35 top things to do in Charlotte in September — plus a huge calendar of events

Start easing into fall with this list of the top things to do in September, 2026, in the Charlotte area. September is a very busy season for festivals, with some of the most popular festivals of the year taking place this month.

Labor Day Weekend is from September 4 to 7 p.m., so you’ll find several festivals and the Labor Day Parade.

Festival in the Park, Yiasou Greek Festival, Festival of India and UNC Charlotte International Festival are just a few of the longstanding events that are eagerly anticipated all year.

And of course, Oktoberfest kicks off in September!

We focus on the “free and cheap” so many of these events will be easy on your wallet.

After our list of highlighted events, we include a day by day list of everything on our calendar for September. You can also jump right to the day-by-day list. (Please give it a moment to load…it’s a lot!)

7th Street Concerts: The Day the Music Didn’t Stop

The Day the Music Didn’t Stop
Date: Tuesday, September 1, 2026
Time: 7 p.m.
Place: St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, 115 W 7th Street, Charlotte, North Carolina.
Cost: $30, but use promo code CLTCHEAP for $10 tickets
Features: Firsthand account of how a church Manhattan provided comfort on 9/11 with music. The storytelling is interwoven with music.

Matthews Alive

Matthews Alive
Date: September 4 to 7, 2026
Time: 4 to 10 p.m. on Friday; 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Saturday; 1 to 10 p.m. on Sunday; 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Place: Downtown Matthews, NC
Cost: Admission is free. There’s a cost for rides, games and inflatable attractions.
Features: Live music, rides, games, vendors, art, a kids’ zone and a Labor Day parade on Saturday at 9:30 a.m.

Museums on Us

Bank of America’s “Museums on Us”
Date: The first weekend of the month — September 5 and 6, 2026
Time: Varies
Place: Bechtler Museum of Modern Art, Charlotte Museum of History, Harvey B. Gantt Center for African-American Arts + Cutlure, Mint Museum Randolph, and Mint Museum Uptown
Cost: Free for Bank of America or Merrill card holders
Features: If you have a Bank of America or Merrill credit or debit card, you can get into any of the above museums for free the first weekend of the month. Special exhibits might not be included in the free admission.

Labor Day Celebration at Whitewater Center

Labor Day Celebration
Date: Saturday, September 5, and Sunday, September 6, 2026
Time: 9 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Place: Whitewater Center, 5000 Whitewater Center Parkway, Charlotte, NC
Cost: Free, but parking is $13, and activities have fees
Features: The Whitewater Center’s Labor Day Celebration features a trail race, live music, and yoga. There’s a charge for the trail race and for the pass activities, but the music and yoga are free to enjoy.

Charlotte Soul Fest

Charlotte Soul Fest
Date: Saturday, September 5, 2026
Time: 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Place: First Ward Park, 301 E 7th Street, Charlotte, NC
Cost: Free
Features: Live music all day, plus dance workshops, a kids’ zone and an art walk.

Belmont Bookshop’s Literary Festival

Belmont Bookshop’s Literary Festival
Date: Saturday, September 5, 2026
Time: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Place: Stowe Park, 24 S Main Street, Belmont, NC
Cost: Free
Features: Author readings, book signings, story times, live entertainment, contests, more

Charlotte Labor Day Parade

Charlotte Labor Day Parade
Date: Monday, September 7, 2026
Time: 11 a.m.
Place: Tryon Street from 9th Street to 3rd Street
Cost: Free
Features: The parade will feature local labor union floats, vehicles and marchers, as well as political candidates, bands, car clubs and community groups. 

Free Tuesday at Schiele Museum

Free Tuesday at Schiele Museum
Date: Tuesday, September 8, 2026
Time: 4 to 8 p.m.
Place: Schiele Museum of Natural History, 1500 E Garrison Blvd, Gastonia, NC
Cost: Free
Features: One afternoon and evening a month, visit the Schiele for free. No registration is required.

Yiasou Greek Festival

Yiasou Greek Festival
Date: September 11 to 13, 2026
Time: 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday; 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday.
Place: Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Cathedral, 600 East Boulevard, Charlotte, NC
Cost: Admission is $5, with free admission for children under age 12.
Features: Food, kids’ playland, entertainment, music dancing, live reenactments, tours of the cathedral and more.

Cabarrus County Fair

Cabarrus County Fair
Date: September 11 to 19, 2026
Time: 4 to 10 p.m. Monday to Thursday; 4 to midnight on Fridays; 1 to midnight on Saturdays; 1 to 10 p.m. on Sundays
Place: Cabarrus Events & Arena Center, 4751 NC Highway 49 N, Concord, NC
Cost: Gate admission is $8 for 12 and over, and $6 for ages 6-11 and age 55+. Free for military with ID and Cabarrus County employees. Kids 5 and under are admitted for free. Ride wristbands are $37.
Features: Rides, entertainment, livestock competition, and fair food.

