If September is when fall starts teasing us in North Carolina, October is when it finally shows up!
Pumpkin patches are open. Corn mazes are ready. Apple cider donuts are everywhere. The mountains start changing colors. Fall festivals take over small-town Main Streets. And by the end of the month, you can spend your evenings riding haunted trains, walking through haunted farms and celebrating Halloween.
The best part? You don’t have to drive across North Carolina to experience it.
I’ve rounded up more than 50 things to do near Charlotte, NC in October 2026, including fall festivals, county fairs, pumpkin patches, corn mazes, apple festivals, Halloween events, mountain day trips and some wonderfully quirky North Carolina traditions.
Almost everything on this list is within roughly two hours of Charlotte, making these easy Saturday outings, family day trips and weekend adventures.
Planning Tip: Fall is an extremely busy event season in North Carolina. Dates, hours, admission prices and activities can change, and some attractions sell out. Always double-check directly with the event or attraction before making a long drive.
Quick Links:
- Things to Do Near Charlotte October 2–4, 2026
- Things to Do Near Charlotte October 9–11, 2026
- Things to Do Near Charlotte October 15–18, 2026
- Things to Do Near Charlotte October 23-25, 2026
- Things to Do Halloween Weekend Near Charlotte
- Haunted Attractions Within 2 Hours of Charlotte
- Visit a Pumpkin Patch Near Charlotte
- Go Apple Picking in October
- Take a Fall Foliage Day Trip From Charlotte
- Quick Look at October 2026 Events Calendar Near Charlotte
- What Is There to Do Near Charlotte in October?
Things to Do Near Charlotte October 2–4, 2026
October wastes absolutely NO time getting started.
The first weekend of the month might actually be one of the busiest fall festival weekends of the entire year.
Carolina Renaissance Festival
Weekends October 3–November 22, 2026 | Huntersville, NC
Hear ye! Hear ye!
One of the most unique fall traditions near Charlotte returns October 3.
The Carolina Renaissance Festival transforms more than 20 acres outside Huntersville into a 16th-century village filled with castles, costumed characters, artisans, entertainment, giant turkey legs and, of course, jousting.
And this isn’t a little craft festival with a few people wandering around in costumes. You’re walking into an entire village where hundreds of costumed characters interact with guests, performers take over stages throughout the grounds and knights battle on horseback.
The 2026 Carolina Renaissance Festival runs Saturdays and Sundays from October 3 through November 22.
Best For: Families, teens, fantasy lovers and anyone looking for something completely different.
Planning Tip: Buy your tickets ahead of time. Tickets are date-specific and popular weekends can sell out.
Cleveland County Fair
October 1–11, 2026 | Shelby, NC
Here’s another classic North Carolina fair that is much closer to Charlotte. The Cleveland County Fair has been a Shelby tradition for more than a century and features livestock, agricultural exhibits, rides and live entertainment.
The official 2026 fair dates are October 1–11. You can find my in depth guide with everything you need to know about the Cleveland County Fair here.
Best For: Families, carnival rides and fair-food lovers.
Concord International Festival
October 3, 2026 | Downtown Concord, NC
This one is especially easy if you’re around Cabarrus County. Downtown Concord’s International Festival celebrates cultures from around the world with live performances, international food, cultural displays, crafts and activities for kids.
And admission is FREE.
The festival takes place from noon to 6 p.m. on October 3.
Make a Day of It: Grab lunch downtown, explore the festival and then head over to Gibson Mill afterward.
Brushy Mountain Apple Festival
October 3, 2026 | North Wilkesboro, NC
Drive from Charlotte: About 1½ hours
If you’re looking for a fall day trip that feels distinctly North Carolina, put this one on your list.
The Brushy Mountain Apple Festival takes over downtown North Wilkesboro with hundreds of arts and crafts vendors, more than 100 food vendors, multiple music stages and Appalachian heritage demonstrations. And obviously, there are apples. Lots of apples.
The festival celebrates the apple-growing heritage of the Brushy Mountains, so expect cider, apple treats and fresh apples mixed in with all of the food and crafts.
Admission is free.
Worth the Drive: Absolutely.
Local Tip: This festival draws a HUGE crowd. Go early.
Autumn Jubilee at Dan Nicholas Park
October 3–4, 2026 | Salisbury, NC
Dan Nicholas Park is already one of the best inexpensive family destinations around Salisbury, but the first weekend of October gives you another reason to visit. The annual Autumn Jubilee brings live music, craft vendors, food and children’s entertainment to the park.
