‘Tis the season for jam-packed social calendars. From festivals to 5Ks, here are a few suggestions for your fall bucket list in Charlotte.
Celebrate 20 Years of The Great Elizabeth Pumpkin Wall
One of the most charming holiday traditions takes place in Elizabeth, where dozens of families gather annually to see an impressive jack-o-lantern display — along with an illuminated word of the year like “vote” or “together.”
Oct. 27 | 6:45pm | 2017 Greenway Ave. | Free
Get Spooked at S Carowinds
On fall nights, Carowinds transforms into a frightening affair with haunted mazes, scare zones, live performances and more. Don your costume and grab a ticket, if you dare.
Select nights through Oct. 27 | 14523 Carowinds Blvd. | $50+
Cheer on the runners (or participate in) the Novant Health Charlotte Marathon
This annual race, which benefits Novant Health Hemby Children’s Hospital, takes over the city each November. You’ll find groups cheering on the participants all around, so grab your bells and make some signs! If you want to participate, the half, full and 5K races still have spots.
Nov. 16 | 7:20am | 525 S. Tryon St. (starting line) | Free to cheer, $130-$150 to run
Catch a Carolina Panthers Home Game
There are two opportunities to see the Panthers in action at Bank of America Stadium this November. The Panthers take on the New Orleans Saints Nov. 3, and they play the Kansas City Chiefs Nov. 24.
Nov. 3, Nov. 24 | 1pm | 800 S. Mint St. | Prices vary
Visit the Carolina Renaissance Festival
Step back in time and enter the Village of Fairhaven where turkey legs, jousting knights on horseback, falconry, rides and games for kids and many more fantastical festivities await.
Saturdays & Sundays now until Nov. 24 | 9:30am-5:30pm | 16445 Poplar Tent Rd., Huntersville | $34 (adults), $20 (kids 5-12), Free (kids 4 and under)
Make the Novant Health Thanksgiving Eve Parade a Tradition
Gather the whole family the night before Thanksgiving and watch floats and performances parade through Uptown. You can bring your own chairs and sit along the parade route which runs along Tryon Street, starting at Ninth Street and ending at Good Samaritan Way. Bring your own thermos of warm apple cider, or grab drinks and snacks from vendors nearby.
Nov. 27 | 5:45pm | Uptown | Free
Try an Apple Cider Flight at Windy Hill
For a quick day trip, head about an hour outside of the city center to Windy Hill Orchard & Cider Mill. The apples have been picked for the 2024 season, but the charming farm offers hard cider flights, apple cider donuts and non-spiked cider. They have umbrella-covered picnic tables and live music most weekends.
Friday-Saturday now until Dec. 22 | Varies | 1860 Black Highway York, SC | Free to attend
