms usually come with a complimentary parking spot, you might need to get around more than the daily trip to Tuck Fest. Check out the cheapest parking options for your weekend getaway below:
National Whitewater Center Parking | Charlotte Parking | Charlotte Douglas CLT Airport Parking
See: How to Book City Parking on Way.com: A Step-by-Step Guide
What is Tuck Fest?
Tuck Fest is an annual multi-day event at the U.S. National Whitewater Center in Charlotte, NC. The outdoor festival has competitions like climbing, kayaking, and more for all ages. Trail running, marathons, biking, and family-adventure activities are also popular. The festival also hosts free live music performances every day throughout a weekend in April.
The event name is inspired by the historic Tuckaseegee Ford and Trail that passes through the 1300-acre Whitewater Center property. Tuck Fest is one of the most popular Charlotte Whitewater Center events that annually bring hundreds of visitors to the woodlands.
When is Tuck Fest 2023?
In 2023, National Whitewater Center in Charlotte is hosting the annual Tuck Fest from April 21, Friday – April 23, Sunday. Onsite registration begins at 7:30 am on Friday, and Whitewater Center activities begin at 10 am daily.
Where is the National Whitewater Center?
5000 Whitewater Center Pkwy, Charlotte, NC 28214
The National Whitewater Center covers over 1300 acres of woodland, 10 miles north of Charlotte Douglas International Airport. Charlotte Center City is around 12 miles or a 20-minute drive from the outdoor activity center.
It is home to the largest human-made whitewater river in the world. Apart from whitewater rafting and kayaking, you can enjoy mountain biking, ziplining, rock climbing, obstacle courses, trail running, and more at the National Whitewater Center in Charlotte.
What to expect at Tuck Fest
You can participate in various outdoor activities, yoga sessions, competitions, skill clinics, exhibitions, and more during the three-day Tuck Fest 2023 schedule. Whitewater Center concerts are also part of the annual festival, and it’s free entry for all.
You’ll find the full list of Tuck Fest 2023 competitions with details here. Obstacle Challenges, Family Adventure Racing, Deep Water climbing, Raft Racing, and Mountain Biking are some of the most popular outdoor competitions at Tuck Fest.
Use the Whitewater Center map to find your way around competition/activity venues.
What is the music lineup for 2023?
Tuck Fest 2023 lineup includes Amanda Shires, Moon Taxi, Bahamas, Devon Gilfillian, Nicol Atkins, Adia Victoria, The Pink Stones, Tall Tall Trees, The Psycodelics, and The Dip. You’ll find more details about the artists here.
The Whitewater Center concerts during Tuck Fest are free entry for all. However, if you drive there, standard parking fees apply. Seating is not available, but you can bring chairs or blankets.
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When is the Vendor Village open?
Tuck Fest 2023 will have several vendors onsite at the Vendor Village open on all three days.
Vendor stalls are open from 10 am on Saturday and Sunday (April 22-23), and 5 pm on Friday (April 21, 2023). Stalls close by 8 pm, except on the last day of Tuck Fest 2023. On Sunday, the closing time is 6 pm.
You are not allowed to enter Whitewater Center with outside food and beverages. The center has multiple outlets where you can buy food and drinks.
What is the Tuck Fest 2023 schedule?
Tuck Fest 2023 begins on April 21 at 7:30 am when registrations open. On Saturday and Sunday, registration opens at 6:30 am. Power Flow is at 9 am daily, but Whitewater Center activities begin only by 10 am on all three days.
The 10-Miler begins at 9 am on Day 1, while the Quarter Marathon is from 8 am on Day 2. The Half Marathon flags off at 8 am on Day 3.
The first live music set on the lineup (Nicol Atkins) is at 7 pm on Day 1; Amanda Shires will perform at 9 pm. On Day 2, Tall Tall Trees takes the stage by 1 pm, and Moon Taxi closes the day with their set starting at 9 pm. Bahamas are the last to perform on Day 3.
Check out the full Tuck Fest 2023 event schedule here to start planning your weekend.
How much are Tuck Fest 2023 tickets?
Tuck Fest 2023 is free entry to the public if you only attend concerts and watch demos or competitions. A flat fee applies to participants – the one-time registration gives you access to all the races and competitions across three days. But it does not include Whitewater Center activities; separate passes are available.
Pre-registration is available till April 19, 2023, and costs $45 for adults (Ages 10+) and $35 for kids. Day-of-registration is $5 more. You can add on time chips for $10 at the time of registration if required.
Where to stay near Charlotte Whitewater Center?
Overnight camping is not allowed anywhere on the 1300-acre property. The National Whitewater Center in Charlotte officially recommends these Four stay options:
- Home2 Suites by Hilton Charlotte Airport – 6 miles or a 10-minute drive to the Center
- Hilton Garden Inn Gastonia – 13 miles or a 16-minute drive to the Center
- Hampton Inn Charlotte-Belmont @ Montcross – 8 miles or a 10-minute drive to the Center
- McDowell Nature Preserve – 16 miles or a 25-minute drive to the Center.
You’ll find plenty of other options for accommodation near the National Whitewater Center within a short drive away. If you don’t have a car to get around, ridesharing services are available to the Tuck Fest 2023 venue.
Is there parking at Tuck Fest 2023?
Yes, onsite parking is available for standard Whitewater Center parking lot rates – $6 per car daily ($18 per day for oversized vehicles). This parking fee applies even if you attend only the free concerts.
Late afternoons and evenings are usually peak traffic times, especially before the Whitewater Center concerts. So, arrive early or allow enough time to park before a specific competition or event.
Rideshare services can drop you off within the main facility, but the standard parking fee of $6/car is applicable. There is a ridesharing drop-off point outside the property on Whitewater Center Pkwy, where parking fees don’t apply, but it is a half-mile walk to the main center. There’s no fee for ridesharing pick-ups from the main Whitewater Center facility.
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