Other Annual Events

Newcomers Wine and Cheese

Warm and welcoming has always defined our community. Nothing says "Welcome to Dilworth" more than the Sunday wine and cheese gatherings held twice a year for our newest neighbors. Held in various homes around the neighborhood, they are a chance for new families to mingle with old. Look for dates to be published in the Dilworth Quarterly, on this website, and in the weekly DCDA Express emails. These gatherings are open to anyone in Dilworth, whether you have lived here months or years.
 

Conquer the Canker

Dilworth's majestic tree canopy is one of its most treasured assets, and each fall Dilworthians come together to protect this canopy from potentially destructive cankerworm infestations. Sponsored by DCDA, the Conquer the Canker campaign disseminates information to residents on how and when to band the trees on their property to prevent the cankerworms from laying their eggs. Tree banding kits are often bought in bulk and sold at a discount to Dilworth residents, and volunteers are organized to band the trees in Latta Park. Look for details in your Dilworth Quarterly each fall.
 

Fourth of July

July 4th brings out patriotic residents from one end of Dilworth to another. Blocks scattered throughout the neighborhood band together to close their street for block parties, picnics, popsicles, and scooter, bike, stroller and trike parades large and small. When we're lucky the fire truck makes an appearance, delighting our youngest Dilworth patriots! Watch your weekly DCDA Express emails for the party nearest you---there is one for everyone!

Dilworth Criterium

The month of May brings both gorgeous spring weather as well as hundreds of bikers from all over the world to Dilworth's Latta Park to participate in the Dilworth Criterium, the oldest cycling race in the southeastern United States. The event offers a full day of exciting races around the parks perimeter, a beer garden, trike and bike events for the kids, and festive lawn parties in homes encircling the park.

Christmas Eve Luminaries

As darkness falls on Christmas Eve, a parade of cars from all over the community descends on Dilworth to enjoy the magical vision of luminaries lining the streets. A tradition since 1980, the lighting of these candles at dusk began when a Dilworth resident brought her hometown ritual to her Dilworth street and around Latta Park. The custom caught on and spread, and these candles have been put out on many streets in Dilworth ever since.

Halloween

Never one to shy away from a good party, Dilworthians organiize street parties all over the neighborhood for Halloween----there is a party for everyone somewhere in Dilworth! North and south of East Boulevard, neighbors traditionally arrange for barricades to be put up and enjoy music, grilled hot dogs, costumes, trick or treating, and an occasional visit from the fire truck. Look for notices of these parties from your neighbors, on the website calendar, and in the weekly DCDA Express emails. And if you are so inspired---organize one for your own block!

Thunder Road Marathon

Charity walks and runs often wind their way in and around Dilworth's boundaries, but perhaps none is larger or more popular than the annual Thunder Road Marathon. The marathon brings hundreds of runners through Charlotte's streets in late fall, and neighborhoods enjoy a friendly competition to see who can provide the most energetic and enthusiastic support. Dilworth residents enjoy a festive morning showing their support with music, horns, bells, and cheers, sometimes capping it off with brunches and live music at nearby restaurants.

Festival in the Park

For over 4 decades, Festival in the Park has been held in Charlotte's Freedom Park, located just on the edge of Dilworth. Founded in 1964, when Charlotte was much smaller and Freedom Park was the heart of the city's green space, Festival in the Park has grown from a cozy neighborhood event to a popular attraction that Dilworth shares with the City of Charlotte.

Local and regional artists and performers fill tents and stages around Freedom Park for a late September weekend of visual and performing arts. This family-friendly event welcomes visitors over 4 days, and offers more than 150 arts and crafts exhibits, four performance stages, and nearly 1.000 performing artists. The stages showcase performing arts from classical to hip-hop as well as storytellers, clowns, magicians more. Basket weavers, metal welders, glass blowers, jewelers, photographers, and sculptors make for a diverse array of art offerings. Children receive special treatment as the art area lures future Picassons with displays of children's work selected by area art teachers from both public and private schools.

Admission is FREE. For more information, click here. For a slideshow, click here.

Greek Festival

Each year for over 3 decades in early September, tents are raised, Mediterranean music fills the air, and the flavorful aroma of Greek cuisine lets Dilworthians know that it is once again time for the Greek Festival in the heart of Dilworth. Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church's, located on our own East Boulevard, is the site for the annual celebration of culture and cuisine. The festival brings thousands of visitors to Dilworth's for cathedral tours, wine tasting, Greek folk dancing, shopping, entertainment for the kids, and authentic Greek food and pastries.