Oktoberfest Celebrations

Oktoberfest Celebrations
Date: Various dates in September and October
Time: Various times
Place: Many places
Cost: Most are free
Features: Follow the above link to learn about dozens of Oktoberfest celebrations in the Charlotte area. Many feature German, or German-inspired food and beer, German music and dancing, stein-hoisting competitions and other festivities.

Cornelius Festival of Cultures

Cornelius Festival of Cultures
Date: Saturday, September 12, 2026
Time: 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Place: Cain Park, 21336 Catawba Avenue, Cornelius, NC
Cost: Free
Features: Live performance, art, cultural booths and food from many cultures.

4th Annual Citizen Con — Post-Apocalyptic Cosplay Event

Citizen Con
Date: Saturday, September 12, 2026
Time: 1 to 11:30 p.m.
Place: District 57, 1526-B Alleghany Street, Charlotte,NC
Cost: Free
Features: Live game show, light show experience, tactical laser tag, mental, physical and skill challenges, costume contest, video game lounge, and more. All ages until 7 p.m. Ages 16+ after 7.

Robot Block Party

Robot Block Party
Date: Saturday, September 12, 2026
Time: 1:30 to 3:30 p.m.
Place: Sugaw Creek Recreation Center, 943 West Sugar Creek Road, Charlotte, NC
Cost: Free
Features: Queen City Robotics Alliance will introduce robotics to you. Try controlling a real robot, watch live demonstrations and more.

Southern Resonance Roots Festival

Southern Resonance Roots Festival
Date: Sunday, September 13, 2026
Time: 12:30 to 8:30 p.m.
Place: Heist Brewery and Barrel Arts, 1030 Woodward Avenue, Charlotte, NC
Cost: Free from 12:30 to 5:30 p.m. (outdoors); Ticketed from 6:30 to 8 p.m. (indoors)
Features: Artists representing many styles of American blues and roots music. Includes an artisan market.

25th Anniversary St. Anne’s International Festival

St. Anne’s International Festival
Date: September 18 and 19, 2026
Time: 5 to 10 p.m. on Friday; 2 to 9 p.m. on Saturday
Place: St. Anne Catholic Church, 1694 Bird Street, Rock Hill, SC
Cost: Free
Features: Authentic, homemade cuisine from over 15 world cultures, traditional performances, kids’ zone, more.

Serb Fest

Serb Fest
Date: Saturday, September 19, 2026
Time: 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Place: St. Simeon Serbian Orthodox Church, 7609 Mallard Creek Road, Charlotte, NC
Cost: Free
Features: Live music, authentic food for purchase, kids’ activities and a soccer tournament. Also, view the cultural displays and the beautiful interior of the church.

Bard at the Barn

Bard at the Barn: A Midsummer Night’s Dream
Date: Every Saturday and Sunday from September 19 to October 11, 2026
Time: 11 a.m.
Place: The Barn at MoRA, 8300 Monroe Road, Charlotte, NC
Cost: Free
Features: Featuring a professional cast, crew, and creative team, this program is free chance to enjoy family-friendly, high energy, hilarious Shakespeare.

Optimist Hall’s 7th Birthday Extravaganza

Optimist Hall’s Birthday
Date: Saturday, September 19, 2026
Time: 5 to 9 p.m.
Place: Optimist Hall, 1115 N Brevard Street, Charlotte, NC
Cost: Free
Features: Free ferris wheel and musical swing rides, 3-lane slide, face painting, bubble station, face painting and more. Everything is free except for food and drink.

Bigfoot in the Park

Bigfoot in the Park
Date: Saturday, September 19, 2026
Time: 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Place: George Poston Park, 1101 Lowell-Spencer Mountain Road, Gastonia, NC
Cost: Free
Features: Self-guided hunt for Bigfoot in the park, plus vendors, food trucks, refreshment and activities at Base Camp.

Flow Fest

Flow Fest
Date: September 19 and 20, 2026
Time: 7:30 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Place: Whitewater Center, 5000 Whitewater Center Parkway, Charlotte, NC
Cost: Free, but parking is $13.
Features: More than 150 yoga and meditation practices and workshops, as well as vendors and live music.

28th Festival of India

30th Festival of India
Date: September 19 and 20, 2026
Time: 12 to 8 p.m.
Place: Belk Theater, 130 N Tryon Street, Charlotte, NC.
Cost: $5
Features: Celebrate India with traditional and Bollywood dances, exhibits, visual arts, souvenir bazars, Indian food and much more.

