A Halloween Festival Built
for Little Ghouls.
Tricks and Treats, the daytime family Halloween festival at Carowinds, runs Saturdays and Sundays from September 12 through November 1, 2026, included with regular park admission. Where SCarowinds brings the screams after dark, Tricks and Treats delivers the smiles: trick-or-treat trails, harvest-themed zones, and rides sized for younger kids. Here is how to plan a perfect family day.
The essentials, fast.
What makes this festival special?
This is Carowinds' happy-hour Halloween, rebranded in recent years from the Great Pumpkin Fest and now a fall fixture. Kids in costume roam the park between candy stops while parents hit the rides with them, guilt-free.
Trick-or-Treat Trails
Costume-clad kids make the rounds of candy stations set up throughout the park, with plenty of non-food prizes for allergy-conscious families.
Harvest Decor & Photo Spots
Pumpkin displays, fall backdrops, and character meet-and-greets make the whole park Insta-ready in autumn colors.
Kid-Friendly Rides
The family ride lineup runs all day, so little ones get motion and magic without the after-dark scares.
Costume Culture
Kids (and plenty of adults) come dressed up, and the park leans into the community costume parade energy.
How much does it cost?
Tricks and Treats is included with regular park admission: a daily ticket or season pass gets you the daytime festival at no extra charge. Parking is standard, and October weekends are the busiest, so a season pass or a weekday-equivalent Saturday morning arrival helps. Check the official page for any special event ticketing.
Official Event PageGood to know.
Arrive at opening and hit the trick-or-treat trail first while crowds are light.
Bring a costume, but plan for walking and chafing; comfort wins over spectacle for the under-10 set.
If the big kids want scares, this runs on the same weekends as SCarowinds at night, so one trip can cover both.
Curious about the neighborhood?
Carowinds anchors the southern edge of the metro on the NC/SC line, a short drive from Fort Mill, Tega Cay, and Lake Wylie neighborhoods. For families weighing the South Carolina side, park days are a perk worth pricing into the move.
More fall festivals.
Fall Festivals Guide 2026
Every festival post in one place, from the Renaissance Fair to the Thanksgiving Eve Parade.
SCarowinds at Carowinds
Charlotte Kids Fest
Sources: Carowinds official event page, Six Flags / Carowinds. Dates and details were verified against official event pages in September 2026; always double-check the official site before you go, since event details can change.
Festival season is my favorite
time to show off Charlotte.
If you are thinking about moving to the Charlotte area, or just wondering which neighborhood fits you best, I would love to help. Reach out any time, and I will bring the neighborhood cheat sheet.