45 Things to Do this Fall in Charlotte
From apple picking to autumn festivals, experience fall fun in Charlotte.
by Arielle Patterson Aug 28, 2026
Fall is the perfect time of year for a trip to the Queen City. The milder temperatures invite you outside into the brisk autumn air for festivals, sporting events and more. Plan your fall getaway to Charlotte around these can’t-miss events and seasonal happenings.
Seasonal Events & Activities
Navigate One of the Southeast’s Largest Corn Mazes
Maneuver your way through a sprawling corn maze filled with towering stalks, twists and turns at Rural Hill Corn Maze in Huntersville. The maze is open on weekends, Sept. 5-Oct. 31, during the day and after dark.
Have Frightful Fun at Scarowinds
Carowinds transforms into a spookier setting during Scarowinds, on select nights Sept. 11-Nov. 1. Eerie experiences await around every corner, including haunted mazes, scare zones, live performances and thrilling night rides.
Tap Into Olde Mecklenburg Brewery’s Oktoberfest Celebrations
Olde Mecklenburg Brewery is celebrating Oktoberfest with beer, brats, German music and more. Mark your calendar for the first two weekends at the Lower South End brewery, Sept. 11-13 and Sept. 18-20. Festivities continue at the Ballantyne location, Oct. 2-4 and Oct. 9-11.
Stroll through Scarecrow Hollow
Scarecrow Hollow returns to Daniel Stowe Conservancy, Sept. 26-Nov. 1. This seasonal-favorite event showcases whimsical and creative scarecrows created by members of the local community, from traditional to cultural representations and more.
Venture to Scarrigan Farms, If You Dare
Carrigan Farms’ charming setting is filled with hair-raising haunts during Scarrigan Farms. From Oct. 2-Nov. 1, make your way along this one-mile haunted trail filled with creepy characters ready to scare you.
Visit the Magical Village of Fairhaven
Saturdays and Sundays, Oct. 3-Nov. 22, experience the magical Village of Fairhaven during the Carolina Renaissance Festival. Shop arts and crafts vendors at the Artisan Market, then watch jousting knights on horseback, majestic falconry and more throughout the festival grounds.
Go Apple Picking
Fall is peak season for apple picking, and you don’t have to go far from Charlotte to experience this autumnal activity. Carrigan Farms in Mooresville and Windy Hill Orchard in York, South Carolina, both offer apple picking about an hour from Uptown.
Visit a Pumpkin Patch
Pick your own pumpkin to carve when you stop by a pumpkin patch in the Charlotte region. Pumpkin picking begins at Carrigan Farms on Thursday, Oct. 1 at and Hodges Family Farm on Saturday, Sept. 26. These farms also offer hayrides and petting zoos.
Dig into Fall Flavors
Fall brings seasonal menus with autumn flavors to culinary businesses across the Queen City. Sip pumpkin-spiced lattes at local coffee shops and crisp Oktoberfest beers at area breweries, while local restaurants embrace the season by highlighting fall produce sourced from regional farms and producers.
Take a Haunted Tour of Charlotte
Discover a spookier side to the Queen City during a Beyond the Grave tour with Carolina History & Haunts. Learn about Charlotte’s haunted history as you walk through Uptown on this hour-and-a-half-long tour.
Cheer on the Home Teams
Carolina Panthers and the Carolina Ascent kick off the 2026 season this fall. Don’t miss the Panthers home opener against the Chicago Bears on Sunday, Sept. 13 at Bank of America Stadium and the Ascent’s fall matches at American Legion Memorial Stadium through Saturday, Nov. 28.
Get Tickets to a Fall Concert
When the temperatures drop, it's time to catch shows at indoor venues like Spectrum Center. Big-name artists like The Strokes, Kacey Musgraves and Olivia Rodrigo, along with local and regional acts, make their way to stages across the Queen City. Read more about the musical acts coming to Charlotte in the fall concert guide.
See the Gantt Center’s New Exhibit
The Gantt Center’s newest exhibit, “Repossessions,” is a collection of works from seven Black artists inspired by the concept of reparations. The Reparations Project collaborated with Reparations for Slavery (R4S) to provide artists with historical objects for this exhibit.
Solve a Murder Mystery
From Oct. 9-Nov. 22, murder is on the menu at Blume Studios. The newest interactive experience, “CLUE: Murder on the Menu” brings the murder-mystery fun of the game Clue to the dinner table, with a three-course meal.
