Around Charlotte this fall, these are among the best family-friendly arts events
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- Charlotte arts groups host family-friendly events from Halloween through holidays
- Bechtler kicks off exhibitions with Family Day, linking art to STEM concepts
- Seasonal performances include classics like A Christmas Carol at Theatre Charlotte
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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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From a rare appearance by a certain red-nosed reindeer to the welcome orchestral sounds of “Peter and the Wolf,”, Charlotte arts and cultural organizations appeal to young and old alike in the new arts season.
Museum family days, an exhibition all about sneakers, plus perennial holiday favorites like “Nutcracker” and “A Christmas Carol,” are more ways that the whole family can spend time together around the region.
Here’s a look at some of the best family-friendly offerings from arts and culture groups in the new arts season.
Bechtler Museum of Modern Art: Modernist Family Day
During the opening weekend for each Bechtler Museum of Modern Art exhibition, the museum offers a first Saturday Family Day. This includes one for the exhibit “Assembly Lines: Modernism and Machines.” That exhibit, which runs from Oct. 18-Feb. 2, 2026, examines how artists have engaged with the Machine Age from the early 20th century to the present day.
Assembly Lines Family Day is Oct. 18.
“It’s a really great way for children of all ages to understand the visual arts through science and technology, through the machines that surround us, through architecture, engineering, and even the ‘worst’ word in the English language — math,” Bechtler Executive Director Todd Smith said.
Be sure to pick up a Family Guide designed to give parents insight into how to expose children to what’s on view. “It gives them another way to talk to their children,” Smith said.
Want to go? Assembly Lines: Modernism and Machines Family Day, Oct. 18, Free. Bechtler Museum of Modern Art, 420 S. Tryon St. Details at bechtler.org.
Charlotte Ballet: Cue the dancing Sugar Plum Fairies
In December, join Clara on her enchanting Christmas Eve journey at Charlotte Ballet’s annual “Nutcracker,” featuring colorful costumes, fantastical sets and Tchaikovsky’s iconic score performed live by the Charlotte Symphony.
“It’s a great introduction to the arts, and it’s important to give children an opportunity to know the arts,” said Charlotte Ballet Artistic Director Alejandro Cerrudo. “Ballet and live music is a perfect example to witness how those two art forms work together so well, plus we have a lot of our academy students, so it’s an opportunity for the little ones to be on stage.”
Through Jean-Pierre Bonnefoux’s longstanding choreography, the family will travel through winter landscapes with dancing snowflakes, a whimsical world of confection and more treats. Favorites like the enchanting “Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy” and swirling “Trepak (Russian Dance)” will kick off the holiday season with a sense of wonder.
Want to go? ”Nutcracker,” Dec. 5-21, Belk Theater, 130 N. Tryon St., Charlotte. Tickets $35-$200. You can also add a VIP package and get your photo taken with a ballerina. Details at charlotteballet.org.
Charlotte International Arts Festival: Celebrating East Asian culture
Now entering its fourth year, the sprawling Charlotte International Arts Festival from Blumenthal Arts covers the entire month of September. As ever, its aim is to celebrate the city’s cultural diversity by bringing in local and international artists and institutions for inclusive experiences.
One highlight is “CLTure Day + Night Market” on Sept. 14 at Blume Studios, a new venue this year for the festival. The event features food, performances, arts and activities celebrating the city’s diverse East Asian community.
From Chinese lion dancers and martial arts demonstrations to a K-pop and J-pop Silent Disco, there will be live entertainment and cultural performances all day long.
“The day and night market is a popular fixture in NoDa at Divine Barrel,” said Bree Stallings, Blumenthal’s director of artistic experiences. “So people might recognize the name from that.” Stallings said to expect lots of food trucks as well as additional attractions from the International Bazaar, which also takes place that day onsite at Blume Studios.
Want to go? “CLTure Day + Night Market,” Sept. 14, beginning at noon, Blume Studios, 904 Post St., Charlotte. For more info: charlotteartsfest.com
The Charlotte Symphony: Meet ‘Peter and the Wolf’
For families with young children, Charlotte Symphony President and CEO David Fisk recommends “Peter and the Wolf” on Oct. 18. The one-hour program is part of the CSO’s Family Series.
“It’s the perfect way to introduce young audiences to the magic of live orchestral music,” Fisk said of the classic by Prokofiev, which has long been a fan favorite. Different instruments are used to represent Peter, his animal friends and the wolf in this captivating work that includes a narrated story.
