Fall is the best time for festivals in Charlotte. Here’s a big list of Charlotte area fall festivals, Halloween festivals, Halloween movies, trick-or-treat events and more. It’s time for hayrides and pumpkins. Here is a growing list of fall and Halloween festivals for 2015. Most of these are free. Some have a nominal charge and some charge for activities. Do you know of others? Let me know and I’ll get them on the list. Also, make sure to check out the list of haunted hayrides, corn mazes, and pumpkin patches. And if you haven’t already done this (what are you waiting for?) you can subscribe for one daily email from Charlotte on the Cheap. Make sure to click on each link for the necessary details. Want to get your event highlighted, or even a prime spot at the top of this list? Ask me about sponsoring this post. Email cheapskate@charlotteonthecheap.com.
Yiasou Greek Festival
September 10 – 13
Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Cathedral, 600 East Boulevard
Greek music, dancing, cultural displays, kids’ area, food
$3, free for ages 12 and under.
Festival of India
September 12
Belk Theater
Music dancing, Henna tattoos, more
$7, free for kids under 10
Southern Sauce Beer, Bar-b-que and Bands Festival
September 18 – 19
Romare Bearden Park
Music, kids’ activities, art, food (charge for food)
Lincoln County Apple Festival
September 19
Downtown Lincolnton
Live music, kids’ activities, Apple Queen Pageant, farmer’s market, more
Festival in the Park
September 25 – 27
Freedom Park
Entertainment on 6 stages
Yadkin Valley Pumpkin Festival
September 26, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Annual Great Pumpkin Weigh-Off, kids’ activities, live music, craft vendors, more
Retro Horror Films
October 2 – November 5
Ayrsley Grand Cinemas, 9110 Kings Parade Boulevard
$5 tickets. Different retro movie each week.
Fall Festival
October 7, 3:30 p.m.
Mountain Island Library, 4420 Hoyt Galvin Way
Face-painting, storytelling, games, and special presentation by Chef Jill Dahan as all ages celebrate Fall Festival. Costumes welcome
Fall Festival for seniors
October 9, 10 a.m.
Bette Rae Thomas Recreation Center, 2921 Tuckaseegee Road
Music by DJ JoJo and games with prizes. Fish/chicken, hushpuppies, ice cones, popcorn, and dessert.
Age 55+
Wise Acres Organic Farm Fall Festival
October 10 (rescheduled from earlier date because of weather)
Wise Acres Organic Farm, 4701 Hartis Rd, Indian Trail
Puppet show, dance performance local vendors, food truck, more.
Rocky Horror Picture Show
October 10, 6 p.m.
Crews Recreation Center, 1201 Crews Road, Matthews
Age 18+
Free
Ballantyne Fall Festival–Autumn in the Park
October 10
Ballantyne District Park, behind Morrison Family YMCA at 9405 Bryant Farms Road
Hayrides, bounce house, face painting, field day activities, pumpkin painting, Charlotte’s Best Oyster Roast
Latin American Festival
October 10 – 11
Symphony Park at SouthPark
Music, dance, food, crafts, art
$10 for one day; $15 for two days; Children 10 and under are free
Autumn Treasures Fall Festival
October 10-11
Downtown Waxhaw
BBQ Competition, live music, kids’ activities, car show, more
LB&A Fall Festival
October 16, 4pm to 7 p.m.
Corner of 29 and Morehead, across from Charlotte Motor Speedway
Bounce house, carnival games, Rita’s Italian Ice, popcorn, pumpkins
Free
Haunted Trolley Ride in Spencer
October 17, 24, 30, 31 at 7:30 p.m.
Hear the history and ghostly tales of one of North Carolina’s oldest railroad towns. See the historic Southern Railroad Spencer Shops by the light of the moon and hear stories about the apparitions that have been seen by railroad men and visitors. See beautiful historic homes; hear local legends and ghost stories about real people and real events. A complimentary tour ticket to the Spencer Doll And Toy Museum is included with each trolley ride.
