Charlotte Events
Sep 14–20.
College football takes over Uptown this weekend, TLC with Salt-N-Pepa & En Vogue plays Truliant Sunday night, the Cabarrus County Fair finishes its run in Concord, and Mecktoberfest turns the OMB biergarten German. Here is your guide to what is happening in Charlotte this week.
Things to do this week.
Cabarrus County Fair
The Cabarrus County Fair opens its gates Monday and runs through Saturday, about 25 minutes northeast of Uptown Charlotte in Concord. Expect classic midway rides, carnival food, livestock shows, and live entertainment, all at a friendly small-town fair price of about $6-8 admission. It is the perfect kickoff to fall for families in the Charlotte metro looking for a low-key, old-fashioned fair experience.
The Mars Volta at Neighborhood Theatre
Progressive rock's most adventurous band returns to Charlotte for an intimate Tuesday night show in NoDa. The Mars Volta's swirling, theatrical blend of punk energy and Latin-influenced prog is a perfect fit for the Neighborhood Theatre, one of the city's best-sounding classic rooms. A bucket-list live act for anyone who loves ambitious rock in a small venue.
Let the Music Play: Steinway Residency Series
The Mint Museum's "Let the Music Play" series brings live performance into the galleries at the Levine Center for the Arts on Tuesday evening. This installment is part of the museum's Steinway residency, pairing great music with world-class art for a relaxed, cultured weeknight in Uptown. Check the Mint Museum site for this week's performers and ticket details.
Phantogram at The Fillmore
Electronic-rock duo Phantogram brings their moody, hook-heavy sound to The Fillmore midweek. Expect the dark synth anthems that made them a festival staple, from "Black Out Days" to "When I'm Small," in the intimate Music Factory room with top-notch production. A great Wednesday night show just outside Uptown.
Jeff Dye at The Comedy Zone
Comedian and TV personality Jeff Dye brings his high-energy stand-up to The Comedy Zone in the Music Factory for multiple shows this week. Known for his crowd work and off-the-cuff style from his years on television, Dye keeps the room laughing from the first minute. One of the bigger-name comedy bookings in Charlotte this month.
YSL Records & Young Thug: The New Generation Tour
Young Thug and the YSL Records crew roll through Charlotte Thursday night with "The New Generation Tour." One of the most influential voices in modern hip-hop, Young Thug brings his signature style and a stacked lineup to The Fillmore for a can't-miss rap show in the Music Factory.
George Birge at The Underground
Country breakout George Birge headlines The Underground Friday night, fresh off a string of hit singles that have made him one of the genre's fast-rising stars. The Underground's intimate club setting means a close-up show, a perfect way to kick off the weekend in the Music Factory.
Mecktoberfest Weekend Two at Olde Mecklenburg Brewery
OMB's LoSo biergarten turns German for the second of several Mecktoberfest weekends this fall. Sip German-style lagers and dunkel, load up on brats and pretzels, and enjoy live music and games in one of Charlotte's best outdoor beer gardens. Free to attend, so it is a low-cost, high-fun weekend pick in South End.
Charlotte events this weekend.
Duke's Mayo Classic: West Virginia vs. Virginia
The Duke's Mayo Classic brings a marquee college football matchup to Bank of America Stadium on Saturday night, as West Virginia faces Virginia in a neutral-site showdown televised on ACC Network. Uptown will be buzzing all day with tailgating, black and gold everywhere, and the electric atmosphere only college football Saturdays bring to the Queen City. A can't-miss sporting event of the fall season.
Treaty Oak Revival with Wade Forster
West Texas country-rock outfit Treaty Oak Revival brings the "West Texas Degenerate Tour" to Truliant Amphitheater Saturday night, with Wade Forster opening. Their gritty, guitar-driven country sound has been one of the biggest breakout stories in the genre, and the open-air amphitheater under the University City sky is the perfect setting. Lawn tickets from around $35.
UNC Charlotte International Festival
The free UNC Charlotte International Festival celebrates the cultures of roughly 50 countries in a single day, with authentic food, traditional dance and music performances, artisan crafts, and children's activities on the university campus in University City. It is one of the biggest free cultural events in the Charlotte area all year, and a fantastic family outing that costs nothing to enter.
