45 Things to Do this Fall in Charlotte
From apple picking to haunted houses, experience fall fun in Charlotte.
by Arielle Patterson Sep 05, 2024
Camp North End
This post is brought to you in partnership with Camp North End, Charlotte's hub for creativity and innovation.
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
Fall at Camp North End
Swing by Camp North End on Thursdays from 4-8 p.m. for the North End Farmers Market until Oct. 31. Grab fresh produce, treats and handmade goods, then check out more than 30 small businesses across all three districts before or after the market. Also every Thursday, at 8 p.m., bring a blanket, grab some popcorn and catch free, classic movies on the Ford Green during Crossroads Cinema. Kick back on Friday nights with free live music and catch local and touring musicians, spanning various genres, under the water tower. Bring the kids to Camp North End for family-fun activities, giant Legos and weekend events!
Have Frightful Fun at Scarowinds
Carowinds transforms into a spookier setting during Scarowinds, select nights Sept. 13-Oct. 27. 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. 13-15 and Sept. 20-22. Festivities continue at the Ballantyne location, Oct. 4-6 and Oct. 11-13.
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. 20-Oct. 27, with night maze walks on Fridays and Saturdays in October.
Experience the Wonders of Space
Blume Studios, Charlotte's newest creative hub, invites you to experience the marvels of outer space during "Space Explorers: THE INFINITE," from Sept. 20-Nov. 10. This immersive, virtual reality exhibit gives you a 250-mile high view of Earth as you board the International Space Station.
Venture to Scarrigan Farms, If You Dare
Carrigan Farms’ charming setting is filled with hair-raising haunts during Scarrigan Farms. From Sept. 27-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 Botanical Garden, Sept. 28-Nov. 3. This seasonal-favorite event showcases whimsical and creative scarecrows created by members of the local community, from traditional scarecrows 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 on Monday, Sept. 23, while Saturday, Sept. 28 marks the opening of Hodges Family Farm’s pumpkin patch.
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. 5-Nov. 24, 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.
Cheer on the Carolina Panthers
Carolina Panthers kick off the team’s 30th season this fall, led by head coach Dave Canales, at Bank of America Stadium. Plan your Panthers game-day experience by reading this guide to tailgating in Charlotte.
Root for the Carolina Ascent
The Carolina Ascent continue the team’s inaugural season at American Legion Memorial Stadium. The fall schedule concludes with home matches through November. Save the date for promo matches, such as post-game fireworks on Saturday, Nov. 9 and a beanie giveaway on Saturday, Nov. 23.
View the Gantt Center’s Newest Exhibit
The newest exhibit at the Harvey B. Gantt Center for African-American Arts + Culture is “From the Heart,” a celebration of the John and Vivian Hewitt Collection of African-American Art. View the 58 two-dimensional works that explore the expression and passion of 20 artists.
Rock Out with Children’s Theatre of Charlotte
The musical adaptation of Mike White’s hit movie, “School of Rock,” comes to McColl Family Theatre. Children’s Theatre of Charlotte presents “School of Rock The Musical,” featuring music by Andrew Lloyd Webber, Sept. 20-Oct. 20.
September Events & Activities
Celebrate Greek Culture
The Yiasou Greek Festival is back for another year, Sept. 6-8 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.
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. 13-29, read this guide to CIAF.
Tap into Your Inner Zen
Find your zen at the U.S. National Whitewater Center during Flow Fest. This free, one-day festival, on Saturday, Sept. 14, 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. 14-15. 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.
Browse Art in the Park
Festival in the Park brings an array of art, music, food and more to Freedom Park, Sept. 20-22. This free, family-friendly festival showcases works from local and national artists in a variety of mediums, including painting, watercolor, photography, wood and metal work, glass and more.
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. 21. Stop by booths representing more than 35 nations that feature a variety of art, crafts, costumes and food for sale.
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. 21.
Shop Vintage Treasures
The Charlotte Vintage Market is back at Optimist Hall for its fall event, Saturday, Sept. 21. This is your chance to browse a variety of vintage goods, including clothing, hats, collectables and more, from more than 25 vendors from across the Southeast.
