The 2024 Fall Festival Line-Up is here and waiting to be added to your calendar… We’ve rounded up dozens of fun festivals near or in Charlotte for Fall 2024. Lots more info to come, as we’ll update this post with all the latest details but while you wait we also feature weekly news & to do’s in our Thursday e-blast. Sign up here if you haven’t already ’cause you know you need the scoop!
August Festivals
Hummingbird Festival
August 12 – 18, 2024
August may mean we are nearing the end of summer and approaching fall, but regardless of the season, the beautiful birds of the Hummingbird Festival are a must see. This week long festival offers a series of events for learning, observing, and creating with everyone’s favorite tiny birds. Mostly at the Quest and Reedy Creek Nature Centers, check out their event calendar now to enroll before these nature inspired activities fill up!
NC BeachBlast Festival in Kings Mountain
August 17th, 2024, 12:00 – 10:00 PM
Yes it’s a drive, but it was awarded “Event of the Year” by Carolina Beach Music Awards, so if You Love Beach Music, you’ll want to make the trek to this one. Check out the music line up at the link and head to Kings Mountain for live music, food trucks, local vendors and more!
Charlotte Pride Festival & Parade
August 17 – 18, 2024
Charlotte’s largest street festival and parade returns to Uptown Charlotte on August 17th. Check out the entertainment line up here to see what’s happening during Pride Week! This year’s fest includes a variety of national, regional, and local entertainers, musicians, bands, and hundreds of participating vendor booths, including art exhibits, local nonprofits, retailers, a food court, and more, along with Flourish: A Celebration of LGBTQ Arts & Culture in the Wells Fargo Atrium – Uptown.
Matthews Alive Labor Day Festival
August 30 – September 2nd 2024
A Parade | Rides, games, carnival midway | Weekend of Music & Entertainment
Join in on the iconic fifty year old festival that is held in Matthews annually during Labor Day weekend. This festival is a full weekend affair, leaving you plenty of time to enjoy all this four day event has to offer. With family activities, great food, arts, and fantastic entertainment, there is truly something for everybody at Matthews Alive!
September Festivals
Yiasou Greek Festival
September 6 – 8, 2024
The Yiasou (the Greek word for Hello, Goodbye and Cheers) Greek Festival features Hellenic cultural exhibits, authentic Greek cuisine and homemade pastries, entertainment, live music and dancing, wine tastings, art, shopping and more. Come prepared with your appetite as this festival is known for its impressive Mediterranean dishes that are not only delicious, but known for their healthy qualities. Enjoy some folk dancing with live music while you savor a fresh gyro or chicken pita. And of course, save room for dessert with an order of homemade baklava.
Cabarrus County Fair
September 6 – 14, 2024
In the land of sugar and smiles, you will find live music performances, thrilling rides, exciting games, a ranch style petting zoo, delicious food, racing pigs, karaoke, sporting events, and memories to last a lifetime. The fairgrounds are located at the Cabarrus Arena and Events Center on Highway 49 in Concord. Opening day will commence on Friday, September 6th and doors will open at 4:00 PM!
Charlotte International Arts Festival
September 13 – September 29th, 2024
The Charlotte International Arts Festival is an annual celebration of imaginative visual and performing arts from the most creative international and local minds. Fun for everyone, from families to individuals ~ stay awhile, play, and welcome curiosity. With over 200 attractions, many for free, this festival has something for everyone that will be sure to leave you feeling inspired.
Mecktoberfest at OMB
September 13 – 15 | September 20 – 22 | October 4 – 6 | October 11 – 13
Get ready for double the fun and festivities at OMB’s 2024 Mecktoberfest! This year, we’re spreading the excitement across FOUR weekends, including Ballantyne’s inaugural Mecktoberfest and LoSo’s continued tribute to tradition. Dive into delicious German cuisine, enjoy live music in our Biergartens, and test your strength in our thrilling stein holding contests.
Charlotte Brunch Festival
September 14th, 2024
Charlotte’s Brunch Festival returns this year with a special Pop-Up as they partner with Charlotte International Arts Festival. The full line up will be announced soon, but in the meantime you can expect brunch bites, bunch inspired cocktails, live entertainment, photo ops, and of course, all the brunch vibes.
