School has already started in many districts and the summer is winding down. That means cooler weather and fall festivals are on the way!
The Charlotte area is well-known for having a variety of fun and family-friendly events available throughout the city and throughout the year, but fall is especially a fun time for the city and surrounding areas. Here are a few activities scheduled for this upcoming fall that will keep you and the whole family entertained from September to November. Mark your calendars!
August 30 – September 2
Stumptown Park
The Matthews Alive Festival is a Labor Day weekend celebration dedicated to the support of local non-profit organizations. The 2019 Matthews Alive Festival will be held Friday, August 30th – Monday, September 2nd. Over 150,000 festivalgoers from throughout the region gather in Matthews’ historic downtown for a weekend of festival fun with rides, food vendors, and arts and crafts.
September 5 – 8
Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Cathedral
The Yiasou Greek Festival began in 1978 and since then has become one of Charlotte’s largest cultural events. It’s easy to attend the Yiasou Greek Festival and enjoy tasty food, entertainment, dance competitions and exhibitions, church tours, lectures, cooking demonstrations, shopping, kids playland and more.
For months prior to the event, Charlotte area cooks and restaurants prepare desserts and plated meal components that are a staple for festival-goers. Tickets are $3 and are available in advance or at the gate.
September 6 – 14
Cabarrus Arena & Events Center
Relive the traditional county fair of your youth at the Cabarrus County Fair. Think giant Ferris wheel, deep-fried everything and livestock competitions. The fair promises to have activities that are fun for all ages!
World L!t Street Food Festival
Saturday, September 7th
Charlotte, NC
The World L!t Street Food Festival is unique gastronomic, audio-packed, experience will have authentic cuisine from various regions of the world. Featuring street food from countries including Brazil, Vietnam, India, and Mexico. The festival boasts live bands performing including Samba Pagode (Brazil), Eritrean Pop (Eritrea), Salsa (Latin America), and Roots Reggae (Jamaica). Come out and party to DJ sets spinning music from India, the Caribbean, Africa and more!
Saturdays & Sundays, September 14 – October 27
Carowinds
Filled with everything that makes fall a cheerful time of year and just enough spooky fun for little ghosts and goblins, Carowinds puts the “WEE!” in kids’ Halloween events with the Great Pumpkin Fest. This event is free with admission to the park, and includes fall-tastic activities galore in Camp Snoopy and two additional areas in the park, providing even more Halloween activities for kids and families than ever before.
September 20 – 22
Freedom Park
This is the 55th year for this trademark event. Festival in the Park is Charlotte’s premier arts and crafts festival, attracting 200 artists across numerous mediums from around the world. Attendees can stroll around the park’s lake to get a glimpse of the work of the artisans and enjoy a plethora of food choices. In addition to visual arts, enjoy live performances from the Children's Theatre of Charlotte, the Carolina Raptor Center, the Carolina Clowns, the Charlotte Folk Society, and the Jazz Arts Initiative.
Downtown Davidson Fall Art Festival
Saturday, September 21
Downtown Davidson
There’s something for everyone at this local art festival hosted in downtown Davidson. Stroll the streets and enjoy over 40 of the area’s best artisans. Expect to find a wide variety of pottery, jewelry, photography, fine art, metal work, textiles and more.
UNC Charlotte International Festival
Saturday, September 21
UNC Charlotte Campus, Barnhardt Student Activity Center
For 43 years, UNC Charlotte has been celebrating its diverse international student body and faculty with this one-day festival that honors the culture of over 50 countries. Enjoy cultural booths, music, dance, hands-on games and other activities that showcase international flavors. Admission and parking for the event are free.
September 21 – 22
U.S. National Whitewater Center
Escape to the U.S. National Whitewater Center’s inaugural Flow Fest, a wellness-focused event that invites attendees to enjoy more than 20 yoga practices, wine, kombucha and more in the USNWC’s beautiful outdoor spaces. The event also features guided nature meditation, a three-course Ayurvedic dining experience, moonlit yoga and on-site overnight camping. Live music kicks off in the evening. As with all Whitewater festivals, Flow Fest is free and open to the public. The majority of the practices and workshops have no cost, but participation in Flow Fest programming requires a festival registration.
