articles

MacKID's 2023 Guide to Fall Festivals in the Greater Charlotte Area

Don't Miss Out on Fall Family Fun in Our Area!

By South Charlotte, Fort Mill and Union County MacaronKID September 9, 2023

The temps are dropping and fall decor is starting to make its way into our living rooms and doorsteps. We've rounded up all the Fall Family Fun in the Greater Charlotte area - from Lake Norman all the way down to Rock Hill and everywhere in between! 

Think we missed one? Drop us a note at rachaelw@macaronikid.com or rebeccap@macaronikid.com and we'll add it in!





Download Your Printable Guide HERE

Just in time for the weekend - you won't want to miss: 

Scarowinds at Carowinds
Weekends September 15 - October 29, 2023
7:00 p.m.-12:00 a.m.
Carowinds - 14523 Carowinds Blvd, Charlotte, NC, 28273
Cost: Free with Gold Pass, ticket prices vary


Festival in the Park
September 22-24, 2023
1900 East Boulevard, Charlotte
Cost: Free


Charlotte International Arts Festival
September 15th to October 1st, 2023
Various locations in Uptown Charlotte, as well as Ballantyne's Backyard
Cost: Many events are FREE


Union County Heritage Festival
September 23, 2023, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Union County Agricultural Center - 3230 Presson Road, Monroe, NC
Cost: Free


Flow Fest at U.S. National Whitewater Center
September 16th, 2023
All-day event
U.S. National Whitewater Center - 5000 Whitewater Center Parkway, Charlotte, NC
Cost: Free (parking is $6)


Matthews Touch-a-Truck
September 17, 2023
Time: 12PM
Location: Downtown Matthews ~ 210 Matthews Station, Matthews, NC
Cost: FREE


2023 Latin American Festival
September 23, 2023 ~ 12 to 9 p.m.
Symphony Park ~ 4400 Sharon Road, Charlotte, NC
Cost: Free


Italian Fest
September 24, 2023
Sumptown Park ~ Matthews, NC
Cost: Free


Fort Mill Main Street Oktoberfest Jam
Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023
Time: 3-9PM
Locations: Main Street, Downtown Fort Mill
Cost: Free


Oktoberfest at OpenTap
Saturday, September 23, 2023
Time: 12PM - close
OpenTap ~ 5010 Carmel Center Drive, Charlotte, NC


Shelby Corn Maze & Pumpkin Patch
Sept. 12 – Oct. 29, 2023
Fridays 4 – 10pm | Saturdays  10am-10-pm | Sundays 2-8pm
Haunted Maze: After dark Fridays & Saturdays in October
Location: 120 Broadway Dr. Shelby, NC 28152
Cost: $12-$15


The Great Pumpkin Festival at Carowinds
Weekends: September 16 - October 31, 2023
Hours: 10:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.
Carowinds 14523 Carowinds Blvd, Charlotte, NC, 28273
Cost: Free with Gold Pass; ticket prices vary


Hunter Farm Fall Weekends
Sept. 22 - Nov. 5, 2023

  • Tues : 2pm - 7pm
  • Wed - Sunday : 9am - 7pm

Location: 13624 Providence Rd. Weddington, NC 28104
Cost: $10 for ages 2+


Hall Family Farm Fall Weekends
September 22 - October 31, 2023
Hours: Check website, days/times vary; Closed Tuesdays
Location: Hall Family Farm ~ 445 W. Rebound Rd, Lancaster, SC
Cost: Free to roam; activity costs vary / Pumpkins are by the Lb.


Amazing Maize at Rural Hills Farm
September 16 - October 28
Hours: 10 AM - 5 PM
Location: Rural Hills Farm ~ 4431 Neck Road Huntersville, NC
Cost: $9+

Coming up

Country Days Corn Maze
September 29 to November 4, 2023. Fridays to Sundays. (Weekdays for large groups, by reservation only.)
Times: Friday: 5-10pm  / Saturday: 10am -10pm / Sunday: 2-8pm
Location: 416 Joe Lee Helms Road, Indian Trail, NC
Cost: Big maze: $10. Little Ears Maze: $6. Farm activities tickets: $1. Farm activities unlimited wristband: $18. Pumpkins from $2 to $10.


13 Acre at Aw Shucks
September 22 - October 31
Fridays and Saturdays; Sunday 10/22 and 29 and Tuesday 10/31
Time: 6 - 11 PM
Location: 3718 Plyler Mill Rd., Monroe
Cost: $25-65


Carolina Renaissance Festival
Sept. 30 to Nov. 19, 2023
Saturdays and Sundays
16445 Poplar Tent Road, Huntersville
Cost: Ticket price: $32 for adults and $20 for children ages 5-12. Some discounts are available


Scarigan Farms
September 29 to October 29, 2023
Times: Check website
Location: Carrigan Farms ~ 1213 Oakridge Farm Highway (for Scarrigan Farms) and 1261 Oakridge Farm Highway (for pumpkins and sunflowers), Mooresville, NC 28115
Cost: Price varies by date: $20 to $40 per person.


Cherry Place Farm - Corn Maize
Saturdays and Sundays in October
Times: Sat ~ 10-6 / Sun ~ 1-6
Location: 1922 Oakdale Rd. Rock Hill, SC
Cost: $10; Under 2 is free


Black's Peaches Fall Festival Weekends
Every weekend in October (Sundays 1-5) ~ enjoy hayrides, a corn maze, pumpkin-chunkin, a farm playground, corn shelling, a hay maze, cow milking, a horse rodeo, and skeeball.
The pumpkin patch is open every day in October.
Location: 1800 Black Highway York, SC 29745
Cost: $7 per person.


