The first weekend of October offers lots of options to keep Charlotteans entertained.
Whether you're looking to enjoy the descending fall season or a fun festival, we've got you covered.
Pumpkin Picking
- Hall Family Farm: Family owned and operated for over 70 years. Includes a "Wonders of the World" corn maze that covers over five acres of land and features over two miles of interconnecting pathways.
Location: 10713 Providence Road West.
- Riverbend Farm: According to their website, the farm has 20 acres of pumpkins with large slides and lots of fall-themed activities. An air cannon shoots apples at a school bus for the price of $1 for two shots.
Location: 12150 McManus Road, Midlane, NC
- Hodges Family Farm: The farm claims to be the oldest running in Charlotte. They offer hay maze and a hay mountain, free admission and pony rides.
Location: 3900 Rocky River Road East
Carolina Renaissance Festival
History comes alive with the kickoff of the Carolina Renaissance Festival Saturday in Huntersville. Day-long entertainment, arts and crafts, games, rides, jousting knights and turkey legs are all offered from October 1 to November 20.
Price: Tickets cost $23 for adults and $13 for children.
Location: 16445 Poplar Tent Road, Huntersville, NC
Oktoberfest at Cabarrus Brewing Company
Live Music at Common Market
Great Grapes! Wine and Food Festival
"Great Grapes! is Charlotte's premier casual wine tasting with hundreds of wines available," according to their website. Participants take their souvenir glass and stroll from tent to tent sampling North Carolina vines.
The event is on Saturday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. to VIP, regular admission is at noon.
Price: $29 regular, $49 (price for tickets purchased in advance)
Location: Symphony Park, Southpark Mall
Noble Cider
Take a day trip to Asheville for some cider. Operating out of a former carpet store, this cidery has plenty of room for production and tasting under the same roof. "They're able to source a lot of fruit from the mountains outside Asheville, and you may even see the fruit being brought in and pressed," a taster says who also recommended the Village Tart, made with cherry juice from Michigan.
Harvest Festival at 7th Street Public Market
The 7th Street Public Market will host the Harvest Festival, presented by Carolinas Healthcare System and Charlotte Center City Partners.
The event will be full of "harvest fest events" on Saturday between 10 a.m. and 7 p.m.
Price: Free
Location: 7th Street Public Market, 224 E. 7th Street, Charlotte, NC
October Front Porch Sunday
Front Porch Sundays is a new South End vendor market, according to the Charlotte Agenda.
The event is on Sunday from 3 - 7 p.m. and will offer raffles, food trucks, sweets and shopping from local vendors.
Price: Free
Location: 2151 Hawkins Street, Charlotte, NC
Inaugural Fashion Truck Rally
Calling all fashionistas!
According to the event's Facebook page, at least 14 fashion trucks will close down 7th street for the first inaugural fashion truck rally. The trucks participating are from North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia.
The event is on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. and will include food, fashion and live music.
Price: Free
Location: 7th Street Public Market, 224 E. 7th Street, Charlotte, NC
Kids in Nature Day
Habitat and Wildlife Keepers, Great Outdoors University and the Town of Matthews will host Kids in Nature Day Saturday from 10 am - 2 pm.
"Bring the family and enjoy nature activities such as catch and release fishing, hikes, fairy house construction, bird watching, scavenger hunts and visit with nature exhibitors," the Habitat and Wildlife Keepers website says.
Price: Free
Location: Squirrel Lake Park