Flow Fest
Saturday, September 14th at Whitewater Center
Practices | Workshops | Schedules
Flow Fest is an annual one-day festival centered around the practice of yoga and wellness. Whether you are an experienced yogi or just getting started on the mat, Flow Fest offers more than 40 different practices to engage guests of all experience levels. Embrace a day dedicated to mindfulness while enjoying speciality workshops, local vendors, kombucha, live music, and of course, the great outdoors. Flow Fest is free to attend, but does require registration. The Whitewater Center has a daily parking fee of $6 per vehicle.
Festival of India
September 14 – Noon to 8:00 PM | September 15 – Noon to 6:00 PM
The vibrant and colorful Festival of India is a cultural attraction boasting performances with traditional Indian dances, exhibits, visual arts, souvenir bazaar, Indian food court, and an art pavilion hosting a kid’s art competition. The core mission of the festival is to highlight and share the rich cultural diversity of the land of India with friends and neighbors at large around the Carolinas.
Day one at the Belk Theater, features captivating performances blending Bollywood glamour and classical Indian dance, with breathtaking choreography and soul-stirring music. Explore vibrant showcases of art, crafts, attire, and cuisine from across India, and shop for Indian clothing and jewelry outside on Tryon Street.
Day two at the Ballantyne Backyard, experience cultural immersion and exploration at the Festival of India, set amidst natural rolling hills and lush greenery. Enjoy live workshops, learn Indian dance moves, and try your hand at traditional Rangoli-making. Indulge in the intricate art of henna design or adorn yourself in a luxurious silk.
Cornelius Festival of Cultures
September 14th, 2024 | 3:00 to 6:00 PM
This event is a great opportunity for people to experience the many cultures that make up Cornelius and the surrounding areas. Attendees can enjoy delicious food, drink, and beer/wine vendors, handmade items from various arts and craft vendors, live performances from local groups, kids’ crafts, and more! Located at Cain Park (21336 Catawba Avenue) from 3:00 to 6:00 PM.
Davidson Fall Arts Festival
September 14th, 2024 | 4:00 to 8:00 PM
The annual Davidson Fall Arts Festival is the perfect event to enjoy local artwork, live music, and delicious food that will make for a lovely fall evening. Located in the Historic Downtown Davidson and South Main Square, bring the whole family out to shop local and support homemade.
Roaring Riot Kickoff Jam at Noda Brewing
September 14th, 2024 | 2:00 to 10:30 PM
We are excited to bring in top national recording artists like Moon Taxi & The Nude Party and mix in some of Charlotte’s best groups to bring you a full day of amazing jams! Panthers legends Jonathan Stewart, Mike Rucker & Captain Munnerlyn as well as current RB1 Chuba Hubbard will be LIVE and IN PERSON for you to get autographs from, take pictures with, and you can test your football prowess with a multitude of football games and other fun activities all included in your Kickoff Jam ticket! And you know we always have some surprises up our sleeve so you won’t want to miss out when our special guests show up!
For more information about Roaring Riot Kickoff Jam 2024, please visit https://kickoffjam.com/ and follow us on Instagram.
Festival In The Park in Freedom Park
Friday, September 20, 2024 4:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Saturday, September 21, 2024 10:00 AM – 9:00 PM
Sunday, September 22, 2024 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Welcome to Festival in the Park’s 60th annual event that you surely do not want to miss. Situated in Freedom Park with string lights reflecting over the lake and live music drifting across the way, the relaxing atmosphere of this artistic festival is the perfect place to enjoy beautiful artists, band performances, and a variety of food.
Latin American Festival
Saturday, September 21, 2024 | 12:00 – 8:00 PM
The Latin American Festival is known for its authentic Latin cuisine, cultural villas, and sensational performances by Eddy Herrera that will lead to an unforgettable day. Don’t miss out on this unique experience to celebrate the riches of the Latin American culture and connect with community!
UNC Charlotte International Festival
September 21st, 2024
The International Festival is centered around booths arranged in colorful marketplace style representing the cultures of over 35 nations. The booths are staffed by UNC Charlotte international students and members of Charlotte’s international community and feature art, crafts and costumes from each participating country. Many booths offer international food for sale. Festival entry and parking are FREE! The International Festival is open to the public. We highly recommend you consider bringing cash with you to the event. While some booths may accept credit cards, many only accept cash; there are several ATMs on campus, but in past years, the lines can be quite long!
