Are you ready for the fall? October will bring cooler days (we hope!) and crisp nights. Here some of the top free and cheap things to do in the Charlotte area in October.
But there’s much more going on than these 10 events! Scroll down to the bottom of this post to see a comprehensive (and growing) list of free and cheap things to do every day in October.
You’ll see kids’ events, concerts, festivals, Halloween parties, trick-or-treat events, movies, community activities, learning opportunities, theater, film festivals and much more. What you won’t see is anything that costs a ton.
New to Charlotte on the Cheap? You might also be interested in:
Hola Charlotte
Saturday, October 6th, 2018
12 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Tryon Street, between Trade and 8th Streets
Free admission
More about Hola Charlotte
- Latin American Cultural Village
- Authentic Latin American Food and Beverage
- Nationally Acclaimed Latin American bands and Artists
- Latin American Art Street Show/Meet and Greet Local Artist
- Cultural Dance Performances
- Charlotte Cultural Partner Pavilion
- Zumba Demos and Instruction
- Hispanic Heritage and Contemporary Fashion
TreesCharlotte TreeStore
Saturday, October 6th, 2018
10:30 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Camp North End, 1824 Statesville Avenue
Free
More information on the TreeStore
TreesCharlotte, an organization dedicated to increasing Charlotte’s tree canopy, holds several free TreeStores every year. At these events, Charlotte residents can receive free trees, as well as training on how to care for them. The first one of the fall will feature everything from evergreens to flowering trees to oaks and maples. You must show proof of Charlotte residency to receive your two free trees.
Fall Festival at U.S. National Whitewater Center
Friday, October 5th, 2018, 4 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Saturday, October 6th, 2018, 9 a.m. to 10 p.m.
U.S. National Whitewater Center, 5000 Whitewater Center Parkway
Free admission ($6 for parking)
More about U.S. National Whitewater Center’s Fall Festival
U.S. National Whitewater Center’s autumn celebration features live music by Yarn and JR JR, film, the Build Your Own Boat Competition and Race, obstacle trail races and cider tasting. It’s free to attend the festival, but there are charges for the boat competition, obstacle races and cider tasting.
Retro Horror Series
Every day through November 1st, 2018
7 p.m. and 9 p.m.
Ayrsley Grand Cinemas, 9110 Kings Parade Boulevard
$5 per movie
More information on Retro Horror Series
This horror series has become a Charlotte tradition. Here’s the remaining schedule:
- September 28 – October 4: Creature from the Black Lagoon 3D and The Thing
- October 5-11: Evil Dead 2 and Army of Darkness
- October 12-18: The Craft and Buffy the Vampire Slayer
- October 19-25: Ghostbusters and Young Frankenstein
- October 26 – November 1: Halloween and Suspiria
Charlotte VegFest
Saturday, October 13th, 2018
11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Park Expo & Conference Center, 800 Brier Creek Road
Free admission ($5 for parking)
More information on VegFest
Don’t miss Charlotte VegFest if you’re interested in vegan living. There will be speakers, cooking demos, kids’ activities, and free goody bags for the first 200 guests.
NovelWeen
Saturday, October 13th, 2018
4 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Novel NoDa Apartments, 424 E. 36th Street
Johnston YMCA, 3025 N. Davidson Street
Free
More info on NovelWeen
Celebrate Halloween with NoDa at NovelWeen, presented by Novel NoDa, The NoDa Neighborhood Association / NodaNews, and the Johnston YMCA. The events start at the community plaza at Novel NoDa Apartments, at 4 p.m.:
- Live music by Captain Lunchbox/ Jon Linker
- Food trucks
- Wooden Robot Brewery
- Salud Beer Shop
- Divine Barrel Brewing
- Bold Missy Brewery
- Free Range Brewing
Families can then grab a trick-or-treating map that will lead them over to the Johnston YMCA, where festivities will continue at 6 p.m. with a kid/family costume contest and the movie, Hotel Transylvania movie on the lawn.
The party will keep on rocking until at least 8 p.m. at Novel NoDa with adult and pet costume contests with prizes, and fun, festive games.
Outdoor Market at U.S. National Whitewater Center
Friday, October 19th, 2:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Saturday, October 20th, 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m.
Sunday, October 21st, 9:30 a.m. to 7 p.m.
U.S. National Whitewater Center, 5000 Whitewater Center Parkway
Free admission ($6 for parking)
More info on Outdoor Market
The newest festival on the Whitewater Center’s calendar, Outdoor Market, offers a first-hand chance to see and demo gear from top brands in the outdoor industry across various sports and disciplines. Over three days, this festival offers guests the opportunity to demo bikes, trail running shoes, kayaks, stand-up paddleboards, climbing gear and more. There will also be live music by Mipso, Cranford Hollow, The Older Brothers, Calexico, The Brook & The Bluff, and more.
25th Annual Apple Harvest Festival at Windy Hill Orchard
Saturday, October 20th, 2018
10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Windy Hill Orchard and Cider Mill, 1860 Black Highway, York, South Carolina
$10 (plus fees): Admission and a hayride
$12 (plus fees): Admission and hard cider and a souvenir glass
More information on the Apple Harvest Festival at Windy Hill Orchard
Tickets are expected to sell out for this very popular event, so make sure to grab yours soon. Enjoy live music, hayrides, scarecrow making, a bounce house for kids, local BBQ, hard cider bar, cider donuts and much more.
GUTS
Saturday, October 27th, 2018
2 p.m. to 5 p.m.
BB&T Ballpark, 324 S. Mint Street
$10 for adults, free for kids
More information on GUTS
Watch some of Charlotte’s most creative people create magnificent jack-o-lanterns. The pumpkin carving contest benefits Make-a-Wish. Vote on your favorite pumpkin creation for the People’s Choice award, enjoy food and drink, take pictures at a photo booth, get some temporary tattoos, and more. There will be trick-or-treating for the kids.
2nd Annual Pug-o-Ween
Saturday, October 27th, 2018
4 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Lucky Dog Bark & Brew, at 2220 Thrift Road
Free
More information on Pug-o-Ween
Lucky Dog Bark & Brew’s Pug-o-Ween is for humans 21 and older, pugs, and other pups who like pugs. The party will benefit the Mid Atlantic Pug Rescue. 10% of bar sales will be donated to Mid Atlantic Pug Rescue, and donations will be collected as well. There will be a costume contest for the dogs, bobbing for beers for the people, and more. All dogs must be fixed, friendly and up to date on shots.
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