Cooler weather signals it's almost time for fall and seasonal activities like spooky festivities, corn mazes plus pumpkin and apple picking .
Here are 28 things to in and around Charlotte to add to your fall bucket list.
Cheer for the Carolina Panthers from the stands or your living room.
If you go: The team is scheduled to play eight regular-season home games at Bank of America Stadium. Key home games include:
- Sept. 15 — Los Angeles Chargers
- Nov. 24 — Kansas City Chiefs
- Dec. 15 — Dallas Cowboys
Go deeper: Carolina Panthers game day: Where to tailgate, park and more
Photo: Laura Barrero/Axios Eat baklava at the Yiasou Greek Festival.
What to expect: One of Charlotte’s largest cultural events returns to Dilworth with ceremonies, performances and food, of course.
- Popular menu items include Greek pizza and souvlaki, plus desserts like loukoumades (powered Greek doughnuts) and baklava.
If you go: The festival takes place Sept. 6-8 at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Cathedral at 600 East Blvd.
- Tickets are $5 and free for children under 12.
Go deeper: Charlotte's Yiasou Greek Festival is back
Festival-goers can get a guided tour of the historic cathedral. Photo: Alexandria Sands/Axios
Face your fears at SCarowinds .
What to expect: Every year, Carowinds transforms from “theme park” to “scream park” for its annual SCarowinds Halloween attraction. There are more than 500 monsters, ghosts and goblins roaming the park plus haunted attractions and shows.
If you go: It runs Sept. 13-Oct. 27. Friday-Sunday 7pm-midnight.
Photo: Courtesy of Carowinds
What to expect: Over 100 wines tasting from more than 25 wineries and vendors, along with a crisp selection of craft beers, ciders and cocktails.
- There will also be live music and local food.
- A portion of the proceeds will benefit University City Foundation programs and projects in the University City Market area.
Stop by: University City boardwalk ( 8931 J M Keynes Dr .) on Saturday, Sept. 21.
What to expect: This three-day festival is a Charlotte tradition that started in 1964 and takes place every year at Freedom Park.
- In addition to work from more than 150 artists, there'll be live music, food and drink vendors.
If you go: Admission is free to the festival which runs from Sept. 20-22 at 1908 East Blvd.
Go deeper: Annual festival featuring art, music and food returns to Freedom Park
Photo: Laura Barrero/Axios Find your way out of Hall Family Farm and other corn mazes.
What to expect: Hall Family Farm has a seven-acre Dungeons & Dragons-themed corn maze that'll feature escape-room style challenges and takes 1-2 hours to complete. Find your way through acres of corn-filled fun starting Sept. 20.
If you go: Tickets range from $4-$11.
Go deeper: 9 corn mazes to visit in and around Charlotte
Hall Family Farm's corn maze will be Dungeons and Dragon themed for 2024. Photo: Kevin Hall/ Hall Family Farm
Pick out the perfect pumpkin.
If you go: Pumpkin farms open soon for the season. Some local spots include Carrigan Farms , Hodges Family Farm , Bush-N-Vine Farm and Black’s Peaches .
Go deeper: 11 must-visit pumpkin patches in and around Charlotte
Wise Acres has pizza and slushies in addition to pumpkins for picking. Photo: Alivia McAtee/Axios
What to expect: Ren Fest has been a Charlotte-area tradition since 1993. More than 1,000 artists (including 500+ interactive costumed characters) bring the fictional village of Fairhaven to life with performance stages, hands-on games and rides, an artisan marketplace and plenty of food.
If you go: The festival takes place Saturdays and Sundays, Oct. 5-Nov. 24 from 9:30am-5:30pm at 16445 Poplar Tent Road .
- Day passes are $20 for kids ages 5 to 12 and $34 for adults. Parking is free.
Go deeper: 5 takeaways from the Carolina Renaissance Festival
Photo: Axios archives
Race on down to the ROVAL 400 .
What to expect: Get ready for the sixth running of the Bank of America ROVAL™ 400. A pre-race concert is included with your ticket.
If you go: ROVAL™ 400 is at the Charlotte Motor Speedway in Concord on Sunday, Oct. 13 at 2pm.
- Tickets are $49; kids under 12 get in for $10.