Charlotte Sandlot Festival
The Charlotte Sandlot Festival returns Saturday for a family- and dog-friendly day of sports, games, food, and community fun at Stick Williams Dream Fields. Guests include local sports figures and the Panthers' Sir Purr, with $7 admission covering games and activities. A laid-back, all-ages day out in west Charlotte that celebrates the neighborhood.
Don Lemon & DL Hughley: DL + DL Anything Goes
Journalist Don Lemon and comedy legend DL Hughley team up for "DL + DL Anything Goes," a live conversation and comedy night that blends news commentary with laugh-out-loud takes on the week. It is a one-of-a-kind pairing at Ovens Auditorium, part of the city's cultural lineup in east Charlotte this weekend.
A Day at the Market: Agriculture, Cooking & Community
This Sunday, NC State Extension's Mecklenburg County team hosts a free special event at the Charlotte Regional Farmers Market: "A Day at the Market." Expect farmer panels, live cooking demonstrations, a hands-on planting activity for kids, and plenty of market exploring. While you are there, the market's 21+ "Adult Time Out Beer Garden" is pouring on weekends through November, making this a full Sunday morning in south Charlotte.
Carolina Panthers at Atlanta Falcons: Watch Parties Across Charlotte
The Carolina Panthers are on the road in Week 2, facing the Atlanta Falcons at Mercedes-Benz Stadium with a 1:00 PM kickoff on FOX. Back home, Charlotte's sports bars and breweries will be packed for watch parties, from the big-screen rooms in the Music Factory to neighborhood bars in South End, NoDa, and beyond. Pick your spot, order a cold one, and cheer on the Panthers.
Shelby Corn Maze & Pumpkin Patch Opening Weekend
Fall officially begins this weekend with the opening of the Shelby Corn Maze & Pumpkin Patch, a favorite day trip for Charlotte families. The opening weekend kicks off a season of corn maze exploring, pumpkin picking, hayrides, and farm activities that runs through October. It is an easy round-trip drive west of the city for a classic autumn outing.
TLC with Salt-N-Pepa & En Vogue
A 90s R&B triple bill closes the weekend at Truliant Amphitheater: TLC headlines alongside Salt-N-Pepa and En Vogue, three of the era's defining groups sharing one open-air stage. Expect "No Scrubs," "Waterfalls," "Push It," "Whatta Man," and "Free Your Mind" with the University City skyline as the backdrop. Tickets through the venue.
Charlotte Symphony: Festival of India
The Charlotte Symphony closes the weekend with Festival of India, a Bollywood-inspired program pairing the full orchestra with Indian vocalists, dancers, and film music at Belk Theater in Uptown. It is one of the season's most vibrant cross-cultural concerts and a colorful way to spend a Sunday evening in the Queen City. Tickets from around $25.
PRESIDENT: North American Campaign 2026
The rock outfit PRESIDENT brings its North American Campaign 2026 tour to The Fillmore for a Sunday night show in the Music Factory. High-energy alternative rock with big hooks and anthemic choruses makes this an easy way to close out the weekend before the workweek.
Save the date.
Events and activities running throughout the week and into the fall season in the Charlotte metro.
Charlotte Regional Farmers Market
Open Wednesday through Sunday year-round. September is peak produce season, and the 21+ Adult Time Out Beer Garden pours on weekends through November.
Uptown Farmers Market
Every Saturday morning through December. Late-summer produce meets the first fall harvest, with local honey, breads, and artisan goods.
U.S. National Whitewater Center
Rafting, zip lines, mountain biking, climbing, and 50+ miles of trails in prime fall weather, plus the Flow Fest wellness day this Saturday.
Fall Exhibitions at the Mint Museum
Corey Pemberton: Living Well opens this week at Mint Museum Uptown, with rotating art and design shows across both locations.
Little Sugar Creek Greenway
30+ miles of paved trails linking neighborhoods, parks, and Uptown, at their best for walking and biking in the fall.
Mecktoberfest at Olde Mecklenburg Brewery
German beer, brats, and live music across multiple festival weekends through October, starting with Weekend Two this week.
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