Admission to the festival is free.
Make a Day of It: Leave yourself some extra time to explore Dan Nicholas Park while you’re there.
Charlotte Kids Fest
October 3, 2026 | Charlotte, NC
Looking for something FREE to do with younger kids? Charlotte Kids Fest takes over University City with interactive areas focused on art, STEM, play, creativity and hands-on learning.
The 2026 event runs from 11 a.m.–4 p.m. and admission is free.
Best For: Younger kids and families looking for an inexpensive Saturday activity.
Hola Charlotte Festival
October 3, 2026 | Uptown Charlotte
Celebrate Latin American culture right in the middle of Charlotte. Hola Charlotte brings cultural performances, art, food and family activities to Tryon Street.
Admission is free, making this another easy October event if you don’t want to leave Charlotte.
FabFest: Charlotte’s Beatles Festival
October 2–3, 2026 | Charlotte, NC
Beatles fans can spend the weekend celebrating the Fab Four during Charlotte’s annual FabFest. The event combines ticketed evening performances with a daytime Beatles festival featuring music, memorabilia, authors, vendors and other activities.
The daytime festival on Saturday is free.
Best For: Music lovers and anyone who still knows every word to Hey Jude.
Carolina Classic Fair
October 2–11, 2026 | Winston-Salem, NC
Drive from Charlotte: About 1½ hours
Didn’t get your fill of fair food in September? Take a day trip to Winston-Salem for the Carolina Classic Fair. It’s one of North Carolina’s largest fairs and fills the fairgrounds with carnival rides, games, food, agricultural exhibits and entertainment for ten days in October.
The 2026 Carolina Classic Fair runs October 2–11.
Blowing Rock Art in the Park
October 3, 2026 | Blowing Rock, NC
Want to combine fall colors with art? Head toward the High Country for the final Art in the Park event of the season. Approximately 100 artists participate in the juried art show in downtown Blowing Rock.
Then spend the rest of your day exploring downtown, driving along the Blue Ridge Parkway or looking for those first pops of fall color.
More First Weekend of October Ideas
You could also check out:
- 20 Farms for Fall Fun Near Charlotte, NC
- Asheboro Fall Festival — October 3 in Asheboro
- The Autolawn Party — October 3 in Hickory
- Potters’ Pumpkin Patch — October 3 and October 10 in the Seagrove area
- K-Fest: Celebration of Korean Culture — October 3 in Charlotte
- Kids in Nature Day — October 3 in Matthews
Things to Do Near Charlotte October 9–11, 2026
The second weekend of October brings racing, Oktoberfest celebrations, mountain festivals and one of the best small-town fall festivals in North Carolina.
Bank of America 400 Weekend at Charlotte Motor Speedway
October 9–11, 2026 | Concord, NC
If you’re anywhere around Concord during this weekend, you’ll probably HEAR Charlotte Motor Speedway before you even get there. NASCAR returns for a full fall race weekend culminating with the Bank of America 400 on Sunday, October 11. The weekend includes multiple races plus a pre-race concert featuring Tyler Hubbard before Sunday’s NASCAR Cup Series event.
Best For: NASCAR fans, teens and anyone looking for a high-energy weekend in Cabarrus County.
Hickory Oktoberfest
October 9–11, 2026 | Hickory, NC
Drive from Charlotte: About 1 hour
Hickory’s downtown Oktoberfest is one of the biggest fall celebrations within an easy drive of Charlotte. You’ll find live music stages, food and craft vendors, beer tents and a KidsFest throughout downtown. The 2026 festival runs Friday evening through Sunday afternoon.
Best For: Couples, families, foodies and anyone looking for an easy fall day trip.
Autumn Leaves Festival
October 9–11, 2026 | Mount Airy, NC
Drive from Charlotte: About 1 hour 45 minutes
Mount Airy knows how to do fall. The Autumn Leaves Festival takes over downtown with Appalachian music, arts and crafts, food and small-town fall atmosphere. And 2026 is a big year… this marks the festival’s 60th anniversary. Pair the festival with Mount Airy’s Mayberry attractions and you’ve got an entire day trip.
Why It’s Worth the Drive: You get a festival AND one of North Carolina’s most unique small towns in one trip.
Fall for Matthews Festival
October 10, 2026 | Matthews, NC
Downtown Matthews goes full fall with arts and crafts vendors, food, live music and children’s activities at Stumptown Park.
