Charlotte Chinese Story Time

09/05/2026

Chinese Wellness Workshop

09/05/2026

Today, September 4, Charlotte Chinese Story Time families came together for a special screening of Dear You《给阿嬷的情书》, on its North American opening day.

It was more than a movie outing. It was a story that felt especially close to many of us.

One of the moments that resonated deeply with our CCST families was seeing children learning Chinese on screen. For many families raising children in the United States, this is such a familiar scene — practicing words, learning characters, sometimes struggling, sometimes wondering why they have to learn a language that may not be the one they use most often outside the home.

But as children grow, we hope they will gradually understand that learning Chinese is about much more than vocabulary and characters.

Language carries family memories.
Language connects generations.
Language gives our children another way to understand where their families came from.

This is also at the heart of what Charlotte Chinese Story Time has been working toward since our beginning: creating opportunities for children to experience Chinese language and culture not simply as something they are asked to “learn,” but as something they can hear, see, touch, enjoy, and eventually make part of their own story.

Through a Chinese story, a poem, a traditional craft, a performance, or even a family movie like Dear You, we are planting small seeds. 🌱

We may not always see the results right away. But perhaps years from now, our children will look back and realize that these small experiences helped them stay connected to their families, their heritage, and a part of who they are.

Thank you to all the CCST families who joined us today. ❤️

We are grateful that our community can share not only activities and celebrations, but also meaningful stories like this — stories that remind us why language, family, and cultural connection matter.

09/04/2026

🎨 CALL FOR YOUNG ARTISTS | Our American Story
Chinese American Family Voices in Charlotte

Every family has a story.
Every child has a voice worth hearing.

In celebration of America’s 250th anniversary, Charlotte Chinese Story Time invites young artists to share what it means to grow up Chinese American in Charlotte — through one picture and one family story.

Your child’s artwork might tell the story of a family’s journey to America, a tradition passed down through generations, growing up between two cultures, a favorite memory in Charlotte, or a hope for America’s future.

This is not an art competition. We are not looking for the “best” drawing. We are looking for honest, personal stories that reflect the many ways Chinese American families are part of the Charlotte community and the American story.

🖌️ What to Submit
• One original 9 × 12 inch portrait artwork
• One short English family story connected to the artwork
• A photo of the artwork submitted through our Google Form

Children may choose from themes including:
My Family’s Journey · A Tradition We Carry With Us · Growing Up as a Chinese American · My Charlotte · Two Cultures, One Me · My Hope for America

📅 Important Dates
Submission Deadline: November 8, 2026
Selected Artists Notified: November 15, 2026
Original Artwork Due: November 22, 2026

Selected works will be professionally presented and featured in our December 2026 exhibition at South County Regional Library.

We hope this exhibition becomes more than a collection of children’s drawings. We hope it becomes a record of who we are, where our families came from, what we carry with us, and how our children are growing up in Charlotte today.

One Picture. One Child. One Family. One American Story.

👉 Submit here: https://forms.gle/HPPvMe5rZyLXVWhJ6

Presented by Charlotte Chinese Story Time (CCST)
With support from United Chinese Americans (UCA) and United Chinese Americans Community Foundation (UCACF) United Chinese Americans - UCA

09/04/2026

Our 2026 Mid-Autumn Festival Cultural Fair brought 700+ community members together for an unforgettable day of culture, family, and community. 🌕🏮

From lanterns and mooncakes to calligraphy, traditional games, and Chang’e Flies to the Moon shadow puppetry — take a look back at this special day with us. ❤️

👉 Read the full story and see more photos:
https://www.cltchinesestorytime.org/post/2026-mid-autumn-festival-charlotte-chinese-story-time

Charlotte Chinese Story Time
Bringing Language, Culture, and Community Together.

More than 700 community members joined Charlotte Chinese Story Time for the 2026 Mid-Autumn Festival Cultural Fair, a free family celebration featuring lantern making, Chinese calligraphy, traditional games, snow skin mooncakes, and the shadow puppet show Chang’e Flies to the Moon.

09/02/2026

CCST September 2026 Events Are Here!

Fall is bringing a full month of culture, movement, and community to Charlotte Chinese Story Time! Whether your family wants to learn a traditional wellness practice, cheer on our young performers, or gather for a Mid-Autumn celebration, there’s something for everyone this September.

📅 September 5
🔸 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM | Baduanjin Workshop | South Boulevard Library Community Room
Learn Baduanjin, or Eight-Section Brocade Qigong — a traditional Chinese wellness practice with gentle movements for breathing, balance, and relaxation.

This event is proudly sponsored by ASC Culture Blocks, a community partnership funded by Mecklenburg County. Arts & Science Council

🔸 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM | Children’s Theater Audition | South County Library Community Room A
Calling young performers! Audition for our children’s stage production and show off your acting, storytelling, and Chinese language skills.

🔸 3:00 PM – 4:30 PM | Youth Host Audition | South County Library Community Room A
Audition to become a host for the 2027 Children’s Lunar New Year Showcase, and practice your stage presence and public speaking.

