CHARLOTTE, N.C. —
Festival in the Park @ Freedom Park
Charlotte’s lauded Festival in the Park returns this weekend at Freedom Park. Since 1964, this Queen City tradition celebrates the city’s culture through to-die-for eats, the Kings Drive Art Walk, homegrown vendors, epic musical performances, and more.
You don’t want to miss out on the festivities, kicking off at 4 p.m. Friday and concluding at 5 p.m. Sunday.
Mecktoberfest @ The Olde Mecklenburg Brewery
Make your way out to weekend two of Mecktoberfest. This weekend’s festivities will feature food, music, and all the award-winning local brews you can drink. Make your way out to the largest beer garden in the Southeast beginning Friday at 11 a.m. and concluding Sunday at 10 p.m.
Entry to the event is free, and more information can be found here.
Charlotte Knights vs. Norfolk @ Truist Field
Get ready for epic fall baseball games at Truist Field. Come out for a Charlotte Knights game against the Norfolk Tides underneath the great Uptown skyscrapers.
All three games will feature an epic fireworks show happening Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Start times vary by day.
Tickets start at $11 and can be purchased here.
The Schiele Museum Pumpkin Patch
Bring the family out to learn about perhaps the most important gem of the fall season: pumpkins! The Schiele Museum Pumpkin Patch program will lead visitors on a journey through the origin story of pumpkins, their growing habits, traditional uses, and more.
Kicking off Friday and running until Oct. 31, tickets for the Pumpkin Patch are $7 for non-members ages one year and older, and are $5 for Schiele Members.
Pups ‘N Pints
Looking for a furever friend? Look no further than Pups ‘N Pints, a pet adoption event where visitors can drink to their heart’s desire and take a furry friend. All proceeds benefit South Charlotte Dog Rescue.
The event kicks off Saturday, Sept. 25 at 113 McDonald Street near Mary O’Neil’s and runs from noon to 5 p.m.
Be sure to stick around for the After Hours Concert happening from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. and featuring local favorite Sonic AlgoRhythm.
Tickets can be purchased at Mary O'Neill's or Passionate Paws Animal Hospital locations. Find more information here.
Oktoberfest @ Cabarrus Brewing Company
Get your autumn on at the sixth annual Oktoberfest at Cabarrus Brewing Company, kicking off on Friday, Sept. 24.
The celebration will feature food trucks, live music, activities such as axe throwing and beer releases, and much more.
This free event will run from Friday until Sunday, Oct. 3. Find more information here.
Ongoing Events
Food Truck Friday
Come out for good eats, live music and fun for the whole family at various Food Truck Friday events happening all over the Queen City.
Come out to get your grub on at Food Truck Friday at Cabarrus Brewing Company, Resident Culture Food Truck Friday, University City Food Truck Friday, or Food Truck Friday at Sycamore Brewing.
Times vary by location.
SCarowinds!
Face your darkest fears at SCarowinds this weekend. Hoards of hungry zombies, jaw-dropping mazes, and epic coaster thrills await your arrival at the ultimate fright fest of the Carolinas.
The fright-fest is open now, and you can visit the whole weekend long start at $40. Tickets are available for purchase here.
Immersive Van Gogh @ Camp North End
Come out to experience the lauded Immersive Van Gogh exhibit at Camp North End. The exhibit features 500,000 cubic feet of monumental projections animating Vincent van Gogh’s oeuvre.
The event will run through Sunday, October 31. Tickets start at $39 and can be purchased here.
River Jam @ The Whitewater Center
Spend a weekend at the U.S. National Whitewater Center getting active and jamming out to some amazing indie acts under a Carolina sunset at River Jam. Brother Smith is set to take the stage Friday, and Aaron Kamm & The One Drops will close Saturday. All events are free; see more details here.
Live Under The Oaks @ Birkdale Village
Kick your weekend off with a little shopping and live music at the Grove at Birkdale Village every Friday evening from April to October this year. This week’s performer is Thirsty Horses, and the event will feature an onsite bar provided by Red Rocks Cafe. The event is free and will run from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Find more information here.
Markets + More
Queen City weekends always provide a surplus of vendor markets for Charlotteans to get their pick at fresh and locally sourced products. This weekend’s open markets include the Plaza Midwood Farmer’s Market, the Uptown Farmer’s Market, the University City Farmer’s Market, and the Southend Farmers’ Market.
Watch Wake Up Charlotte each weekday morning from 4:30 to 7 a.m. on WCNCharlotte, and as always, join the conversation on social media using #WakeUpCLT!