The fall is the perfect time in Charlotte for outdoor events, and there are plenty planned. Read on for a big (and growing) list of Halloween festivals, harvest festivals, apple festivals, cultural festivals, food festivals and more.
We will be adding to this list all the time, so please keep checking back. You can expect to see more Halloween related festivals as fall grows closer. And, after the list of major festivals, there’s a big day-by-day list of even more festivals, Halloween parties and other fall events. If you’d like to skip the featured festivals and jump to the day-by-day list, go for it!
Also, make sure to check out our list of corn mazes, pumpkin patches and hayrides , as well as our list of Halloween events and Trick or Treat events. They will be updated for 2026 soon.
September Festivals, including Labor Day
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
30th 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.
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.
Arts+ Fall Festival
Arts+ Fall Festival
Date: Saturday, September, 2016
Time: 1 to 4 p.m.
Place: Arts+ Community Campus, 2304 The Plaza, Charlotte, NC
Cost: Free
Features: Artist market, photo booth, music video station, game station, much more
Howdy Huntersville
Howdy Huntersville
Date: Saturday, September 19, 2026
Time: 4 to 8 p.m.
Place: Veterans Park, 201 Huntersville-Concord Road, Huntersville, NC
Cost: free
Features: Country music, square dancing, bluegrass.
Mid-Autumn Festival
Mid-Autumn Festival
Date: Sunday, September 20, 2026
Time: 12 to 8 p.m.
Place: Asian Market, 4430 The Plaza, Charlotte, NC
Cost: Free
Features: Cultural performances, kids’ activities, crafts, authentic Asian food
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.
October Festivals
Jump to September festivals or November festivals.
Concord International Festival
Concord International Festival
Date: Saturday, October 3, 2026
Time: 12 to 6 p.m.
Place: Downtown Concord, NC
Cost: Free
Features: Live music performances, a kids’ corner with hand-on experiences, cultural displays, international craft vendors, and food and drink.
Charlotte Kids Fest
Charlotte Kids Fest
Date: Saturday, October 3, 2026
Time: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Place: The Boardwalk at University City, 9325 JW Clay Blvd, Charlotte, NC
Cost: Free
Features: Performances, hands-on activities and interactive workshops for kids
Kids in Nature Day Matthews
Kids in Nature Day
Date: Saturday, October 3, 2026
Time: 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Place: Squirrel Lake Park, 1631 Pleasant Plains Road, Matthews, NC
Cost: Free
Features: Nature hikes, animal explorations, fishing, STEM activities, more
FabFest, Charlotte’s Beatles Festival
FabFest, Charlotte’s Beatles Festival
Date: Friday, October 2, and Saturday, October 3, 2026
Time: FabFest Daytime is from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday; Evening show takes place on Friday at 7:30 p.m.
Place: FabFest Daytime is at The Parr Center at Central Piedmont Community College, 1201 Elizabeth Avenue, Charlotte, NC. The evening show is at Knight Theater, 430 S Tryon Street.
Cost: FabFest Daytime free. The cost for the evening shows vary.
Features: FabFest Daytime is an immersive Beatles day with live music, an open mic, authors, memorabilia, a marketplace and much more. Tosco Music Beatles Tribute takes place Friday night.
Hola Charlotte Festival
Hola Charlotte Festival
Date: Saturday, October 3, 2026
Time: 12 to 6 p.m.
Place: Tryon Street, between Brooklyn Village Avenue and 4th Street, Charlotte, NC
Cost: Free
Features: Latin American cultural performances and art, a family area and more.
Autumn Jubilee at Dan Nicholas Park
Autumn Jubilee at Dan Nicholas Park
Date: October 3 and 4, 2026
Time: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Place: Dan Nicholas Park, 6800 Bringle Ferry Road, Salisbury, NC
Cost: Free
Features: Live music, kids’ activities, craft vendors, food vendors and more.
K-Fest: Celebration of Korean Culture
K-Fest
Date: Saturday, October 3, 2026
Time: 2 to 10 p.m.
Place: Seoul Food Meat Co., Mill District, 421 E 26th Street, Charlotte, NC
Cost: Free
Features: Celebrate Korean culture through games, music, food and drink, K-Pop dance contest and more.
