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Front Porch Sundays

It’s a block party and a shop-local extravaganza. 

Front Porch Sundays bring a whole new meaning to Sunday Funday. Shop from over 90 local vendors offering everything from dog toys to handmade jewelry to fresh spices, grab food from surrounding restaurants and food trucks, and listen to live music all along the Rail Trail at Atherton Mill. 

Here's What You Need to Know:

  • Front Porch Sundays is held every first Sunday of the month at Atherton Mill from April to December. Come hangout from 11:00am - 4:00pm on: April 7, May 5, June 2, July 7, August 4, September 1, October 6, November 3, and December 1, 2024.
  • Parking is free in the Atherton Mill garage, or find more parking options using the parking guide.
  • If you are traveling by light rail, take the blue line to East/West Blvd Station and follow the Rail Trail one block south until you reach. 
  • Front Porch Sundays is dog-friendly (but really, please bring your dogs, we want to see them).

learn more about vending opportunities in south end

History of Front Porch Sunday

Front Porch Sundays started as a dream of Terry Shook and the team at Shook Kelley, Inc. He imagined turning his property, in the heart of South End with a wide front porch facing the Rail Trail, into something like a community commons on the weekends: a community event where people can read their newspapers, drink coffee and mimosas, and enjoy live music on the Rail Trail.

Beginning in 2015, Charlotte Center City Partners partnered with Terry and other local businesses to test a series of local events and pop-up markets on the site. What started small quickly grew, especially when we partnered with Jordan Dollard of Esther & Elsa Retail.

Today, Front Porch Sundays has grown into a beloved open-air market that hosts 70 local businesses, chefs, mobile shops, live music and community partnerships every first Sunday. 2023 marks the 9th Front Porch Sundays season!