Charlotte Observer Fall Arts Guide: Our insider’s look at big can’t-miss events
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Our 2025 Fall Arts Guide
From family-friendly shows to exclusive exhibitions, Charlotte is packed with arts events throughout autumn. Use our Observer annual guide for all things arts and culture season from September to December 2025.
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Beethoven’s most popular symphony. A locally written play about the first Black female aviator . Up-close photos of jazz legends, tableside magic and celebrating Charlotte’s east side. Yes, the local arts and cultural sector has lots of new activities and exhibits to offer this fall.
The Charlotte Observer spoke to leaders at a dozen organizations to find out their top picks heading into the 2025-26 arts season. Here are their insider choices of “can’t-miss” upcoming events.
Bechtler Museum of Modern Art: Modernists, assemble
Opening Oct. 18 at Bechtler Museum of Modern Art, “Assembly Lines: Modernism and Machines” is primarily drawn from the Bechtler collection and examines the ways in which artists have engaged with machines and technology for the last century-plus.
“It looks at our collection with new eyes,” Bechtler Executive Director Todd Smith said. And it features works outside of the collection, too.
“Artists have always been on the leading edge of embracing and dealing with technology,” Smith said. “We often look to artists to help us make sense of the ways in which technology can help us and change the way we see the world.”
The exhibition will feature painting, sculpture, printmaking and photography from the likes of Margaret Bourke-White, Roy Lichtenstein and Jean Tinguely, among others. It will examine a range of innovations and technological advancements, from Modernism’s nascency to the rise of artificial intelligence.
A Music and Museum program tied to the exhibition is set for Oct. 26.
Want to go? “Assembly Lines: Modernism and Machines,” Oct. 18-Feb. 2, 2026; Bechtler Museum of Modern Art, 420 S. Tryon St. Details at bechtler.org.
Charlotte Ballet: Dancing into Fall Works
This season, Charlotte Ballet’s Fall Works program will journey through projects by three globally renowned choreographers. “The works are all captivating,” said artistic director Alejandro Cerrudo. “These choreographers are the best of the best in the world.”
The program “Whispers, Echoes, Voices,” running the weekend of Oct. 30, features Czech dancer Jiří Kylián’s “Petite Mort,” which explores the balance between strength and vulnerability. The performance will include “Solo Echo” by Canadian choreographer Crystal Pite.
“She’s at the very forefront of contemporary dance,” Cerrudo said. “You cannot see her work in just any company; she’s very selective.”
Finally, the world premiere “As I Am” by South African native Mthuthuzeli November, examines self-arrival along with music created by the choreographer. “It’s about discovering who he is in the ballet world as a Black man … a reflection on how his ancestors would see him and how he relates to them,” said Cerrudo.
Want to go? Fall Works, Oct. 30-Nov. 1, Knight Theater, 701 N. Tryon St., Tickets $32-$138. Details at charlotteballet.org.
Charlotte International Arts Festival: Double the fun
The fourth annual Charlotte International Arts Festival runs a full month this fall, across all of September. That’s twice as long as previous years.
The fest continues to expand its footprint with international visual and performing artists participating alongside local artists and organizations, representing cultural traditions from around the world.
The CIAF is also expanding its footprint around Charlotte. “It’s the first year that we’re ever going to be on site at Blume Studios at the Iron District,” said Bree Stallings, Blumenthal Arts director of artistic experiences.
Stallings is especially looking forward to the “Charlotte Brunch Festival — Fall Pop Up” on Sept. 13 at Blume Studios, which includes brunch samples, live entertainment and art installations. Last year’s event on Levine Avenue of the Arts had more than 1,500 attendees.
“There’s endless mimosas and … every kind of food vendor that you can imagine,” Stallings said. Guests can also visit the onsite International Bazaar featuring arts, food and goods from around the globe, which runs that weekend only.
Want to go? “Charlotte Brunch Festival — Fall Pop Up,” Sept. 13, Noon-4 p.m., Blume Studios, 904 Post St., Charlotte. For tickets: charlotteartsfest.com
Charlotte Museum of History: East Side story
The Charlotte Museum of History will celebrate the city’s east side this fall with East Side Sol. Head over to the Shamrock Drive campus on Oct. 11 to catch live performances, speakers, art and food vendors.
Experience performances by Baran Dance and learn from a panel about the dynamic history of the east side. Neighborhood organizations like Charlotte Democracy Center: Center for Common Ground and CharlotteEAST, among others, will also participate.