Charlotte Monarch Celebration

Charlotte Monarch Celebration
Date: Saturday, September 19, 2026
Time: 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Place: Reedy Creek Nature Preserve, 2986 Rocky River Road, Charlotte, NC
Cost: Free
Features: Learn about monarch butterflies and other pollinators. Crafts, giveaways, photo booth, more.

UNC Charlotte International Festival

UNC Charlotte International Festival
Date: Saturday, September 19, 2026
Time: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Place: Barnhardt Student Activity Center, 9290 Barnhardt Lane, Charlotte, NC
Cost: Free
Features: This long-standing festival on the UNC Charlotte campus features booths from diverse cultures, dance and music performances, international games and the Parade of Nations.

Touch-a-Truck at Mecklenburg County Compost Central

Touch-a-Truck
Date: Saturday, September 26, 2026
Time: 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Place: Compost Central Recycling Center, 140 Valleydale Road, Charlotte, NC
Cost: Free
Features: Explore garbage trucks, fire trucks, police vehicles and more.

Hot Glass Alley’s 8th Annual Pumpkin Palooza

Pumpkin Palooza
Date: September 26 and 27, 2026
Time: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day
Place: Hot Glass Alley, 438 Atando Avenue, Charlotte, NC
Cost: Free
Features: Glassblowing demos all day. Hundreds of glass pumpkins for sale, a food truck, beer and screen printing.

Battle of Charlotte Living History Weekend

Battle of Charlotte Living History Weekend
Date: Saturday, September 26, and Sunday, September 27, 2026
Time: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday
Place: Museum of the Waxhaws, 8215 Waxhaw Hwy, Waxhaw, North Carolina
Cost: $15. Free for kids ages 5 and under.
Features: Battle re-enactments, artisans, camp life, cooking, kids’ activities, weapons demonstrations, more.

Festival in the Park

61st Festival in the Park
Date: September 25 to 27, 2026
Time: Friday: 4 to 9 p.m.; Saturday: 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Sunday: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Place: Freedom Park, 1900 East Boulevard, Charlotte, NC
Cost: Free
Features: More than 150 artists and artisans will display and sell their art. There will also be food vendors, performances, and family activities.

Festival of Lebanon

Festival of Lebanon
Date: September 25 and 26, 2026
Time: 4 to 8 p.m. on Friday and 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. on Sunday
Place: St. Matthew Catholic Church’s Gym, 8015 Ballantyne Commons Parkway, Charlotte, North Carolina.
Cost: Free
Features: Live performances, Lebanese food and sweets, kids’ corner, Lebanese culture, big cash lottery, more

Ciao Italia Matthews

Ciao Italia Matthews
Date: September 26, 2026
Time: 12 to 9 p.m.
Place: Stumptown Park, 120 S Trade Street, Matthews, NC
Cost: Free
Features: Italian entertainment, food and beverage, car show, more.

‘Tawba Walk Arts & Music Festival

‘Tawba Walk Arts & Music Festival
Date: Saturday, September 26, 2026
Time: 2 to 8 p.m.
Place: Oak Street Mill, 19725 Oak Street, Cornelius, NC
Cost: Free
Features: Live music on two stages, kids’ zone, multiple food truck courts, 100+ artists, craftspeople and vendors, more.

All American Dog Show

All American Dog Show
Date: Sunday, September 27, 2026
Time: 2 to 5 p.m.
Place: Robbins Park, 17738 W Catawba Avenue, Cornelius, NC
Cost: Free for spectators (cost to enter your dog in a contest)
Features: Multiple dog contests, vendors and concessions.

Outdoor Concerts

Outdoor Concert Series
Date: Many dates
Time: Times vary
Place: Many locations
Cost: Most are free
Features: Charlotte’s huge calendar of outdoor concerts continue! Our expansive list can be perused by area or date.

Oktoberfest Celebrations

Oktoberfest Celebrations
Date: Various dates in September and October
Time: Various times
Place: Many places
Cost: Most are free
Features: Follow the above link to learn about dozens of Oktoberfest celebrations in the Charlotte area. Many feature German, or German-inspired food and beer, German music and dancing, stein-hoisting competitions and other festivities.

Outdoor Movies

Outdoor Movies
Date: Many dates
Time: Usually at dusk
Place: Many locations
Cost: Free
Features: Free outdoor movies continue into the fall! Check out our day by day list for movies at parks, breweries, shopping centers, churches and more. Many movies are for the whole family. There are often special features, like free retro video games, too.