Weekender: 36 things to do in Charlotte this weekend including fall festivals

Friday, Oct. 3

⛸️ Take the kids to see Disney on Ice at Bojangles Coliseum. | $33+ | Runs through Sunday | Details

⚽️ See the Charlotte Independence vs. Spokane Velocity FC at American Legion Memorial Stadium. | $13-$66 | 7pm | Details

🎨 View art exhibits in a gallery crawl around South End. | Free | 5-8:30pm | Details

🩰 Watch a spooky-themed aerial show at Hi-Wire Brewing, and stick around for vendors and tiny tattoos. Proceeds will be donated to Inked Kittens Club. | $30 | 7:30-10pm | Details

🎧 Listen to Taylor Swift hits in a listening party at Hardy Boy Records. | Free | 12-7pm | Details

😱 Face your fears at SCarowinds as you walk through the theme park to see more than 500 monsters, ghosts and goblins roaming, plus haunted attractions and shows. | $49.99+ | Runs through Nov. 2 | Details

🎶 Check out the Charlotte Beatles Festival at Knight Theater where you'll ge to hear all of the Beatles songs performed by local and regional acts, and keep the vibes going into Saturday for more live music. | Prices vary | Runs through Saturday | Details

💎 Shop from jewelry and bead vendors at The International Gem & Jewelry Show at The Park Expo & Conference Center. | $8.24 | Runs though Sunday | Details

🎬 Experience the "Pirates of the Caribbean in Concert" at Ovens Auditorium. | Prices vary | Runs through Saturday | Details

🤘 See rock/alternative headliners like Papa Roach + Rise Against live at Skyla Credit Union Amphitheatre. | $47.50+ | 7pm | Details

🍻 Celebrate Oktoberfest at Olde Mecklenburg Brewery in Ballantyne with steinholding competitions, music and food. | Free | Runs through Sunday | Details

🎶 Attend a Taylor Swift album release party at Blinders, and your ticket comes with a signature cocktail. | $15 | 9pm | Details

🫣 Watch "Dracula" at The Carolina Theatre. | $16.05 |7pm | Details

Saturday, Oct. 4

⚽️ Cheer on Carolina Ascent against D.C. Power at American Legion Memorial Stadium. | $18+ | 7pm | Details

🎉 Celebrate Latino culture at Hola Charlotte Festival in Uptown (Tryon Street) through food vendors, music, dance performances and more. | Noon-8pm | Details

🏰 Take the family to the annual Carolina Renaissance Festival in Huntersville to see shows, shop and eat. | $23.99+ | Saturdays & Sundays 9:30am-5:30pm through Nov. 23 | Details

💪 Break a sweat with outdoor workouts, run clubs, cold plunge, and wellness vendors at Wilmore Centennial Park. | Free | 8am-2pm | Details

🛍️ Shop from the South End Farmers Market at Atherton and maybe also adopt a puppy as they partner with Pet Wants, Billie's Buddies and LiveWell Animal Hospital to help their dogs find a loving home. | Free | 8am-1pm | Details

☕️ Attend the Charlotte Coffee Festival at Victoria Yards in Uptown for tastings, live music, games and more. | $19.14 | 10am-3pm | Details

🎶 Listen to the songs of Luther Vandross performed by Mandyl Evans at Middle C Jazz. | $41.45+ | Times vary | Details

🏃 Compete in the 50km or 50 mile race along trails at Whitewater Center. | $85-$115 | Times vary | Details

🏍️ Check out Harley Davidson's The Congregation Show to see cars and motorocycles in the Ford Building at Camp North End. | $20 | 12-8pm | Details

🏎️ See every lap of the 2025 Blue Cross NC 250 (NASCAR Xfinity Series) at Charlotte Motor Speedway. | $30+ | 5pm | Details

🤣 Laugh the night away to improv comedy at Charlotte Comedy Theater. | $15 (Use promo code HUGS for $3 off tickets) | 6pm | Details

🍂 Attend the ANSWER Scholarship's Fall Festival at Noble Smoke with live music, face painting, outdoor games, and food. Proceeds help mothers who are pursuing college degrees while raising families. | $10 for children and $50 for adults | 12pm | Details

🪁 Let your children play in workshops or competitions at the Charlotte Kids Fest at The Shoppes at University Place. | Free | 11am-4pm | Details

👑 Pull up with friends to annual market and drag show at The Chamber in NoDa as proceeds raise funds for Making Strides Against Breast Cancer. | Free | 4pm | Details

🍿 Celebrate cinema by attending the Carolina Film Festival at Independent Picture House. | $10 | 1:30pm | Details

🍖 Learn how to cook meats in a BBQ class at Goldie's led by Big Moe Cason and Bob Trudnak, who are known for judging on TV shows like "Chopped," "BBQ Pitmasters" and "Smoked." | $350 | 10am | Details

Sunday, Oct. 5

🏈 Cheer on the Panthers as they take on the Miami Dolphins at Bank of America Stadium. | $55+ | 1pm | Details

🛍️ Shop from 100+ local small businesses in South End at Front Porch Sundays. | Free | 10:30am-4pm | Details

🎤 Vibe to Charlie Wilson with Babyface, K-Ci & El DeBarge at PNC Music Pavilion | $25+ | 6:15pm | Details

👥 Mix and mingle to make new friends at Urban District Market after complete a prerequisite questionnaire. | $9.98 | 3:30-5pm | Details

🏟️ Attend the ROVAL™ 400 at Charlotte Motor Speedway in Concord and get there early for pre race concerts. | Prices vary | 3pm | Details

🎸 Vibe to Cuco live in concert at The Fillmore. | $102 | 8pm | Details

🕯️ Create a custom candle scent at The Market at 7th Street for you to take home and aenjoy a drink for Resident Culture. | $42.03 | 4pm | Details

Check out more upcoming events on our Event Board. Hosting an event? Reach more Charlotteans through an Event Listing, which includes placement on our Event Board and in our weekday newsletter. Have a scoop about a cool event? Submit your event.