Since 1964, Festival in the Park has been bringing good music, good art and good times to Charlotteans and visitors from around the world. This fun filled event is designed to promote and stimulate interest in the arts. It provides the opportunity for all to see, hear, and learn from over 180 artists and crafts people who actively demonstrate and display their art. The festival lasts for three days and lasts into the night so there should be plenty of chance for you to make an appearance. Click here for a complete schedule.
Sail Again Children’s Consignment Fall/Winter Sale
Old Savvy Spaces
7201 Smith Corners Blvd., Charlotte, NC
September 18 – 21, Click here for schedule, All Ages, $2 for early-bird shopping Wednesday and Saturday.
Summary: Shop 20,000 square feet of space for children’s toys, clothes, furniture and more.
There are plenty of other fabulous family events happening this weekend, so keep reading and see for yourself.
FRIDAY, September 20
Paws to Read
Morrison Regional Library
7015 Morrison Blvd., Charlotte, NC (704) 416-5400
September 20, see schedule for times and availability, Ages 5-11, Free
Summary: How do you make reading more enjoyable, just add a puppy. Enjoy some special quiet time while reading with a puppy. Registration is required and slots fill far in advance.
Discovery Place
301 N. Tryon Street, Charlotte, NC (704) 372-6261
September 20, 9:00am – 5:00pm, All ages, free with museum admission
Summary: click on the links below for show times and ticket prices.
Animal Grossology – introduces scientific concepts in ways that make kids giggle. Get a fresh take on some of the more disgusting things animals do and how blood, vomit, pellets and more can be fun, funky and fascinating.
Nano – a special limited mini exhibition. This interactive exhibition engages family audiences in nanoscale science, engineering, and technology. Hands-on exhibits present the basics of nanoscience and engineering, introduce some real world applications, and explore the societal and ethical implications of this new technology.
Sub-Zero – The coolest thing in Charlotte this side of -321 degrees. Join our resident physicist at “The Stage” to chill out and explore a world below freezing. With materials so cold they can only be touched with cryogenic gloves, you’re in for an icy treat.
Fired Up! Join us for Fiery fun. Oxygen, heat and fuel form the fire triangle! Join us for some explosively fun experiments.
Animalopolis will take you on a voyage into the magical world of animals. A bit fanciful, a bit “Seussian” perhaps, a place of good natured humor, beauty and just plain fun.
Flight of the Butterflies – Experience the most incredible migration on earth. It’s a natural history epic. It’s a compelling detective story. It’s a scientific adventure at its best.
Foodtruck Friday
Southend
1613 Camden Road Charlotte, NC
September 20, 5:00pm – 9:00pm, All ages, Free
Summary: Every Friday night, Charlotte’s favorite food trucks gather on the lot at the corner of Park and Camden in the Historic South End. These aren’t the roach coaches of yesteryear! The nationwide revolution of the food truck industry has hit Charlotte, and we’ve got an ever-growing community of trucks that cater to your every taste. From burgers to tacos to soul food to cupcakes to ice cream and everything in between…there’s something for everyone. Meeting every Friday night since February 2012, Food Truck Fridays have taken the city by storm. Periodically featuring entertainment as well, the crowds have swelled to over 1,000 each week. We’re family and dog-friendly, too! So bring a chair, bring a blanket, BYOB, bring the kids, take the dog…it’s a neighborhood night out in a relaxed, casual atmosphere. Most of the trucks accept credit cards as well as cash. Accessible by public transportation…take the light rail to Bland Station. A good time and great food are guaranteed!
Blakeney Summer Concert Series – Borderlyne (rock)
Blakeney Shopping Center
Ardrey Kell and Rea Road Charlotte, NC (704) 523-0272
September 20, 7:00pm – 10:00pm, All ages, free
Summary: Relax in a great family friendly environment and listen to the unforgettable music of Borderlyne.