“We really want to highlight the east side,” said Kendall McGeorge, public programs manager for the museum. “It’s our neighborhood, so we want to make sure we reach out to that community and bring our neighbors to our site.”
The free festival also coincides with the 50th anniversary of Eastland Mall, once an east-side anchor.
Want to go? ”East Side Sol,” Oct. 11, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Details at charlottemuseum.org
Children’s Theatre of Charlotte: Blazing a path across the skies
On Nov. 15-16, Children’s Theatre of Charlotte presents “Bessie Coleman: Fearless and Free,” which shares the against-the-odds story of the first African American female aviator. The theater commissioned local playwright Lakeetha Blakeney, professionally known as Keetha B., to write the show.
“It’s really good, and with high-level local talent,” said artistic director Adam Burke. “I think it will be a sleeper hit.”
The story centers on Coleman’s journey from growing up in a family of Texas sharecroppers with 13 children to becoming the first Black woman to earn a pilot’s license.
Eventually, she would come to be known as Queen Bess, admired for her daring barnstorming feats, and later inspiring the first African-American woman in space, Mae Jemison.
Want to go? ”Bessie Coleman: Fearless and Free,” Nov. 15-16, Wells Fargo Playhouse, 300 E. 7th St., Charlotte. Details at ctcharlotte.org.
Discovery Place: Soaring ‘Above and Beyond’
Opening Oct. 18 at Discovery Place Science, “Above and Beyond” is a traveling exhibit dedicated to flight.
“North Carolina is first in flight, and this is a really interactive, engaging exhibit,” said Nikki Hill, chief learning officer at Discovery Place. “There will be simulations of flight, hands-on design challenges, stories about how flight was created and ... what the future of aviation exploration may look like.”
The exhibition will feature about a dozen aviation-related stations, including one using 3D models to explore how six different types of craft were developed. Another allows you to design your own fighter jet and then race others.
Augmented reality will help explain the taxing effects that an ultra-long flight to Mars would have on the human body and mind. Another station will show short films and models to examine the future of aviation, including a look at mega rockets and laser-beam driven vehicles.
Want to go? “Above and Beyond,” Oct. 18-April 19, 2026, Discovery Place Science, 168 W. 6th St., Charlotte; Details at discoveryplace.org.
The Mint Museum: Making a mark on the Potter’s Market
The Mint Museum hosts its 19th annual Potters Market at The Mint Sept. 27 with a focus on artists from Western North Carolina. The event takes place on the first anniversary of Hurricane Helene hitting Asheville.
Of the more than 50 participating North Carolina potters, 33 come from the western part of the state. This year, presenting sponsor Principal Foundation is underwriting booth fees, rental costs for tables and linens, and covering lunch costs for all potters to ensure there are no financial barriers preventing participation.
Western North Carolina artists who were in last year’s Potters Market also will receive a $1,000 microgrant from Principal Foundation, said Jen Sudul Edwards, chief curator and curator of contemporary art at The Mint.
“The Mint, along with many other organizations throughout the country, but especially in North Carolina, have really been doing a lot to support the potters along with all the families that were devastated,” Edwards said. “This is another opportunity to bring those artists into a space where they can sell their work and start rebuilding their inventory and their studios and their income.”
Want to go? Potters Market at The Mint, Sept. 27, 9 a.m.-4 p.m., the lawn at Mint Museum Randolph, 2730 Randolph Road, Charlotte. Tickets start at $25. For more info: pottersmarketatthemint.com.
The Charlotte Symphony: Dah-dah-dah-dummm
With approximately 200 performances this season, Charlotte Symphony President and CEO David Fisk said it’s hard to select just one highlight.
But we were able to pin him down. He suggested a program he believes will delight both longtime classical music fans and newer audiences. From Oct. 24–26, the orchestra will perform what Fisk categorized as arguably “the most famous symphony of all time”: Beethoven’s Fifth.
“It’s timeless in its extraordinary magnetism and appeal, from those famous opening ‘dah-dah-dah-dummm’ notes through the journey of just over 30 minutes,” Fisk said. “The journey from darkness to light and from conflict to triumph and resolution. It’s been a hit for audiences ever since Beethoven wrote that piece (in the early 1800s) and it never loses its appeal.”
The concert also includes contemporary composer and performer Gabriel Kahane’s “Judith,” an orchestral piece based on an original song he wrote.
Kahane is the first featured artist in the CSO’s new Spotlight Series, an effort to highlight the work of one living composer or performer each season.