$12 for adults, $10 for students
Pineville Fall Festival
October 16, 17
Pineville Lake Park, 1000 Johnston Drive, Pineville
Carnival rides, live music, juggling, more
Fall Festival
October 17
Pleasant Valley Baptist Church, 211 Marvin Road, Indian Land, SC
Games, inflatables, car show hay rides, horseback rides, free meal!
Laketoberfest
October 17
Bailey Road Park, 11536 Bailey Road, Cornelius
Beer, bands, kids’ activities
Community Huntersville Fall Festival
October 17, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Barnette Elementary, 13659 Beatties Ford Rd, Huntersville
Arts & crafts, hayrides, inflatables, carnival games, more
Fall Block Party
October 17, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Oakhurst Baptist Church, 5037 Monroe Road
Food, games, kids’ activities, all free
Morrison Spooktacular
October 22
Morrison at SouthPark
Trick-or-treating, pumpkin-decorating, face-painting, more.
UNCC International Festival
October 17
UNCC Main Campus
International booths, music, dance, games, food, fireworks
Fall Festival at ImaginOn
October 22
ImaginOn, Spangler Library
Literacy activities, crafts and games for ages 5 and under. Wear your favorite costume and gather treats from ImaginOn staff
Trunk or Treat
October 23
Chestnut Square Park, Indian Trail
Details not available yet
Not So Spooky Halloween Party in Matthews
October 24
Stumptown Park, 120 South Trade Street, in Matthews
Face painting, carnival games, bounce house, obstacle course, costume parade
Berewick Spooktacular
October 24
Berewick, 6625 Berewick Commons Parkway
Train rides, pony rides, face-painting, giveaways including Disney World vacation
South End Fall Festival
October 24
Pritchard Memorial Baptist Church, 1117 South Boulevard
Bluegrass music, games, candy, hayrides, bouncy houses, food trucks
Hall-o-ween at the NASCAR Hall of Fame
October 24
NASCAR Hall of Fame, 400 East Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard
Trick-or-treat, haunted house craft, clown show performance, “Hotel Transylvania” movie
$10/person (free for Hall members and Rookie Racers)
Gravedigger’s Ball
October 24, 6 p.m.
Next to Dixie’s Tavern, 500 North College Street
$15: purchase tickets in advance
Charlotte’s biggest costume party. Headliner is Flo Rida
Huntersville Halloween Festival
October 24
Historic Rural Hill, 4431 Neck Road, Huntersville
Games, arts & crafts, moon bounce, pumpkin patch
Halloween Activities at Bass Pro Shops
October 24-31
Concord Mills
Free photos with Peanuts gang, crafts, trick-or-treating, costume parade
Belmont Boo Festival
October 24, 1 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Stowe Park, 24 South Main Street, Belmont
Craft vendors, food, inflatables, games, prizes, candy, costume contest 6 p.m.
Boo-Seum
October 25, 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Main Street Children’s Museum, 133 East Main Street, Rock Hill, SC
Come dressed in your costume and join us for stories, activities, and a craft. No tricks – only treats! March along in our costume parade at 3 p.m. Kids 6 and under. Included in museum admission.
Silent film “Les Vampires” with live piano accompaniment
October 27
Petra’s, 1919 Commonwealth Avenue
Ethan Uslan will provide piano accompaniment to the silent film. Cover charge $5. Age 21+
Fall Festival
West Boulevard branch of library
October 28
Age 5-11. Enjoy books, literacy activities, and storytelling as you celebrate Fall.
Fall Festival
October 29
Morrison Regional Library
Age 3-5. Enjoy literacy activities and seasonal stories as you celebrate our annual Fall Festival. Feel free to wear your costume!
Zombie Fest
October 29
West Boulevard branch of library
All ages. Zombies Take the Library…What will you Read to Survive? Uprising begins at 4pm with a showing of the zombie movie “Warm Bodies” rated PG-13. Do come in your best Zombie Gear to be entered into our costume contest.
Halloween Trivia
October 29
Plaza Midwood Library
Calling all Halloween and trivia fans! Come join us for an evening of trivia, food, and prizes. Costumes are encouraged!