Admission is free.
This is a great choice when you want the fall-festival experience without spending half your day in the car.
Mountain Glory Festival
October 10, 2026 | Marion, NC
Drive from Charlotte: Around 1½–2 hours
Head toward the foothills for one of Marion’s signature events. The Mountain Glory Festival fills downtown Marion with artisans, food vendors, live entertainment and fall activities from 9 a.m.–4 p.m. This is another great option if you want a smaller North Carolina town combined with a scenic fall drive.
Cotton Ginning Festival
October 9–11, 2026 | Dallas, NC
Celebrate North Carolina’s agricultural history at the Cotton Ginning Festival in Gaston County.
The weekend includes historic engines, craft vendors, live entertainment, heritage demonstrations and family activities. Admission is free.
Tryon International Film Festival
October 8–11, 2026 | Tryon, NC
Looking for something completely different from pumpkin patches and craft festivals? The Tryon International Film Festival brings independent films and filmmakers to multiple venues throughout Tryon.
The 2026 festival runs October 8–11.
Best For: Movie lovers, couples and an adults’ day trip.
Charlotte VegFest
October 10, 2026 | Charlotte, NC
Charlotte VegFest celebrates plant-based food with vendors, cooking demonstrations and plenty of food to try.
Admission to the festival at Victoria Yards is free.
Build Your Own Boat at the Whitewater Center
October 10, 2026 | Charlotte, NC
This may be one of the funniest things to watch in October. Teams build homemade boats and then attempt to survive the Whitewater Center’s channel without their creations completely falling apart.
Watching is free, although parking and Whitewater Center activities have separate costs.
Things to Do Near Charlotte October 15–18, 2026
This weekend is STACKED.
If you only have one free October weekend, I’d seriously consider making it this one.
Carolina BalloonFest
October 16–18, 2026 | Statesville, NC
Drive from Charlotte: About 50 minutes
This is one of those North Carolina events that belongs on a fall bucket list at least once. More than 50 hot air balloons fill the sky during Carolina BalloonFest, with mass ascensions, morning flyovers and spectacular evening balloon glows. We took our son when he was 2 years old and it was the most magical North Carolina experience!
The festival also includes live entertainment, food, artisans and family activities.
The 51st annual Carolina BalloonFest takes place October 16–18 at Statesville Regional Airport.
Don’t Miss: The Balloon Glow.
Planning Tip: Balloon activities are weather-dependent, so flexibility helps. Tickets are also cheaper if you pre-order them ahead of time.
Mint Hill Madness
October 15–17, 2026 | Mint Hill, NC
Mint Hill celebrates its community with three days of carnival rides, food, live music and vendors. The festival wraps up Saturday night with a fireworks show at 9:30 p.m.
Best For: Families and anyone looking for a classic community festival close to Charlotte.
Lincoln County Apple Festival
October 17, 2026 | Lincolnton, NC
You don’t have to drive all the way to Hendersonville for an apple festival.
Downtown Lincolnton closes nine blocks of Main Street for the Lincoln County Apple Festival, filling the area with arts and crafts, food, live music, a farmers market, children’s activities and, obviously, apples.
Admission is free.
Best For: An inexpensive fall Saturday close to Charlotte.
NC Liver Mush Festival: Mush, Music & Mutts
October 17, 2026 | Shelby, NC
This is exactly the kind of wonderfully weird North Carolina festival I LOVE finding. Shelby celebrates one of our state’s most polarizing foods, liver mush, with the annual Mush, Music & Mutts festival.
Expect food, music, vendors and family activities throughout downtown Shelby. The 2026 festival is October 17.
Whether you love liver mush or have absolutely no intention of eating it, this is still a fun excuse to explore Shelby.
NC Hidden Gem Factor: HIGH.
Gastonia Fall Festival
October 17, 2026 | Gastonia, NC
Downtown Gastonia celebrates fall with food trucks, vendors, live music and a free KidsZone featuring carnival-style rides, inflatables and games.
The festival runs from 3–7 p.m. on October 17.
North Carolina Music Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony
October 15, 2026 | Mooresville, NC
Music fans can celebrate North Carolina’s contributions to American music at the annual NC Music Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony. The 2026 class includes Billy Strayhorn, MC SHA-ROCK and others, with George Clinton receiving the Eddie Ray Lifetime Achievement Award.
The ceremony takes place at the Charles Mack Citizen Center in downtown Mooresville.