Cotton Ginning Festival
Cotton Ginning Festival
Date: October 9 to 11, 2026
Time: Friday and Saturday: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Sunday: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. (tentative times)
Place: Dallas Park, 1303 Dallas Cherryville Hwy, Dallas, NC
Cost: Free
Features: Engine shows, arts and crafts, live music, Parade of Power, kids’ area, heritage area, more.
Charlotte VegFest
Charlotte VegFest
Date: Saturday, October 10, 2026
Time: 12 to 6 p.m.
Place: Victoria Yards, 209 E 7th Street, Charlotte, NC
Cost: Free (VIP option available)
Features: A celebration of healthy, sustainable and compassionate eating. Vegan food court, cooking demos, more.
Fall for Matthews Festival
Fall for Matthews Festival
Date: Saturday, October 10, 2026
Time: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Place: Stumptown Park, 120 S Trade Street, Matthews, NC
Cost: Free
Features: Arts and crafts vendors, live music, food vendors, children’s area, more
Build Your Own Boat
Build Your Own Boat
Date: Saturday, October 10, 2026
Time: 12 to 5:30 p.m.
Place: Whitewater Center, 5000 Whitewater Center Parkway, Charlotte, NC
Cost: Free to watch. $13 for parking. Cost to participate.
Features: Watch crews in homemade boats race on the whitewater channel. Live music following the competition.
Mountaineer Days Heritage Festival
Mountaineer Days Heritage Festival
Date: Saturday, October 10, 2026
Time: 12 to 6 p.m.
Place: Patriots Park, 220 South Railroad Avenue, Kings Mountain, NC
Cost: Free
Features: Live music, historic demonstrations, contests and more.
Charlotte BookPalooza
Charlotte Book Palooza
Date: Saturday, October 10, 2026
Time: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Place: Truist Field, 324 S Mint Street, Charlotte, NC
Cost: $5 for adults. Free for kids and teens
Features: Author talks, book venders, cosplay and fandom fun, character moments, read to a rescue, more.
Laketoberfest
Laketoberfest
Date: Saturday, October 10, 2026
Time: 3 to 8 p.m.
Place: Bailey Road Park, 11536 Bailey Road, Cornelius, NC
Cost: Free
Features: Live music, North Carolina beer and wine, food trucks, kids’ zone, more.
Charlotte Corgi Club Racing Championship
Charlotte Corgi Club Racing Championship
Date: Saturday, October 17, 2026
Time: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Place: Renaissance Park, 1536 W Tyvola Road, Charlotte, NC
Cost: Free
Features: Watch corgis race. There will also be food trucks, music and vendors. All dogs can attend. Only corgis can race. There’s a fee to register your Corgi to race.
Lake Norman Diwali
Lake Norman Diwali
Date: Saturday, October 17, 2026
Time: 1:30 to 6:30 p.m.
Place: Veterans Park, 201 Huntersville-Concord Road, Huntersville, NC
Cost: Free
Features: Entertainment, kids’ activities, Diwali Express ride, bounce house, Zumba, Grand Diya lighting ceremony and light show, more
Pineville Fall Fest
Pineville Fall Fest
Date: October 15 to 17, 2026
Time: 5 to 9 p.m. on Thursday and Friday; 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Saturday
Place: Jack D. Hughes Park, 513 Main Street, Pineville, NC
Cost: Free for admission. There’s a cost for the rides.
Features: Carnival rides, arts and crafts vendors, live music, children’s entertainment and more.
Mush, Music & Mutts: NC’s Liver Mush Festival
Mush, Music & Mutts: NC’s Liver Mush Festival
Date: Saturday, October 17, 2026
Time: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Place: Uptown Shelby
Cost: Free
Features: Liver mush eating contests, recipe contest and more. Plus, live music, craft vendors, kids’ zone, and pet contests.