See Art that Weaves the Past and the Present
“Interventions: Weaving Joy, Woven Resistance,” coming to the Mint Museum Randolph, was designed to spark conversation about the past and present through artist Katrina Sánchez woven art and Panamanian heritage.
September Events & Activities
Have a Soulful Day at the Park
Make your way to First Ward Park on Saturday, Sept. 5 for Charlotte Soul Fest. This family-friendly celebration of music, culture and community features live music, dance, art, food, a family-fun zone and local vendors.
Celebrate Greek Culture
The Yiasou Greek Festival is back for another year, Sept. 11-13 at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Cathedral. One of Charlotte’s largest cultural events, this weekend-long celebration of Greek culture features exhibits, authentic cuisine, entertainment and live music, art, shopping and more.
Get Caffeinated
Sip and sample Charlotte’s coffee scene on Saturday, Sept. 12 at Lenny Boy Brewing. The Charlotte Coffee Festival features unlimited tastings from more than 50 local and national roasters, cafes and coffee brands, along with a latte art competition.
Watch the Mayo Dump
The West Virginia Mountaineers take on the Virginia Cavaliers during this year’s Duke’s Mayo Classic, Saturday, Sept. 19 at Bank of America Stadium. Don’t miss these two teams face off and watch the winning team’s coach receive the iconic mayo dump.
Immerse Yourself in Cultures from around the World
The Barnhardt Student Activity Center, on the campus of UNC Charlotte, transforms into a global marketplace during the International Festival on Saturday, Sept. 19. Stop by booths representing more than 35 nations that feature a variety of art, crafts, costumes and food for sale.
Tap into Your Inner Zen
Find your zen at the Whitewater Center during Flow Fest. This free, weekend festival, Sept. 19-20, includes live music, more than 150 yoga classes for all skill levels and wellness vendors to browse.
Get a Taste of Indian Culture
This year marks the 30th anniversary of Festival of India, a vibrant celebration of India’s rich cultural heritage, Sept. 19-20, at Belk Theater. Watch dazzling Bollywood dance performances, browse colorful art and taste authentic cuisine from across India.
Watch Independent Films
The Charlotte Film Festival showcases independent films from all genres at Independent Picture House, from Sept. 22-27. Get tickets for moving documentaries, animated shorts, student films and more, as well as selections from some of the world's best film festivals.
Enjoy Two Days of Bass-Pumping Beats
Breakaway Music Festival returns to zMAX Dragway, at Charlotte Motor Speedway in Concord, Sept. 25-26. This EDM festival features headliners like Tiësto, Cloonee b2b Chris Lorenzo and Kettama throughout the weekend.
Browse Art in the Park
Festival in the Park brings an array of art, music, food and more to Freedom Park, Sept. 25-27. This free, family-friendly festival showcases works from local and national artists in a variety of mediums.
October Events & Activities
Have a Night of Laughs with Martin Lawrence
Award-winning comedian and actor Martin Lawrence comes to Ovens Auditorium for a one-night-only stand-up performance as part of his “Y’all Still Know What It Is” tour on Thursday, Oct. 8. Lawrence brings his signature raw, unfiltered humor to the stage for an electrifying night of laughs.
Discover the Benefits of Vegan Living
Thinking about switching to a plant-based lifestyle? Learn more about vegan living at Charlotte Vegfest, Saturday, Oct. 10 at Victoria Yards. Browse local, regional and national veg-minded vendors at this free, family-friendly festival.
Have Full Throttle Fun at the Bank of America 400
The thrill of the NASCAR Cup Series playoffs returns to Charlotte Motor Speedway during the Bank of America 400, Sunday, Oct. 11. If you can’t make it to the race, put the pedal to the medal at one of the NASCAR Hall of Fame’s iRacing simulators.
Toast to Local Beer during Charlotte Craft Beer Week
Celebrate the Queen City’s rich craft beer culture during Charlotte Craft Beer Week, Oct. 16-25, featuring exclusive events, special offers and beer releases. Get your free Craft Beer Passport to earn points at participating breweries and events to qualify for prizes.
