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This week our Smart Picks on Things to Do for Families are super festive…literally. We thought a review of the best fall festivals in Charlotte would help plan your weekends in this busy season of soccer and sports, school projects, book fairs, fundraisers and back-to-everythings. There are some you already know about here, but we think we found a few newbies for everyone’s must-do list this fall.
To kick things off, now in its 37th year of over-eating, the mac-daddy:
Yiasou Greek Festival
September 10-13 (times vary by day)
Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Cathedral
Everyone knows and everyone goes, so don’t miss the fun at this annual event, and certainly don’t miss the FOOD. Their menu is HERE and you can drive thru/pick up…yes, I can taste the loukoumades now.
Cornwell Center Family Festival
Saturday, September 12 @ 9-11:30am
Myers Park Baptist Church
Family fun with inflatables, a climbing wall, and dunking booth and more. Perfect start to your Saturday.
Fiddle-n-Pig Shindig
September 11 & 12 (times vary)
Anne Springs Close Greenway Ft Mill SC
Live music and barbeque…say no more. Cook teams from across the region to compete for trophies and prize money and some of the best bluegrass acts in the Carolinas. This year, Chatham County Line headlines Friday night and the music starts at 11am on Saturday.
Cabarrus County Fair
September 11-19 (times vary by day)
Cabarrus Arena & Events Center in Concord NC
What a good ol’ county fair should be…food, rides, music, etc., and FUN for the whole family.
Mint Museum Potters Market Invitational
September 12 @ 10am-4pm
Mint Museum Randolph
More than 50 North Carolina potters gather on the lawn of the Mint Museum Randolph to sell their creations. There will be pottery demonstrations, food, live music, and more, and your ticket is also valid for museum admission.
Festival of India
September 12 & 13 (times vary)
Blumenthal Performing Arts Center
Check out the 21st year of this cultural festival presented by the Indian Association of Charlotte. Dance, art, exhibits and film. Children under 10 get FREE admission.
The Southern Sauce Beer, Bar-B-Que & Bands Festival
September 18 & 19
Romare Bearden Park
Beer, BBQ & live music, plus kids’ activities on Saturday…don’t miss this fun. See The Gin Blossoms and Simplified. Nuf said.
Festa Italiana 2015
September 19 @ 11am-5pm
Raffaldini Vineyards – Ronda, NC
Wine tastings, music, face painting, jugglers and lots of family (or adults if you make it a date day) fun.
Downtown Davidson Art Crawl
September 19 @ 5-8pm
Downtown Davidson
The Sanctuary of Davidson sponsors this event where you can enjoy live music, wine, beer, and over 25 artisans displaying and selling their pieces.
Fall Auto Fair
September 24-27 : Times vary each day
Charlotte Motor Speedway
Car lovers, don’t miss it. Vendors, a kids’ play zone, fair food and more.
Festival in the Park
September 25-27 – Times vary by day
Freedom Park
Truly one of the BEST weekends in Charlotte. Festival in the Park celebrates 51 years with food, art and fun for all.
Mount Holly Art & Music Festival
September 25 @ 6-10pm, September 26 @ 11am-10pm
Downtown Mount Holly
This festival has it all. Live music, awesome artists on display, food, and a kidzone complete with fencing, yoga, crafts and more.
Day Out With Thomas the Train
September 25-27 & October 2-4
NC Transportation Museum in Spencer NC
Tickets always go fast for this annual event. If you have Thomas fans (or train fans), don’t miss out on the great family event.
Piedmont Pottery Festival
September 26 @ 10am-4pm
Historic Brattonsville
Art vendors, bluegrass music, pottery educations and barbeque…enjoy.
St. Ann’s Parish 19th Annual Carnival
September 26 @ 10am-6pm
St. Ann’s Catholic Church
Enjoy carnival food, games, rides, activities, church tours and more. Great fun for the whole family.
Kaleidoscope Art Festival
September 26 @ 12-4pm
Downtown Kannapolis
Enjoy this FREE festival with art vendors, food vendors, a kids zone and art displays.
The Denver Days Festival
September 30-October 3: Times vary by day
Downtown Denver
The Rotary Club of Denver Lake Norman sponsors this annual family-friendly festival.
Hola Charlotte 2015
October 3
North Tryon & 6th Street in Uptown Charlotte
Don’t miss this FREE festival, known as Charlotte’s Official Hispanic Heritage Festival.
Christ Church Fall Festival
October 3 @ 10am-1pm
Christ Episcopal Church
Bounce houses, balloon animals, arts and crafts, and more.
Pineville FallFest
October 16 @ 6-10pm, October 17 @ 10am-10pm
Pineville Lake Park
Music, rides, food, arts & crafts and LOTS of family fun.
Carolina Balloonfest
October 16-18 – Times Vary by Day
Statesville, NC
Don’t miss this annual festival filled with hot air balloon fun. Food, music, balloon rides, a 5K, a kids’ zone and more!
40th Annual UNCC International Festival
October 17 @ 10am-6pm
UNCC Main Campus
Dancing, parades, food, an international marketplace and FIREWORKS are all part of the plan for this event.
Lost Hollow Music Festival 2015
October 17 @ 10am, October 18 @ Noon
Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden
So much musical fun for the whole family. Kids can make their own instruments while the grown ups enjoy craft beer and cornhole.