Sept. 30, 2018: The North Carolina Air National Guard 145th Fighter Wing flies a C-17 over the Charlotte Motor Speedway during the NASCAR Bank of America Roval 400 in Concord, N.C. Photo: HHP/David Tulis
Celebrate Charlotte’s Latin American culture at Hola Charlotte .
What to expect: Hola Charlotte is the Queen City’s largest Hispanic Heritage celebration. Festivities include music, food, dancing and art, so join the community in celebrating Latin American culture and all its richness.
If you go: Admission to the Uptown festival is free on Saturday, Oct. 5 from 12-6pm.
Go deeper: 26+ Hispanic- and Latino-owned restaurants to visit for Hispanic Heritage Month
Pedal through Charlotte at Biketoberfest .
What to expect: This scavenger hunt-style event takes riders along a bike-friendly route through the neighborhoods of Uptown, South End, and Historic West End. Following the ride will be an after-party at Triple C Brewing Co.
If you go: Register in advance . Donations are encouraged. It'll be held on Sunday, Oct. 27 at 12pm.
Photo: Axios archives
What to expect: Each year, community volunteers in the Elizabeth neighborhood build a 60-foot wall lined with jack-o' lanterns to reveal a hidden message.
If you go: The street location of the wall varies in the Elizabeth neighborhood from year to year. It'll be up Oct. 27 through Nov. 1. The lighting ceremony will be on Oct. 27.
The 2023 message was "community." Photo: Laua Barrero/Axios
Check out the Crossroads Cinema series at Camp North End.
What to expect: The outdoor movie series near the Ford Building will feature iconic films every Thursday at 8pm.
Upcoming screenings:
- Sept. 5: Ocean's Eleven
- Sept. 12: The Devil Wears Prada
- Sept. 19: Slumdog Millionaire
- Sept. 26: Rush Hour 2
- Oct. 3: Mean Girls
Go deeper: Fall movie lineup at Camp North End
Pro tip: Bring a lawn chair and get there early. Photo: Courtesy of Camp North End
What to expect: Art installations, musical acts, vendors, multiple venues, outdoor stages and fitness classes throughout Uptown and Ballantyne's Backyard.
If you go: The festival, which runs Sept. 13-29, includes more than 200 events, many of which are free. Ticketed events start at $5.
Go deeper: What to expect at Charlotte International Arts Festival 2024
Photo: Laura Barrero/Axios
Check out Pineville's Fall Fest .
What to expect: The 26th annual festival at Jack D. Hughes Park is a family-friendly event with carnival rides, live music plus arts and crafts.
Stop by: 513 Main St. in Pineville from Oct. 17-19. Admission is free. Prices vary for the rides.
Sip on German bier at local Oktoberfest events.
Several local spots are hosting their versions of Oktoberfest.
- Enjoy traditional German fare with live music and stein-holding contests at Olde Mecklenburg Brewery’s annual Mecktoberfest happening four weekends: Sept. 13-15 and Sept. 20-22 in LoSo plus Oct. 4-6 and Oct. 11-13 in Ballantyne.
- Gilde is hosting several weekends of authentic German festivities including a stein-holding competition every Saturday starting Sept. 7.
- Shop from local vendors at Truist Field at Mecklenburg Oktoberfest on Oct. 5 from 11am-7pm, followed by the annual Pink Cupcake Walk for breast cancer.
- Sip on brews in a bar crawl starting at Slingshot on Sept. 28. Tickets are $16.99.
- Lost Worlds Brewing is bringing Munich to Metropolitan with its inaugural Oktoberfest on Sept. 14 and it's hosting a market at its Cornelius location on Sept. 21.
Get your fill of pumpkin-flavored food.
Nothing says fall like pumpkin pie, but you’d be surprised by how many other pumpkin-flavored foods you can find around this time of year.
Photo: Courtesy of Inizio Pizza
What to expect: Breakaway Music Festival has an epic lineup of artists including headliners Alesso, Marshmello and Fisher.
If you go: Tickets for two-day passes start at $164.
Photo courtesy of Prime Social Group
What to expect: The BayHaven Food & Wine Festival will return for a fourth year from Oct. 3-6 to celebrate Black chefs and industry experts from Charlotte and beyond.
If you go: There are six ticketed events, each offering unique culinary experiences in west Charlotte.
