Smarty Scoop is proudly sponsored by our friends at Charlotte Ballet Academy.
Registration is open for the school year, and will stay open through January ~ sign your dancer up today! Charlotte Ballet Academy, the only school of ballet in the state affiliated with a nationally renowned professional ballet Company, provides a nurturing and structured environment that encourages individuality, creative expression and an appreciation for the art of dance.
Scarrigan Farms Haunted Trail
Carrigan Farms
1213 Oak Ridge Farm Hwy, Mooresville, NC 28115
October 1-November 6, Reservations required
Summary: On select October nights, our 275 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.
SCarowinds
Carowinds
14523 Carowinds Blvd, Charlotte, NC
Select nights September 17-October 31, See website for schedule
Summary: SCarowinds, the Carolinas’ largest Halloween event, returns in 2021. Keep looking over your shoulder, because EVERY. SINGLE. THING you fear is here.
Whether you’ve visited each year of fear, or if this is your first time, you’ll sleep with the lights on after experiencing this new generation of SCarowinds. Every corner is cursed afresh with haunted mazes, scare zones and live (or maybe not live) entertainment.
Hordes of hungry zombies and blood-thirsty vampires eagerly await you – i.e. their next meal. And those wicked screams! There’s just no escaping them. Add our world-class thrill rides that instill a brand of fear all their own and you’ve got extreme, supreme Halloween – dare we say it? – FUN.
Yep, we’ll scare the living daylights out of you, but it’s an AMAZING night and one of the best things to do for Halloween!
Festival in the Park
Freedom Park
1900 East Blvd, Charlotte, NC
September 24-26, See website for schedule, Free admission
Summary: Festival in the Park is back for its 57th year! A favorite event for people in the Charlotte metro area. More than 150 artists and artisans will be displaying and selling their work, several stages of live entertainment, family fun zone and more.
Carolina Catfish Festival
Eastridge Mall
246 N. New Hope Road, Gastonia, NC
September 24-25, See website for schedule
Summary: 2 nights of Catfish races, fish frys, crafters, artisans, large variety of food, Little Miss. Catfish Pageant, games, music, BYO catfish contest, and more…
Music at the Quail Tower
Quail Corners Shopping Center
8500 Park Road, Charlotte, NC
September 25, 5-8PM, Free
Summary: Free outdoor concert!
Pumpkin Patch
Hodges Family Farm
3900 Rocky River Road, Charlotte, NC
September 25-October 31, see website for schedule, Free admission with $5 parking
Summary: The longest running farm in Charlotte has severed the Charlotte community for over 100 years and the Pumpkin Patch is back! After taking 2020 off (like many local businesses had to) we are thrilled to announce that our annual Pumpkin Patch will open on Saturday, September 25! We cannot think of a better way to spend a crisp autumn afternoon than to bring your family to our pumpkin patch and enjoy our historic farm’s property! Pumpkins, hay mountain to climb, barnyard animals, picnic areas, lots of photo opps.
Corn Maze and Pumpkin Patch
Aw Shucks Farm
3718 Plyler Mill Road, Monroe, NC
September 24, See website for schedule
Summary: So much to do, so much to see! Fall is the favorite time of year for farm visitors. We hope to see you soon!
Birkdale Buds
Birkdale Village
Birkdale Commons Pwky & Sam Furr Rd, Huntersville, NC
Every Wednesday morning from April to October
Summary: Adventure awaits your little one at our weekly Birkdale Buds featuring a variety of interactive events! Bring your pre-school aged little bud for playtime in the Grove, every Wednesday morning from April to October. Weekly activities may include face painters, storytellers, magicians, arts and crafts and more! Note: Crafts and activities will be available while supplies last.
Markets at 11 in Ballantyne
Ballantyne’s Backyard
11611 N. Community House Rd, Charlotte, NC
Summary: Join us on the second Saturday of each month for Markets at 11!
Local businesses are bringing their craft to the South Charlotte community to shop and enjoy! Browse specialty beauty, health and home products on Ballantyne’s former golf course. Grab bites and brews from local food and drink vendors. Post up on your picnic blanket and get your groove on with musical artists all day long!
