Illustrative photograph for the Things to do in Matthews guide to Matthews, NC
Matthews · Local life

Things to do in Matthews

A local-first guide to culture, markets, arts, events, and outdoor time in Matthews.

DISCOVER MATTHEWS

Matthews is best experienced at a human pace. Make time for the downtown blocks, a park visit, a performance, and the businesses that make the town feel distinctly local.

The arts

Look to Matthews Playhouse for productions and community performing arts. Check its current calendar for shows and tickets.

Matthews Playhouse

Market mornings

The Matthews Community Farmers' Market is a strong starting point for a local weekend. Seasonal schedules and vendors vary.

Market calendar

Outdoor time

Stumptown Park, Squirrel Lake Park, and the Four Mile Creek Greenway give you three different ways to step outside without leaving the area.

Community events

Matthews is known for community festivals, including the long-running Matthews Alive festival over Labor Day weekend, along with seasonal events downtown. Dates and formats change, so follow the town and event organizers for current details.

Matthews Alive

Arts and history

Matthews Playhouse offers community theater and youth programs, and the Matthews Heritage Museum tells the town's story. Check each organization for current performances and hours.

This guide is published by Nicholas and Miriam Peters and is not a live information service. Details can change. Confirm schools, jurisdiction, business hours, amenities, and property rules with the relevant official source or organization before making decisions.

More from Matthews

Follow your curiosity.

Begin here

The Matthews guide

An essential introduction to Matthews, North Carolina: place, lifestyle, housing, and what to explore next.

Real estate

Homes in Matthews

A property-free look at Matthews real estate, from historic streets to new construction and custom-home possibilities.

Find your fit

Matthews neighborhoods

Explore the different residential settings that make up the Matthews area.

Education

Schools in Matthews

How to research public and independent school options around Matthews, NC.

Around town

Restaurants in Matthews NC

A local guide to restaurants in Matthews NC — downtown Trade Street dining, independent cafés, breweries, and shopping around town.

Outdoors

Parks & greenways

Discover the trails, green spaces, and outdoor gathering places around Matthews.

Relocation

Moving to Matthews

A practical guide to deciding whether Matthews, NC fits your next chapter.

History

The story of Matthews

How a railway-era town became one of the Charlotte area's most distinctive communities.

Custom homes

Build in Matthews

A considered approach to building or renovating a home in the Matthews area.

Interior design

Interiors with intention

Designing Matthews homes for the way life actually unfolds.

Smart homes

Technology, quietly integrated

Audio, lighting, cinema, connectivity, and security for modern Matthews homes.

Frequently asked

Matthews questions, answered

Straight answers to common questions about living in and exploring Matthews, NC.

Buying

Buying a home in Matthews

What to investigate before making an offer on a Matthews, NC home: jurisdiction, county, schools, HOA documents, flood maps and inspections.

Selling

Selling a Matthews home

How to prepare and present a Matthews, NC home for sale: answering jurisdiction questions, documenting updates and staging for the buyers the area draws.

Spec homes

Understanding luxury spec homes

What a luxury spec home is, how it differs from a custom home, and what Matthews-area buyers should check before buying one.

Comparisons

Matthews compared with nearby areas

How Matthews differs from Indian Trail, Weddington, SouthPark and south Charlotte for buyers deciding where to look.