Watch Independent Films
The Charlotte Film Festival showcases independent films from all genres at Independent Picture House, from Sept. 24-29. 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. 27-28. This EDM festival features headliners, such as Alesso, Fisher, Marshmello, Knock2 and Loud Luxury, throughout the weekend.
October Events & Activities
Watch Charlotte FC’s Final Home Matches
Charlotte FC concludes the regular season with home matches at Bank of America Stadium against Chicago Fire FC on Wednesday, Oct. 2 and CF Montreal on Saturday, Oct. 5. The final match is a Fan Appreciation Night, and the first fans in attendance receive a limited-edition T-shirt.
Celebrate Black Food and Culture
The BayHaven Food & Wine Festival is back, Oct. 3-6, in a new location in Charlotte’s Historic West End. This annual festival, now at Savona Mill, celebrates Black foodways through multi-course dinners, tasting events, Sunday brunch and more, hosted by Greg and Subrina Collier.
Discover the Benefits of Vegan Living
Thinking about switching to a plant-based lifestyle? Learn more about vegan living at Charlotte Vegfest, Saturday, Oct. 12 at The Amp Ballantyne. Browse local, regional and national veg-minded vendors at this free, family-friendly festival.
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. 13. 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.
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 Cleveland Monsters, Oct. 18-19, and Bridgeport Islanders, Oct. 25-26, at Bojangles Coliseum to open the season at home.
Watch High-Flying Hot Air Balloons
Head to Statesville for the annual Carolina BalloonFest, Oct. 18-20. Dozens of vibrantly decorated balloons dot the sky that 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. 18-27, 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.
Attend the Charlotte Hornets Home Opener
The Charlotte Hornets kick off the 2024/2025 season at home on Saturday, Oct. 26 versus the Miami Heat, featuring a commemorative giveaway. The Hornets enter this new season under head coach Charles Lee.
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
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 Justin Timberlake and Shakira, 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.
Sip Whiskey by the Fire
Enjoy a fireside evening filled with whiskey, elegant wines and cocktails, music and food during Whiskey, Wine & Fire, Nov. 2 at Ballantyne’s Backyard. Your ticket includes all-you-care-to-taste whiskey and wine tastings, foods cooked over the fire and access to the on-site vendors.
Have a Laugh at Ovens Auditorium
Ovens Auditorium hosts several popular comedians in November. Get tickets for Sarah Silverman on Saturday, Nov. 9; Dane Cook on Thursday, Nov. 14; Eddie Griffin on Friday, Nov. 15; Sal Vulcano on Saturday, Nov. 16; and Alli Siddiq on Saturday, Nov. 23.
Start Holiday Shopping
Get your holiday shopping started early at the Southern Christmas Show, Nov. 14-24 at The Park Expo and Conference Center. The largest Christmas show in North America boasts more than 400 holiday merchants under one roof.
Hear Beethoven Blended with Beyonce
Two of music’s most talented performers come together during Beethoven x Beyoncé, Nov. 15-16 at Knight Theater. Visionary composer Steve Hackman blends the two to create a musical fusion performed by the Charlotte Symphony Orchestra.
Race Around the Queen City
Marathon runners won’t want to miss the Novant Health Charlotte Marathon, Saturday, Nov. 16. This annual race charts a course from Uptown through the Dilworth, Myers Park, NoDa and Plaza Midwood neighborhoods. Other race events include a half marathon and 5K.
Take a Hike near Charlotte
Sunday, 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 and hike to the peak of Kings Pinnacle for breathtaking views.
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.
Kick Off Thanksgiving at the Thanksgiving Eve Parade
The Novant Health Thanksgiving Eve Parade is a tradition that dates back over 70 years. Now in its 78th year, this parade 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. 27.
Go for a Thanksgiving Day Run
Before you indulge in your Thanksgiving feast, race around SouthPark Mill in the annual Turkey Trot, Thursday, Nov. 28. 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.
