Things to Do in
Charlotte This Week.
October 9 through October 15, 2026. This is a big sports-and-festival week in Charlotte. Charlotte FC hosts FC Dallas at Bank of America Stadium on Saturday night, the Charlotte Hornets close preseason at Spectrum Center on Sunday, and the weekend is packed with fall favorites: McAdenville Oktoberfest, Charlotte Book Palooza at Truist Field, the Charlotte Mimosa Festival, and the Carolina Renaissance Festival in Huntersville. Then the week rolls into Jonas Brothers and Don Omar at Spectrum Center. Crisp air, falling leaves, and a Queen City full of things to do.
There is a shift in the air this week as Charlotte settles into the golden heart of autumn. If you are looking for things to do in Charlotte this week, the weekend is the star: Charlotte FC vs FC Dallas at Bank of America Stadium on Saturday, the Charlotte Hornets preseason finale vs the Milwaukee Bucks on Sunday, McAdenville Oktoberfest, Charlotte Book Palooza at Truist Field, and the Charlotte Mimosa Festival at Lenny Boy Brewing. The Carolina Renaissance Festival is open in Huntersville both days, and the week ahead brings Jonas Brothers and Don Omar to Spectrum Center. Whether you want soccer, basketball, books, brunch, or a Bavarian festival, this is a wonderful week to be out in the Queen City.
Monday through Friday.
Jonas Brothers and Don Omar headline Spectrum Center on Tuesday and Wednesday, the Charlotte Regional Farmers Market is at peak fall harvest, and the Charlotte Symphony and The Comedy Zone keep the midweek calendar rolling.
Jonas Brothers: The Burning Up Tour All Over Again
Spectrum Center - 333 E Trade St, Uptown
The Jonas Brothers bring The Burning Up Tour All Over Again to Spectrum Center on Tuesday night, a full-arena celebration of their biggest hits from "Sucker" to "Burnin' Up." It is a high-energy, family-friendly pop show with a crowd that sings along to nearly every song. A great midweek night out in Uptown Charlotte, with plenty of dinner spots and parking garages within a short walk of the arena. Tickets through Ticketmaster.
Don Omar
Spectrum Center - 333 E Trade St, Uptown
Reggaeton pioneer Don Omar brings his biggest hits to Spectrum Center for a Wednesday-night arena show in Uptown. One of the artists who defined the genre's golden era, his live show is a high-energy celebration of two decades of Latin music, from "Danza Kuduro" to "Dile." A big midweek concert for Latin music fans across the metro. Tickets through Ticketmaster.
Charlotte Regional Farmers Market - Fall Peak at the Yorkmont Market
Charlotte Regional Farmers Market - 1801 Yorkmont Rd
The year-round Charlotte Regional Farmers Market at Yorkmont Road is in its fall groove this week. October brings crisp local apples, pumpkins, gourds, muscadine grapes, winter squash, pecans, and the last of the late peppers and tomatoes. It is the largest wholesale-to-retail market in the region, with a covered pavilion open Wednesday through Sunday and fall field crops in abundance. A great midweek stop to stock up for fall baking and harvest decorating.
Charlotte Symphony Midweek & Comedy at The Comedy Zone
Uptown venues & The Comedy Zone - 2208 South Blvd, Southend
The midweek calendar is quiet but far from empty. The Charlotte Symphony keeps its fall season rolling at the Blumenthal venues most weeks, and The Comedy Zone in Southend hosts its regular weeknight stand-up slate with a mix of national headliners and local favorites. Check charlottesymphony.org and comedyzonecharlotte.com for who is on stage these specific nights. Both are reliably fun, affordable ways to make a weeknight feel special.
Carolina Renaissance Festival - Monday Opening
16445 Poplar Tent Rd, Huntersville
The Carolina Renaissance Festival adds a special Monday opening on October 12, giving you a chance to wander the 25-acre village of Fairhaven on a quieter day than the usual weekend crowds. Jousting tournaments, artisan shops, period comedy, and food fit for a feast are all on tap. October is arguably the best month to go: the weather is crisp and the leaves are turning. Check the official site to confirm the Monday hours before you go.
Saturday & Sunday.
Charlotte FC vs FC Dallas on Saturday night, Charlotte Hornets preseason vs Milwaukee Bucks on Sunday, Charlotte Book Palooza at Truist Field, McAdenville Oktoberfest, the Charlotte Mimosa Festival, and the Carolina Renaissance Festival in Huntersville.
Charlotte FC vs FC Dallas (MLS)
Bank of America Stadium - 800 S Mint St, Uptown
Charlotte FC hosts FC Dallas on Saturday night at Bank of America Stadium in a key late-season MLS matchup. With the playoff race heating up, the Crown's home crowd at the Mint Street gate is one of the loudest in Major League Soccer. It is a fantastic Uptown night out: grab dinner in South End or Uptown first, then walk over for the match. Tickets through the club and Ticketmaster.
Charlotte Hornets vs Milwaukee Bucks - Preseason
Spectrum Center - 333 E Trade St, Uptown
The Charlotte Hornets close out their preseason slate with a home game against the Milwaukee Bucks on Sunday night at Spectrum Center. Preseason basketball is one of the most affordable ways to experience NBA hoops in Charlotte, with budget tickets and a relaxed, family-friendly atmosphere. Pair it with an Uptown dinner or a walk through Romare Bearden Park for a full fall weekend evening. Confirm the exact time at hornets.com.
Charlotte Book Palooza
Truist Field - 324 S Mint St, Uptown
Charlotte Book Palooza returns to Truist Field on Saturday, a free-to-browse celebration of reading with dozens of local authors, publishers, and booksellers on hand. Browse new releases, meet authors, grab signed copies, and let the kids discover their next favorite book. Admission is $5 for adults, free for kids. It is a relaxed, family-friendly way to spend a crisp October afternoon in Uptown Charlotte.
