Charlotte Mini Maker Faire
301 N. Tryon Street, Charlotte, NC (704) 372-6261
Summary: This family-friendly festival celebrates invention, creativity and resourcefulness. The Charlotte Mini Maker Faire will bring exhibitors, vendors, workshop teachers, speakers and performers together from across the region for the Greatest Show and Tell on Earth.
Scarrigan Farms
Carrigan Farms – West Entrance
1213 Oak Ridge Farm Why, Mooresville, NC
October 5-31, See website for schedule, Ages 12 and up, $25 per person, Cash or checks only
Summary: On select October nights (highlighted in red on the right sidebar or on the 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. If someone hasn’t peed in their pants by the end of the night we know we haven’t done our job.
Check out CSP’s tips on planning a Scarrigan Farms visit
SCarowinds
Carowinds
14523 Carowinds Blvd., Charlotte, NC
September 14-October 27, See website for schedule, Ages 13 and up, Free with cost of admission
Summary: Fear rises when darkness falls as Carowinds is transformed from a “theme park” into a “scream park” during the annual haunt of SCarowinds. Experience the thrills of your favorite rides and the chills of terrifying haunted attractions and shows. With over ghastly 500 monsters waiting to feed off your screams, there’s no place to hide during the Carolinas largest Halloween event.
Ghost Train
Tweetsie Railroad
300 Tweets Railroad Ln., Blowing Rock, NC
September 21 – October 27, 7:30pm-11:30pm, All ages, $38, Advanced ticket purchase required
Summary: Ghost train ride, haunted house, Halloween Shows, 3-D Maze, and more!
Old Town Cornelius 2nd Friday Street Festival
Oak Street Mill
19725 Oak Street, Cornelius, NC
October 12, 6:00pm-10:00pm, All ages, Free
Summary: 2nd Friday is #OTC’s monthly throw-down featuring a jam-packed lineup of live music, food trucks, craft breweries, local artists, kids activities and much more!
USNWC Fall Festival
U.S. National Whitewater Center
5000 Whitewater Center Pkwy, Charlotte, NC
October 5-6, See website for schedule, All ages, Free, $6 for parking
Summary: Kick off the autumn season with us at Fall Festival. This year’s festival features Cider Sampling and the always entertaining and exciting BYOB (Build Your Own Boat) Competition, where participants create their own river-worthy vessels and put them to the test with a trip down the whitewater competition channel. Take part in The Scrambler Obstacle Trail Race, a yoga practice under the trees, or Neptune’s Revenge, the USNWC’s brand new nighttime boatercross showdown, all while enjoying the sights and sounds of one of Yarn and JR JR.
MyGym Lake Norman Puppet Show
Barnes and Noble – Birkdale Village
8725 Townley Road, Huntersville, NC
September 7 – October 19, See website for schedule, All ages, Free
Summary: Join us at 10:30am as our local puppeteer troupe from MyGym Lake Norman leads us in interactive and imaginative songs, puppet shows, book readings, and more. Come see them every first and third Friday of the month!
Matilda The Musical
McColl Family Theater
300 E. 7th Street, Charlotte, NC
September 28 – October 21, See website for schedule, Ages 6+, $22+
Summary: Based on Roald Dahl’s classic children’s book, this full-length Tony Award-winning Broadway musical follows Matilda Wormwood, a precocious – and powerful – girl who immerses herself in books. Unfortunately, Matilda’s parents don’t understand why she’d rather read than watch television. Even worse, the headmistress at her school, Miss Trunchbull, a wicked and outrageous beast of a woman, intends to make Matilda’s life miserable. Matilda uses the magical powers she discovers within herself to create a better life for both her and her loving protector and teacher, Miss Honey.
The Hundred Dresses
Matthews Community Center
100 McDowell Street, East, Matthews, NC
October 12 – October 21, See website for schedule, Ages 6+, $12-$14
Summary: “The Hundred Dresses” is a story about a girl who is teased by her classmates because she is different. Wanda Petronski is the only student in her class with a ‘funny’ Polish name. She always wears the same faded blue dress to school everyday, although she claims she has a hundred dresses at home all lined up in her closet.
Grilled Cheese Fest
Southend
1441 S. Tryon Street, Charlotte, NC
Summary: Join us for the CHEESIEST festival of the year! Let your tastebuds run wild as you sample some of the best and most delicious GRILLED CHEESES around. Apart from the cheese goodness we’ll also have Live Music, Games and Activies, Cash Bars and some Awesome Vendors to keep you entertained all day long. Make sure to get your tickets early, this event SOLD OUT last year!