Ticketholders can enjoy a pre-concert festival including storytelling, musical games and hands-on activities in the lobby of Knight Theater as well as a more relaxed atmosphere than a typical orchestra concert.
Led by Resident Conductor Christopher James Lees, the program also includes Mozart’s “The Marriage of Figaro” overture and John Williams’ “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone Suite, I. Hedwig’s Theme.”
Want to go? “Peter and the Wolf,” Oct. 18 at 11 a.m., Knight Theater, 430 S Tryon St, Charlotte. Tickets at: charlottesymphony.org.
Children’s Theatre of Charlotte: ‘Rudolph, with your nose so bright...’
Opening in late November, Children’s Theatre of Charlotte will present “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” at McColl Family Theatre. It’s the first time the company will produce the show.
The action-packed performance will feature such favorite holiday tunes as “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” and “A Holly Jolly Christmas,” plus lovable characters Hermey the Elf, Bumble the Abominable Snow Monster, Mr. and Mrs. Claus, and other favorites.
Children from the community will be a part of the production, which features song-and-dance numbers as well as live-action puppets.
“Rudolph is going to fly, and we’re going to have a 12-foot-tall Bumble — the ice monster they’re running from. We’ll pay homage to the claymation version,” said Adam Burke, the theater company’s artistic director. “You’re getting the story you’re familiar with, but you’ve never seen it like this before.”
Want to go? ”Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer,” Nov. 22-Dec. 23, McColl Family Theatre, ImaginOn, 300 E. 7th St. Charlotte; Details and ticket information at ctcharlotte.org.
The Mint Museum: Sneakers, sneakers, sneakers
On Oct. 26, Mint Museum Randolph will host “Party in the Park | Sneakspeaks,” a free event for families. It highlights a range of interactive activities tied to the new exhibition, “Future Now: Virtual Sneakers to Cutting-Edge Kicks.”
The exhibit itself traces shoe trends and innovations from the 19th century to modern day creations. It opens Sept. 20 and runs to Jan. 4, 2026.
Party in the Park participants can enjoy free museum admission that day, a sneaker battle, a custom sole station in collaboration with The Shoedio and a panel discussion on sneaker design. Food trucks, a live DJ and a cash bar also will be onsite.
There will be many opportunities for kids, teens and “grown-up kids” to decorate and personalize their sneakers, decorate blanks and learn how to tie shoes in “the new funky ways,” said Jen Sudul Edwards, the Mint Museum’s chief curator and curator of contemporary art.
“I love that whole pop culture, deep dive into … personal adornments that often just goes either unnoticed or unacknowledged,” Edwards said.
It’s a great event for multiple generations, she added, since sneaker culture was also important in the ‘70s, ‘80s and ‘90s. “I actually could go to this with my kids — if they would be seen with me in public — and we could equally have a good time,” she said.
Want to go? “Party in the Park | Sneakspeaks,” Oct. 26, 1–5 p.m., Mint Museum Randolph, 2730 Randolph Road, Charlotte. Free. For more info: mintmuseum.org
Levine Museum of the New South: ‘Bring out your dead’
The Levine Museum of the New South, in partnership with the Latin American Coalition, will host the 21st annual “Festival Día de Muertos (Day of the Dead)” Nov. 1 at Camp North End.
“Day of the Dead is a very vibrant, colorful, very celebratory Mexican tradition that honors the lives of those that have passed away,” said Courtney Whiteside, director of marketing at the Levine. Those unfamiliar with the tradition may imagine a somber event, Whiteside said.
But she described it as a “celebration of life.”
It also has seen a spike in popularity. Attendance at last year’s festival doubled from the previous year, with more than 18,000 participants.
The family-friendly celebration features live performances, food and vendors, plus activities like face painting, storytime, and arts and crafts.
Highlights include the Catrina Parade, with traditional costumes, and the “ofrendas,” special decorated altars created by families and artists in honor of deceased loved ones. There are opportunities for the public to get involved, creating their own ofrenda in advance of the event and participating in the parade.
Want to go? “Festival Día de Muertos (Day of the Dead),” Nov. 1, Noon-8 p.m., Camp North End, 300 Camp Road, Charlotte. Free admission, donations requested. For more info: museumofthenewsouth.org or latinamericancoalition.org/dia-de-muertos
Harvey B. Gantt Center for African-American Arts + Culture: Family-first fun
In conjunction with its exhibition “Jazz Greats: Classic Photographs from the Bank of America Collection,” the Harvey B. Gantt Center for African-American Arts + Culture will host a Family First event. The series is geared toward children and their caregivers. It features expert instruction in the visual, performing or literary arts.