McAdenville Oktoberfest
McAdenville, NC (about 20 minutes west of Charlotte)
The tiny mill town of McAdenville, famous for its Christmas lights, throws a big free Oktoberfest on Saturday. Expect German food and beer, live music, craft vendors, kids' activities, and that small-town festival charm the region is known for. It runs from morning to night, so you can make a full day of it. Free admission makes it one of the best-value fall festivals within a short drive of Charlotte.
Charlotte Mimosa Festival
Lenny Boy Brewing Co. - 3000 S Tryon St, Southend
The Charlotte Mimosa Festival pours into Lenny Boy Brewing on Sunday afternoon, a 21+ celebration of everyone's favorite brunch drink. Sample a rotating lineup of mimosas, enjoy live music and games, and soak up the laid-back Southend brewery vibe. It is a perfect low-key Sunday afternoon for a group of friends. Tickets are on the official festival page and SimpleTix.
Carolina Renaissance Festival
16445 Poplar Tent Rd, Huntersville
The Carolina Renaissance Festival is open this weekend in Huntersville, and it is one of the largest Renaissance festivals in the country. Wander the 25-acre village of Fairhaven with jousting tournaments twice daily, 100-plus artisan shops, food fit for a feast, comedy acts, and roaming performers in full period costume. October is arguably the best month to go: the weather is crisp and the leaves are turning. It runs weekends through November 22. Buy tickets online to save.
Two Door Cinema Club
Skyla Credit Union Amphitheatre - 1000 NC Music Factory Blvd
Northern Irish indie rockers Two Door Cinema Club bring their Tourist History 15th Anniversary Tour to Skyla Credit Union Amphitheatre on Saturday night. Expect a full run-through of the beloved 2010 debut album alongside their biggest hits, delivered with their signature bright, danceable energy. A great outdoor fall concert in the Music Factory district, with plenty of nearby bars and restaurants for before or after.
Five Finger Death Punch
Bojangles' Coliseum - 2700 E Independence Blvd
Five Finger Death Punch brings their heavy, anthemic metal to Bojangles' Coliseum on Sunday night. The long-running rock powerhouse delivers a loud, theatrical arena show with singalong choruses and plenty of pyro. Bojangles' Coliseum is Charlotte's historic mid-century arena, a fun, no-frills venue with easy parking and quick access. Tickets through Ticketmaster.
Mecktoberfest at Olde Mecklenburg Brewery - Ballantyne
OMB Ballantyne - 10400 Olde Mecklenburg Way, Ballantyne
Olde Mecklenburg Brewery's Mecktoberfest wraps its fall run this weekend at the Ballantyne location. German lagers, oompah bands, brats, pretzels, and stein-holding competitions fill the grounds in true Bavarian style. OMB is Charlotte's original craft brewery and its Oktoberfest is one of the most beloved traditions in the metro. A great pick for beer lovers and families alike.
Fall for Matthews Festival
Stumptown Park - 120 S Trade St, Matthews
Fall for Matthews fills Stumptown Park in downtown Matthews on Saturday with arts and crafts vendors, food, live music, and kids' activities. It is a free, family-friendly way to enjoy one of the eastern metro's most charming small downtowns, with the railroad tracks and old-town storefronts as a backdrop. Browse the vendors, grab lunch at a downtown Matthews spot, and enjoy the small-town autumn feel.
Charlotte Independence vs New York Cosmos (USL)
Sportsplex at Matthews - 2201 Sportsplex Dr, Matthews
The Charlotte Independence host the New York Cosmos on Saturday night at the Sportsplex at Matthews, a classic USL soccer matchup with a historic rivalry angle. It is an intimate, family-friendly venue where you can get close to the action, and tickets are far more affordable than a big-league match. A great option for soccer fans on the east side of the metro.
Ongoing & recurring.
Carolina Renaissance Festival
Huntersville - 16445 Poplar Tent Rd
Open Saturdays and Sundays through November 22, with a special Monday opening on October 12. Jousting, artisan shops, and period entertainment at one of the largest Renaissance festivals in the U.S.
Fall Farms, Corn Mazes & Pumpkin Patches
Across the Charlotte metro
Hodges Family Farm, Patterson Farm, and more open on October weekends with mazes, pumpkins, hayrides, and harvest photo spots.
SCarowinds Halloween Nights
Carowinds - 14523 Carowinds Blvd, on the NC/SC line
Select nights through November 1. Haunted mazes, scare zones, and rides in the dark for thrill-seekers.
Charlotte Regional Farmers Market
1801 Yorkmont Rd
Open Wednesday through Sunday year-round. Fall brings apples, pumpkins, squash, pecans, and muscadine grapes.
Fall at the U.S. National Whitewater Center
U.S. National Whitewater Center
Cooler-weather mountain biking, trail running series, and riverfront walks at peak fall color.
Don't miss these.
Charlotte FC vs FC Dallas on Saturday night (Oct 10)
This is the can't-miss event of the weekend. A late-season MLS match with playoff implications, the Crown's home crowd at Bank of America Stadium is electric. Go early, walk through South End, and soak up the Uptown fall atmosphere before kickoff.
McAdenville Oktoberfest on Saturday (Oct 10)
Free, family-friendly, and genuinely charming. The tiny town famous for its Christmas lights throws a big Bavarian party with German food, live music, and kids' activities. It is a wonderful way to spend a crisp October day just 20 minutes from Charlotte.
Charlotte Book Palooza at Truist Field (Oct 10)
A relaxed, affordable Uptown outing with a great cause behind it. Browse books, meet local authors, and let the kids discover their next favorite read. It is exactly the kind of community event that makes Charlotte living so warm and connected.
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