Things to Do in
Charlotte This Week.
October 5 to 11, 2026 - Fall race weekend takes over the metro as Charlotte Motor Speedway hosts its Bank of America 400 Cup Series race on Sunday, October 11. Midweek brings Olivia Rodrigo's Unraveled Tour to Spectrum Center for two arena nights, plus Fuerza Regida at Truliant Amphitheater and the Charlotte Symphony performing Scheherazade at Belk Theater. The weekend rounds out with Trombone Shorty, The Revivalists, Charlotte Independence soccer at Matthews, Ryan Davis comedy, and October farmers markets picking up the first NC apples and pumpkins of the season. One of the most action-packed weekends of the Charlotte fall calendar.
October in Charlotte is when the calendar really fills up, and this week is proof. Midweek is all about arenas and amphitheaters: Olivia Rodrigo plays Spectrum Center on Wednesday and Thursday, Fuerza Regida headlines Truliant Amphitheater on Friday, and the Charlotte Symphony opens its Scheherazade run at Belk Theater on Friday night. The weekend, though, belongs to Charlotte Motor Speedway, where the fall race weekend peaks with the NASCAR Cup Series Bank of America 400 on Sunday afternoon. In between there is Trombone Shorty and The Revivalists at The Fillmore, Charlotte Independence soccer at the Sportsplex at Matthews, and the first truly fall farmers markets of the year with NC apples, pumpkins, and winter squash. Whether you want arena pop, orchestral elegance, or the roar of Cup cars, this week has your pick.
Monday through Friday.
Artemas opens the week at The Fillmore on Monday, Rebecca Black follows Tuesday, Olivia Rodrigo takes over Spectrum Center Wednesday and Thursday, NASCAR's Ecosave 250 kicks off race weekend at the speedway Thursday night, and Friday brings Fuerza Regida and the Charlotte Symphony's Scheherazade.
Artemas - Live at The Fillmore
The Fillmore Charlotte - 1000 NC Music Factory Blvd, Charlotte
UK alt-pop artist Artemas brings his moody, genre-blending sound to The Fillmore to open the week. Known for the viral hit "I Like the Way You Kiss Me" and his brooding blend of dark R&B and alt-pop, Artemas delivers an atmospheric, bass-forward live show. The Fillmore's standing-room floor is the perfect setting for his late-night energy. Tickets through Live Nation.
Rebecca Black - Live at The Fillmore
The Fillmore Charlotte - 1000 NC Music Factory Blvd, Charlotte
Rebecca Black performs live at The Fillmore fresh off her acclaimed "Crumbs" era and the hit song "Crumbs" and her viral pivot into serious, self-aware pop. It is a Tuesday night show with strong, layered production and a devoted fanbase. Good food and music-factory energy before the weekend. Tickets through Live Nation.
Olivia Rodrigo: The Unraveled Tour
Spectrum Center - 333 E Trade St, Uptown Charlotte
Olivia Rodrigo brings The Unraveled Tour to Spectrum Center for two back-to-back arena nights. Expect the full "GUTS" catalog alongside her breakout "SOUR" hits, with her signature raw, emotional live performance, theatrical staging, and a sold-out crowd. Two nights means two chances to catch one of pop's biggest current stars. Tickets through Ticketmaster.
NASCAR Ecosave 250 at Charlotte Motor Speedway
Charlotte Motor Speedway - Concord NC (about 20 min north of Uptown)
The fall race weekend at Charlotte Motor Speedway kicks off Thursday with the Ecosave 250. The 2026 fall race weekend returns to the traditional oval layout, and the action starts with Thursday night under the lights. Practice, qualifying, and support racing build through the weekend toward Sunday's Cup race. Kids' NASCAR tickets from $10, plus a Fan Zone and STEAM Expo all weekend.
Fuerza Regida - Live at Truliant Amphitheater
Truliant Amphitheater - 801 I-85, Charlotte
Regional Mexican superstar Fuerza Regida headlines Truliant Amphitheater on Friday night. Known for their corridos and sierreño style that has made them one of the biggest names in Latin music, their live shows are high-energy singalongs under the open sky. A great outdoor fall concert to start the weekend. Tickets through Live Nation.
Charlotte Symphony: Scheherazade
Belk Theater at Blumenthal Performing Arts Center - 130 N Tryon St, Uptown
The Charlotte Symphony performs Rimsky-Korsakov's lush, color-saturated "Scheherazade" at Belk Theater, one of the most beloved works in the orchestral repertoire. From the famous violin solo that opens the piece to the shimmering finale, this is storytelling through music at its most vivid. A Friday night of world-class classical music in Uptown.
Phoebe Bridgers: The Lost Tour
Spectrum Center - 333 E Trade St, Uptown Charlotte
Phoebe Bridgers brings The Lost Tour to Spectrum Center for a Friday-night arena show, her biggest Charlotte headline to date. Expect her hushed, devastating songwriting, spare arrangements that bloom into full-band crescendos, and her trademark deadpan stage presence. A standout indie show for the season, with tickets through Ticketmaster.
Saturday & Sunday.
Saturday brings the second night of Scheherazade at Belk Theater, Trombone Shorty at The Fillmore, Ryan Davis comedy, and Charlotte Independence soccer at Matthews. Sunday is the crown jewel: the NASCAR Cup Series Bank of America 400 at Charlotte Motor Speedway, with The Revivalists closing the night at The Fillmore.
