CLTtoday wrapped: Revisiting 2025’s top stories

This year brought development updates, restaurant news, and the final upgrades of the Spectrum Center, and CLTtoday was there to cover it all. We’re looking back at 2025’s top stories with our CLTtoday wrapped.

The Uptown Charlotte skyline at sunset.

The Queen City has seen a lot of growth across the city.

Photo via Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority

Chances are your social media feeds are filled with Spotify Wrapped 2025, and no matter how victimized you may feel by the “listening age” it assigned you, we’re taking inspiration to recap Charlotte’s top stories of the year. Don’t worry, we’re not telling anyone they’re over 25.

Did you know we keep tabs on what you engage with the most to make sure our newsletter is always packed with what you want to see? Here’s what you loved in 2025:

January

25+ volunteer opportunities in and around Charlotte | Charlotteans wanted to start the year by giving back to the community.

February

Local book clubs to join in Charlotte | Book clubs had a hold on the Queen City — including what could be the biggest meeting in our city’s literary meet-up history.

Singer Benson Boone sings into a microphone on a stage

Seeing Benson Boone flip at Lovin’ Life Music Fest was a highlight of 2025.

Photo by CLTtoday

March

35+ concerts to put on your calendar | Many big names like Brad Paisley, Gwen Stefani, Benson Boone, Pitbull, the Jonas Brothers, and Billie Eilish graced our live music venues across the city.

April

20 miles of greenways under construction in Mecklenburg County | Several sections joined the 74 miles of completed greenways across the county, providing ample green space for residents.

May

What we learned walking the SouthPark Loop | The three-mile urban trail has a rich history in South Charlotte, with big plans for the future.

June

New and coming-soon restaurants in Charlotte | What a time to dine — the Queen City welcomed 11 new restaurants.

July

The Amp hits a high note with returning acts and a growing lineup in South Charlotte | Music lovers (and curious minds alike) learned the Ballantyne music venue is more than an amphitheater — it’s a blank slate for shows, events, and the community to gather.

A black and white photo of a band on stage playing for a sea of people.

More than 200,000 people poured into Charlotte Motor Speedway for August Jam in 1974.

Photo via UNC Media Hub

August — a tied month

Remembering Charlotte Motor Speedway’s August Jam as the Queen City’s “Woodstock” | WCNC’s Larry Sprinkle shared his memories of the largest concert in North Carolina’s history.

The River District welcomes its first resident | The ever-growing new development in West Charlotte held a ribbon cutting to welcome its first homeowner.

September

What we “unfortunately do love” in Charlotte | From guilty pleasures to unexpected favorites, we learned what Charlotteans love most.

October

Go inside Charlotte’s largest privately-owned gym | For 25 years, The Fitness Factory in NoDa has welcomed the community to break a sweat at its 42,000-sqft gym.

A wooden sculpture laying in the dirt, overlooking a wooded area.

Big Pete welcomed visitors on Saturday, Nov. 8.

Photo by CLTtoday

November

World-renowned artist unveils troll sculpture in Charlotte | The Queen City welcomed its newest and largest resident, Big Pete with the Big Feet.

December

The data isn’t in for December... yet. Send this newsletter to a friend to help them start the New Year with the best that Charlotte has to offer.

More from CLTtoday
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We’re asking our readers to submit their top questions about the Queen City and we’ll do our best to answer them in 2026.