Charlotte Fall Beer Festival
September 21st, 1:00 – 4:00 PM | The Lot at NoDa Brewing Co.
From the hosts of the Charlotte Brewfest comes the Charlotte Fall Beer Festival, with unlimited sampling of beer and cider made by 25+ national, regional, and local craft breweries and vote for the Best Fall Beer and Best Fall Cider. There will also be delicious food from some of Charlotte’s most popular food trucks, live music, and a variety of activities to enjoy (including a stein-holding competition).
Charlotte Film Festival
September 24 – September 29, 2024
The Charlotte Film Festival strives to bring the most innovative independent cinema to Charlotte, NC for their festival patrons and film enthusiasts from neighboring states. The Festival has evolved, but what remains consistent is their mission to “DISCOVER DIFFERENT” and to provide the highest quality festival experience for filmmakers and audience members alike.
CharlOz Festival
September 26th – 29th, 2024
Explore how L. Frank Baum’s fairy tale timelessly reflects American values with its vast array of characters through a variety of experiences including: Gregory Maguire, author of Wicked, giving CharlOz’s opening talk at the Knight Theater, Exhibits at the Projective Eye Gallery (at The Dubois Center at UNC Charlotte Center City) and the Popp Martin Student Union on campus), Gaming and virtual reality experiences, hands-on creative opportunities, and discussions led by Oz experts from around the country in the UNC Charlotte’s J. Murrey Atkins Library, Vendors at The Market at 7th Street on Saturday and Sunday, and much more!
Breakaway Music Festival
September 27 – 28, 2024
The Breakaway Music Festival comes to Charlotte at zMAX Dragway at Charlotte Motor Speedway with live and in-person music LINE UP HERE.
Charlotte Wine & Food Festival
September 28, 2024, 12:00 – 6:00 PM | Symphony Park at SouthPark Mall
Come out and enjoy the afternoon! See what over 100,000 guests in Charlotte have enjoyed over the years. Taste hundreds of local, national, and international wines, along with beers and spirits in a relaxed setting. The wines are fine, just served in a fun environment…
Farm to Fork Picnic at Daniel Stowe Botanical Gardens
September 29, 2024 | 4:00 to 7:00 PM
Enjoy over 25 different tasting stations, where chefs and farmers have been paired together to create and craft a dish for you featuring one of the many delicious locally sourced ingredients available in our region.
Not only is the Farm to Fork festival a delicious way to spend an afternoon, it also benefits, NC farmers. The event is a celebration of our local food community and the people who work so hard to bring delicious local foods to our plates year-round!
October Festivals
Tricks and Treats at Carowinds
Saturdays and Sundays, September 14 to October 27, 2024
Everyone in the family is sure to have a boo-last with our spooky, kooky Halloween activities, live shows, a costume contest, seasonal food and drinks, and, of course, candy!
If that’s not fang-tastic enough, you will also enjoy your favorite rides and attractions throughout the park. More spooky details to come!
FabFest, Charlotte’s Beatles Festival
October 4 – 5th, 2024
FabFest is a weekend celebration of Beatles music unlike anything previously staged in the Southeast. Two nights and one day of a fully immersive Beatles journey: from live music to memorabilia, Beatles Yoga to Beatles Contests and much more… you won’t want to miss this multi-generational experience.
FabFest 2024 includes two evening concerts at Knight Theater in Uptown Charlotte, plus FabFest Daytime – a full day of live music, memorabilia, speakers and activities that you do not want to miss!
Concord International Festival
Saturday, October 5, 2024
Enjoy a world mosaic of different countries and cultures at the Concord International Festival on Saturday, October 5th, 2024, in Downtown Concord. Be amazed by colorful ethnic performances, enjoy arts and crafts from around the world, taste exquisite international food, experience cultural booths and education, and have your children play at our kids’ corner with internationally-inspired attractions. Fun for the entire family. Free admission.
