Top 10 things you MUST do in October
Despite the still-hot-enough-to-sweat-through-your-flannel temperatures, we promise it’s officially fall. The leaves will start changing soon and everything.
Don’t miss your chance to indulge in all things spooky and pumpkin-flavored this month. Here are the events you must mark down in your calendar for October.
(1) Tailgate a Panthers home game.
Sunday, October 7 at 1 p.m. and Sunday, October 28 at 1 p.m. Free to tailgate; ticket prices vary. Bank of America Stadium, 800 S. Mint St.
Make your way Uptown for a Panthers game — either when we take on the New York Giants on Sunday, October 7 or when we play the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday, October 28 — for your chance to tailgate with the Carolinas’ finest at the Bank of America Stadium. If you’re not sure where to tailgate, here are 11 of the best places to eat and drink before a Carolina Panthers game. Totally new to the Panthers home game scene? This article is for you.
(2) Get the sh*t scared out of you at Scarrigan Farms.
Select October nights, noted here. $25. Carrigan Farms, 1213 Oak Ridge Farm Hwy, Mooresville.
Each October, this local 170-acre farm is transformed into a terrifying haunted trail that is not for the faint of heart. The website’s description literally says, “This is not a trail for kids. If you’re under 12 come back when you’re old enough. We’ll be waiting. If someone hasn’t peed in their pants by the end of the night we know we haven’t done our job.” You’ve been warned. Get tickets here.
(3) Speaking of spooky things: visit SCarowinds “scream park,” if you dare.
Select nights through October 28, noted here. Tickets start at $37. Carowinds, 300 Carowinds Blvd.
(4) Sample cider, build your own boat and more at Fall Fest at the U.S. National Whitewater Center.
Friday, October 5 – Saturday, October 7. Price varies by activity. USNWC, 5000 Whitewater Center Pkwy.
Now that autumn is officially in full swing, you can celebrate the season with the annual Fall Fest at the U.S. National Whitewater Center. Pay $7 to sample local and regional cider, listen to live music from Yarn and JR JR, or partake in activities ranging from a BYOB (Build Your Own Boat) Competition to “The Scrambler” obstacle race to yoga and beyond. Find out more — and register — here.
(5) Marvel at thousands of Jack-o-lantern masterpieces at THE GLOW.
Thursday, October 4 – Sunday, October 28. Tickets start at $16.99. Charlotte Motor Speedway at Rock City Campground, 7301 Bruton Smith Blvd., Concord.
View this post on InstagramA post shared by Michael Rilva (@moodyfuji) on Oct 29, 2017 at 12:11pm PDT
At this self-proclaimed Halloween Wonderland, more than 5,000 pumpkins will be hand carved and transformed into beautiful landscapes, iconic figures and larger-than-life structures for you and your family to ooh and ahh over while enjoying a seasonal treat or fall beverage. More details here.
(6) Travel back in time for a day of feasting and merrymaking at the Carolina Renaissance Festival.
Every Saturday and Sunday, September 29 – November 18. Carolina Renaissance Festival, 16445 Poplar Tent Rd., Huntersville.
Visit the 25-acre village of Fairhaven, a 16th century European marketplace complete with costumed characters, live entertainment, artisans, feasting, jousting, theatre, games, rides and more. New this year will be a live mermaids or “fairies of the sea,” which you’ll have to see to believe. More details here.
[RELATED: Meet Charlotte’s professional mermaid—who owns a $6,000 silicon tail]
(7) Raise money during Breast Cancer Awareness Month at the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure.
Saturday, October 6 at 7:45 a.m. $35 registration fee. Uptown Charlotte, South Mint St.
View this post on InstagramA post shared by Susan G. Komen (@susangkomen) on Jul 21, 2018 at 7:25am PDT
So far this year, the 2018 Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure has raised more than $600,000 in an effort to reduce the number of breast cancer related deaths in the U.S. by 50% by 2026. Their goal? $1 million. Help them get there by registering for this 5K race, either individually or as part of a fundraising team. More information here.
(8) Celebrate Korean culture (and stuff your face) at the Korean Food Festival.
Saturday, October 6. 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. Free admission. Southern Presbyterian Korean Church, 3619 McKee Rd.
Kimbap, Bulgogi beef, Kimari — dig into these and so many other Korean specialties at the Korean Food Festival in South Charlotte this Saturday. The festival is free to attend, but the individual food items will range in price from $5 to $15 on average. Be sure to get there early, as items are expected to sell out quickly! Details here.
(9) Enjoy unlimited tastings of more than 100 wines at the 4th Annual Greystar South End Wine Festival.
Saturday, October 20. 2 – 6 p.m. $35. 308 W. Carson Blvd.
Four hours of unlimited wine tastings, live music, food trucks and a brand new beer garden — there’s a lot to look forward to at this year’s South End Wine Fest. You can check out the full wine list here, or you can snag your tickets here.
(10) Run for a good cause — and for breakfast food and booze — at the Pancakes & Beer 5K.
Saturday, October 27. 9 a.m. $40. The Olde Mecklenburg Brewery (OMB), 4150 Yancey Rd.
This delicious annual 5K will start and end at The Olde Mecklenburg Brewery, where participants will get to enjoy a pancake-and-bacon breakfast, a pint of beer and an awesome after-party after they’ve gotten a few miles in. Race proceeds will benefit NC MedAssist, a local organization that will help provide life-saving prescription medication to over 15,000 NC residents this year. Register here.
Featured Image: CharlotteFive Archives.
This story was originally published October 1, 2018 at 1:13 AM with the headline "Top 10 things you MUST do in October."