Frequently Asked Questions
Festival FAQs
What are the Matthews Alive Festival hours?
The main Festival area (food, main stage entertainment, rides), the Small Shops area, and the Cultural Center all hold different hours during the Labor Day Weekend Festival. See below for specific hours of Main Festival and Cultural Center.
Main Festival Hours (food, main stage entertainment, rides)
Friday: 6pm – 10pm (Carnival only opens at 4pm)
Saturday: 10am – 10pm
Sunday: 1pm – 10pm
Monday: 9am – 5pm
Small Shops Hours
Friday: CLOSED
Saturday: 10am – 7:30pm
Sunday: 1pm – 7:30pm
Monday: 9am – 4pm
Cultural Center Hours (Quilt Show, Woodworkers, Indoor Stage, and more)
Friday: CLOSED
Saturday: 11pm – 7:30pm
Sunday: 1pm – 7:30pm
Monday: 9am – 4pm
When is the Matthews Alive parade? Where is the parade route?
Each year, the Matthews Alive Parade is held on Saturday morning at 9:30 a.m. It lasts around 1.5 hours.
The parade begins on Matthews-Mint Hill Road at McLeod Street. It moves forward to Trade Street, turns left (at Kristopher’s restaurant), continues through downtown, turns right onto John St/Monroe Rd, and continues to a left on Covenant Church Rd for disembarking.
Learn more about this year’s parade, including information on the parade route.
How much are tickets for rides and games?
Individual tickets are $2 each or $40 for a sheet of 30 tickets. A sheet of 50 tickets is $60.
Multiple ticket booths will accept credit cards this year. There are also a few ATMs on-site at Matthews Alive.
Where is the designated area for nursing mothers?
A baby changing room/nursing mothers area is located in the lower level of the Matthews Community Center (Studio B) across from the employee break room.
Where do I park?
See the details on our Directions & Parking page.
Are pets allowed at Matthews Alive?
No pets of any kind are allowed, per [Matthews Town Ordinance 91A-31].
Service animals ARE welcome.
Please make appropriate plans for your pets before coming to the Festival; there are no places to leave your pets at the Festival. If you bring your pets into the Festival, you will be asked to remove them.
Due to the typically very warm weather over Labor Day Weekend, we strongly suggest leaving your pets at home. Please do not lock your pets in your car while you attend the Festival.
Can I buy alcohol at Matthews Alive?
No. No alcohol of any kind is sold at the Matthews Alive Festival.
May I bring outside food and/or drinks into Matthews Alive?
Yes, you may bring your own food items and/or non-alcoholic beverages into Matthews Alive.
What items ARE NOT permitted at Matthews Alive?
For the safety of you and our other patrons, the following items are NOT permitted:
- Alcohol
- Bicycles
- Skateboards
- Rollerblades
- Wheeled recreational items of any kind
- Firearms or weapons of any kind
Do you have suggestions for local lodging?
We have partnered with the Hampton Inn – Matthews to provide lodging to out of town guests, vendors, sponsors, etc.
Please CALL the Hampton Inn – Matthews at 704-841-1155 and ask for the Matthews Alive “Vendor & Visitor Rates” special.
I am interested in being a vendor, sponsor, commercial exhibitor, parade participant, etc. Where can I get more information?
Find more information about each way to get involved with Matthews Alive:
Vendors
Parade Participants
Volunteers
Sponsorship Opportunities
No Pets Policy
We love pets, but no pets of any kind are allowed at Matthews Alive Festival per city ordinance. PLEASE PLAN ACCORDINGLY.
SERVICE ANIMALS are always welcome.
