Your Guide to Charlotte’s Fall Festivals
Fill your autumn calendar with these festivals in the Queen City.
by Arielle Patterson Aug 29, 2025
Fall is the best season for an outdoor festival, and in the Queen City, there are countless to choose from. From food and drink events to arts and culture celebrations, here’s your guide to fall festivals in Charlotte.
Charlotte International Arts Festival
When: Sept. 1-30
Where: Uptown, Ballantyne
The Charlotte International Arts Festival showcases whimsical visual and performing arts from local and international artists at venues across the city.
Yiasou Greek Festival
When: Sept. 5-7
Where: Dilworth
This celebration of Greek culture features exhibits, authentic cuisine, entertainment and live music, shopping and more at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Cathedral.
Charlotte Soul Fest
When: Sept. 6
Where: Uptown
Head to First Ward Park for a day of free live music, cultural dance workshops, an art walk, kids zone, and health and wellness clinic.
El Grito Festival
When: Sept. 7
Where: Concord
Celebrate Mexican Independence Day with live entertainment, authentic Mexican street food, mariachi music, folkloric dancers and more at Route 29 Pavilion.
Panda Fest
When: Sept. 12-14
Where: Ballantyne
Enjoy tastings from more than 70 Asian food vendors, such as bao buns, bubble teas, street food and inventive desserts.
Mecktoberfest
When: Sept. 12-14, 19-21, Oct. 3-5, 10-12
Where: Lower South End, Ballantyne
Olde Mecklenburg Brewery is celebrating Oktoberfest with beer, brats, German music and more over four weekends at both brewery locations.
Charlotte Brunch Festival
When: Sept. 13
Where: Uptown
Indulge in an array of brunch dishes from local chefs as you sip on brunch cocktails and mocktails in the Iron District.
Lowcountry Culture Festival
When: Sept. 13
Where: University City
Experience Lowcountry cuisine and culture through soulful music, art and locally made crafts as you sip Southern cocktails at The Shoppes at University Place.
Jollof Festival Charlotte
When: Sept. 13
Where: Uptown
Taste dishes made with Jollof rice from representative countries, including Nigeria, Ghana, Liberia and more, on the campus of Johnson C. Smith University.
Oktoberfest at Carowinds
When: Sept. 13-Nov. 23
Where: South Charlotte
Carowinds celebrates Oktoberfest on Saturdays and Sundays with authentic German food, steins of beer, a brat-eating competition and polka bands.
When: Sept. 23-28
Where: NoDa
Get tickets for moving documentaries, animated shorts, student films and more, as well as selections from some of the world's best film festivals, at Independent Picture House.
Breakaway Music Festival
When: Sept. 26-27
Where: Concord
Dance to bass-pumping beats at this EDM festival that features headliners Kaytranada, John Summit, Eli Brown and Louis the Child throughout the weekend at zMAX Dragway.
UNC Charlotte International Festival
When: Sept. 27
Where: University City
Stop by booths representing more than 35 nations that feature a variety of art, crafts, costumes and food for sale.
Wine & Food Festival
When: Sept. 27
Neighborhood: SouthPark
Symphony Park is the picturesque setting for this premier wine and food festival, featuring more than 100 wine, beer and spirit tastings, live music, food trucks and more.
Charlotte Mimosa Festival
When: Sept. 27
Where: South End
Sip a variety of mimosas as you enjoy live music, food trucks and vendors at Lenny Boy Brewing.
FabFest
When: Oct. 3-4
Where: Uptown
Come together to enjoy the music of The Beatles performed by local and regional acts, along with an art contest, trivia and bingo, at Knight Theater.
Hola Charlotte Festival
When: Oct. 4
Where: Uptown
Charlotte’s largest Hispanic heritage celebration showcases the diversity and range of Latin American cultures through live music, dance performances and more on Tryon Street.
Charlotte Coffee Festival
When: Oct. 4
Where: Uptown
Get caffeinated at Victoria Yards during this celebration of coffee and community, feature more than 30 roasters, cafes and more.
Carolina Renaissance Festival
When: Oct. 4-Nov. 23
Where: Huntersville
Watch jousting knights on horseback, majestic falconry and grab a turkey leg on Saturdays and Sundays during the festival’s multi-week run.
Charlote Vegfest
When: Oct. 11
Where: Uptown
Browse local, regional and national veg-minded vendors at Victoria Yards, as you learn more about vegan living, during this free, family-friendly festival.
Carolina BalloonFest
When: Oct. 17-19
Where: Statesville
Dozens of vibrantly decorated balloons dot the sky that you can watch from the ground or book a ride in one yourself.
South End Wine & Hops Festival
When: Oct. 18
Where: South End
Spend four hours sipping wine, craft beer and cocktail tastings from more than 30 vendors at this annual fall festival at Lenny Boy Brewing.
Charlotte Chalk Art Festival
When: Oct. 18-19
Where: NoDa
NoDa Brewing hosts this two-day street chalk art competition. Ages 12 and older can enter to win or simply participate in art-focused activities and crafts.
Biketoberfest
When: Oct. 19
Where: Citywide
Pedal your way around Charlotte during this family-friendly scavenger hunt that takes riders to local businesses, collecting stamps in a passport along the way.
Statesville Pumpkin Festival
When: Nov. 1
Where: Statesville
Pumpkins dot the streets of downtown Statesville for this festival featuring a classic car show, two stages with live entertainment and plenty of activities for children.
Sheepdog Trials & Dog Festival
When: Nov. 15-16
Where: Huntersville
Bring your four-legged friend to Historic Rural Hill to shop pet vendors, watch the sheepdog trials and even compete in the annual Huntersville’s Next Top Dog Show.