“Piano Concerto” by Amy Beach, the first woman composer to have her work published and performed by major orchestras, will be on the program, too. Fisk calls it an underrated masterpiece. Accomplished Korean American pianist Soyeon Kate Lee will be featured on this piece, and the entire concert will come under the baton of Chinese-born New Zealander Tianyi Lu.
Want to go? Beethoven’s Symphony No. 5, Oct. 24–26, Knight Theater, 430 S Tryon St., Charlotte. Free admission for guests under age 18 to Oct. 26 matinee (some restrictions). Tickets at: charlottesymphony.org.
Harvey B. Gantt Center for African-American Arts + Culture: And all that jazz
If you’re a jazz or photography fan, you won’t want to miss “Jazz Greats: Classic Photographs from the Bank of America Collection” at the Harvey B. Gantt Center for African-American Arts + Culture. It features 33 black-and-white photos of jazz legends from the 1940s-‘60s.
The show starts Nov. 7 and runs to next April.
The works come from photographers like William Gottlieb and Chuck Stewart, known for their jazz portraits. There are also other historically significant artists, including abstract photographer Aaron Siskind and documentary photojournalist Gordon Parks, according to Anita Bateman, vice president of creative direction at the Gantt Center.
Parks, for example, followed Civil Rights leaders and had his photos featured in Life magazine. He also happened to “run in the circles, like many of these photographers, where they had proximity and access to jazz musicians,” Bateman said.
The Gantt plans to have daily curated playlists focusing on individual artists like Ella Fitzgerald and Billie Holiday, who are featured in the exhibition. lt also plans to host a series of performances during the run of the exhibition.
And as part of the Gantt’s effort to feature live music, a baby grand piano will be placed in the gallery during “Jazz Greats.”
Want to go? “Jazz Greats: Classic Photographs from the Bank of America Collection,” Nov. 7-April 26, 2026, The Harvey B. Gantt Center for African-American Arts + Culture, 551 S. Tryon St., Charlotte. For more info: www.ganttcenter.org.
Blumenthal Arts: Up-close magic to do just for you
Tom Gabbard, Blumenthal Arts’ president and CEO, points toward “The Magicians Table” as his must-see pick this season.
The immersive experience, which premiered in London about 11 months ago, will make its North American debut at Blume Studios Nov. 19. The show is scheduled for a limited run in Charlotte through Jan. 11, 2026. Gabbard said it has already outsold many Broadway tours in its first week of priority and public sales here.
“It shows the public is really intrigued with this,” Gabbard said. “And it really is quite cool because nobody does magic quite like this, where there’s a magician right in front of you.”
The two-hour show includes theatrical and music elements. A bar featuring hand-crafted cocktails is also onsite.
Inside the theater, guests are seated at tables of 12 and the magicians circulate and “dazzle you” with all sorts of entertainment. “Some of it is close-up with cards and coins,” Gabbard said. “Some of it is mentalist kinds of things where they’re playing with your mind … but it moves very fast.”
Want to go? “The Magicians Table,” Nov. 19-Jan. 11, 2026, Stage 2 at Blume Studios, 904 Post St., Charlotte. Tickets start at $79.99. For more information: Blumenthalarts.org
Theatre Charlotte: ‘Feed Me, Seymour!’
In September, the venerable Theatre Charlotte kicks off its 98th season with the musical hit, “Little Shop of Horrors.”
“It’s been called the perfect musical, in the way that it’s structured and the story,” said Chris Timmons, the artistic director. “For anybody that just loves musical theater, it’s certainly a can’t-miss.”
The show, which will feature 15 local actors, follows bashful floral assistant Seymour, who discovers an unusual plant that he nurtures — with unintended consequences. He also falls for Audrey, a vulnerable character stuck in undesirable circumstances with a sadistic dentist.
“Relationship abuse is another theme within the show, so it’s not just musical theater fluff,” said Timmons. To explore the theme authentically, the theater has teamed up with a local counselor to talk with the performers about relationship transitions, particularly for women.
Audrey’s dentist boyfriend, Orin, is played by actual Charlotte dentist Dr. Nehemiah Lawson. Theatre Charlotte patrons may remember Lawson from performances of “Something Rotten” and “Pippin.”
The theater also has partnered with Paradiso Plant Shop to provide plants to round out the experience. (Best not to follow Seymour’s feeding and care of Audrey II, however. Trust us on that one.)
Want to go? ”Little Shop of Horrors,” Sept. 12-28, Tickets $20-34; Details at theatrecharlotte.org.
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This story was originally published September 2, 2025 at 5:03 AM.
