Old Town Cornelius Inc.
Events & Programs
Flagship Events
Tawba Walk Arts & Music Festival
Held twice each year, Tawba Walk brings thousands of people to downtown Cornelius for live music, local artists and makers, food trucks, and community celebration.
2nd Saturdays
A monthly activation featuring local artists, small businesses, live music, and creative pop-ups throughout Old Town.
Cornelius Food Truck Invitational
A community-first culinary event showcasing top regional food trucks in a competitive, family-friendly atmosphere.
Halloween in Old Town
A seasonal tradition featuring trick-or-treating, costume activities, local vendors, and fall festivities for all ages.
Christmas in Cornelius
A holiday celebration with live music, local shopping, seasonal vendors, and community cheer.
Community-Centered Experiences
At the heart of Old Town Cornelius is a shared belief that great places are built through connection. Our events are designed to bring neighbors together, activate public spaces, and celebrate the artists, makers, and small businesses that give Old Town its character.
From large-scale festivals to intimate pop-ups, each experience is intentionally crafted to strengthen community, support local enterprise, and create moments that feel welcoming, authentic, and uniquely Old Town.
Ongoing Community Programs
Programs designed to strengthen relationships, support local businesses and artists, and build long-term community vitality.
Old Town Business Collective
The Old Town Business Collective brings together local business owners, managers, nonprofit leaders, and organizational partners to strengthen collaboration and shared success in downtown Cornelius.
Meeting monthly at rotating locations, the Collective creates space for connection, idea-sharing, and alignment around downtown initiatives — helping businesses and organizations stay informed, engaged, and connected.
Details
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Meets the first Wednesday of each month
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9:00 AM
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Rotating Old Town locations
OTC Coffee Chat
OTC Coffee Chat is a casual monthly gathering designed to strengthen relationships across the community. Residents, creatives, business owners, and partners are invited to connect, share ideas, and stay engaged with what’s happening in Old Town.
Hosted at rotating local coffee shops and gathering spaces, Coffee Chat fosters open conversation and community connection — no agenda required.
Details
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Meets the third Wednesday of each month
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9:00 AM
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Rotating locations
Arts & Creative Placemaking
Arts and creativity are central to Old Town Cornelius’ identity. OTC supports local artists and activates public spaces through murals, public art installations, creative pop-ups, community beautification efforts, and arts-led placemaking initiatives.
These efforts enhance the visual character of downtown, invite interaction, and reinforce Old Town as a place where creativity is visible, accessible, and celebrated.
Marketing & Storytelling Initiatives
OTC leads ongoing marketing and storytelling initiatives that highlight the people, places, and experiences that make Old Town special. Through community storytelling campaigns, business promotion, digital platforms, and a growing “digital town square,” we help build hometown pride, attract visitors, and support local businesses.
These efforts ensure Old Town’s story is told consistently — by the community, for the community.
Upcoming Events
Tawba Walk Arts & Music Festival — Spring EditionSat, Apr 25Oak Street Mill- Tawba Walk Arts & Music Festival — Fall EditionSat, Sep 26Oak Street Mill
2026 Programming Outlook
As Old Town Cornelius continues to grow, our 2026 programming reflects a deeper commitment to creative placemaking, consistent activation, and community-centered experiences.
In 2026, OTC will expand signature events, introduce new cultural programming, and invest further in public spaces that invite people to gather, linger, and connect. Our approach balances tradition with innovation — honoring what has made Old Town special while creating room for what’s next.
2026 programming focus areas include:
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Expanded 2nd Saturday activations
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Spring & Fall Tawba Walk Arts & Music Festivals
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Community-wide seasonal celebrations
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Artist showcases and pop-up performances
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Public space enhancements and placemaking initiatives
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Local business engagement and promotion
