Park Events
Sprinkle & Splash Summer Events
Vendor and Sponsorship Information
Park News:
Park Events:
Summer Concert Series
June 27, 2026 – The Tams w/ Fireworks Finale in celebration of Stanly County America 250
July 25, 2026 – Gump Fiction
August 29, 2026 – Parrot Party Band
September 26, 2026 – Michael Christopher Band w/ End of Summer Fireworks Finale
Our Summer Concert Series will take place on the last Saturday of each month from June to September. All concerts will be from 7:00 PM until 10:00 PM. These events will boast food and drink vendors, craft and business vendors, activities for kids and of course, great live music! We invite people to come for as long as they would like, bring chairs, blankets and yard games if they would like.
If your business is interested in sponsoring the 2026 Summer Concert Series, please reach out to jhoneycutt@locustnc.gov.
We’d like to thank our 2026 Sponsors!
GOLD SPONSORS
Movie Nights in Town Center
The City of Locust hosts a Movie Night Series from April-October (taking off June and July), with a total of eight movie nights.
All movies are located behind Locust City Hall, start at sundown, and usually host pre-show activities, so not all start times are the same. Check the City’s Facebook page for details as the movie dates approach.
Thank you to our 2026 Movie Night sponsors for making those events possible! If your business is interested in sponsoring our 2026 Movie Night Series, please reach out to jhoneycutt@locustnc.gov.
2026 Schedule:
April 11 – Zootopia 2* (2025) – sponsored by Locust Pediatric Dentistry
April 25 – How to Train Your Dragon* (2025 Live Action) – sponsored by Pinnacle Financial Partners
May 9 – Lilo & Stitch* (2002) with pre-movie performance by the South Sea Dancers – sponsored by Ready Mix of the Carolinas
May 30 – A Minecraft Movie* (2025) – sponsored by Star Orthodontics
August 1 – National Treasure* (2004) (in celebration of Stanly County America 250) – sponsored by Locust Police Department in conjunction with National Night Out
August 15 – Charlotte’s Web (2006) – sponsored by Red Barn Farm
September 12 – The Super Mario Galaxy Movie* (2026) – sponsored by Mission Church
October 3 – Toy Story 5 (2026) – sponsored by Charlotte Black Car Service
* Movies marked with an asterisk are rated PG. For more information on specifics of content contained in each movie, we recommend visiting Common Sense Media or watching the movie yourself before attending if you are concerned.
Hands on Locust
May 9, 2026
9:00 AM to 12:00 PM
Hands on Locust is an event that gives kids the opportunity to see a variety of service vehicles. This event is free and open to the public. We invite local businesses with service related vehicles and equipment to participate in this event. Trucks, tractors, emergency vehicles, commercial vehicles, equipment, and training resources are all welcome!
9:00-10:00 AM will be a sensory hour for those who may be sensitive to lights and sounds. During this time, all participating vehicles will be asked to refrain from the use of lights and sirens. Also, a limited number of noise blocking headphones will be available during the whole event from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM, but please feel free to bring your own as well. Starting at 10:00 AM, lights and sirens will be allowed.
Do you own a truck, tractor, or equipment and would like to participate? Email Jessica Honeycutt, Program Coordinator, at jhoneycutt@locustnc.gov for more information.
If your business is interested in sponsoring Hands On Locust, please reach out to jhoneycutt@locustnc.gov.
Sprinkle & Splash Summer Events
Wednesday, June 10, 2026 10 AM to 12 PM
Wednesday, July 8, 2026 10 AM to 12 PM
Wednesday, August 5, 2026 10 AM to 12 PM
Locust Fall Festival
October 31, 2026, 6:00 – 8:00 PM
The event is organized by a committee made up of representatives from local churches and works with the Locust Parks and Recreation Department. Please email Pastor Tommy Ross from First Baptist Church for vendor information.
Dr. Tommy Ross: tommy.ross@firstbaptistlocust.com
Parking is VERY limited. You must park only in designated parking areas.
Parking locations:
- Locust City Park (Officer Jeff Shelton Drive)
- Lions Club Drive (paved parking lot only)
- Locust Elementary School Overflow Parking for Park Events (marked lot at corner of Lions Club Drive and Hwy 200N)
- Hwy 200 North Family Restaurant
- Locust Lumber Gravel Lot (next to Mechanics. On north side/park side of 24/27)
- The Mechanics Auto Shop
No Parking/Tow Zones:
- NO street parking
- NO parking in grass along Lions Club Drive (this is PRIVATE property)
- NO parking at Locust Granite and Tile
Christmas in Locust
Christmas Tree Lighting in Town Center
November 19, 2026
Please join us as we kick off the holiday season in Locust! Shop from some local artisan vendors, enjoy food from a food truck or town center restaurant and watch as we light our brand new Christmas tree! There will be plenty to do for families as they enjoy the magical atmosphere around Locust Town Center! The Grinch will be there for pictures as well, so you don’t want to miss it!
If your business is interested in sponsoring our 2026 Christmas Tree Lighting, please reach out to jhoneycutt@locustnc.gov.
If you are interested in participating as a vendor at the 2026 Christmas Tree Lighting, please reach out to jhoneycutt@locustnc.gov.
Christmas Parade
December 5, 2026 at 1:00 PM
The City of Locust is proud to host the 2026 Locust Christmas Parade on Saturday, December 5th at 1:00 PM.
Registration will open in October for those businesses or organizations interested in participating in the parade. Home designed floats, walking groups, golf carts, dancers, classic cars, equestrian groups, etc. are welcome!
The parade route will begin at the Lion Club Dr Parking Lot, making a left onto Hwy 200, right onto Market St, left onto Ray Kennedy Dr, right onto Town Center Dr, right at Sassy Cakes Bakery, left onto Harrison, left onto Kerri Dawn Lane, right onto Kingston Dr, right onto Smith St, and ending back at the Lion Club Dr Parking Lot.
Light Up Locust
Get into the holiday spirit and join our interactive map to show off your Christmas lights!
Sign ups will open on December 1st, highlighting all the beautiful displays in Locust and the surrounding communities (within 10 miles of Locust)
To participate you must:
- Live on a public street in Locust City Limits or within 10 miles of Locust
- Be the primary resident of the home
- Have an appropriate holiday display on the exterior of your home
- Live on a street conducive for traffic flow. (Dead-end roads with no cul-de-sac, etc., may be excluded)
Reindeer Bell Hunt
Letters to Santa
Breakfast with Santa
December 12th, 2026
Enjoy a morning with our guest of honor, Santa Claus! Join us for a fun holiday party on Saturday, December 12th at the new West Stanly Senior Center event space and enjoy breakfast, crafts, and a photo opportunity with Santa! Seating is limited and registration is required and will open October 15, 2026 at locustnc.recdesk.com.
Vendor and Sponsorship Information
For information on becoming one of our sponsors for 2026 events and athletics, click below to view our sponsorship brochure.
For information about participating as a vendor in our events, please email Program Coordinator, Jessica Honeycutt, at jhoneycutt@locustnc.gov.