What’s New in Charlotte: Fall 2026
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (September 24, 2026) — As one of the nation’s fastest-growing cities, Charlotte is attracting visitors this fall with a strong lineup of events, a buzzing culinary scene and cultural experiences. From arts and culture to major attractions and a packed sports calendar, Charlotte offers a wide range of things to do this fall, earning recognition from Travel + Leisure as one of the South’s most vibrant destinations.
Signature Culinary Events
- National Pastry Conference: Oct. 3-5, the Charlotte Convention Center will host chefs, bakers and enthusiasts for a celebration of all things pastry, with demonstrations from chefs and live head-to-head competitions.
- Charlotte Craft Beer Week: Oct. 16–25, this citywide event celebrates local breweries with special releases, events and a Craft Beer Passport to earn rewards.
Latest Restaurant Openings
- Grey’s Diner + Community Kitchen: Chef Sam Diminich’s modern take on the American diner, featuring locally sourced ingredients.
- Ardente: Roman-style Italian with handmade pasta, wood-fired pizza and seasonal dishes.
- PostScript: European-inspired comfort food in a restored historic space.
- Olivelli Deli: Walk-up sandwiches and soft serve from the team behind three Michelin-recommended restaurants.
- Sweet July Cafe: Ayesha Curry and Chef Michael Mina’s cafe blending California-inspired wellness with Caribbean flavors.
- No Knife Chicken & Waffles: Charlotte musician DaBaby’s elevated take on a soul food classic, with updated flavors and ingredients.
- Room Service + Bar Fly: Rooftop cocktails, bites and weekend programming at Camp North End.
- Cafe Audire: Coffee shop and vinyl listening lounge with a retro-inspired design.
- The Changebaker Place: Community cafe and mission-driven workspace from Manolo Betancur, named a Charlotte Business Journal 2026 Power 100 Visionary.
Halloween and Fall Events
- SCarowinds: The Carolinas’ largest Halloween event (Sept. 11–Nov. 1) features 17 haunted attractions, including new experiences and themed frights like Jason: Blood Reign and The Conjuring: Beyond Fear.
- Scarecrow Hollow: A family-friendly fall event at Daniel Stowe Conservancy (Sept. 26–Nov. 1) with community-created scarecrows and a “Best in Crow” voting experience.
- Rural Hill Corn Maze: A Scottish-themed corn maze (weekends through Oct. 31) with live bagpipes, interactive games and classic fall activities.
Cultural Experiences and Exhibitions
- HOLA Charlotte Festival: Oct. 3 in Uptown, this Hispanic Heritage Month festival features live performances, art and a cultural village representing 15 Latin American countries.
- Mending the Wild: At Discovery Place Science through Dec. 31, Charlotte artist Tina Alberni explores biodiversity and conservation through mixed-media works using reclaimed materials.
- Sown Together: New Voices in Contemporary Textile Art: On view through Jan. 24, 2027, at the Harvey B. Gantt Center, this exhibition explores migration, identity and the African diaspora through contemporary textile art.
College Basketball
- Ally Tipoff: Elite women’s basketball comes to Spectrum Center on Nov. 8, with the Kentucky Wildcats facing the NC State Wolfpack, followed by the North Carolina Tar Heels taking on the South Carolina Gamecocks.
- Dick Vitale Invitational: On Nov. 27, men’s basketball comes to Spectrum Center as the West Virginia Mountaineers square off against the North Carolina Tar Heels.
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 this fall 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.