The Glow: A Jack-O-Lantern Experience
Charlotte Motor Speedway Campground
7301 Burton Smith Blvd, Concord, NC
October 4-28, See website for schedule, All ages, $11-$35
Summary: THE GLOW features an enchanting and unforgettable wonderland of more than 5,000 hand carved, illuminated pumpkins transformed into beautiful landscapes, iconic figures and larger than life jack o’ lantern structures.
Charlotte Fall Fair
Route 29 Pavillion
5650 Sandusky Blvd., Concord, NC
October 12 – October 21, See website for schedule, All ages, $5-$8,
Summary: There is definitely something for everyone at this fall favorite event. Top notch rides and entertainment.
Lazy 5 Ranch Fall Festival
Lazy 5 Ranch
15100 Mooresville Road, Mooresville, NC
September 29-October 28, See website for schedule, All ages, $8-$11, children under 2 are free
Summary: The Lazy 5 Ranch is privately owned and operated by Henry Hampton with no federal or state funding. Henry Hampton has been raising exotic animals for over 35 years and is known nationwide for his handling of exotic animals.
25th Annual Carolina Renaissance Festival
Carolina Renaissance Festival Fairgrounds
16445 Poplar Tent Road, Huntersville, NC
September 29-November 18, 10:00am-5:30pm, All ages, $14+, 5 and under free
Summary: Each day is filled with an abundance of attractions and entertainments for all ages. Twelve stages are packed with continuous live comedy, music, dance, and circus style entertainments! The Village pathways are bursting to life with over 500 costumed villagers that interact with you for your amusement.
Rural Hill Amazing Maize Maze
Historic Rural Hill
4431 Neck Road, Huntersville, NC
September 15-November 4, See website for schedule, Ages 5 and older, $11+
Summary: Get lost in the giant seven-acre corn maze featuring over two miles of interconnecting paths. Take a hayride, play cornhole and hike the trails. See website for times.
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.
Carowinds
300 Carowinds Blvd., Charlotte, NC
See website for schedule and events
Explore: what’s new, calendar and hours, park map and directions
Play: rides and attractions, shows and entertainment, special events
Stay: camp wilderness, preferred hotels, special discounts, easy pay
River Jam Concert Series
U.S. National Whitewater Center
5000 Whitewater Center Pkwy, Charlotte, NC
May 3-September 29, See website for schedule, All ages, Free, $6 parking
Summary: River Jam at the U.S. National Whitewater Center brings together live musical performances throughout the year to a one-of-a-kind outdoor venue, right in the middle of the world’s largest man-made whitewater river. Genres including roots rock, americana, bluegrass, folk, and funk take center stage Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights as well as during each of the USNWC’s festivals. Bring your friends, enjoy our large food and craft beer selection, and take in the sights and sounds of River Jam.
Food Truck Fridays And Concert Series
Stumptown Park
120 S. Trade Street, Matthews, NC
April 13-September 28, See website for schedule, All ages, Free
Summary: Favorite area food and dessert trucks will provide varied menus including seafood, Tex-Mex, burgers, sandwiches, specialty dishes and more. There will also be a great line-up of local and regional bands, inflatables and a craft beer pavilion
Stonecrest Summer Concert Series
Stonecrest Shopping Center
7900 Rae Road, Charlotte, NC
April 6-September 29, See website for schedule, All ages, Free
Summary: Live music every Friday and Saturday night throughout the summer.
Old Town Cornelius 2nd Friday Street Festival
Oak Street Mill
19725 Oak Street, Cornelius, NC
May 11-October 12, See website for schedule, All ages, Free
Summary: 2nd Friday is #OTC’s monthly throw-down featuring a jam-packed lineup of live music, food trucks, craft breweries, local artists, kids activities and much more! The event is RAIN or SHINE so mark your calendars because this is going to be a festival series that you simply don’t want to miss!
Carolina Panthers
Bank of America Stadium
800 S Mint St, Charlotte, NC
2018 Schedule
Charlotte Knights
BB&T Ballpark
324 S. Mint Street, Charlotte, NC
2018 Schedule
Charlotte Independence
Sportsplex at Matthews
1505 Tank Town Road, Matthews, NC
2018 Schedule
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.
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.
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.
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