- Tickets range from $75-$150, depending on the event.
What to expect: More than 25 local bars will have drink specials throughout Uptown on Oct. 26.
- Plus, there'll be a costume contest at the end.
If you go: Tickets are $10-$25 and automatically enter you into a raffle to win prizes.
Go deeper: What’s next for Rich & Bennett’s world-famous pub crawls
What to expect: Music, performances, and for the first time ever, local mobile art pieces by local artists .
If you go: The free event starts at 5:30pm on Wednesday, Nov. 27 in Uptown.
Photo: Axios archives
Hike one of the many top-notch trails within a few hours of Charlotte.
The closest hikes to Charlotte are Crowders Mountain and Morrow Mountain , but venture west a couple of hours for the best views. Here are our top three recommendations:
- Roan Highlands – Straddling the Tennessee border, you’re treated to a feast of 360-degree views within a mile of parking.
- South Mountains State Park – It’s hard to beat waterfall views, and South Mountains State Park has plenty. The High Shoal Falls Loop Trail will take you past increasingly large cascades over its 2.5-mile course.
- Grayson Highlands – Criss-crossed by the Appalachian Trail and a half-dozen well-maintained, easy-to-follow connecting trails, the area is a hiker’s paradise, with ample backcountry and developed campsites for overnight stays as well. Plus, wild ponies (!).
Go deeper: The 16 best hikes around Charlotte
On a clear day ,
you can see the Charlotte skyline from Crowder's. Photo: Axios archives Sit outside at a vineyard.
Douglas Vineyards and Rocky River Vineyards are Charlotte’s closest vineyards, located about 30 minutes outside of the city.
Go deeper: 10 scenic vineyards within an hour of Uptown
Veronét Vineyards & Winery is about 40 minutes outside the city. Photo: Axios archives
Take a road trip to the mountains.
A mountain getaway is always a great idea, but the views during the fall are especially breathtaking. The fall foliage is just one of many attractions in the popular mountain towns of Asheville and Boone.
If you go: Leaves start changing color in late September and continue through early November.
Go deeper: How to spend 24 hours in the Blue Ridge Mountains for around $300
Consider glamping inside a dome like this one by
Big Little Clouds : A three-dome glamping site in Hillsville, V.A. Photo: McKenzie Rankin/Axios
What to expect: Windy Hill is less than an hour outside the city, making it the closest orchard to Charlotte. They have apple picking, hayrides, a hard cider bar, and their popular fried apple cider donuts.
If you go: Pick-your-own apples cost $5 for a quarter peck bag (4-6 pounds).
- Of note: To pick apples, everyone must have their own reservation and pre-purchased bag to enter the orchard.
Stop by: Windy Hill is located at 1860 Black Highway in York, South Carolina.
- Their farm stand is open Thursday through Saturday 10am-6pm and Sunday 12-6pm. The cider bar is open Friday from 12-7pm and Saturday 10am-6pm and Sunday 12-6pm.
Go deeper: 10 pick-your-own apple orchards within 2 hours of Charlotte
Photo: Axios archives
Skip down the yellow brick road to the Land of Oz.
What to expect: The Wizard of Oz theme park has vendors, food and performances that celebrate the MGM Classic.
If you go: Travel "Over the Rainbow," about 2.5 hours from Charlotte to Beech Mountain.
- The park is open Sept. 6-8, Sept. 13-15 and Sept. 20-22.
- Tickets start at $50.
Go deeper: Everything you need to know about the ‘Wizard of Oz’ theme park in Beech Mountain
Photo: Brianna Crane/Axios
What to expect: Our state fair is ranked among the top 25 fairs in the country and features live music, carnival games, rides, agricultural exhibitors and competitions.
If you go: the fair will run Oct. 17-27 at 1025 Blue Ridge Road in Raleigh .
Go deeper: Everything you need to know about the North Carolina State Fair
Photo: Axios archives
Watch hot air balloons take to the sky at Carolina Balloonfest .
What to expect: Head over to Statesville for the second-oldest balloon festival in the country.
If you go: Dozens of colorful balloons will take to the sky Oct. 18-20 at 260 Hangar Dr. , Statesville.
- Tickets start at $10 for kids and $15 for adults.
Editor's note: This guide was last updated Sept. 5, 2024, to reflect the season's latest details.
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