45 Things to Do this Fall in Charlotte
From apple picking to haunted houses, experience fall fun in Charlotte.
by Arielle Patterson Sep 02, 2025
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.
For even more autumn events, check out this fall festival guide.
Seasonal Events & Activities
Have Frightful Fun at Scarowinds
Carowinds transforms into a spookier setting during Scarowinds, select nights Sept. 12-Nov. 2. 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. 12-14 and Sept. 19-21. Festivities continue at the Ballantyne location, Oct. 3-5 and Oct. 10-12.
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 Sept. 6-Oct. 31, with night maze walks on Fridays and Saturdays in October.
Venture to Scarrigan Farms, If You Dare
Carrigan Farms’ charming setting is filled with hair-raising haunts during Scarrigan Farms. From Oct. 3-Nov. 1, make your way along this one-mile haunted trail filled with creepy characters ready to scare you.
Stroll through Scarecrow Hollow
Scarecrow Hollow returns to Daniel Stowe Conservancy, Sept. 27-Oct. 31. This seasonal-favorite event showcases whimsical and creative scarecrows created by members of the local community, from traditional to cultural representations and more.
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, S.C. 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 and Hodges Family Farm on Saturday, Sept. 27 and these farms also offer hayrides and petting zoos.
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.
Visit the Magical Village of Fairhaven
Saturdays and Sundays, Oct. 4-Nov. 23, 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.
Follow the Yellow Brick Road to Oz
Experience the Emerald City for yourself with two productions in Charlotte. The “Wicked” stage show comes to Belk Theater, Sept. 24-Oct. 26. Bring the little ones to a production of “Journey to Oz” by Children’s Theatre of Charlotte, Sept. 20-Oct. 5.
Cheer on the Home Teams
Carolina Panthers and the Carolina Ascent kick off the 2025 season this fall. Don’t miss the Panthers home opener against the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday, Sept. 21 at Bank of America Stadium and the Ascent’s first home match at American Legion Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 6 against Tamp Bay Sun FC.
See the Gantt Center’s New Exhibit
The Gantt Center’s newest exhibit, “A Time for Furious Dancing,” is artist A’driane Nieves’ first solo museum presentation. Through this exhibition, Nieves has created a space where art becomes both reflection and restoration.
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 Billie Eilish, Doechii and Stevie Nicks, 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.
September Events & Activities
Experience Global Art throughout Charlotte
The Charlotte International Arts Festival (CIAF) showcases whimsical visual and performing arts from local and international artists in Uptown, Ballantyne and more venues across the city. To learn more about some of the art installations and events happening Sept. 1-30, read this guide to CIAF.
Celebrate Greek Culture
The Yiasou Greek Festival is back for another year, Sept. 5-7 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.
Don’t Say His Name Three Times
The Tony Award-nominated musical, “Beetlejuice” comes to Belk Theater, Sept. 11-14. This stage adaptation of the 1988 movie follows Beetlejuice, Lydia Deetz and a recently deceased couple who turn Lydia’s life upside down.
Experience Panda Fest in Charlotte
Panda Fest, a panda-themed celebration of Asian culture, comes to Ballantyne’s Backyard, Sept. 12-14. Enjoy tastings from more than 70 Asian food vendors, such as bao buns, bubble teas, street food and inventive desserts.
Sample Jollof Dishes from Representative Nations
Taste dishes made with jollof rice from representative countries, including Nigeria, Ghana, Liberia and more, at Jollof Festival Charlotte. Don’t miss this celebration of an iconic West African dish on the campus of Johnson C. Smith University, Saturday, Sept. 13.
Browse Art in the Park
Festival in the Park brings an array of art, music, food and more to Freedom Park, Sept. 19-21. This free, family-friendly festival showcases works from local and national artists in a variety of mediums.
Tap into Your Inner Zen
Find your zen at the Whitewater Center during Flow Fest. This free, one-day festival on Saturday, Sept. 20 includes yoga workshops for all skill levels as well as wellness vendors to browse.
Get a Taste of Indian Culture
Festival of India is a vibrant celebration of India’s rich cultural heritage, Sept. 20-21. Day one at Belk Theater features performances that blend Bollywood glitz with classic Indian dance, while day two at Ballantyne’s Backyard includes arts and culture workshops.
Watch Independent Films
The Charlotte Film Festival showcases independent films from all genres at Independent Picture House, from Sept. 23-28. 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. 26-27. This EDM festival features headliners like Kaytranada, John Summit, Eli Brown and Louis the Child throughout the weekend.