Music on the Green
Promenade on Providence
Providence Road and I-485
September 20, 7:00pm – 10:00pm, All ages, Free
Summary: Fun for the whole family! Bring your lawn chairs and blankets and enjoy live music from Vanilla Cornbread
SATURDAY, September 21
Isabella Santos 5K for Kids Cancer
Ballantyne Corporate Park
September 21, 8:00am, All ages, $25,
Summary: This is the 6th annual Isabella Santos Foundation 5K Race For Kids Cancer and 1-Mile Fun Run. For this year’s 5k, we want to paint the town PURPLE. We want to see your craziest, zaniest, most purpilicious gear on race day. Wear everything purple. Purple knee high socks, purple tutus, purple wigs, purple painted faces. If you can dream it up, we want to see it. We want to be jogging along, look up, and see a sea of purple. Show the world that YOU support finding a cure for pediatric cancer and that you are one of Isabella’s Purple Warriors. We can’t wait to see your cute purple selves on race day! Click here to register.
Free College Planning Seminar
Huntington Learning Center
9601 Holly Point Drive, Huntersville, NC (704) 896-9699
September 21, 11:30am – 1:00pm, Adults and High School students, Free – Registration required
Summary: Huntington Learning Center is offering a free college planning seminar. The 90 minute seminar will be hosted by Ryan Clark, MBA, CCPS and author of the book College Aid for Middle Class America: Solutions to Paying Wholesale vs. Retail. Ryan will provide you and your student advice on “How To Choose The Best College For Your Student And Your Pocketbook”. Don’t miss this incredible opportunity!
Call today to register (704) 896-9699.
Some of the topics include;
– how to help students decide which colleges to apply to
– what the more selective colleges really want to see in an application
– the 5 questions to ask colleges before you apply
– maximize potential to receive scholarships, grants and other forms of gift-aid
– why procrastination can (and will most likely) cost a family thousands of dollars
– a detailed timeline for success
Charlotte Nature Museum
1658 Sterling Road, Charlotte, NC (704) 372-6261
September 21, 10:00am – 5:00pm, All ages, Activities are free with museum admission
Summary: Bring little ones for just an hour or the whole day and experience wildlife through live animal exhibits and interactive education programs. The Museum is easy to navigate with fun surprises around every corner. Kids can roam The Great Hall and visit Beginnings, an area filled with young animals and information on their lifecycles.
Exhibits: Wander Charlotte Nature Museum and encounter the finned, furred and feathered. Little ones will experience the natural world in a fun environment that encourages hands-on exploration and self-directed learning.
Shows: Charlotte Nature Museum’s professional Puppet Theatre offers nature-based puppet shows and coordinated programming especially designed for young viewers. Grandpa Tree can be found in the Nature Dome by the “nighttime campfire”, with his forest friends. Join us in the woods and enjoy captivating tales of wildlife.
Worldwide Day of Play
Discovery Place Kids
105 Gilead Road, Huntersville, NC (704) 372-6261
September 21, 11:00am & 2:00pm, All ages
Summary: Travel to different areas of our Museum to find our Creative Play Professionals and play our all-time favorite games.
Discovery Place
301 N. Tryon Street, Charlotte, NC (704) 372-6261
September 21, 10:00am – 6:00pm, All ages, free with museum admission
Summary: click on the links below for show times and ticket prices.
Animal Grossology – introduces scientific concepts in ways that make kids giggle. Get a fresh take on some of the more disgusting things animals do and how blood, vomit, pellets and more can be fun, funky and fascinating.
Nano – a special limited mini exhibition. This interactive exhibition engages family audiences in nanoscale science, engineering, and technology. Hands-on exhibits present the basics of nanoscience and engineering, introduce some real world applications, and explore the societal and ethical implications of this new technology.
Sub-Zero – The coolest thing in Charlotte this side of -321 degrees. Join our resident physicist at “The Stage” to chill out and explore a world below freezing. With materials so cold they can only be touched with cryogenic gloves, you’re in for an icy treat.
Fired Up! Join us for Fiery fun. Oxygen, heat and fuel form the fire triangle! Join us for some explosively fun experiments.
Animalopolis will take you on a voyage into the magical world of animals. A bit fanciful, a bit “Seussian” perhaps, a place of good natured humor, beauty and just plain fun.
Flight of the Butterflies – Experience the most incredible migration on earth. It’s a natural history epic. It’s a compelling detective story. It’s a scientific adventure at its best.
Live Bird Presentation
Carolina Raptor Center
6000 Sample Road, Huntersville, NC (704) 875-6521
September 21, 11:00am -11:30am, All ages, Free with regular admission
Summary: Docent volunteers present 3-4 species of birds on glove and discuss the natural history of featured birds in our Festival Area.