The Nov. 8 session will feature local jazz musician Harvey Cummings II, who previously has led workshops at the Gantt Center, said Anita Bateman, vice president of creative direction at The Gantt.
Cummings, an award-winning saxophonist, pianist, songwriter and producer, is known for blending jazz with hip-hop and soul. His ensemble, the Harvey Cummings Project, has collaborated on events with such notable figures as President Barack Obama, Oprah Winfrey and Michael Jordan.
Expect hands-on musical demonstrations and a Q&A session too.
Want to go? “Family First: The Standard Jazz Workshop with Harvey Cummings II,” Nov. 8, Noon-2 p.m., 551 S. Tryon St., Charlotte. To register: ganttcenter.org.
Blumenthal Arts: ‘You’re a mean one, Mr. Grinch’
For families this season, Blumenthal Arts President and CEO Tom Gabbard recommends “Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas! The Musical.”
Inspired by the beloved children’s book, the show returns to Charlotte the week between Christmas and New Year’s. That’s a moment when Gabbard said many people have family in town and are looking for high-quality activities to do together.
His selection is based on his own experience along with his wife, Vickie, of taking their then 5-year-old granddaughter to see the show last year.
“We saw the production at the Old Globe in San Diego, which is where this version originated, and it gave me just a renewed appreciation for the experience of seeing it with a kid,” Gabbard said. “It’s been a while since my kids have been little. So, it was such a great reminder of just what a wonderful experience it is to enjoy it as a family and as a multigeneration family.”
The show includes interactive elements that made it a particularly special experience for his granddaughter, Gabbard added.
Want to go? “Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas! The Musical,” Dec. 23-28, Belk Theater, 130 North Tryon St., Charlotte. For tickets: BlumenthalArts.org
Charlotte Museum of History: Time to dig into the past
The Charlotte Museum of History is finding ways to engage even the youngest learners. On Sept. 13, the Past and Play series will return with “Digging into the Past,” a program designed for children ages 2-5.
“We wanted to give them a way to engage with the museum and learn,” said Kendall McGeorge, public programs manager for the museum. “They will get to step into the shoes of an archaeologist through tactile learning.”
The event will include a “dig bin” full of plastic animals and artifacts buried in sand or rice. They’ll also be able to brush off artifacts using paintbrushes and reassemble pottery like archaeologists, and visit a book nook.
Want to go? Past and Play: Digging Into the Past, Sept. 13, Charlotte Museum of History, 3500 Shamrock Dr., Charlotte. Cost: $5-$8. Details at charlottemuseum.org.
Discovery Place: A gloriously ‘Ghouly Gala’
On Oct. 17, Discovery Place Kids in Huntersville offers a Halloween experience at Ghouly Gala. “(Parents) don’t have to worry about venturing out in the streets,” said Nikki Hill, Chief Learning Officer at Discovery Place. “We will have safe, exciting, family-friendly activities at the museum.”
The event will feature fun and creative stations with spiderweb paintings, bubble potions and live encounters with some of the museum’s resident critters.
To add to the trick-or-treating experience, the museum will create pretend doors throughout the museum. “Kids will knock on the front door, and someone dressed up in a costume will pop out behind the door,” Hill said.
Want to go? “Ghouly Gala,” Oct. 17, Discovery Place Kids-Huntersville, 105 Gilead Road, Huntersville. Tickets are $19.95, $14.95 for members and $9.95 for EBT/WIC program participants. Details at discoveryplacekids.org/huntersville.
Theatre Charlotte: Ebenezer sees a ghost or three
In December, for the 19th year, Theatre Charlotte will present the perennial holiday tale of transformation, “A Christmas Carol.”
As theater company Artistic Director Chris Timmons put it, “It’s always family friendly, and we see people who come back year and year again.”
This stage version, however, has been creatively adapted from the original Charles Dickens’ novel, following the turn-around journey of miserly Ebenezer Scrooge as he’s visited, and eventually changed, by the ghosts of Christmas past, present and future.
“It’s our own script, our own adaptation, so even if you think you know ‘A Christmas Carol’ or you’ve seen it before, we always try to do something a little bit different,” Timmons said.
Want to go? “A Christmas Carol,” Dec. 5-14, Tickets $20-$34, Theatre Charlotte, 501 Queens Road, Charlotte. Details at theatrecharlotte.org.
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This story was originally published September 3, 2025 at 5:08 AM.
