Start easing into fall with this list of the top things to do in September in the Charlotte area. September is a very busy season for festivals, with some of the most popular festivals of the year taking place this month.
Festival in the Park, Yiasou Greek Festival, Festival of India and UNC Charlotte International Festival are just a few of the longstanding events that are eagerly anticipated all year.
Also, Charlotte International Arts Festival, from September 13 to 29, 2024, unites many festivals under its banner, and also features multiple art installations and performance stages.
And of course, Oktoberfest kicks off in September! And a new festival, CharlOz, focuses on Wizard of Oz!
We focus on the “free and cheap” so many of these events will be easy on your wallet.
After our list of highlighted events, we include a day by day list of everything on our calendar for September. You can also jump right to the day-by-day list. (Please give it a moment to load…it’s a lot!)
Top Things to do in Charlotte in September
Matthews Alive
Matthews Alive
Date: August 30 to September 2, 2024
Time: 6 to 10 p.m. on Friday; 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Saturday; 1 to 10 p.m. on Sunday; 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Place: Downtown Matthews, NC
Cost: Admission is free. There’s a cost for rides, games and inflatable attractions.
Features: Live music, rides, games, vendors, art, a kids’ zone and a Labor Day parade.
Fork Fest
Fork Fest
Date: August 31 and September 1, 2024
Time: 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Saturday, and 12 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Sunday
Place: Locations in McAdenville and Cramerton, NC
Cost: Many of the activities are free to enjoy, but some are ticketed.
Features: Live music in Cramerton and McAdenville, art show, kids’ activities, vendors, and a group trail run/hike. The highlight is a floating concert down the South Fork River, between McAdenville and Cramerton. The floating concert is $32.55 of you bring your own boat and $58.82 if you rent a kayak.
Charlotte Labor Day Parade
Charlotte Labor Day Parade
Date: Monday, September 2, 2024
Time: 11 a.m.
Place: Tryon Street from 9th Street to 3rd Street
Cost: Free
Features: The parade will feature local labor union floats, vehicles and marchers, as well as political candidates, bands, car clubs and community groups.
Teacher-Penned Play Festival
Teacher-Penned Play Festival
Date: Monday, September 2, 2024
Time: 2 p.m.
Place: Charlotte Art League, 4237 Raleigh Street, Charlotte, NC
Cost: Free
Features: Local actors read new plays written by local teaching artists.
Yiasou Greek Festival
Yiasou Greek Festival
Date: September 6 to 8, 2024
Time: 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday; 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday.
Place: Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Cathedral, 600 East Boulevard, Charlotte, NC
Cost: Check back soon. In 2023, tickets were $5, with free admission for children under age 12.
Features: Food, kids’ playland, entertainment, music dancing, live reenactments, tours of the cathedral and more.
Museums on Us
Bank of America’s “Museums on Us”
Date: The first weekend of the month — September 7 and 8, 2024
Time: Varies
Place: Bechtler Museum of Modern Art, Charlotte Museum of History, Harvey B. Gantt Center for African-American Arts + Cutlure, Mint Museum Randolph, and Mint Museum Uptown
Cost: Free for Bank of America or Merrill card holders
Features: If you have a Bank of America or Merrill credit or debit card, you can get into any of the above museums for free the first weekend of the month. Special exhibits might not be included in the free admission.
Cabarrus County Fair
Cabarrus County Fair
Date: September 6 to 14, 2024
Time: 4 to 10 p.m. Monday to Thursday; 4 to 11 p.m. on Fridays; 1 to 11 p.m. on Saturdays; 1 to 10 p.m. on Sundays
Place: Cabarrus Events & Arena Center, 4751 NC Highway 49 N, Concord, NC
Cost: Gate admission is $8 for 12 and over, and $6 for ages 6-11, military ID and age 55+. Ride wristbands are $35.
Features: Rides, entertainment, livestock competition, and fair food.
