Some folks welcome the Fall season for the return of pumpkin spiced lattes and other pumpkin-flavored treats. Others get excited about the return of the crisp weather and colorful leaves. You can enjoy both, though, at the collection of festivals in this roundup of Fall things to do in Charlotte.
A fixture in Freedom Park since 1964, Festival in the Park sees artists showcasing their work in tented booths surrounding the lake. You can also take part in workshops, enjoy performances by local musicians or dance troupes, take the kids to the amusement area, and get your annual fill of fried dough and other fair food. The 58th Annual Festival in the Park runs from Sept 16th to 18th and is open 4 – 9 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m. – 9 p.m. Saturday, and 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Sunday.
For a more meditative festival experience, check out the Flow Fest at the Whitewater Center. This U.S. National Whitewater Center event features a full lineup of different yoga classes for the public. You can also enjoy live music, sample kombucha, and check out local vendors between your downward dogs and Namastes. Starts Sept. 17th with the first session at 8:30 a.m. and an evening Glow Yoga at 8:30 p.m.
This sprawling festival features a wide range of live performances and artistic displays over several weeks. You can find things to do in Charlotte’s Romare Bearden Park, the new Ballantyne’s Backyard, on-stage at the Belk Theater or Booth Playhouse, and at other venues. Many festival events are free, but some do have ticket prices. Check out the more than 200 attractions on tap from Sept. 16th to Oct. 2nd.
Now in its fifth year in Charlotte, this two-day touring multi-genre music festival tailors its lineup to the local audience. The Queen City’s headliners this year include acts such as Illenium, Tiësto, The Kid Laroi, and Quinn XCII. Tickets start at $79 for the Sept. 30th and Oct. 1st event at zMAX Dragway, Charlotte Motor Speedway, Concord.
Huzzah! Get ready to don your Renaissance finery and enjoy jousting knights or comic jests. Take a trip to Huntersville on Saturdays and Sundays Oct. 1st – Nov. 20th and travel back to the Village of Fairhaven where royalty and peasants mingle to experience theatre, comedy, arts and crafts, games, and more. Partake in a drumstick or a mug of mead when not throwing tomatoes at someone hurling insults back at you or trying your hand at archery. Tickets start at $32 for ages 13 and up.
Truist Field, home to the Charlotte Knights, is the new home base for this annual food festival. You can buy tokens to try all kinds of different foods offered up by Charlotte area restaurants, bakeries, and breweries. There are also kid’s activities and live music at this Sept. 30th – Oct. 2nd event.
Travel to Cornelius to enjoy the races at Ramsey Creek Park. Along with teams pulling these slender dragon boats across Lake Norman, there’s an Asian Festival showcasing cultural heritage along with music and dance performances. Free, Oct. 8th from 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Have you ever wanted to sail above the city in a hot air balloon? The 47th annual Carolina BalloonFest is a chance for you to get off the ground. Or simply visit this Statesville festival, Oct. 14th – 16th, to enjoy seeing the bright balloons launching in morning and afternoon sessions. You can also expect a wine and beer garden, live music, a kid’s zone, and craft vendors. Tickets start at $10.
Uptown Tryon Street is set to showcase Latino heritage in this 10th annual celebration of traditions from Columbia, El Salvador, Panama, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Brazil, Venezuela, Ecuador, Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico and Peru. This free, family-friendly event features a cultural village, live music and dance, family activities, arts and crafts and, of course, food and drink. Support local and rising talent in the Latin Urban area featuring upcoming musicians and dancers. Oct. 15th from 12p.m. to 6 p.m.
Participate in the costume contest or simply take in the live music while sampling foods and beer or checking out the arts and crafts and family fun activities. This free event Sat. Oct. 22nd is from 4 to 8 p.m. in Fort Mill’s Walter Elisha Park. Live performances in the Fort Mill Amphitheater that night feature Chewbacky, Whit’s End, and the Matt Tucker Band.
Support nonprofit Sustain Charlotte by participating in this two-wheeled scavenger hunt around the city. Bicyclists get a passport and need to get stamps from local businesses and learn about bike safety while riding in Biketoberfest, Sunday Oct. 30th 12:30 – 6:30 p.m. on. There’s an after-party at Triple C Brewing in South End where you can trade in your passport for raffle tickets and win prizes. Don’t have a bike? You can still participate by walking or taking public transport. The idea is simply to enjoy getting around the city without a car.
While enjoying all these Fall things to do in Charlotte, keep your eye out also for Saussy Burbank’s latest home offerings in the Queen City and Fort Mill, too!