Cherry Place Farm Fall Festival Weekends
Every weekend in October
Saturdays: 10AM-6PM, Sundays: 1-6PM
Details: The October festival is a self-guided tour of the farm that features a two-acre cornmaze, a pumpkin patch, hayrides, petting and feeding the animals, and free popcorn.
Location: 1922 Oakdale Road, Rock Hill, SC 29730
Cost: Admission is $9 per person for everyone ages 2 and up.


Fort Mill Scarecrow Crawl
October 6 - 31, 2023
Location: Downtown Fort Mill
Cost: Free 


Union Festival by SDM
October 7, 2023
Cane Creek Park ~ 5213 Harkey Road, Waxhaw
Cost: Free
 

Hola Charlotte Festival 
October 7th, 2023
Tryon Street, between Stonewall and 4th
Cost: Free


Curtin Farms Festival
October 7, 2023
Time: 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM
Location: 407 North Paraham Rd, Clover, SC 29710
Cost: 0-$7


Musica Matthews ~ An Hispanic Heritage Festival
October 14th, 2023, 5 to 9 p.m.
Stumptown Park ~ 120 S. Trade Street, Matthews
Cost: Free


Autumn Treasures
October 14-15, 2023
Hours: Saturday, 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM/ Sunday, 12:00 PM - 6:00 PM
Streets of Downtown Waxhaw, Waxhaw, NC


Catawba Fest
October 14, 2023; 11:00 AM to 8:00 PM
Glennon Community Center -5083 Molokai Dr, Tega Cay, SC
Cost: Free


Fall For Matthews Festival
October 15th, 2022; 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Downtown Matthews ~ 210 Matthews Station Street, Matthews
Cost: Free


Mint Hill Scarecrow Contest
October 19-21, 2023
Location: Downtown Fort Mill
Cost: Free


Pineville Fall Fest
October 19 and 21st, 2023
Jack D. Hughes Park, Pineville
Cost: Free


Carolina Balloon Festival
October 20-22, 2023;
Friday: 3 to 8:30 p.m.
Saturday: 7 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Sunday: 7 a.m. to 6 p .m.
Statesville Regional Airport ~ 260 Hangar Drive, Statesville, NC
Cost: $15-$20


Build-Your-Own-Boat competition at U.S. Whitewater Center
Saturday, October 14th, 2023
U.S. National Whitewater Center; 5000 Whitewater Center Parkway, Charlotte
Cost: Free (parking is $6)


30th Annual Apple Harvest Festival at Windy Hill Orchard 
DATE TBA
Time TBA (last year there were two sessions: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 2 pm. to 6 p.m.)
1860 Black Highway, York, South Carolina
Tickets TBA (last year they were $10-$12)


Mint Hill Madness
October 19-21, 2023
Thursday: 4 to 9 p.m.
Friday: 4 to 10 p.m.
Saturday: 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Veterans Memorial Park ~ 8500 Fairview Road, Mint Hill, NC
Free (but pay for rides)


Fort Mill Fall Festival
Saturday, Oct. 21; 4-8PM
345 N White St, Fort Mill, SC 29715
Cost: Free entry.


Touch-a-Truck at Fort Mill Fall Festival
Saturday, October 21
345 N. White Street, Fort Mill, SC
Cost: Free


Indian Trail Halloween Spooktacular at Chestnut Park
Oct 20th, 2023;  6:00 p.m.-9:00 p.m.
Chestnut Square Park 320 Chestnut Parkway, Indian Trail, NC, 28079
Cost: Free.


Stallings Fest
October 21, 2023; 11am-5pm
Stallings Municipal Park - 340 Stallings Rd, Stallings, NC 28104


Ghoul's Night Out
October 26, 2023; 5-7PM
Stallings Municipal Park ~ 340 Stallings Rd. Stallings, NC
FREE
*Please note this is NOT a trick or treating event*


Matthews Play House Halloween Haunted Trail
October 27-29, 2023
Times: Not So Spooky- 5:30pm-6:30pm every night / Full Fright- 7:00pm-9:00pm on Friday & Sunday, 7:00pm-10:00pm on Saturday
Location: Matthews Community Center
Cost: $10 / person; 2 and under free


Jeep Rocktober Festival at Dallas Lavender Lane Farm
Saturday October 28, 2023
Dallas Lavender Lane Farm ~ 937 Old Willis School Road, Dallas, NC
Cost: $9.99 per day for adults. Children under 12 are admitted for free; $14.99 for the whole weekend


Belmont Boo Fest
October 28th, 2023; 2-7pm
24 South Main Street, Belmont, North Carolina 28012, United States


Monster Bash at Waverly
DATE TBD
Waverly Shopping Center ~ Providence Road at Ardrey Kell Road, Charlotte, NC
Cost: Free


OPCC Fall Festival
October 28, 2023
Time: 3 - 7 PM
Location: 2212 Burton Street, Rock Hill, SC
Cost: Free


Waxhaw Fright Night
October 28, 2023; 4-10PM
Downtown Waxhaw, NC
FREE


Rural Hill Sheepdog Trials
November 4-5th, 2023; 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Rural Hill ~ 4431 Neck Road, Huntersville, NC
Cost: Ages 13+: $11, Ages 5-12: $8, Ages 0-4: Free



You can download this image HERE


Grab your family and go have some fun - and as always remember to @mackid.union, @mackidrebecca or @mackidfmrh us in your pics!