Best For: Music lovers and a unique date night.
Charlotte Chalk Art Festival
October 17–18, 2026 | Charlotte, NC
Watch artists turn pavement into incredible works of art during the Charlotte Chalk Art Festival. There will also be a community chalk area, vendors, food and drinks.
Admission for spectators is free and the event is held at NoDa Brewing.
Taylorsville Apple Festival
October 17, 2026 | Taylorsville, NC
October 17 is apparently THE DAY for apple festivals around Charlotte.
Taylorsville’s annual celebration includes apples, cider, food vendors, hundreds of craft vendors, live entertainment and apple-themed contests.
Yadkin Valley Grape Festival
October 17, 2026 | Yadkinville, NC
If wine is more your thing than apples, head toward the Yadkin Valley. The Yadkin Valley Grape Festival brings together local wineries for tastings while also offering music and vendors.
The vendor and entertainment portion is open to the public, while wine tasting requires a ticket.
Things to Do Near Charlotte October 23–25, 2026
By the fourth weekend of October, fall and Halloween are basically competing for our attention.
Fortunately, you don’t have to choose.
Lexington Barbecue Festival
October 24, 2026 | Lexington, NC
Drive from Charlotte: About 1 hour
North Carolina takes barbecue VERY seriously. And Lexington dedicates an entire festival to it. More than 250 vendors fill Uptown Lexington along with six entertainment stages, street performers, a children’s area, car shows and — most importantly — Lexington-style barbecue.
Admission is free.
The 42nd Lexington Barbecue Festival takes place Saturday, October 24 from 8:30 a.m.–5:30 p.m.
Worth the Drive: If you like barbecue? Absolutely.
Don’t Miss: Come hungry. This is not the day to eat breakfast before leaving home.
Halloween in Huntersville
October 25, 2026 | Huntersville, NC
Looking for a FREE family Halloween celebration? Halloween in Huntersville takes place at Huntersville Athletic Park with trick-or-treat booths, music, costumes and family activities. The evening ends with a Halloween drone show.
Romanian-American Festival
October 24, 2026 | Matthews, NC
Experience Romanian culture without leaving the Charlotte area. The free festival at Stumptown Park features traditional music and dance, cultural activities, vendors and Romanian food and desserts.
Christmas Made in the South
October 23–25, 2026 | Concord, NC
Yes, I know. It is still October. But if you’re one of those people who immediately switches from pumpkins to Christmas shopping, head to the Cabarrus Arena & Events Center. Christmas Made in the South brings artisans and craftspeople together for three days of shopping and handmade gifts.
More October 23–25 Ideas
Also happening around the Charlotte region:
- Big Lick Fall Market — October 22–24 in Oakboro
- Hudson Autumn in the Park — October 24 in Hudson
- Camden Collective Fall Vendor Market — October 24 in Charlotte
- Charlotte Whiskey Wine & Fire — October 24 in Charlotte; ticketed 21+ event
- Carolina Renaissance Festival — October 24–25 in Huntersville
Things to Do Halloween Weekend Near Charlotte
Halloween falls on a Saturday in 2026, which means October goes out with a bang. And if spooky season is your favorite season, you’ve got options.
Tweetsie Railroad Ghost Train
Friday & Saturday Nights Through October 31 | Blowing Rock, NC
Tweetsie Railroad completely transforms after dark for its Ghost Train Halloween celebration. Your ticket includes a reserved Ghost Train ride plus haunted attractions, trick-or-treating, amusement rides and live Halloween entertainment.
The 2026 Ghost Train operates Friday and Saturday nights through October 31. Some of the scarier attractions are recommended for ages 8 and older.
Best For: Families with older kids and teens.
Planning Tip: Tickets are date- and train-time-specific, so buy these ahead.
Scarrigan Farms Haunted Trail
Select October Nights | Mooresville, NC
Remember Carrigan Farms… the peaceful farm where families go apple and pumpkin picking? At night, it becomes something VERY different. Scarrigan Farms turns more than 300 acres into an outdoor haunted trail filled with scares. And they aren’t pretending this is for little kids.
The attraction specifically recommends that anyone under 12 wait until they’re older. Reservations are required.
Best For: Teens and adults who actually enjoy paying people to scare them.
Running Scared 5K & Monster Mile
October 31, 2026 | Charlotte, NC
Want to start Halloween with something a little healthier than consuming an entire bucket of candy? The Running Scared 5K & Monster Mile takes place Halloween morning in Charlotte’s SouthPark area. Costumes are encouraged, and the event includes children’s activities, music, food and a costume contest.
