Charlotte’s Fall Festival Guide: What’s Still Ahead in 2026

Charlotte’s fall calendar is already moving, but there is still plenty to do after Tuesday, October 6. The next few weeks bring family festivals, outdoor events, cultural celebrations, Halloween activities and seasonal entertainment across Charlotte and nearby communities. Dates, prices and schedules can change, so it’s worth checking with organizers before heading out.

For a traditional fall day, Fall for Matthews takes over Stumptown Park on Saturday, October 10, from 10 AM to 4 PM. Admission is free, with crafts, music, food and a children’s area. The same weekend, the Build Your Own Boat Festival at the Whitewater Center runs Saturday from noon to 5:30 PM. Spectators enter free, although parking is $13, and the event includes boat races and live music. Families can also choose Charlotte BookPalooza at Truist Field, where author talks and cosplay are scheduled from 11 AM to 4 PM. Admission is $5 for adults, while children and teens enter free.

The weekend of October 16–18 has several different options. Carolina BalloonFest takes place at the Iredell County Fairgrounds in Troutman, with balloon launches, evening glows, drone shows, live music and a children’s zone. Admission times vary by day, and balloon flights depend on weather conditions. In Charlotte, Pineville Fall Fest runs October 15–17 at Jack D. Hughes Park, with music, crafts and carousel rides; admission is free, though rides cost extra. On Saturday, October 17, Lake Norman Diwali at Veterans Park in Huntersville offers free entertainment, children’s activities, lights and Zumba from 1:30 to 6:30 PM. That same day, Nature at Night at McDowell Nature Preserve runs from 5 to 9 PM, with night walks, s’mores and animal encounters. Admission is $7 and registration is required.

Halloween programming becomes more visible later in the month. Scarrigan Farms Haunted Trail runs from October 2 through November 1 at Carrigan Farms, while Scarowinds continues on selected nights through November 1. For a less intense family outing, the Great Elizabeth Pumpkin Wall appears in the Elizabeth neighborhood during the week before Halloween. Halloween in Huntersville is scheduled for Sunday, October 25, from 4 to 7 PM at Huntersville Athletic Park, with candy, music, a costume contest and a drone show. The Mount Holly Lantern Parade follows on Saturday, October 24, at 7 PM in downtown Mount Holly and is free to attend.

Cultural festivals continue into November. Day of the Dead Celebration at Camp North End is set for Sunday, November 1, from noon to 6 PM, with music, dance, face painting, an altar and a Catrina parade. Harrisburg Multicultural Festival follows Saturday, November 7, from 10 AM to 2 PM at Harrisburg Park, featuring art, music, fashion, games and food. Families can also visit EpicFest Literary Festival at ImaginOn that day; the event is free and centers on author visits for children and teens. Later in the month, the Southern Christmas Show begins November 11, and WinterFest at Carowinds opens November 27, extending the seasonal calendar beyond fall.

Whether you want a free neighborhood celebration, a daytime activity with children or a Halloween event, Charlotte’s 2026 schedule still offers several choices through November. Check the event’s official details before leaving, especially for weather-sensitive activities, ticketed attractions and changing hours.