Things to Do in Charlotte This Fall 2026 | Fall Festivals & Events

Fall is my favorite season in Charlotte. The heat finally breaks, Friday nights fill up with music, and almost every weekend from late September to Thanksgiving has something going on. I’ve pulled together my 2026 list, with every event date checked, so you can plan your season instead of finding out about the good stuff the Monday after.

Most of these are right here in South Charlotte. A few are worth a short drive.

1. SIP YOUR WAY THROUGH THE BALLANTYNE WINE & FOOD FESTIVAL

Saturday, September 26, 2026 · 12–5 pm · Ballantyne’s Backyard, 11625 N Community House Rd

This is the one I tell everyone to kick off fall with. You get samples from more than 100 wines, beers and spirits, plus live music and chef demos, all a few minutes from home if you live in Ballantyne. VIP tickets are $75 and get you in at noon. General admission is $45 and starts at 1 pm.

2. GET LOST IN THE CORN MAZE AT ALMOND FARM

September 26 – November 1, 2026 · Wed–Sat 10 am–6 pm, Sun 11 am–6 pm · 5000 US-601 S, Concord

This is the classic family fall day: a pumpkin patch, corn maze, hayrides, farm animals, U-pick wildflowers, a jump pad and slides. They also have a separate toddler zone, so the little ones aren’t competing with the big kids. On weekends they do candy drops at 12 and 3. “Tract-or-Treat” runs October 31 – November 1. There’s barbecue and ice cream on site, and they have a new entrance and parking for 2026. Check the farm’s website for this year’s admission before you go. Only service animals are allowed, so leave the dog at home.

3. RIDE HAUNTED ROLLER COASTERS AT SCAROWINDS

Select nights, September 11 – November 1, 2026 · Carowinds

SCarowinds is back with four haunted mazes and five scare zones, three of them new this year. There are also two immersive experiences: the new JASON: Blood Reign, and The Conjuring: Beyond Fear. The park says it’s not recommended for kids under 13. Tickets are sold online only. If horror isn’t your thing, Carowinds also runs Oktoberfest on select days November 7–22.

4. RAISE A BEER BOOT AT MECKTOBERFEST

October 2–4 and October 9–11, 2026 · Olde Mecklenburg Brewery, Ballantyne (15025 Bowl St)

OMB’s Ballantyne location turns into a proper German fest for two weekends, with polka bands, beer boots and German food. The steinholding contest is Saturday, October 3, from 4 to 6 pm, if you think you’ve got the arms for it.

5. TRAVEL BACK IN TIME AT THE CAROLINA RENAISSANCE FESTIVAL

Saturdays & Sundays, October 3 – November 22, 2026 · 9:30 am–5:30 pm · 16445 Poplar Tent Rd, Huntersville

Jousting, turkey legs, and more costumes than you’ll see anywhere else all year. Adult tickets are $37.99, kids 5–12 are $23.99, and kids 4 and under get in free. Parking is free. Tickets are sold by date and popular weekends sell out, so buy early.

6. CATCH A SHOW AT THE AMP BALLANTYNE

11115 Upper Ave, Ballantyne

The Amp is one of the best things to happen to South Charlotte. Coming up this fall:

• Friday, September 25: Houndmouth, Molly Tuttle and Daniel Donato
• Thursday, October 8: Clint Black & Midland
• Friday, October 16: Feeling 22 (a Taylor Swift tribute, so bring the kids)
• Saturday, October 17: Trampled By Turtles and Futurebirds

7. HEAR LIVE MUSICE IN A HAY BARN AT LOPING CROW DISTILLERY

24030 Endy Rd, Albemarle · Fri 5–10 pm, Sat 2–10 pm, Sun 2–5 pm

This is my favorite fall drive. Loping Crow is a craft distillery out in Stanly County, about an hour east of Charlotte. They host live music in a converted hay barn with food trucks and the “Crow Bar.” It’s a great excuse to see the leaves change on the way out. Check their live-music page for this fall’s concert lineup before you go.

8. PICK APPLES AND DRINK HARD CIDER AT WINDY HILL ORCHARD

1860 Black Hwy, York, SC · open through Christmas

This was on my list in 2023, and it’s still on it. They have pick-your-own apples, cider donuts, and a cider bar that’s open Friday–Sunday. The farm stand is open Thursday–Saturday 10–6 and Sunday 12–6.

9. STAY UP FOR THE WHISKEY, WINE & FIRE FESTIVAL

Saturday, October 24, 2026 · Ballantyne · 21+

This one is a grown-up night out: open-fire cooking, an oyster bar, whiskey and wine tastings, and live music. General admission is $45 and starts at 5 pm. VIP is $85 and gets you in at 4.

10. KICK OFF THE HOLIDAYS AT THE NOVANT HEALTH THANKSGIVING EVE PARADE

Wednesday, November 25, 2026 · 5:30 pm · Tryon Street, Uptown

Our old Thanksgiving Day parade is now a Thanksgiving Eve parade. It’s a nighttime parade with lit-up floats, and it’s free to watch. Reserved seats are available if you’d rather not stake out a curb.

A FALL BONUS IF YOU’RE HOUSE HUNTING

Fall is also one of the best times to buy in Charlotte. Realtor.com’s 2026 research puts our best week to buy at November 1–7. That’s when Charlotte buyers typically see about 17.5% more listings, 38% less competition than at the year’s peak, and list prices around 5.7% below the seasonal high. If a new home is on your fall list too, now is the time to get pre-approved so you’re ready when that window opens.

If you’d like to talk through what’s available in South Charlotte right now, or just want my honest take on the market, I’d love to hear from you.