Haunted Attractions Within 2 Hours of Charlotte
If one haunted trail isn’t enough, October is prime season for several scary attractions around the region.
Look into:
- Scarrigan Farms — Mooresville
- Lake Hickory Haunts — Hickory
- Midway Wicked Woods — Statesville
- Kersey Valley Spookywoods — Archdale
- Woods of Terror — Greensboro
- Tweetsie Railroad Ghost Train — Blowing Rock
- SCarowinds — Charlotte
Several of North Carolina’s major haunted attractions operate throughout October, although individual operating nights vary.
Planning Tip: Haunted attractions become MUCH busier as Halloween approaches. Earlier October weekends can mean smaller crowds and shorter waits.
Visit a Pumpkin Patch Near Charlotte
October wouldn’t feel like October without at least one trip to a farm. And you have a surprising number of pumpkin patches and corn mazes within an hour or so of Charlotte.
Almond Farm Fall Festival
Concord, NC
This one is especially convenient for Cabarrus County.
Almond Farm’s Fall Festival runs September 26 through November 1 with a corn maze, wagon rides, farm animals, pumpkins and other fall activities.
Local Pick: If you’re around Concord or Kannapolis, start here before driving an hour for a pumpkin patch.
Hodges Family Farm
Charlotte, NC
Hodges Family Farm’s pumpkin patch runs September 26–October 31.
Admission to the farm is free, with pumpkins, barnyard animals, hay bales, picnic areas and plenty of fall photo opportunities.
Weekends add food and hayrides, with separate parking and activity fees.
Riverbend Farm
Midland, NC
Riverbend Farm is only open for its fall season during October.
Visitors can take wagon rides to the pumpkin patch and enjoy playground areas, farm animals, slides and plenty of fall photo opportunities.
Thomas Family Corn Maze & Pumpkins
Albemarle, NC
Thomas Family Corn Maze runs through November 1 with a family-friendly corn maze, playground, corn pit, jumping pillow, hayride, pumpkins and other activities.
Red Wolf Farm
Maiden, NC
Red Wolf Farm opens on select October weekends with a corn maze, hayrides, play structures, inflatables, corn swimming, pumpkin bowling and other family activities.
The 2026 schedule includes weekends throughout October plus Halloween.
Shelby Corn Maze & Pumpkin Patch
Shelby, NC
Shelby’s fall farm includes an eight-acre corn maze, pumpkin patch, hayrides and dozens of other activities.
Want something scarier?
They also offer a haunted maze at night during October.
More Pumpkin Patches Near Charlotte
You can also check out:
- Patterson Farm — Mount Ulla
- Carrigan Farms — Mooresville
- Lineberger’s Farm — Dallas
- Wise Acres Organic Farm — Indian Trail
- Grandad’s Apples N’ Such — Hendersonville
- Jeter Mountain Farm — Hendersonville
- Sky Top Orchard — Flat Rock
Many of these farms combine pumpkins with corn mazes, wagon rides, farm animals, apple cider donuts, playgrounds and other fall activities.
Go Apple Picking in October
September gets most of the apple-picking attention, but several Western North Carolina orchards continue their seasons into October.
That makes October a fantastic time to combine apples + fall foliage.
Jeter Mountain Farm
Hendersonville, NC
Ride the tractor into the orchards to pick what’s currently in season, then head back to the market area for cider donuts, coffee, food or hard cider.
Pumpkins also become available during October.
Grandad’s Apples N’ Such
Hendersonville, NC
Grandad’s combines apples with a bakery, pumpkin patch, corn maze, apple cannons and family activities.
Which means you could technically check apple picking, pumpkin patch AND corn maze off your fall bucket list in one stop.
Sky Top Orchard
Flat Rock, NC
Mountain views might be my favorite part of this one.
Along with apples, Sky Top offers wagon rides, farm animals, play areas and those essential fall cider donuts.
Planning Tip: Apple varieties and U-pick availability change constantly during fall. Always check what’s available before driving two hours specifically to pick.
Take a Fall Foliage Day Trip From Charlotte
By mid-to-late October, fall color becomes another reason to get in the car and explore. Exactly when peak color arrives depends heavily on elevation and weather, so don’t treat any specific October weekend as guaranteed. Instead, keep an eye on current fall color reports and consider one of these easy mountain and foothills day trips.
