The top 10 things you MUST do in October

Autumn has arrived, and we’ve found the perfect ways to celebrate the season. From haunted mazes to Ferris wheels, wine to grilled cheese, there’s no shortage of fun to be had in October. Get your sweaters and make the most of this month with these 10 must-do events.

(1) Take to the Open Streets 704. 

Think streets are just for driving? Think again. The fourth Open Streets 704 returns Oct. 15 to prove that roads can be use for so much more — like walking, biking, music and arts performances, street soccer and yoga classes. This edition is bigger than ever, winding 5.5 miles through Madison Park, Selwyn Park, Montford Park, Freedom Park, Myers Park, Ashbrook, LoSo and Colonial Village.

(2) Sip and stroll at the South End Wine Fest.

Wine lovers rejoice! Just when you thought it was strictly craft beer territory, South End is getting serious about its vino. On Oct. 21, at the corner of Carson and Mint Streets, you’ll find this third-annual neighborhood wine festival complete with live music, fare from popular food trucks like Papi Queso and The Tin Kitchen, and plenty of pinots. A $35 ticket gets you unlimited tastings (don’t forget your DD) from vineyards around the world.

(3) Ride the Ferris wheel at the Cleveland County Fair.

As any good romantic comedy makes evident, carnivals are an autumn must. This is mostly because they are one of the few places you can find fried Oreos. But also because at some point in life everyone should experience pig racing, gambling with live mice, Elvis impersonators, the world’s smallest woman and a goat with two heads all in one place. But seriously, catch the ride on the Ferris wheel at this fair through Oct. 8.

(4) Dance your heart out at Breakaway Music Festival. 

Strap on your dancing shoes. Charlotte’s newest music festival brings acts like ZEDD, Lil Dicky and Cheat Codes to AvidXchange Music Factory Oct. 14. Tickets start at $50, or if you want to get super fancy you can splurge for the $5,500 Ultimate VIP Table, which includes 20 all-access VIP passes, four premium bottles, two Champagne bottles and mixers.

(5) Test yourself at the Queen City Quiz Show finale.

How well do you know Charlotte? Two teams of four people will try to answer questions about Charlotte’s past and present at the Queen City Quiz Show finale Oct. 7 at Camp North End. This dynamic free and family-friendly game show has been traveling the city all summer and it’s all led to this epic conclusion. The semifinals start at 4 p.m. and the finale starts at 6 p.m., with discussions between each game.

(6) Get spooked at SCarowinds.

Oh, riding roller coasters that go up to 80 mph and drop at 74-degree angles isn’t enough to terrify you? Enter SCarowinds, the annual fall weekend transformation of Carowinds that includes more than 16 haunted attractions and shows through Oct. 29. Most importantly, it includes something called “Scare Zones,” which are basically just places filled with people who will make you scream in public. It’s fun, trust me.

(7) Take the haunted trail to SCarrigan Farms.

Well I think we can officially say “scare” name puns have taken off in Charlotte. This one is actually at Mooresville’s Carrigan Farms Rock Quarry, which for 11 years has offered a variety of haunted thrills. The terrifying moonlit trail and maze is open (for those 12 and over) select nights through Oct. 31.

(8) Eat, drink, and be merry at the Carolina Renaissance Festival.

Come one, come all to ye olde renaissance festival! (When else can you annoy your friends by speaking like that all day?) On weekends through Nov. 19, there are cottages and castles, jousting tournaments, royal court characters, jugglers, and, of course, the chance to purchase gnome figurines. Most importantly, there’s food like giant turkey legs and sausage on a stick. And there’s plenty of ale for washing it all down.

(9) Get Halloween costume inspiration at The Mint.

Need help coming up with a Halloween costume idea? Study the work of one of the most renowned theatrical costume designers around. N.C. native William Ivey Long is the focus of a new exhibit at The Mint running through next June. See his work from shows like “Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella,” “Grease Live!” and “The Rocky Horror Picture Show: Let’s Do the Time Warp Again.”

(10) Take a bite out of the Grilled Cheese Fest. 

Who doesn’t love the gooey goodness of a grilled cheese? Head to the Slate parking lot in South End Oct. 7 for unlimited grilled cheese samples from some of the best restaurants in the city. That’s right: Unlimited. Grilled cheese. Samples. For $35. Speaking of incredibly specific food festivals, the Charlotte Bloody Mary Festival is Oct. 15 at The Fillmore.

Photos: CharlotteFive and Charlotte Observer file photos

This story was originally published October 2, 2017 at 1:30 AM with the headline "The top 10 things you MUST do in October."