Ultimate fall festival guide: 20+ events in the Charlotte area to check out
After another hot and humid Carolina summer, it’s finally time for fall, which means another season of pumpkin-flavored treats, football and festivals.
From food festivals to film festivals, there are a variety of events to check out this time of year in the Charlotte area.
Here’s a list of some popular festivals to add to your calendar as you kick off the fall season. (Don’t forget to check back for more events that will be added as they are announced.)
The Great Pumpkin Fest and Scarowinds
Date: Through Oct. 29 (Saturdays and Sundays)
Location: Carowinds, 14523 Carowinds Blvd, Charlotte, NC 28273
Time: 10 a.m.-2 p.m. for The Great Pumpkin Fest and 7 p.m. to close for SCarowinds
Cost: $44.99+
Get in the spooky spirit at Carowinds’ Great Pumpkin Fest. In honor of the fall season, the amusement park will offer family-friendly Halloween activities and games, a costume contest, dance parties and more. Then stick around for a night of thrills as the park transforms into SCarowinds with haunted mazes, scare zones and live entertainment.
Carolina Renaissance Festival
Date: Sept. 30-Nov. 19 (Saturdays and Sundays)
Location: 16445 Poplar Tent Road, Huntersville, NC 28078
Time: 9:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m.
Cost: $20+
Travel back in time and watch history come alive at the Carolina Renaissance Festival. Experience comedy and theater, food, arts and crafts, games and rides at the 25-acre outdoor, open air village.
Pineville Fall Fest
Date: Oct. 19-21
Location: Jack D. Hughes Memorial Park, 513 Main St, Pineville, NC 28134
Time: Varies
Cost: Free
The Town of Pineville is celebrating its 150th anniversary in conjunction with the 25th Annual Fall Fest. Head over to Jack D. Hughes Park and enjoy live music, food trucks, vendors, carnival rides and more. The event runs from 6-10 p.m. Thursday and Friday. On Saturday, you can stop by from 10 a.m.-10 p.m.
Charlotte Craft Beer Week
Date: Oct. 20-29
Location: Multiple
Time: Varies
Cost: Varies
Celebrate the city’s beer scene and drink your way through Charlotte Craft Beer Week. Throughout the nine day event, there will be neighborhood brewery crawls, competitions and other local events.
Alpha Delta Pi Charlotte Alumnae Association Fall Festival
Date: Oct. 21
Location: Ronald McDonald House Charities of Greater Charlotte, 1613 E Morehead St, Charlotte, NC 28207
Time: 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
Cost: Free
Local Alpha Delta Pi alumnae are bringing back their third annual Fall Festival in support of the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Greater Charlotte. The family-friendly event will have contests, raffle items, door prizes, food, games and more.
Baxter Village Fort Mill Fall Festival
Date: Oct. 21
Location: Baxter Village Town, SC-160, Fort Mill, SC 29708
Time: 12-6 p.m.
Cost: Free
The Baxter Village-Fort Mill Fall Festival is back again this year. The 22nd annual family-friendly event will have 125 vendors, artisans, food, games, prizes, live music and more.
Das Best Oktoberfest
Location: Ballantyne’s Backyard, 11611 N Community House Rd, Charlotte, NC 28277
Time: 12-5 p.m.
Cost: $25+
The second annual Das Best Oktoberfest is back at Ballantyne’s Backyard with hundreds of craft beers, wines, ciders and schnapps. There will also be live music, beer games, contests and more.
Fort Mill Fall Festival
Date: Oct. 21
Location: Walter Y. Elisha Park, 345 N White St, Fort Mill, SC 29715
Time: 3-7 p.m.
Cost: Free
Spend a fall-filled evening with your family and friends at the Fort Mill Fall Festival. There will be live music, vendors, contests, giveaways and food trucks at the free event.
Davidson Fall Art Festival
Date: Oct. 21
Location: Davidson Town Green, 119 S Main St, Davidson, NC 28036
Time: 4-8 p.m.
Cost: Free
Check out local artists at the Davidson Fall Art Festival on the Town Green. There will be 40 artists from the area displaying and selling their work, along with live music.
Boollantyne
Date: Oct. 27
Location: The Amp Ballantyne, 11115 Upper Ave, Charlotte, NC 28277
Time: 5-8:30 p.m.
Cost: $10
Spend Halloween weekend at The Amp Ballantyne for Boolantyne. Enjoy a pumpkin contest, fall food truck bites, activities and more at the family-friendly festival.
Whiskey, Wine & Fire Festival
Date: Nov. 4
Location: Ballantyne’s Backyard, 11611 N Community House Rd, Charlotte, NC 28277
Time: 4-9 p.m.
Cost: $59+
Enjoy an evening filled with food, drinks and more throughout Ballantyne’s Backyard for the Whiskey, Wine & Fire Festival. There will be food and drink pairings, live music and vendors.
Festival Día de Muertos
Date: Nov. 4
Location: Camp North End, 300 Camp Rd, Charlotte, NC 28206
Time: 12-8 p.m.
Cost: Free
The annual Festival Día de Muertos is back again this year at Camp North End. The free, family-friendly event is a local interpretation of the Mexican Day of the Dead tradition with traditional foods, arts and crafts, activities and more.
Did we miss a fall festival or event? Let us know at charlottefive@charlottefive.com.
This story was originally published September 18, 2023 at 6:15 AM.
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