Fall Festivals in Charlotte, NC: Your Ultimate Guide to Autumn Fun
Fall is such a great time of year. When the leaves come down, they turn orange and yellow, and outside, the scenery is just beautiful. Charlotte is beautiful this time of year. There are tons of fall festivals and events in Charlotte this year occurring from September to November, and a lot of them are happening right now in October. Let’s take a look at some of the fall festivals our city has to offer in 2024.
Top Fall Festivals in Charlotte
The many fall festivals in Charlotte include a Renaissance Festival, pumpkin patches, corn mazes, and a theme park that turns scary for the October Halloween season. There are food festivals, art festivals, and even music events, and many of these are family-friendly.
Scarowinds
Every Saturday and Sunday now through October 27, 2024, Carowinds turns into “Scarowinds” with Halloween fun for everyone.
Experience Carowinds like never before at Tricks and Treats, their all-new, family-friendly Halloween event. Celebrate the season with mischievous tricks, tasty treats, and so much more.
Everyone in the family will have a blast with “spooky, kooky” Halloween activities for kids and adults. Come dressed in your finest Halloween attire for a Halloween costume contest.
Scarowinds also has delicious seasonal treats, drinks, and, of course, candy! The park also offers your favorite family rides, delivering “the amazing thrills and chills found only at Carowinds.”
Carolina Renaissance Festival
The Carolina Renaissance Festival runs October 5 to November 24, 2024, Saturdays and Sundays; Hours: 9:30 AM to 5:30 PM; Ticket prices are $34 for adults, $20 for children 5-12, free for children 4 and under.
Festival patrons can witness the Queen’s bravest Knights as they clash in combat for her Majesty’s honor in the shire’s tournament arena. Hear the triumphant blare of trumpets, the thundering hooves, and the cheers of the crowd. Witness the excitement three times daily and join in and be entertained in the “grandest fashion at the Queen’s tournament!”
There is also ample shopping in the village’s open-air Artisan Market.
Pumpkin Patches and Corn Mazes
Pumpkin patches and corn mazes are all the rage this year in the Charlotte area. There’s the corn maze at Rural Hill, the Hall Family Farm, Hodges Family Farm, and Patterson Farm.
Rural Hll offers an “unforgettable adventure in the heart of autumn.” The Amazing Maize Maze invites you to immerse yourself in a labyrinth of fun and excitement. Mark your calendars for weekends now through October 28th.
Apple Picking
Apple picking is always fun. There are many opportunities around the city, including at the Carrigan Farms, and Push N Vine Farm. Apples are perfect to bring them home; then just wash them off and eat them as they are or make that special family apple pie.
Carrigan Farms is a 5th generation family-owned farm, Carrigan Farms is a local farm that specializes in growing quality fruits and vegetables, educational school tours and field trips, weddings, swim parties, and other special events.
Fall Foliage Tours
The best place and time to see beautiful fall foliage near Charlotte in North Carolina is on the Blue Ridge Parkway and in October. You can also see fall foliage at Crowder Mountain State Park and Anne Springs.
Graveyard Fields is located just south of Asheville. It is a trail on the Blue Ridge Parkway known for its vibrant fall foliage scattered throughout the winding trails. Graveyard Fields is under 6,000 ft, but because of the unique plant species, you will find changing leaves earlier in the season, which means signs of fall in late September.
Rough Ridge
This beautiful hike gives you amazing views of Grandfather Mountain and Linn Cove Viaduct, with distant views into the Piedmont. The higher you hike, the better the views get. The total elevation climb from the parking area is 480 ft.
Tips for Enjoying Fall Festivals in Charlotte
Fall weather in Charlotte is more bearable than the sweltering summers as the temperatures ease from the 90s to the low 80s and 70s.
Time your visit with the arrival of the region’s brilliant fall foliage. Be aware that leaves don’t start changing until mid-to-late October. During this time, if you’re planning a day trip to Asheville, the Blue Ridge Parkway is awash in fall colors.