Children’s Fall Festival
October 29
South County Regional Library
Age 5 and under. Enjoy literacy activities and educational games as we celebrate our annual Children’s Fall Festival. No registration required. Costumes welcome
Toddler Fall Festival
October 30, 10 a.m.
Wallace Pruitt Recreation Center, 440 Tuckaseegee Road
Costumes and crafts. Age 2-5
$2. Register in advance using above link.
GUTS Pumpkin Carving Contest
October 30
NC Music Factory, 1000 NC Music Factory Boulevard
Watch the pumpkins get carved, and then vote on your favorite
Davidson Halloween March
October 30
Main Street, Davidson
Costumed kids march down Main Street, collecting candy from business owners and vendors.
Dia de los Muertos celebration
October 30
UNC Charlotte Center City, 320 East 9th Street
Dance performance, sugar skull painting, face painting
Carmel Presbyterian Trunk or Treat
October 30, 6 p.m.
2048 Carmel Road
A short program, carnival games, cupcake decorating, and a costume parade
All Hallows Eve celebration
October 31
Historic Latta Plantation, 5225 Sample Road, Huntersville
Trick-or-treating, pumpkin painting, historical Halloween characters.
$8 adults/$7 kids
Halloween Party at Concord Mills
October 31, 12 p.m. to 2 p.m.
Free for Kidgits Club Members
Music by Mr. Nigel, costume contest, fashion show
Halloween at 7th Street Public Market
October 31, 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.
7th Street Public Market, 224 East 7th Street
Trick-or-treating, storytelling, raffles. Free. ($5 for cake pop decorating at Cloud 9.)
Literary Festival of Charlotte
October 31, 4:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Little Rock Cultural Center, 401 North Myers Street
Poetry, readings, face-painting, drum circle, candy, more
Family Fall Festival
October 31
Beatties Ford Regional Library
Come and enjoy face-painting, storytelling, games, and much more! Costumes welcome.
Spooky Village
October 31
Ballantyne Village, 14825 Ballantyne Village Way
Trick-or-treating, costume contests for kids and pets, pony rides, more. Free.
Plaza Midwood Fall Crawl & Cankerworm Festival
October 31
Plaza Midwood neighborhood
Kids’ activities, live music, tree banding.
Halloween ComicFest
October 31
Various comic book stores. Follow above link for details.
Free comic books, other activities
Howl-o-Ween
October 31
Howl at the Moon, EpiCentre, 210 East Trade Street
Games, costume contest with $500 prize
Cover: $3-$8
704-936-4695
Boo Bash
October 31
SouthPark Mall
Costume contest, crafts, giveaways
Must be Kidgit Club member ($5/year)
Spooktacular at Sea-Life Aquarium
Underwater Pumpkin Carving Show: October 31, 12:30 p.m.
Fish-or-treat: All Day October 30 and 31
Sea-Life Aquarium, Concord Mills
Regular price for admission
Truth and Treat
October 31
The Shepherd’s Outreach House, 1882 Slater Road
Food, games, prizes, puppet show, teaching for adults
KiDaWEEN
October 31
Johnston YMCA, 3025 North Davidson Street
NoDa’s Halloween festival for kids. Face-painting, pumpkin painting, bouncy houses, storyteller, balloon artist, more.
Swap Meet and Halloween Activities
October 31
Salvaged Beauty NoDa, 2320 North Davidson Street
Neighborhood swap meet, live music, pumpkin decorating.
Mall-O-Ween
October 31
Northlake Mall
trick-or-treating, entertainment, photo ops
Day of the Dead Celebration
November 1
Levine Museum of the New South, 200 East 7th Street.
Explore the Mexican tradition of Dia de Los Muertos, with activities, food, storytelling and altars.
Downtown Salisbury Zombie Walk
November 7
Downtown Salisbury
$10 for adults, $5 for kids 12 and under
Live music, costume contest more. Each ticket includes a professional 4-minute zombie makeover, raffle tickets, and souvenir
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