Sunday, September 22
Birkdale Village
Birkdale Village's annual food festival features over 15 restaurants and food trucks, two beer gardens pouring local beers and wines, and plenty of live music. Proceeds from the event benefits Hospice and Palliative Care Lake Norman.
September 25 – 29
Ayrsley Grand Cinemas
Named “Best Festival” by Charlotte Magazine, The Charlotte Film Festival celebrates its 11th anniversary of bringing independent films to the masses this year. The theme of the festival is “discover different,” and prizes are awarded in the categories of documentary, narrative feature, student narrative and social justice.
‘Tawba Walk Arts & Music Festival
Saturday, September 28
Oak Street Mill
Held twice a year, the ‘Tawba Walk Arts & Music Festival prides itself on showcasing only artisans, breweries, performers and food vendors from the greater Lake Norman and Charlotte regions. Occurring on two stages, live art performances are the event’s signature. But there’s truly something for the entire family to enjoy at the festival including bounce houses, face-painting, arts & crafts, gaga ball, giant bubbles and much more!
ArtWalk & MusicFest of Matthews
Saturday, September 28
Downtown Matthews
Formerly known as Artfest, the ArtWalk & MusicFest will bring more art and music to the center of the green in downtown Matthews, NC. This event has been going strong for over 33 years.
ArtWalk and MusicFest of Matthews includes an Arts & Crafts Market, live music and dance performances, a Sip & Stroll (with mimosas, wine & beer), snack vendors, a High School Art Exhibit and a Hands-on-Art area for children to enjoy!
October 4 – October 5
Rescue Squad Park
Denver Days is a community event in Denver, NC started by a group of local leaders who had a goal of building a community park in Denver. 2019 marks the 17th year having the festival, now in its permanent home at the Rescue Squad Park. The festival includes music, inflatable attractions for the kids, beer and wine and food trucks. The music and inflatables are free of charge.
Saturday, October 5
University City comes alive for kids and kids-at-heart every fall for this annual event. Fueled by imagination, creativity, and giggles, the Charlotte Kids Fest will inspire and motivate young minds with professional artistic, creative, playful, and educational experiences. Enjoy the outdoors of UNC Charlotte’s campus with hands-on activities, performers, food trucks, and more!
Fall Festival at the U.S. National Whitewater Center
Saturday, October 5
U.S. National Whitewater Center
The Whitewater Center’s Fall Festival features races, fall-themed yoga sessions, seasonal cider sampling, and its signature Build Your Own Boat (BYOB) Competition. Break out the blanket or lawn chair and cheer on your favorite boat as teams bring their homemade vessels to the whitewater river. Using DIY materials and objects, teams must make it through the challenging whitewater rapids and win over the crowd with their costumes. As with all Whitewater festivals at the USNWC, Fall Festival is free to attend and open to the public.
Saturdays & Sundays, October 5 – November 24
Huntersville
The costumes are just one great part of the Carolina Renaissance Festival. Originally introduced in 1994, this popular festival features over 100 vendors selling a variety of handmade arts and craft goods such as handmade jewelry, artisan leather goods, blown glass made at live demonstrations, candles, and custom chain mail. The festival vends an assortment of medieval themed foods, including giant turkey legs, various soups, stews, and chowders.
Alongside the shops one can find games such as archery target-shooting, crossbow shooting, axe throwing, frog catapults and a gold coin hunt. Weddings and vow renewal ceremonies are also held on site, with ceremonies attended by the cast of the Royal Court and a covered pavilion reserved for the couple.
Saturday, October 12
Uptown
Celebrate National Hispanic Heritage Month in Charlotte with the Hola Charlotte Festival. The region’s largest Hispanic heritage event brings together the culture of 15 Latin American countries through authentic foods, dance performances and a cultural pavilion for hands-on experiences.