Carolina Renaissance Festival
October 5 – November 24, 2024 | Saturdays and Sundays, 9:30 to 5:30 PM
Take a step back in time at the Carolina Renaissance Festival, where there’s no shortage of medieval-themed entertainment, including jousting, falconry, games, and rides. Plus there’s an artisan market full of handcrafted items and crafts. The annual Carolina Renaissance Festival returns Saturdays and Sundays, from October 5th through November 24th, 2024. The Festival day kicks off with a pre-Opening Gate Show at 9:10 a.m. and gates are open from 9:30 a.m. until 5:30 p.m.
Hola Charlotte Festival
October 5th, 2024 | 12:00 to 6:00 PM
Hola Charlotte is the largest Hispanic Heritage celebration in Charlotte, highlighting Latin American culture and all its diversity. Latin American bands and artists, family activities, and local talent all come together to make this festival a showcase of authentic tradition and cultural heritage that you don’t want to miss.
Charlotte VegFest
October 12th, 12:00 PM – 6:00 PM | VIP Entry starts at 11:00 AM
What started in a small parking lot with a handful of vendors in 2012 has grown to 100+ vendors and thousands of visitors every year. Charlotte Vegfest is a family-friendly celebration of a healthy, sustainable, and compassionate lifestyle and explores the endless benefits of vegan living. Charlotte Vegfest brings together national, regional, and local veg-minded businesses for a broad mix of old and new favorites!
Fall for Matthews in Downtown Matthews
Saturday, October 12, 2024 from 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
“Fall” in love with Matthews during this Fall Festival!
Expect Arts & Crafts Vendors, Business Vendors, Food Vendors, a DJ and Live Music,
a Sip & Stroll, a Pumpkin Patch, Petting Zoo and a Children’s Area. The event is FREE and open to the public to attend and will be on, rain or shine!
Fall South End Wine & Hops Festival
October 12, 2024 | 1:00 PM to 6:00 PM
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Considered many Charlotteans “favorite event of the year”, your ticket will include 4+ hours of boundless sampling of wines, ciders, craft beers, and cocktails! Local bands such as The Abraham Staten Experience, food trucks and pop-up shops, and early admission/VIP options will ensure your experience at the South End Wine & Hops Festival is truly unforgettable!
Pineville Fall Fest
October 17 – 19th, 2024
The 26th Annual Pineville Fall Fest encapsulates all the bests part of fall; with live music, carnival rides, pie eating contest, chili cook off, fireworks, arts and crafts vendors, and more!
Hosted at Jack D. Hughes Park, located at 513 Main Street, Pineville, NC from 6:00 to 10:00 PM on October 17th and 18th, and 10:00 AM to 10:00 PM on the 19th.
Mint Hill Madness Festival
- Thursday, October 17, 2024 | 4:00 pm – 9:00 pm
- Friday, October 18, 2024 | 4:00 pm – 10:00 pm
- Saturday, October 19, 2024 | 11:00 am – 10:00 pm
Mint Hill Madness at Veterans Memorial Park is a festival to celebrate the founding of the Town. Mint Hill Madness has something for everyone in the family; delicious food; great music ranging from country to rock; a fantastic family carnival; the Miss Mint Hill Scholarship Pageant, the Mint Hill Lion’s Club 5K and of course, a spectacular firework show on Saturday at 9:30 pm.
Carolina Balloonfest, Statesville
October 18 – 20, 2024
Save the date for Carolina’s epic Hot Air Balloon Festival that is approaching nearly fifty years of vibrant, floating fun.
The three-day event will feature special hot air balloon shapes, competitions, three mass ascensions, evening balloon glows, festival food, beer and wine garden, live music, kid’s activities (inflatables, magic show, bungee jump), and more!
You can also book a full ride on one of the hot air balloons, or take a tethered balloon ride that rises 30 to 50 feet while being anchored to the ground (on a first come first serve basis).
Check out the full schedule for Carolina BalloonFest here.
Fort Mill Fall Festival
October 19th, 2024 | 3:00 to 7:00 PM
Get ready for an afternoon filled with food, fun, and all things Fall with our Fort Mill Fall Festival on Saturday, October 19th, 2024! The event will be held at the For Mill Amphitheater & Water Elisha Park, 345 N. White Street, from 3:00 to 7:00 PM.