Vulture Feeding
Carolina Raptor Center
6000 Sample Road, Huntersville, NC (704) 875-6521
September 21, 12:30pm -1:00pm, All ages, Free with regular admission
Summary: Vultures are smart! Come see them play with their food at our weekly vulture feeding presented by our knowledgeable docent volunteers.
Talons: Birds of the World Flight Show
Carolina Raptor Center
6000 Sample Road, Huntersville, NC (704) 875-6521
September 21, 1:00pm – 1:30pm & 3:00pm – 3:30pm, All ages, Regular admission + $5.00
Summary: Watch for your opportunity to see these amazing birds in flight!
Blakeney Summer Concert Series – Borderlyne (rock)
Blakeney Shopping Center
Ardrey Kell and Rea Road Charlotte, NC (704) 523-0272
September 21, 7:00pm – 10:00pm, All ages, free
Summary: Relax in a great family friendly environment and listen to the unforgettable music of Borderlyne.
Music on the Green
Promenade on Providence
Providence Road and I-485
September 21, 7:00pm – 10:00pm, All ages, Free
Summary: Fun for the whole family! Bring your lawn chairs and blankets and enjoy live music from Aerial View.
Scarowinds Halloween Haunt – Now opened!
Carowinds
14523 Carowinds Blvd., Charlotte, NC (704)588-2600
Every weekend from September 14 – Halloween, 7:00pm – midnight, Ages 13+
Summary: DARKNESS FALLS. EVIL RISES. Every weekend night, Carowinds transforms into a horror-filled nightmare. From mazes with terrifying creatures around every corner to thrill rides that’ll haunt your dreams, it’s everything you fear and can’t wait to experience. Not for anyone under 13.
SUNDAY, September 22
Sunday Fun Day at the Mint Museum Uptown
Mint Museum Uptown
500 S. Tryon Street, Charlotte, NC (704) 337-2000
September 22, 1:00pm – 5:00pm, All ages, Free for children and Mint Members or $5 for adult non members
Summary: Enjoy family-friendly art projects, healthy living activities, artist demonstrations, and more!
Worldwide Day of Play
Discovery Place Kids
105 Gilead Road, Huntersville, NC (704) 372-6261
September 22, 2:00pm, All ages
Summary: Travel to different areas of our Museum to find our Creative Play Professionals and play our all-time favorite games.
Discovery Place
301 N. Tryon Street, Charlotte, NC (704) 372-6261
September 22, 12:00pm – 5:00pm, All ages, free with museum admission
Summary: click on the links below for show times and ticket prices.
Animal Grossology – introduces scientific concepts in ways that make kids giggle. Get a fresh take on some of the more disgusting things animals do and how blood, vomit, pellets and more can be fun, funky and fascinating.
Nano – a special limited mini exhibition. This interactive exhibition engages family audiences in nanoscale science, engineering, and technology. Hands-on exhibits present the basics of nanoscience and engineering, introduce some real world applications, and explore the societal and ethical implications of this new technology.
Sub-Zero – The coolest thing in Charlotte this side of -321 degrees. Join our resident physicist at “The Stage” to chill out and explore a world below freezing. With materials so cold they can only be touched with cryogenic gloves, you’re in for an icy treat.
Fired Up! Join us for Fiery fun. Oxygen, heat and fuel form the fire triangle! Join us for some explosively fun experiments.
Animalopolis will take you on a voyage into the magical world of animals. A bit fanciful, a bit “Seussian” perhaps, a place of good natured humor, beauty and just plain fun.
Flight of the Butterflies – Experience the most incredible migration on earth. It’s a natural history epic. It’s a compelling detective story. It’s a scientific adventure at its best.
Talons: Birds of the World Flight Show
Carolina Raptor Center
6000 Sample Road, Huntersville, NC (704) 875-6521
September 22, 1:00pm -1:30pm, 3:00pm – 3:30pm, All ages, Regular admission + $5.00
Summary: Watch for your opportunity to see these amazing birds in flight!
Live Bird Presentation
Carolina Raptor Center
6000 Sample Road, Huntersville, NC (704) 875-6521
September 22, 2:00pm -2:30pm, All ages, others free with regular admission
Summary: Docent volunteers present 3-4 species of birds on glove and discuss the natural history of featured birds in our Festival Area