October 12 – 13
Uptown
Celebrating its 25th year, this Uptown festival celebrates the diversity of Indian culture through performances of traditional Indian and Bollywood dances, film screenings, and an art gallery. Vendors offer Indian foods and souvenirs for sale, and a Kids Art Pavilion allows children to create India-inspired crafts under the guidance of a local artist.
October 17 – 19
Charlotte Motor Speedway
Looking to sell that antique car you’ve been restoring over the past few years? Want to buy the muscle car of your dreams? Check out the Charlotte AutoFair’s car corral. There’s also a flea market where you can shop for hard-to-find parts and automotive memorabilia.
Saturday, October 19
Downtown Lincolnton
The Lincoln County Apple Festival attracts more than 80,000 visitors to charming downtown Lincolnton every September. The festival is the product of a volunteer board of directors dedicated to the original concept: celebration all that Lincoln County and the region has to offer in a safe, family-friendly atmosphere. The Festival features five local apple growers, a farmer’s market, local talent on two stages, foods that include whole apple pies, kid’s activities, and more than 250 vendors with crafts and exhibits to delight all ages.
October 18 – 19
Belle Johnston Community Center, Pineville
From pie-baking contests to pie-eating contests, the fun doesn’t get any more wholesome than the Pineville Fall Fest. The fest also serves up all the carnival rides, games and foods your heart desires.
October 18 – 20
Statesville Regional Airport
Check riding a hot air balloon off your bucket list at the annual Carolina BalloonFest. The festival allows festival-goers to get up close and personal with these wonders of flight. Ballooning activities include static display, tethered rides, an evening balloon glow, pilot meet and greets, and balloon flights (scheduled twice daily!). Kick back and watch the flights and sights, live music, Artisan Village, food and craft beer and wine and more.
Saturday, October 19
South End
Voted by Charlotte magazine as the city’s best wine event two years in a row, the South End Wine Fest is the place to be. Enjoy at least 4 hours of wine, beer and cider tastings, live music and food trucks. The event features unlimited wine tastings from over 25 vineyards spanning from North Carolina to Northern Italy and everywhere in between. Proceeds benefit Classroom Central and their mission to equip students living in poverty to effectively learn.
Saturday, Oct. 19
Main St., Waynesville
Hailed as one of the 10 Best Fall Harvest Festivals in the Nation, this festival is a celebration of the autumn harvest. Countless booths of fresh apple pies, tarts, caramel apples, ciders, jewelry, pottery and yard art will be present. Try your hand at hand-cranking ice cream or pressing apple cider, then taste the fruit of your labor. Live music, dancing, crafts and old-fashioned games abound!
Saturday, October 26
Downtown Mint Hill
Get into the fall spirit at Mint Hill’s inaugural Fall Harvest Festival. Gather your family, friends or coworkers and participate in the scarecrow decorating contest. Take your photo in the pumpkin patch. Race through the obstacle course. There’s also a children’s arts and crafts center where kids can paint rocks like those hidden throughout Mint Hill.
Saturday, October 26
Lexington, N.C.
As any connoisseur knows, Lexington, North Carolina is the Barbecue Capital of the world. The Annual Barbecue Festival has been recognized nationally, regionally, and state wide for its excellence. After you sample the barbecue, enjoy music, craft vendors, a car show and more.
Saturday, Nov. 16
The Carole Hoefener Center
One of the largest fall festivals in the Queen City, this one-day event includes performances, games, food, drinks, bake sale, face painting and activities, crafts and vendors, plus door prizes and giveaways. Admission is free.
Know of any other fun fall activities in Charlotte, NC? Leave me a comment and let me know!
Sharetha M. Holman is a licensed NC real estate broker with Apex Realty of the Carolinas, Inc, primarily serving the Charlotte NC and surrounding areas. Connect with me on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter!
To start your home search today, visit Apex Realty of the Carolinas.com.