Hit the Ice with the Charlotte Checkers
The Charlotte Checkers are back on the ice for a new season. The minor-league hockey team faces off against the Hartford Wolf Pak, Oct. 16-17, and the Springfield Thunderbirds, Oct. 23-24, at Bojangles Coliseum to open the season at home.
Watch High-Flying Hot Air Balloons
Head to Statesville for the annual Carolina BalloonFest, Oct. 16-18. Dozens of vibrantly decorated balloons dot the sky, which you can watch from the ground or book a ride in one yourself. Other festival activities include a kids’ zone, live entertainment, artisan marketplace and more.
Shop Vintage Treasures
The Charlotte Vintage Market is back at Camp North End for its fall event, Saturday, Oct. 17. This is your chance to browse more than 100 vintage and handmade vendors selling clothes, hats, jewelry, houseware and more.
Attend the Charlotte Hornets Home Opener
The Charlotte Hornets begin another season under head coach Charles Lee this fall. Catch the action on the hardwood as the team starts the regular season at home versus the Atlanta Hawks, Friday, Oct. 23, at Spectrum Center.
Sip Whiskey by the Fire
Enjoy a fireside evening filled with whiskey, elegant wines and cocktails, music and food during Whiskey, Wine & Fire, Saturday, Oct. 24 at Ballantyne’s Backyard. Your ticket includes all-you-care-to-taste whiskey and wine tastings, along with food cooked over the fire and access to the on-site vendors.
Gaze at the Great Elizabeth Pumpkin Wall
The Great Elizabeth Pumpkin Wall is one of the local community’s favorite Halloween traditions. Head to the Elizabeth neighborhood the week leading up to Halloween to marvel at the 60-foot-long wall filled with glowing jack-o-lanterns.
Watch Charlotte FC’s Final Home Matches
Charlotte FC concludes the regular season with a home match at Bank of America Stadium against Orlando City SC on Saturday, Oct. 31. The final match is a Fan Appreciation Night and the first fans in attendance receive a limited-edition t-shirt.
Celebrate Halloween in Charlotte
Don your spookiest or silliest costume for Halloween in the Queen City. Throughout the Charlotte region, you can find a range of Halloween events and activities, including themed bars and bar crawls, movie screenings, family-friendly trick-or-treating and more.
November Events & Activities
See Dirty Dancing on Stage
“Dirty Dancing: The Musical” is coming to Belk Theater, Nov. 3-8. This beloved film takes new life as a musical stage production with electric choreography set to live music from the original film.
Start Your Holiday Shopping
Start your holiday shopping before Black Friday at the Southern Christmas Show, Nov. 11-22 at The Park Expo and Conference Center. Browse more than 400 vendors selling accessories, apparel, art, books, jewelry, décor and more in a Dickens-style village.
Race Around the Queen City
Marathon runners won’t want to miss the Novant Health Charlotte Marathon on Saturday, Nov. 14. This annual race charts a course from Uptown through the Dilworth, Myers Park, NoDa and Plaza Midwood neighborhoods.
Take a Hike near Charlotte
Tuesday, Nov. 17 is National Take a Hike Day. This is a great opportunity to explore the Charlotte region’s hiking trails. Traverse the lakeside trails at the McDowell Nature Center, or head to Crowders Mountain State Park for breathtaking views.
Kick Off Thanksgiving at the Thanksgiving Eve Parade
The Novant Health Thanksgiving Eve Parade is a tradition that dates back more than 80 years and has grown to become the largest of its kind in the Southeast. Ornate parade floats light up the night as they make their way down Tryon Street on Wednesday, Nov. 25.
Go for a Thanksgiving Day Run
Before you indulge in your Thanksgiving feast, race around SouthPark Mall in the annual Turkey Trot, Thursday, Nov. 26. This holiday tradition gives racers the option of competing in an 8K, 5K, one-mile race or a 50-yard Tot Trot.
Watch College Basketball at Spectrum Center
The Dick Vitale Invitational brings college basketball action to Spectrum Center. On Friday, Nov. 27, the North Carolina Tar Heels take on the West Virginia Mountaineers in a nationally televised game.
Experience a Winter Wonderland
Get into the holiday spirit at Carowinds’ WinterFest, one of the Carolinas’ most immersive holiday events, beginning Friday, Nov. 27. The theme park is transformed into a winter wonderland, complete with shimmering lights, holiday shows, ice skating and the nightly WinterFest Wonderland Parade.
