Scarowinds & The Great Pumpkin Fest
Carowinds
14523 Carowinds Blvd., Charlotte, NC
Scarowinds
The Great Pumpkin Fest
Scarrigan Farms Haunted Trail
Carrigan Farms
1213 Oak Ridge Farm Hwy, Mooresville, NC
October 7 – October 31, See website for schedule, Ages 12 and up, $25
Summary: On select October nights (highlighted in red on the right sidebar / schedule page) our 170 acre farm is transformed into the scariest haunted trail in the region. If you are looking for a new and out of the ordinary way to get your heart pumping and adrenaline rushing this October, Scarrigan Farms is the place for you. This is not a trail for kids. If you’re under 12 come back when you’re old enough. We’ll be waiting.
Day Out With Thomas
North Carolina Transportation Museum
411 S. Salisbury Ave., Spencer, NC
October 6 – 8, See website for schedule and tickets, All ages
Summary: All aboard for a day of family fun with Thomas and Percy.
Rural Hill Amazing Maize Maze
Historic Rural Hill
4431 Neck Road, Huntersville, NC
September 9 – November 5, See website for schedule, Ages 5 and up, $8-$11
Summary: Get lost in our giant seven-acre corn maze featuring over two miles of interconnecting paths. One of the largest in the Southeast, our maze is sure to please! The whole of Rural Hill’s 265 acres is available to you and your group during maze hours – take a hayride around the farm, play a round of corn-hole, explore our historic site, play in our mini-mazes, have a picnic, hike our trails, pick a pumpkin (in October,) & much, much more!
Kids Free Weekend At Carolina Renaissance Festival
Carolina Renaissance Festival Fairgrounds
16445 Poplar Tent Road, Huntersville, NC
September 30 – November 19, See website for schedule, All ages, $14-$25
Summary: History comes alive with non-stop, day long entertainments, arts and crafts, games and rides, jousting knights on horseback, feasting and so much more! Time travel to the greatest party since Camelot! Huzzah!
Ghost Train
Tweetsie Railroad
300 Tweets Railroad Lane, Blowing Rock, NC
September 22 – October 28, See website for schedule, All ages, $38,
Summary: It’s safe, scary fun for the whole family! Kids will enjoy the Halloween shows and trick-or-treating. Andtake a chilling journey into the night as we Return to Area 12 on the Ghost Train—if you dare!
Finding Neverland
Belk Theater
130 N. Tryon Street, Charlotte, NC
October 3 – 8, See website for schedule, All ages, $25
Summary: Broadway’s biggest new hit and the winner of Broadway.com’s Audience Choice Award for Best Musical, this breathtaking smash “captures the kid-at-heart,” says TIME Magazine. Vogue cheers, “It’s a must-see you’ll remember for years to come!”
Downtown Mooresville Weiner Race
Downtown Mooresville
October 7, 11:00am, all ages, Free
Summary: The Mooresville Wiener Race is an event organized and presented by Downtown Mooresville in which all entrants are required to be classified as a Dachshund breed to be eligible to participate. This charitable event helps raise awareness and donations for local animal advocate groups while having fun doing so.
Hola Charlotte Hispanic Heritage Festival
Uptown Charlotte
N. Tryon Street and W. Trade Street
Summary: Join us as we come together to celebrate and enjoy Latin culture in Uptown Charlotte!
All American Dog Show
Robbins Park
17738 W. Catawba Ave., Cornelius, NC
October 7, 3:00pm – 6:00pm, All ages, Free
Summary: Concessions and children’s activities will be available during the event.
There is no charge to attend, just to register your dog(s) for contests. Parking is free.
Charlotte Symphony Lollipops: The Musical World Of Harry Potter
Knight Theater
430 S. Tryon Street, Charlotte, NC
September 30, 11:00am, $14-$24,
Summary: All aboard the Hogwarts Express! Experience the music of Harry Potter with selections from the Sorcerer’s Stone, the Chamber of Secrets and the Prisoner of Azkaban.
Carolina Panthers
Bank of American Stadium
800 S. Mint Street, Charlotte, NC
2017 Schedule
Charlotte Knights Baseball
BB&T Ballpark
324 S Mint St, Charlotte, NC
2017 Schedule
Charlotte Independence Soccer
Sportsplex at Matthews
1505 Tank Town Rd, Matthews, NC
2017 Schedule
Food Truck Friday Dilworth
Dilworth
1324 East Blvd. (Corner of Scott Ave & East Blvd.), Charlotte, NC
Summary: Every Friday, 6:00pm – 10:00pm, All ages, Free admission, Rain or Shine.
Free Wednesday Evenings At The Mint Museum
The Mint Museum – Randolph
2730 Randolph Road, Charlotte, NC
The Mint Museum – Uptown
500 S. Tryon Street, Charlotte, NC
Every Wednesday from 5:00pm – 9:00pm, All ages
Summary:Enjoy free access to both Mint Museum locations every Wednesday night.
River Jam Concert Series
U.S. National Whitewater Center
5000 Whitewater Center Pkwy., Charlotte, NC
May – September, See website for schedule, $5 parking fee
Summary: Join us on Thursday and Saturday nights from May through September for River Jam, the USNWC’s weekly concert series. A talented line-up of national musical acts provide the perfect back drop for a fun summer evening outdoors. Bring your friends, enjoy our large food and craft beer selection, and take in the sights and sounds of River Jam.
First Thursday Downtown Matthews Crawl
Downtown Matthews
230 Matthews Station Street, Matthews, NC
Occurs monthly on the first Thursday of March – December, All ages, Free
Summary: Local business will be offering amazing food specials, drink specials, entertainment and art on the streets and in the businesses throughout the downtown district! The fun and festivities will start at 5 p.m. and continue through the evening until closing.
