Festivals & Fairs In Charlotte This Fall

Celebrate art, culture, food, and more at these autumn festivals in Charlotte

You won’t be short on things to do in Charlotte this fall. There’s something for everyone in this rundown of festivals and fairs in fall 2025.

Charlotte International Arts Festival

Sept. 1 – 30

Throughout Charlotte

This multi-week festival features immersive experiences from local, national and international artists such as larger-than-life bird puppets, bubble and percussion shows, glow yoga, a rock wall, butterfly installations and more. Visit the website for location and parking information.

Yiasou Greek Festival

Sept. 5 – 7

Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Cathedral, 600 East Blvd.

Come enjoy cultural exhibits, folk dancing, live music, authentic Greek cuisine and the Kids Playland with rides, children’s activities and cotton candy.

Cabarrus County Fair

Sept. 5 – 13

Cabarrus Arena and Events Center, 4759 NC Highway 49 N., Concord

Experience rides, food, horticulture and craft exhibits, a petting zoo and racing pigs.

Mecktoberfest

Sept. 12 – 14 & 19-21 (LoSo Location)

Oct 3 – 5 & 10 – 12 (Ballantyne)

Enjoy traditional German food and live music in the Biergarten, and participate in 1-liter Das Boot and stein-holding contests.

Sept 13

Historic Downtown Davidson and South Main

Stroll the historic streets of Downtown Davidson and browse fine art from 40 local artists. There are also handmade gifts and kids crafts. Stay for live music by Billy Jones on the Town Green and more live music at The Crazy Pig.

Lowcountry Food & Culture Festival

Sept 13

The Shoppes at University Place

The Lowcountry Food & Culture Festival is an immersive experience showcasing the flavors, highlighting the rich history of the Gullah Geechee people which have shaped the Lowcountry region for generations.

The Great Pumpkin Fest

Sept. 13 – Nov 2 (Saturdays and Sundays)

Carowinds, 14523 Carowinds Blvd.

Carowinds presents family-friendly Halloween attractions for young children, including Lucy’s Mummy Pit, Peppermint Patty’s Hay Bale Maze, Woodstock’s Kookie Corn Maze and Linus’ Pumpkin Patch. There’s also trick-or-treating around Camp Snoopy. Wear your favorite costume!

Festival in the Park 

Sept. 19 – 21

Freedom Park, 1900 East Blvd.

It’s the annual festival, begun in 1964, that to many Charlotteans marks the beginning of fall. You know it by now: music, food, community, and, above all, art—visual or sonic or both. Just remember: no dogs, skateboards, or inline skates; scooters and bikes must be walked; and rideshare drop-off areas make that a better option than driving and parking in a satellite lot.

Flow Fest

Sept. 20

U.S. National Whitewater Center, 5000 Whitewater Center

Flow into a Saturday full of yoga. Among the practices are goat yoga, SUP yoga, glow flow, and aerial fitness. Also enjoy kombucha sampling, DIY terrariums, vendors and live music. See website for full schedule.

Festival of India

Sept. 20 (Uptown); Sept 21 (Ballantyne)

The cultural festival showcases the diversity of Indian dance, film, food, art and music. Guests can enjoy yoga, henna tattoos and a kids’ art corner and competition.

Sept. 20

Harrisburg Park, 191 Sims Parkway

Discover different cultures through arts, music, fashion, dance and food.

Charlotte Film Festival 

Sept 23 – 28

The Independent Picture House

Discover bold, original films you won’t find anywhere else, often with the filmmakers right there to talk about their work.

Breakaway Music Festival

Sept 26 – 27

Charlotte Motor Speedway

This year’s festival boasts a star-studded electronic music lineup featuring top headliners John Summit, Kaytranada, Eli Brown, and Louis The Child.

Catawba Fest

Sept 27

Catawba Park, 2351 New Gray Rock Road, Tega Cay

The event features an arts and crafts show with wares from local artisans, a pumpkin pie-eating contest, fall plant potting education, food trucks, a kid’s zone and a Cupcake Challenge for all ages.

Oct. 4

Uptown

Celebrate Latin culture with food, music, dance performances and family activities.

Carolina Renaissance Festival

Oct 4 – Nov 23 (Saturdays and Sundays)

16445 Poplar Tent Road, Huntersville

The Carolina Renaissance Festival is filled with charming cottages, castles, kitchens and pubs, all with simulated architecture of a 16th century European village. Interactive entertainment takes place all day long, and there’s an open-air artisan market with arts, crafts, games and rides.

Afro Soca Love 

Oct. 11

East Charlotte

An evening filled with music, culture, and community to build bonds and strengthen relationships between communities, individuals, and between Africa and its Diaspora.

Charlotte Vegfest

Oct. 11

Victoria Yards, Uptown

Celebrate all things vegan, plant-based eating, local businesses, animal advocacy and protection, and compassionate community.

Laketoberfest

Oct. 11

Bailey Road Park, 11536 Bailey Road, Cornelius

Enjoy live music, NC beer, food trucks and a kid’s zone with crafts and games. All proceeds benefit Lake Norman Wildlife Conservationists.

Autumn Treasures

Oct. 11

Downtown Waxhaw

Local crafters display wares on Main Street, while local musicians fill the streets with song. The Kids Zone features inflatables, carnival rides, pony rides, a petting zoo, children’s entertainment and crafts.

Mint Hill Madness Family Fun Festival

Oct. 16 – 18

Veterans Memorial Park, 8500 Fairview Road, Mint Hill

Visit one of the three days for family entertainment, rides, great music and a fireworks spectacular to cap off the affair.

Carolina Balloonfest

Oct. 17 – 19

Statesville Regional Airport, 260 Hangar Drive, Statesville

Bring your cameras, lawn chairs and blankets to experience a family-friendly festival featuring more than 50 hot air balloons, live music, food, wine and craft beer, a kids’ zone and an artisan marketplace.

Charlotte Chalk Art Festival 

Oct. 18 – 19

NoDa Brewing Company North End, 150 W 32nd St

A friendly competition between local and regional chalk art artists aged 12 to 17 and adults ages 18 and over. Festival-goers will be able to see a colorful street art gallery come to life, enjoy music offerings, family-friendly activities, food, beverages, arts, crafts, and retail vendors.

Lincoln County Apple Festival 

Oct. 18

Downtown Lincolnton, 115 W. Main St.

This festival attracts more than 60,000 visitors each year, thanks to the food, crafts, entertainment, kids’ attractions and plenty of apples.

Halloween Treat Trail in Cornelius

Oct. 25

Bailey Road Park, 11536 Bailey Road, Cornelius

Local businesses hand out nut-free, packaged candy to kids 12 and under who come in silly or scary costumes. Look for festive games along the trail, a photo area and a Halloween-themed movie at sunset.

21st Annual Festival Día de Muertos (Day of The Dead Festival)

Nov. 1

Camp North End

Immerse yourself in the music, dance, and captivating displays of Catrinas and celebrate Mexican culture, hosted by the Latin American Coalition and Levine Museum.

Statesville Pumpkin Fest

Nov. 1

Downtown Statesville

Details are still to be announced, but past fests have included pumpkin pie-eating contests and other pumpkin-themed activities for all ages, plus local food and craft vendors. Bookmark the website for event updates.

Rural Hill Sheepdog Trials and Dog Festival

Nov. 15 – 16

4431 Neck Road, Huntersville

Handlers command their dogs, mostly champion border collies, to round up herds of sheep at this 25th annual festival. Look for Canine Agility Club competitions, heritage-breed livestock, hayrides, historic crafty and cooking demos, pumpkin chuckin’ and much more.