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. 27. Stop by booths representing more than 35 nations that feature a variety of art, crafts, costumes and food for sale.
October Events & Activities
Unleash the Frights with Classic Halloween Flicks
Get into the Halloween spirit all October long with the sCarolina Classic Halloween Movie Series. On select nights throughout the month, Carolina Theatre brings eight classic horror films to its historic big screen.
Have Full Throttle Fun at the Bank of America ROVAL™ 400
The thrill of the NASCAR Cup Series playoffs returns to Charlotte Motor Speedway during the Bank of America ROVAL™ 400, Sunday, Oct. 5. 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.
Discover the Benefits of Vegan Living
Thinking about switching to a plant-based lifestyle? Learn more about vegan living at Charlotte Vegfest, Saturday, Oct. 11 at Victoria Yards. Browse local, regional and national veg-minded vendors at this free, family-friendly festival.
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 Iowa Wild, Oct. 17-18, and the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins, Oct. 24-25, at Bojangles Coliseum to open the season at home.
Watch High-Flying Hot Air Balloons
Head to Statesville for the annual Carolina BalloonFest, Oct. 17-19. 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.
Toast to Local Beer during Charlotte Craft Beer Week
Celebrate the Queen City’s rich craft beer culture during Charlotte Craft Beer Week, Oct. 17-26, featuring exclusive events, special offers and beer releases. Get your free Craft Beer Passport to earn points by checking in at participating breweries and events to qualify for prizes
Watch Charlotte FC’s Final Home Matches
Charlotte FC concludes the regular season with a home match at Bank of America Stadium against Philadelphia Union on Saturday, Oct. 18. The final match is a Fan Appreciation Night and the first fans in attendance receive a limited-edition t-shirt.
Shop Vintage Treasures
The Charlotte Vintage Market is back at Camp North End for its fall event, Saturday, Oct. 18. 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 season at home versus the Brooklyn Nets, Wednesday, Oct. 22, 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. 25 at Ballantyne’s Backyard. Your ticket includes all-you-care-to-taste whiskey and wine tastings, along with foods 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.
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
Browse Works by Romare Bearden
“Ever Present: Romare Bearden and Music,” the newest rotation in the Mint Museum Uptown’s Romare Bearden Gallery, celebrates the Charlotte-born artist’s love of music. This exhibit opens Saturday, Nov. 1.
Start Holiday Shopping
Get your holiday shopping started early at the Southern Christmas Show, Nov. 13-23 at The Park Expo and Conference Center. The largest Christmas show in North America boasts more than 400 holiday merchants under one roof.
Race Around the Queen City
Marathon runners won’t want to miss the Novant Health Charlotte Marathon, Saturday, Nov. 15. This annual race charts a course from Uptown through the Dilworth, Myers Park, NoDa and Plaza Midwood neighborhoods.
Unwrap the Holiday Magic of The Nutcracker
Embrace the magic of the holiday season with a timeless classic, “NUTCRACKER! Magical Christmas Ballet.” For one-night only on Saturday, Nov. 15, mesmerizing choreography and dazzling costumes take the stage at Ovens Auditorium.
Take a Hike near Charlotte
Monday, 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.
Get a Seat at The Magicians Table
Mind-boggling illusions and craft cocktails come together for a magical evening during The Magicians Table. This tableside, close-up magic experience comes from London to Stage 2 at Blume Studios beginning Wednesday, Nov. 19.
Kick Off Thanksgiving at the Thanksgiving Eve Parade
The Novant Health Thanksgiving Eve Parade is a tradition that dates back over 70 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. 26.
See a Tony Award-Winning Musical
Tony Award-winning musical “Some Like It Hot” comes to Belk Theater, Nov. 26-Dec. 1. This spectacular song-and-dance show tells the story of two musicians on a life-changing trip who are forced to flee Chicago after witnessing a mob hit.
Go for a Thanksgiving Day Run
Before you indulge in your Thanksgiving feast, race around SouthPark Mall in the annual Turkey Trot, Thursday, Nov. 27. This holiday tradition gives racers the option of competing in an 8K run, 5K run or walk, one-mile run or walk, or a 50-yard Tot Trot.
Experience Home Alone in Concert
If “Home Alone” is one of your favorite holiday films, hear John Williams’ delightful score performed by the Charlotte Symphony Orchestra, Nov. 28-29 at Belk Theater during Home Alone In Concert.