Charlotte Symphony: Scheherazade - Second Night
Belk Theater at Blumenthal Performing Arts Center - 130 N Tryon St, Uptown
A second evening of the Charlotte Symphony performing Rimsky-Korsakov's "Scheherazade." If Friday's performance sells out or you want a more relaxed Saturday option after a day at the speedway, this is a stunning, immersive orchestral night in Uptown. Pair it with dinner at one of the many restaurants on North Tryon or in the EpiCentre district.
Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue - Live at The Fillmore
The Fillmore Charlotte - 1000 NC Music Factory Blvd, Charlotte
Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue bring New Orleans funk, jazz, and rock to The Fillmore on Saturday night. One of the most explosive live bands in the country, Trombone Shorty's high-octane blend of brass and funk fills the room with uncontainable energy. A can't-miss Saturday show for anyone who loves a horn-heavy party.
Ryan Davis - Live Comedy at The Comedy Zone
The Comedy Zone - 900 Seaboard St, Charlotte
Comedian Ryan Davis brings his sharp, self-aware stand-up to The Comedy Zone on Saturday night. An intimate comedy club show with two sets, great sightlines, and the relaxed atmosphere that makes The Comedy Zone one of Charlotte's favorite nights out. Perfect for a date night or a group outing.
Charlotte Independence vs. New York Cosmos
Sportsplex at Matthews - 1125 Everleigh Rd, Matthews NC
The Charlotte Independence host the New York Cosmos in USL League One action at the Sportsplex at Matthews on Saturday night. Affordable, family-friendly pro soccer in the eastern part of the metro, with a lively local supporters' atmosphere. A relaxed alternative to the big speedway crowds, about 20 minutes from Uptown.
NASCAR Cup Series Bank of America 400
Charlotte Motor Speedway - Concord NC (about 20 min north of Uptown)
The main event of the fall race weekend: the NASCAR Cup Series Bank of America 400 at Charlotte Motor Speedway. The 2026 fall race returns to the traditional 1.5-mile oval layout for a Sunday afternoon of Cup Series racing under the October sun. Add the Fan Zone, STEAM Expo, and $10 kids' NASCAR tickets to make it a full family day. The biggest ticket of the entire Charlotte October weekend.
The Revivalists - Live at The Fillmore
The Fillmore Charlotte - 1000 NC Music Factory Blvd, Charlotte
New Orleans rock band The Revivalists close the weekend at The Fillmore on Sunday night. Known for "Wish I Knew You" and their jam-adjacent, soulful rock sound, their live show is a high-and-low swinger that ends the weekend on a musical high note. A great Sunday night cap to an action-packed Charlotte fall weekend.
Ongoing & recurring.
Carolina Renaissance Festival
16445 Poplar Tent Rd, Concord NC
Open weekends from Oct 3 through Nov 22. Jousting, artisan crafts, turkey legs, mead, and costumed performers. One of the country's largest Renaissance festivals, about 20 minutes north of Uptown.
Charlotte Motor Speedway Fall Race Weekend
Charlotte Motor Speedway - Concord NC
Thursday Ecosave 250 through Sunday Bank of America 400. Fan Zone, STEAM Expo, practice and qualifying, and kid-friendly $10 tickets. The 2026 fall races return to the traditional oval.
Fall Farmers Markets
Charlotte Regional, Kings Drive, South End at Atherton, Davidson
October markets bring the peak of fall: NC apples, pumpkins, winter squash, and late-season tomatoes. Charlotte Regional Farmers Market (1801 Yorkmont Rd), Kings Drive (938 S Kings Dr), South End at Atherton (2000 South Blvd), and Davidson (120 S Main St).
Optimist Hall & 7th Street Public Market Food Halls
1115 N Brevard St & 224 E 7th St, Charlotte
Two of Charlotte's favorite food halls for any-time-of-day eats. Grab a bite at Optimist Hall in Optimist Park or 7th Street Public Market in Uptown before or after any of this week's concerts and games.
Don't miss these.
NASCAR Cup Series Bank of America 400 (Sunday, October 11)
This is the crown jewel of the Charlotte October weekend. The Cup Series returns to the traditional oval for a Sunday afternoon at Charlotte Motor Speedway, with the $10 kids' tickets, Fan Zone, and STEAM Expo making it a true family day. Even if racing is not usually your thing, the sensory overload of Cup cars at 180 mph on a fall afternoon is unforgettable.
Olivia Rodrigo: The Unraveled Tour at Spectrum Center (Wed & Thu, Oct 7-8)
Two arena nights for one of pop's biggest stars. Olivia Rodrigo's live show is emotional, theatrical, and arena-sized, and Charlotte gets two chances to see it midweek. It is the single most in-demand concert of this week in the Queen City.
Charlotte Symphony plays Scheherazade at Belk Theater (Fri & Sat, Oct 9-10)
Rimsky-Korsakov's Scheherazade is pure orchestral magic, and hearing it performed live by the Charlotte Symphony at Belk Theater is a stunning night out. It makes a refreshing, elegant counterpoint to a weekend otherwise full of race-day noise and arena pop.
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