Lincoln County Apple Festival
Lincoln County Apple Festival
Date: Saturday, October 17, 2026
Time: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Place: Aspen and Main Street, Lincolnton, NC
Cost: Free
Features: Live entertainment, Apple Queen Pageant, craft vendors, kids’ activities, more
Nature at Night
Nature at Night
Date: Saturday, October 17, 2026
Time: 5 to 9 p.m.
Place: McDowell Nature Preserve, 15222 York Road, Charlotte, NC
Cost: $7 (registration required)
Features: Enjoy the nature preserve at night with wagon rides, s’mores, night hikes, crafts, live animals and more.
Charlotte Chalk Art Festival
Charlotte Chalk Art Festival
Date: October 17 and 18, 2026
Time: 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. each day
Place: No Brewing Co., 150 W 32nd Street, Charlotte, NC
Cost: Free (cost to compete)
Features: Watch artists compete in a chalk art competition. There will also be a community chalking area, art and crafts vendors, food and drink vendors and more. Family friendly event.
Fort Mill Fall Festival
Fort Mill Fall Festival
Date: Saturday, October 17, 2026
Time: 2 to 6 p.m.
Place: Walter Elisha Park, 345 N White Street, Fort Mill, SC
Cost: Free
Features: Live music, costume contest, fall photo ops, vendors and more.
Romanian-American Festival
Romanian-American Festival
Date: Saturday, October 24, 2026
Time: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Place: Stumptown Park, 120 S Trade Street, Matthews, NC
Cost: Free
Features: Traditional folk music and dance, kids’ cultural craft zone, local vendors and artisans, Romanian and American street food and desserts.
Flocktoberfest
Flocktoberfest
Date: Saturday, October 24, 2026
Time: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Place: Naughty Donkey Farm, 24709 Canton Road, Albemarle, NC
Cost: Price is per car. $20 in advance or $25 at the gate
Features: Tour animal sanctuary and meet ducks, goats, alpacas, pigs, a donkey and more. Shop vendors, Enjoy photo ops, trick or treat.
Halloween in Huntersville Festival
Halloween in Huntersville
Date: Sunday, October 25, 2026
Time: 4 to 7 p.m.
Place: Huntersville Athletic Park, 11720 Verhoff Drive, Huntersville, NC
Cost: Free
Features: Trick or treat booths, live music, costume contest and more. Ends with a Halloween drone show.
November Festivals
Jump to September festivals or October festivals.
Harrisburg Multicultural Festival
Harrisburg Multicultural Festival
Date: Saturday, November 7, 2026
Time: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Place: Harrisburg Park, 191 Sims Parkway, Harrisburg, NC
Cost: Free
Features: Celebrate cultures from around the world with art, music, fashion, games, food and more.
Day of the Dead Celebration at Camp North End
Day of the Dead Celebration
Date: Sunday, November 1, 2026
Time: 12 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Place: Camp North End, 300 Camp Road, Charlotte, NC
Cost: Free
Features: This celebration features traditional music and dancing, face painting, an expansive altar exhibition, a Catrina parade and much more.
Pawsitively Matthews
Pawsitively Matthews
Date: Saturday, November 7, 2026
Time: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Place: Stumptown Park, 120 S Trade Street, Matthews, NC
Cost: Free
Features: This pet-focused festival features demos, music, pet-friendly vendors, a beer “pawvilion,” food trucks and more.
The Geekery Market
The Geekery Market
Date: Saturday, November 21, 2026
Time: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Place: Cabarrus Arena & Events Center, 4751 NC Highway 49, Concord, North Carolina
Cost: Free admission. Parking is $10.
Features: This festival features artists and artisans who create products across all fandoms.
EpicFest Literary Festival for Kids and Teens
EpicFest Literary Festival
Date: Saturday, November 7, 2026
Time: Check back soon
Place: ImaginOn, 300 E 7th Street, Charlotte, NC
Cost: Free
Features: Author visits and other book-related celebrations.
Double-Check Before You Head Out!
We make every effort to make sure that everything on Charlotte on the Cheap is 100% accurate.
However, sometimes things change without notice, and we are not always notified. It’s also possible that we can make a mistake.
Please verify all deals and events with the venue or organizer before you go.
More Fall Festivals and Halloween Events
Read on for the next 60 days of festivals.
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