Cotswold Trucks Food Truck Rally
Trinity Presbyterian Church
3115 Providence Road, Charlotte, NC
Every Friday from March 3 – November 3, 5:00pm – 9:00pm, All ages, Free
Summary: 10- 15 area food trucks, live music and a gated kids’ playground.
Festival of Food Trucks
Downtown Mooresville
North Main Street, Mooresville, NC
April 8 – October 14, 5:00pm – 8:30pm, All ages, Free
Summary: Main Street from Moore Ave to Iredell Ave will be closed for the event so bring a chair, hang out in the street and stay a while so you can check out these awesome Food Trucks from around the area offering delicious and creative food. Listen to live music, have a beer or a glass of wine, stroll the streets & shop.
Sensory Sensitive Sundays At Chuck E. Cheese
Charlotte and Concord locations (click here for a map of locations).
The first Sunday of every month July – December, 9:00am – 11:00am, All ages, Free
Summary: Chuck E. Cheese’s is proud to support families who have children with autism and special needs. We now offer a sensory-friendly experience on the first Sunday of every month. Our trained and caring staff is there to make sure each guest has a fun filled visit.
Bank of America’s Museums On Us Day
Various locations around Charlotte
The first Sunday and Saturday of every month, All ages, Free
Summary: Now in its 20th year, this distinctive program offers Bank of America and Merrill Lynch credit and debit card holders the opportunity to visit more than 150 of the most popular cultural institutions in the United States free of charge on the first full weekend of every month.
YMCA of Greater Charlotte Event Calendar
19 Locations throughout the Greater Charlotte Area
Summary: Most people know their neighborhood “Y” because of its incredible sports, camps and fitness programs but the “Y” has so much more to offer. Spend some time (it will take a while) on the website and learn about all the opportunities the “Y” provides. I promise, you will be amazed.
Child Safety Seat Inspection Station
Charlotte Mecklenburg Police Department
4150 Wilkinson Blvd, Charlotte, NC
Occurs the first and third Wednesday of April-December, 9:30am – 11:30am, Free
Summary: Certified technicians will check and help families properly install carseats. No appointment necessary.
Child Safety Seat Inspection Station
Matthews Police Department
1201 Crews Road, Matthews, NC
Occurs the first and third Wednesday of April-December, 9:30am – 11:30am, Free
Summary: Certified technicians will check and help families properly install carseats. No appointment necessary.
Discovery Place
301 N. Tryon Street, Charlotte, NC (704) 372-6261
Summary: Step into a world where science is brought to life through interactive exhibits and explosive experiments during daily programs. Connect with the past and visit the future with groundbreaking exhibitions, larger-than-life IMAX Dome films and hands on activities that let you explore more. Plan your visit today. Click on the links below for detailed information on special events, featured exhibitions, featured shows and IMAX.
Featured Exhibitions: For information on all exhibitions click here.
Featured Shows: For information on all featured shows click here.
IMAX: For information on all featured movies and showtimes click here.
Discovery Place Kids – Huntersville
105 Gilead Road, Huntersville, NC (704) 372-6261
Summary: Explore the theme of I CAN at Discovery Place KIDS-Huntersville. The children’s museum features developmentally-appropriate experiences that encourage imagination and offer the opportunity to build confidence while testing skills by trying new things. The exhibits, themed around a small town, allow children to learn through play.
Theme Areas: For a complete description of all nine theme areas click here.
Featured Shows: For a complete listing of all featured shows click here.
Current and Upcoming Events: For all current and upcoming events click here.
Charlotte Nature Museum
1658 Sterling Road, Charlotte, NC (704) 372-6261
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.
Featured Exhibitions: For complete details on exhibitions and exhibits click here.
Featured Shows: For a complete schedule of show times click here.
ImaginON: The Joe & Joan Martin Center
300 E. 7th Street, Charlotte, NC (704) 416-4630
See website for hours of operation
Summary: This collaborative effort between the Charlotte Mecklenburg Library and Children’s Theatre of Charlotte is a 102,000-square-foot facility recently ranked by Livability.com as the No. 1 children’s library in the United States. ImaginOn features two state-of-the-art theaters, a dedicated library space for kids 11 and under, four multi-use classrooms, a teen-only library, a multimedia production studio, and interactive exhibit space.
Carolina Raptor Center
6000 Sample Road, Huntersville, NC (704) 875-6521
Summary: Carolina Raptor Center is dedicated to environmental stewardship and the conservation of birds of prey through education, research, and the rehabilitation of injured and orphaned raptors. As a charitable 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, CRC relies on public financial support to fulfill our mission. Supporters can release a raptor, adopt a bird, make a charitable donation, purchase a membership or sponsor a capital improvement project. CRC’s environmental education programs reach approximately 40,000 students each year. Our Raptor Trail hosts more than 35,000 visitors a year. Visit our calendar page for event times or just come and enjoy our nicely maintained trails and see all the amazing birds of prey.
The Schiele Museum of Natural History
1500 East Garrison Blvd, Gastonia, NC (704) 866-6900
Summary: The natural wonders of North America and North Carolina coupled with the rich history of our region are all reflected in The Schiele’s exceptional exhibitions and diverse programming. Whether you’re indoors or out, with the kids or your colleagues, by bringing you a lot closer to nature, The Schiele will bring you a little closer to yourself.
Featured Exhibits: For a complete listing click here
Planetarium: For a complete schedule click here
Events Calendar: For all events click here