The afternoon begins at 3 p.m. with live music at the Fort Mill Amphitheater. Then, join us in front of the amphitheater stage at 4:30 p.m. for costume contests for ages birth to adult. The evening continues at 5:30 p.m. with music from Six One Five Collective featuring a musical mix of Country, Americana, Folk and Pop. Visit our vendors for special activities and giveaways and enjoy delicious foods, drinks and snacks from our many food trucks!
Frank’s Chili Fest
October 19th, Rain or Shine | Noon – 4:00 PM
Head to Plaza Midwood for an afternoon of chili-tasting and support the mission of Frank McLean Forever. This annual Chili fest is a community street festival raising funds for unexplained pediatric death research and family grief support. A $20 donation gets you a wristband for all the chili you can taste! End the evening watching the Charlotte skyline turn yellow in honor of the organization and its families.
Charlotte Chalk Art Festival
October 19-20, 2024
The Annual Charlotte Chalk Art Festival (CCAF) features a friendly competition between local and regional chalk art artists ages 12+ (youth individuals and youth teams of up to three), and ages 18+ (adult individuals). All competitors must APPLY, BY OCTOBER 6th.
This FREE two-day event will be held outside at NoDa Brewing Company North End, 150 W 32nd Street, Charlotte, NC 28206. Festival-goers will have the opportunity to watch a colorful street art gallery come to life. A variety of music offerings, family-friendly fun activities, food, beverages, arts, crafts, and retail vendors will be on hand for all to patronize.
40th Lexington Barbecue Festival
October 26, 2024 | 8:30 AM to 5:30 PM
Celebrating & Serving One Style of Barbecue … Lexington Style! More than 250+ vendors, six entertainment stages, street performers, a children’s area, a 50-ton Pig-themed Sand Sculpture, Car shows, a Dinosaur Exhibit, a Bicycle Stunt Show, and much more! Located on Main Street, Lexington, NC with free admission and a barbecue menu like no other!
Biketoberfest
October 27th, 2024
Biketoberfest is your unique opportunity to explore our city on an epic, family-friendly scavenger hunt as you walk, run, or bike along a designated route and collect goodies and raffle tickets along the way!
Years ago, Sustain Charlotte started Biketoberfest to inspire hundreds of people to get around Charlotte without driving. Since then, our adventure race has become one of our biggest fundraising events of the year. This means that in one fun-filled day, YOU can help make a direct impact toward building a more healthy, equitable, and vibrant community for generations to come.
November Festivals
Whiskey, Wine & Fire Fest
November 2nd, 2024
This exclusive foodie celebration will feature: Whiskey Bars, Elegant Wines & Cocktails, Great Music, Tented Food Stations, Food Trucks, & Restaurants and Intimate Fire-pits throughout. Relax Around the Fire Gardens and enjoy an inspired take on fire-kissed BBQ, open fire cooking, specialty grilling, and drink pairings. Please dress appropriately, the event is outdoors. General admission is from 5:00 to 9:00 PM with VIP access starting at 4:00 PM. See you there!
Pawsitively Matthews Festival
November 2nd, 2024 | 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM
A fun day for dogs and their people in Stumptown Park!
Pet-friendly vendors line the park, along with food trucks, demo areas and more!
Come hang out with your dog, do some shopping, have a craft beer in the fall sunshine, and spend the day listening to some great tunes in the park! Live music on the Lee Myers Stage at 12:00 Noon & 2:00 PM.
Rural Hill Sheepdog Trials
November 2 – 3rd, 2024
The Sheepdog Trials and Dog Festival at Historic Rural Hill is an annual event that showcases the incredible skill and intelligence of sheepdogs as they compete in a variety of challenges. As well as having a variety of pet vendors and dog adoptions. The Sheepdog Trials feature a series of competitive events designed to test the dogs’ herding abilities, obedience, and agility. Spectators can expect to see the dogs expertly maneuvering through a series of obstacles, responding to their handlers’ commands with precision and speed.
In addition to the trials themselves, the event will also feature a variety of other activities and attractions, including food and drink vendors, merchant vendors, pet adoptions, and demonstrations by skilled dog trainers. Attendees will have the opportunity to meet the dogs and their handlers, learn about the history and training of sheepdogs.