📅 September 6
🔸 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM | Kung Fu Fan Workshop | Crews Recreation Center, Matthews
Discover the energy and beauty of traditional Chinese martial arts fan movement in a fun, interactive workshop.

This event is proudly sponsored by ASC Culture Blocks, a community partnership funded by Mecklenburg County.

📅 September 19
🔸 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM | Mid-Autumn Chinese Story Time | South County Library Community Room A
Celebrate the season with Mid-Autumn themed stories, songs, and family activities, perfect for young children and their caregivers.

🔸 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM | Wuqinxi Workshop | Crews Recreation Center Gym, Matthews
Discover Wuqinxi, or Five-Animal Qigong — a traditional Chinese exercise inspired by the tiger, deer, bear, monkey, and crane.

This event is proudly sponsored by ASC Culture Blocks, a community partnership funded by Mecklenburg County.

Most events require RSVP. Follow CCST and check our page for registration links and details.
We’re endlessly grateful to our volunteers, partners, and this wonderful community for making these programs possible — FREE for every family. We can’t wait to see you there!

08/29/2026

What an incredible Mid-Autumn Festival Cultural Fair 🌕🏮

More than 700 community members joined Charlotte Chinese Story Time today for our 2026 Mid-Autumn Festival Cultural Fair!

Families spent the day making rabbit lanterns and snow skin mooncakes, solving lantern riddles, trying Chinese calligraphy, playing traditional games, watching our Chang’e Flying to the Moon shadow puppet show, and exploring Chinese culture together.

One of the biggest improvements this year was simply having space. Our larger indoor venue gave families room to explore, children room to play, and our many activities room to truly come alive. The wonderful feedback we received throughout the day meant so much to us.

Most importantly, today reminded us why we do this work: culture becomes meaningful when it is experienced, shared, and passed from one generation to the next.

Thank you to every family who joined us and to our incredible volunteers who made this day possible. ❤️

Thank you our sponsor United Chinese Americans - UCA for making this cultural fair possible!

08/29/2026

See you today!

08/17/2026

🏮🌕 Lanterns are one of the most beautiful parts of the Mid-Autumn Festival.

In Chinese tradition, lanterns bring light, joy, good wishes, and a sense of reunion. During the Mid-Autumn Festival, children often carry lanterns under the moonlight, celebrating the full moon with family, stories, and imagination.

At our 2026 Charlotte Mid-Autumn Festival Cultural Fair, families will get to experience this tradition through beautiful Mid-Autumn lantern activities, including Jade Rabbit lanterns, Chang’e-themed lanterns, and other glowing festival crafts.

Children will not only make and enjoy lanterns — they will also discover the stories behind them: the Jade Rabbit on the moon, Chang’e flying to the Moon Palace, and the meaning of reunion during Mid-Autumn Festival.

We are less than two weeks away, and we can’t wait to celebrate this joyful cultural tradition with our Charlotte community!

📅 Saturday, August 29, 2026
⏰ 10:30 AM – 3:30 PM
📍 Marion Diehl Recreation Center
2219 Tyvola Rd, Charlotte, NC 28210

This is a free family event with many hands-on activity tables, including lantern crafts, mooncake making, face painting, shadow puppetry, calligraphy, games with prizes, photo wall, and more.

Come join Charlotte Chinese Story Time for a day filled with light, stories, culture, and family memories. 🌕🐰🏮

Organized by Charlotte Chinese Story Time
Sponsored by United Chinese American / United Chinese American Community Foundation United Chinese Americans - UCA

08/12/2026

Upcoming Events at Charlotte Chinese Story Time!

Our fall calendar is here — mark your dates and come join us for these fun, family-friendly activities!

📅 Aug 16, 3–6 PM — Lemonade and Treat Stand
📅 Aug 29 10:30 AM -3:30 PM— Mid-Autumn Festival Cultural Fair
📅 Sept 5, 10 AM–12 PM — Baduanjin Workshop
📅 Sept 5, 1–3 PM — Children’s Theater Auditions
📅 Sept 5, 3–4:30 PM — 2027 Lunar New Year Showcase Host Auditions
📅 Sept 6, 4–6 PM — Kung Fu Fan Workshop
📅 Sept 19, 10–11 AM — Mid-Autumn Themed Chinese storytime
📅 Sept 19, 1–3 PM — Five Animal Frolics (Wuqinxi) Workshop

Families and children of all backgrounds welcome — see you there!

08/11/2026

This Sunday, a few small hands are running a big-hearted stand! 🍋

Our CCST kids are hosting a Lemonade & Treats Stand this Sunday, August 16th, starting at 3:00 PM — and every cup, cookie, and popsicle sold helps keep Charlotte Chinese Story Time's programs free for local families.

On the menu: fresh strawberry and classic lemonade, a taro milk tea double grass jelly bowl, homemade egg tarts, and fruit popsicles — all made with love by our kids and volunteers.

Come support these young entrepreneurs, cool off with a treat, and help us keep free Chinese language and cultural programs going for children across Charlotte. We accept cash, Zelle, PayPal, Venmo, credit cards, and Apple Pay.

We can't wait to see you there! 💛