Blowing Rock & the Blue Ridge Parkway
Blowing Rock is one of my favorite options because you can combine a scenic drive with an actual destination. Explore downtown, grab lunch, browse the shops and then take a drive along the Blue Ridge Parkway.
North Wilkesboro & Wilkesboro
The foothills around Wilkes County make an easy scenic escape without driving as far as Boone. Pair your drive with local restaurants, wineries or a short hike.
Marion & McDowell County
Head toward Marion and you’ll begin climbing into the foothills where fall color often arrives earlier than Charlotte. If you visit during Mountain Glory Festival weekend, you can combine both experiences in one trip.
South Mountains State Park
Want fall leaves without a festival?
Go hiking.
South Mountains State Park near Morganton offers waterfalls, mountain views and miles of trails within a manageable drive of Charlotte.
Local Tip: Fall weekends can make popular parks extremely busy. Arrive early.
Quick Look at October 2026 Events Calendar Near Charlotte
Want the short version?
October 1–4
- Cleveland County Fair — Shelby
- Carolina Classic Fair begins — Winston-Salem
- FabFest — Charlotte
- Concord International Festival — Concord
- Carolina Renaissance Festival begins — Huntersville
- Brushy Mountain Apple Festival — North Wilkesboro
- Autumn Jubilee — Salisbury
- Charlotte Kids Fest — Charlotte
- Hola Charlotte — Charlotte
- K-Fest — Charlotte
- Asheboro Fall Festival — Asheboro
- Blowing Rock Art in the Park — Blowing Rock
- Autolawn Party — Hickory
October 8–11
- Tryon International Film Festival — Tryon
- Bank of America 400 Weekend — Concord
- Hickory Oktoberfest — Hickory
- Autumn Leaves Festival — Mount Airy
- Cotton Ginning Festival — Dallas
- Fall for Matthews — Matthews
- Mountain Glory Festival — Marion
- Charlotte VegFest — Charlotte
- Build Your Own Boat — Whitewater Center
October 15–18
- NC Music Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony — Mooresville
- Mint Hill Madness — Mint Hill
- Carolina BalloonFest — Statesville
- Lincoln County Apple Festival — Lincolnton
- Mush, Music & Mutts — Shelby
- Gastonia Fall Festival — Gastonia
- Charlotte Chalk Art Festival — Charlotte
- Taylorsville Apple Festival — Taylorsville
- Yadkin Valley Grape Festival — Yadkinville
October 22–25
- Big Lick Fall Market — Oakboro
- Christmas Made in the South — Concord
- Lexington Barbecue Festival — Lexington
- Romanian-American Festival — Matthews
- Flocktoberfest — Albemarle
- Halloween in Huntersville — Huntersville
- Hudson Autumn in the Park — Hudson
- Carolina Renaissance Festival — Huntersville
October 30–31
- Tweetsie Ghost Train — Blowing Rock
- Running Scared 5K & Monster Mile — Charlotte
- Scarrigan Farms — Mooresville
- Haunted attractions throughout the region
- Final pumpkin-patch weekend at several farms
- Carolina Renaissance Festival Halloween weekend — Huntersville
What Is There to Do Near Charlotte in October?
The harder question might be: How are you supposed to fit all of this into four weekends?
October is easily one of the best months of the year for exploring North Carolina.
You can start the month eating apples and watching jousting knights, spend the next weekend at an Oktoberfest or NASCAR race, watch hot air balloons fill the sky in Statesville, eat your way through the Lexington Barbecue Festival and then finish the month getting chased through a haunted farm.
And almost everything on this list is within approximately two hours of Charlotte.
You don’t need a week off work.
You don’t need to book a flight.
You don’t necessarily even need a hotel.
Sometimes the best North Carolina adventures are close enough to wake up Saturday morning, fill up the gas tank and just GO.
Looking for More Things to Do Near Charlotte?
Keep exploring North Carolina with these guides:
- 40+ Fall Fun Things to Do Near Charlotte NC in September
- 20 Farms for Fall Fun Near Charlotte, NC
- Best Indoor Family Activities in Concord, NC (Updated for 2026)
- Cozy Locally Owned Coffee Shops in Cabarrus County, NC
And save this guide because I’ll continue updating it as additional October festivals, Halloween events and fall activities are announced.
Know of an October festival, pumpkin patch, haunted attraction or fall activity within two hours of Charlotte that should be on this list? Drop it in the comments so I can check it out!
Leave a Reply