What’s new in Charlotte: Fall 2025
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (September 19, 2025) — Crisp nights, bold flavors, big events, Charlotte is heating up this fall. From sipping craft brews by a firepit at award-winning breweries to spooky Halloween haunts and vibrant arts and cultural experiences, fall is the perfect time to discover why Charlotte is driving 157 new residents to the region each day.
REELS & REVEALS
Bravo’s Top Chef arrived in the Queen City to film Season 23, shining a national spotlight on Charlotte’s diverse, fast-growing culinary scene. The buzz is building as host Kristen Kish and judges Gail Simmons and Tom Colicchio are savoring Charlotte’s top restaurants and discovering local favorites. The highly anticipated season is slated to premiere in March 2026.
The momentum continues with the new 10-episode documentary series “Fork & Hammer” debuting nationwide Oct.13 on PBS. The series follows Charlotte restaurateurs Jamie Brown and Jeff Tonidandel, co-owners of the acclaimed Tonidandel-Brown Restaurant Group, as they operate five restaurants while restoring a 130-year-old former church, now transformed into the recently opened Leluia Hall.
BITES & BREWS
Pasta lovers can fall into fresh flavors from two acclaimed chefs. Now open, Spaghett is the latest concept from James Beard Award finalist Chef Sam Hart, set in a beautifully preserved 19th-century home. ESO Artisanal Pasta, led by Food Network alum Chef AJ Sankofa, is the latest addition at hotspot Optimist Hall. Ascend to Merchant & Trade rooftop bar and explore a newly curated menu of themed cocktails and mocktails, featuring names like Kudzu Fields Forever, Muscadine Bloodlines and Bobcat Territory, each a nod to the rich history and culture of Charlotte and North Carolina. Escape to Europe at Sala, the new cocktail and wine lounge from James Beard Award-nominated Chef Bruce Moffett. The intimate lounge serves European-inspired cocktails and a rotating list of European wines.
Charlotte Craft Beer Week returns Oct. 17–26, celebrating the city’s dynamic beer culture and the passionate brewers who make it thrive. Patrons can earn points and score prizes with the Craft Beer Passport while enjoying special events, limited-edition releases, curated food pairings and more.
CULTURE & KICKS
The Charlotte International Arts Festival by Blumenthal Arts is happening now through Oct. 1, filling the city with bold performances, vibrant visuals, and creativity. Sneakerheads, footwear aficionados, and skateboarding enthusiasts will be head over heels in love with two new exhibitions on view Sept. 20, 2025 – Jan. 4, 2026 at The Mint Museum: “Future Now: Virtual Sneakers to Cutting-Edge Kicks and Central Impact: Skateboarding’s Arts and Influence."
THRILLS & TRANQUILITY
The haunting season begins with new attractions for the 25th year of fear at SCarowinds, now through Nov. 2. This year’s theme, “The Conjuring: Beyond Fear,” transforms Carowinds amusement park with terrifying mazes, including the new scorched doll factory, scare zones, rides, live shows and themed cuisine. Opening Labor Day weekend, Prairie Castle Playground at Daniel Stowe Conservancy invites young adventurers to explore the nearly half-mile Adventure Trail with five magical outdoor “rooms” and a towering three-story, wheelchair accessible castle.
And for those who’d rather skip the scares, relax and recharge at the newly opened BathHouse CLT, a luxurious addition to Charlotte’s sauna culture with a hot room, herbal steam room, polar plunge pool, kombucha bar and communal spaces for immersive wellness experiences.
TIPOFFS & TRADITIONS
College hoops heat up in Charlotte this fall with two major showdowns at Spectrum Center: the inaugural Dick Vitale Invitational featuring Texas Longhorns vs. Duke Blue Devils on Nov. 4, and the Ally Tipoff on Nov. 9 with USC Trojans facing NC State Wolfpack in a women’s powerhouse matchup.
New in Charlotte is a regular update on tourism-related developments in the Charlotte region including hotel and venue development, culinary accolades and openings, the city's major events, and upcoming attractions. Additional information about what's new in Charlotte can be found here.
About the Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority
The Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority (CRVA) works to deliver experiences that uniquely enrich the lives of our visitors and residents. Through leadership in destination development, marketing and venue management expertise, the CRVA leads efforts to maximize the region’s economic potential through visitor spending, creating jobs and opportunities for the community. Brands supported by the CRVA include the Charlotte Convention Center, Spectrum Center, Bojangles Entertainment Complex, NASCAR Hall of Fame, Charlotte Regional Film Commission and Visit Charlotte in conjunction with the region’s destination marketing brand. For more information, visit charlottesgotalot.com.