Charlotte Open Air Market
5471 Central Avenue (site of the former Eastland Mall)
Every Saturday and Sunday, 7AM-5PM, free admission and free parking
Summary: This market has a rich multicultural atmosphere, with a huge variety of vendors selling just about everything you can imagine. Come check it out!
Children’s Theater at ImaginOn
300 E. 7th St. Charlotte, NC
Summary: We are excited to welcome audiences back to ImaginOn for in-person shows. Tickets and Choose-Your-Own Subscriptions now on sale. Click here for upcoming events. Children’s Theatre of Charlotte also offers a variety of programs for your child to enter the world of theatre. Our award-winning classes will help your child discover their creative spirit in the classroom and in life!
Strawberry Picking
Cotton Hills Farm – The Market in Lowrys
2575 Lowrys Hwy, Chester, SC
Monday-Saturday weather permitting, 9AM-7PM, $2.25/lb, bring your own container or purchase for $1 each
Summary: Come make some sweet family memories on the farm! Our u-pick strawberry patch is open Monday – Saturday, 9AM to 7PM. No reservations required, No pets allowed. After picking, cool off with a scoop or two of hand-dipped ice cream. Kids can enjoy our tractor play-set and sand pile.
River Jam
U.S. National Whitewater Center
5000 Whitewater Center Parkway, Charlotte, NC
Summary: Every Thursday-Saturday night, 7PM-10PM, Free admission with $6 parking fee
Live music takes place throughout the year at a one-of-a-kind outdoor venue in the middle of the world’s largest man-made whitewater river. Genres including roots rock, Americana, bluegrass, folk, and funk are featured on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights from May through September
Live Under The Oaks At Birkdale Village
Birkdale Commons Pkwy & Sam Furr Rd, Huntersville, NC
Every Friday evening from April to October
Summary: Start your weekends unwinding with live musical performances in the Grove. Grab your friends and family and get ready to dance the night away!
A bar will be onsite in the designated area provided by Red Rocks Cafe.
Due to local government restrictions being lifted, we are excited to be opening our Signature Events to the public starting in May! Attendees are no longer required to purchase tickets in advance for Live Under The Oaks beginning May 7th. While the events are not ticketed, guests are strongly encouraged to continue social distancing in groups and wear masks while on property.
Matthews Outdoor Concert Series
Stumptown Park
2nd & 4th Fridays, April – September, 6PM-9PM
Summary: To comply with COVIT-19 guidelines, these concerts are ticketed events with limited attendance of 350 people. Attendees can purchase seating “pods” for two or four people. Pod prices $6-$24.
Stonecrest Music At The Fountain
The Plaza Corner (near True Crafted Pizza & Civetta Italian Kitchen & Bar
See website for schedule
Summary: We are excited to bring back the summer concert series! On Friday evenings, enjoy our tradition of music by the fountain where you can come, relax and listen to a variety of different musicians; start times vary depending on location. Then on Saturdays, we invite you to visit The Plaza Corner and sit and relax on the patio of True Crafted Pizza or Civetta Italian Kitchen & Bar.
Charlotte Knights
Trust Field
324 S. Mint Street, Charlotte, NC
Click here for 2021 schedule
Charlotte Hornets
Spectrum Center
333 E. Trade Street, Charlotte, NC
Click here for 2021 schedule
Charlotte Thunder Arena Football
Bojangles’ Coliseum
2700 E. Independence Blvd., Charlotte, NC
Click here for 2021 schedule
Discovery Place Science
301 N. Tryon Street, Charlotte, NC
See website for schedule, reservations required
Discovery Place Nature
1658 Sterling Road, Charlotte, NC
See website for schedule, reservations required
Discovery Place Kids
105 Gilead Road, Huntersville, NC
See website for schedule, reservations required
The Schiele Museum of Natural History
1500 East Garrison Blvd, Gastonia, NC
Summary: The Schiele Museum of Natural History is now open! The museum is committed to inspiring curiosity and understanding of science and the natural world through exceptional educational programs, exhibits, and research. To see a list of events and plan your visit, click here.
Mecklenburg County Library Virtual Events
Free Virtual Events
Summary: Join Charlotte Mecklenburg Library every week for a wide range of virtual programming for children, teens and adults. Daily appointments for Reading Buddies and Tutoring and Enrichment for school-age children can be accessed by clicking here.
