Charlotte Events
Sep 21–27.
The first full weekend of fall brings Festival in the Park at Freedom Park (62nd annual), the Breakaway Music Festival at Charlotte Motor Speedway with Tiësto, Gorillaz at Spectrum Center, the Charlotte Film Festival, and the Carolina Renaissance Festival opening weekend across the Queen City. Here is your guide to what is happening in Charlotte this week.
Things to do this week.
Gorillaz, The Mountain Tour
Gorillaz brings their immersive "Mountain Tour" to Charlotte, featuring the animated band's signature blend of alternative, hip-hop, and electronic music. Expect a spectacular visual production with state-of-the-art projection mapping, animated sequences, and a live band bringing hits like "Feel Good Inc.," "Clint Eastwood," "DARE," "On Melancholy Hill," and tracks from their latest album. The Spectrum Center's arena setting gives the full visual scope of this show room to breathe. Tickets from around $69.
Taste of Chaos Tour
The legendary Taste of Chaos tour returns to Charlotte with a stacked lineup of emo, punk, and post-hardcore bands. The Fillmore is the perfect intimate venue for this throwback rock show, big sound, standing room floor, and a balcony with great sightlines. Doors open at 6:30 PM for the full evening of music. This is the Tuesday night rock show for anyone who grew up on 2000s Warped Tour and Taste of Chaos bills.
Charlotte Film Festival, 18th Annual
The 18th annual Charlotte Film Festival returns for six days of bold independent cinema at the Independent Picture House in Plaza Midwood. The festival features curated programming including the "Carolina Crafted Films" series spotlighting North Carolina filmmakers, plus filmmaker Q&As, panel discussions, and networking events. Individual screening tickets from around $12; festival passes available. A must for film lovers and anyone who wants to catch the next indie breakout before it hits the mainstream.
Charlotte Regional Farmers Market
The Charlotte Regional Farmers Market is open year-round, and late September is peak harvest season. You will find the first apples, pumpkins, winter squash, and root vegetables alongside the last of the summer tomatoes, peppers, and peaches. The market spans multiple buildings and outdoor vendor areas, fresh produce, local honey, artisan cheese, farm-fresh eggs, baked goods, and plants. Free admission and parking. The best place in the city to stock up on local produce.
Fall Season at the U.S. National Whitewater Center
The Whitewater Center is in its prime fall season with all activities still fully open: whitewater rafting and kayaking, zip line adventures, rock climbing, 30+ miles of mountain biking trails, and a high ropes course. Late September and October are the best months to visit, temperatures drop into the pleasant 70s, the summer crowds are gone, and the trail running conditions are ideal. The on-site restaurant, bar, and outdoor seating areas are open. Day pass pricing applies.
Charlotte events this weekend.
Festival in the Park, 62nd Annual
The 62nd annual Festival in the Park returns to Freedom Park for three days of art, music, food, and family fun. This is one of Charlotte's oldest and most beloved traditions, featuring over 190 artists and craftspeople, live music on multiple stages, a dedicated Family Fun Zone with activities for kids, and food vendors serving everything from festival classics to local specialties. The festival takes over the entire park with art tents, a craft beer garden, and a community stage showcasing local performers. Admission is free. Parking is available at shuttle lots throughout the weekend. Attendance typically exceeds 127,000 over the weekend, so arrive early for the best experience.
Breakaway Music Festival Carolina
Breakaway Music Festival returns to the Charlotte Motor Speedway for two days of EDM, pop, house, and dance music. Headliners include Tiësto, Chris Lake, Cloonee, and Chris Lorenzo on the main stage, with San Holo, Troyboi, What So Not, and more performing across multiple stages. The zMAX Dragway setting creates a unique festival atmosphere with the massive drag strip as the backdrop. VIP options include elevated viewing decks, dedicated bars, and air-conditioned lounges. General admission tickets from around $159; VIP from $299. This is the biggest dance music event of the fall in the Charlotte metro.
