Matthews Alive returns Labor Day weekend after 2-year hiatus

MATTHEWS, N.C. — A longtime Labor Day weekend tradition is returning to Matthews this year after being stalled by the pandemic for two years.

The Matthews Alive Festival will be held Sept. 2-5, bringing four days of live music, carnival rides, and family-friendly games and activities to downtown Matthews.

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The 4-day festival is a staple event for the town. According to festival organizers, when it was last held in 2019, an estimated 150,000 people attended the event.

“I’m excited that we’re pulling things together for the 2022 festival. It’s been a long two years and I think the community is ready to have another Matthews Alive,” interim board chair and former Matthews mayor Jim Taylor said in a news release.

Festival hours are from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. Friday, Sept. 2; 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 3; 1 p.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 4; and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday, Sept. 5.

The annual parade will begin at 9:30 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 3. Click here for more information on the parade route.

The festival takes place at the corner of John and Trade Streets in historic downtown Matthews. If you’re using a GPS, search for “Stumptown Park, Matthews, NC,” and follow the directions to that location.

Admission is free but there is a cost for rides and some games.

For more information, go to matthewsalive.org.

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