Breakaway Carolina is the Carolina stop of Breakaway Music Festival, a touring festival that calls itself the largest national touring festival and says it brings globally recognized talent to local cities. The 2026 edition ran on Friday, September 25 and Saturday, September 26, from 3 pm to 11 pm both days, at zMax Dragway at Charlotte Motor Speedway, 6570 Bruton Smith Blvd in Concord, North Carolina. It was an 18+ event presented by Celsius, and it came between Philadelphia (September 11–12) and Utah (October 2–3) on Breakaway's 2026 tour.
The official Carolina 2026 page listed 43 artists. Breakaway's 2026 season page led the billing with Chris Lake, Cloonee b2b Chris Lorenzo, Kettama and Tiësto, and the bill also included San Holo, Troyboi, What So Not, Cassian, Beltran, Hamdi, Kai Wachi and Nimino. The official lineup text also paired Chasewest b2b Discip and Cole Knight b2b Dreya V. The official page also posted the Friday and Saturday set times.
Beyond the Main Stage, the official page described Beatport's The Block, a new stage with "no barriers, no distance" between DJs and the crowd, the Bud Light Pop-Up Stage and the Jimmy John's Silent Disco with a lineup of local artists. The 21+ Space Deck was an elevated, multi-level platform over the VIP area with a view of the Main Stage, and the nonprofit End Overdose partnered with Breakaway to equip attendees with naloxone. Official pre- and after-parties were listed from Thursday, September 24, at venues including Trio Nightclub and South End Highway.