Uptown Farmers Market
The Uptown Farmers Market runs every Saturday through December 12, and late September is one of the best market weeks of the year. You will find early-season apples and pumpkins alongside late-summer tomatoes, peppers, and okra. Local honey, farm-fresh eggs, artisan cheese, fresh-baked bread, and seasonal flowers round out the vendor lineup. Live music some weekends. Free admission.
Carolina Renaissance Festival, Opening Weekend
The Carolina Renaissance Festival opens its 2026 season for the first of 10 weekends running through November 22. Step back in time with jousting knights, artisan craftspeople, turkey legs, mead, and live entertainment across multiple stages. The festival features over 100 daily performances including comedy, music, magic, and acrobatics. Kids activities, a petting zoo, and a human chess match make it a family favorite. Themed weekends throughout the season add variety. Tickets from around $25 for adults, $13 for kids ages 5–12. Free parking.
GLAIVE at The Underground
Rising hyperpop and alt-pop artist glaive brings his genre-blending sound to The Underground for a Saturday night show. Known for his emotionally raw lyrics, Auto-Tune-driven vocals, and production that blends pop, punk, and electronic elements, glaive has become one of the most exciting young artists in the alternative scene. The Underground is the smaller, more intimate sister venue to The Fillmore, offering a close-up concert experience. Tickets from around $25.
Michael Franti Trio at The Underground
Michael Franti presents a stripped-down trio show at The Underground on Sunday night. Franti, known for his uplifting, positive-energy music blending reggae, folk, hip-hop, and soul, brings an intimate acoustic set that highlights his songwriting and connection with the audience. Expect hits like "Say Hey (I Love You)," "The Sound of Sunshine," and "Good to Be Alive Today" in a format that puts the focus on the songs and the stories behind them. An ideal Sunday evening wind-down show.
Carolina Panthers at Cleveland Browns, Away Game Watch Parties
The Carolina Panthers head to Cleveland for their Week 3 matchup against the Browns, but Charlotte's sports bars and breweries will be packed with Panthers fans for watch parties. Top spots to catch the game include VBGB (Beer Garden and Grill) in the Music Factory with its massive outdoor screens, All-American Pub in Uptown, and the Buffalo Wild Wings locations across the metro. Many breweries including Sycamore Brewing in South End and NoDa Brewing Company show Sunday NFL games with beer specials and a lively game-day atmosphere.
Loathe at The Fillmore
UK metal band Loathe brings their heavy, atmospheric sound to The Fillmore for a Sunday night show. Known for blending crushing metal riffs with ethereal, shoegaze-tinged melodies, Loathe has built a devoted following with their 2020 album "I Let It In and It Took Everything" and their intense live performances. A perfect Sunday night show for fans of heavy music who want to end the weekend with a sonic wallop.
Save the date.
Events and activities running throughout the week and into the fall season in the Charlotte metro.
Charlotte Film Festival
18th annual festival runs through Sep 27, independent cinema, filmmaker Q&As, and Carolina Crafted Films series
Carolina Renaissance Festival
Opening weekend! Runs Saturdays & Sundays through November 22, jousting, artisans, turkey legs, and mead
Fall Exhibitions at the Mint Museum
Rotating art and design exhibitions across both locations, a perfect rainy afternoon activity
Little Sugar Creek Greenway
30+ miles of paved trails connecting neighborhoods, parks, and Uptown, peak fall walking season is here
U.S. National Whitewater Center
Whitewater rafting, zip lines, mountain biking, climbing, and trails in beautiful fall weather
Charlotte Regional Farmers Market
Open Wed through Sun year-round, peak harvest season with apples, pumpkins, winter squash, and more
Handcrafted Market CLT
Monthly artisan market featuring local makers, craft vendors, and handmade goods
Planning a move to Charlotte?
Whether you are visiting for the weekend or relocating for good, Charlotte has something for everyone. I help people navigate the neighborhoods, market, and lifestyle every day. Let me know how I can help.