Outdoor Concerts
Outdoor Concert Series
Date: Many dates
Time: Times vary
Place: Many locations
Cost: Most are free
Features: Charlotte’s huge calendar of outdoor concerts continue! Our expansive list can be perused by area or date.
Free Tuesday at Schiele Museum
Free Tuesday at Schiele Museum
Date: Tuesday, September 10, 2024
Time: 4 to 8 p.m.
Place: Schiele Museum of Natural History, 1500 E Garrison Blvd, Gastonia, NC
Cost: Free
Features: One afternoon and evening a month, visit the Schiele for free. No registration is required.
Oktoberfest Celebrations
Oktoberfest Celebrations
Date: Various dates in September and October
Time: Various times
Place: Many places
Cost: Most are free
Features: Follow the above link to learn about dozens of Oktoberfest celebrations in the Charlotte area. Many feature German, or German-inspired food and beer, German music and dancing, stein-hoisting competitions and other festivities.
Outdoor Movies
Outdoor Movies
Date: Many dates
Time: Usually at dusk
Place: Many locations
Cost: Free
Features: Free outdoor movies continue into the fall! Check out our day by day list for movies at parks, breweries, shopping centers, churches and more. Many movies are for the whole family. There are often special features, like free retro video games, too.
Charlotte International Arts Festival
Charlotte International Arts Festival
Date: September 13 to 29, 2024
Time: Time varies
Place: Many locations
Cost: Varies, but much of the festival is free.
Features: The festival features interactive art installations and performances in Uptown Charlotte and Ballantyne’s Backyard. In addition, many Charlotte festivals during this time period will be a part of Charlotte International Arts Festival. CIAF is one of Charlotte’s most anticipated festivals of the year.
2nd Friday Street Festival: Celebrate the Lake
Old Town Cornelius’ 2nd Friday Street Festival
Date: Friday, September 13, 2024
Time: 6 to 10 p.m.
Place: Oak Street Mill, 19725 Oak Street, Cornelius, NC
Cost: Free
Features: Live music, kids’ activities, food trucks, craft breweries, more.
Mooresville’s Bands Brews & BBQ Festival
Mooresville’s Bands Brews & BBQ Festival
Date: Saturday, September 14, 2024
Time: 4 to 9 p.m.
Place: Liberty Park, 255 E Iredell Avenue, Mooresville, NC
Cost: Free (pay for food and drink)
Features: Live music, featuring headliner Jo Dee Messina. Plus beer, multiple BBQ trucks, a family zone and a chance to meet the Olympic Bobsled Team.
Flow Fest
Flow Fest
Date: Saturday, September 14, 2024
Time: 7:30 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Place: Whitewater Center, 5000 Whitewater Center Parkway, Charlotte, NC
Cost: Free, but parking is $12.
Features: More than 50 yoga and meditation practices and workshops, as well as vendors and live music.
28th Festival of India
28th Festival of India
Date: September 14 and 15, 2024
Time: 12 to 8 p.m. on Saturday; 12 to 6 p.m. on Sunday
Place: Saturday: Belk Theater, 130 N Tryon Street, Charlotte, NC. Sunday: Ballantyne’s Backyard, 11611 N Community House, Charlotte, NC
Cost: Saturday: $5 in advance, $6 at the door, free for kids under 10. Sunday: Free
Features: Celebrate India with traditional and Bollywood dances, exhibits, visual arts, souvenir bazars, Indian food and much more.
Cornelius Festival of Cultures
Cornelius Festival of Cultures
Date: Saturday, September 14, 2024
Time: 3 to 6 p.m.
Place: Cain Park, 21336 Catawba Avenue, Cornelius, NC
Cost: Free
Features: Live performance, art, cultural booths and food from many cultures.
Ethiopian New Year Festival
Ethiopian New Year Festival
Date: Saturday, September 14, 2024
Time: 4 to 7 p.m.
Place: Ourbridge for Kids, 3925 Willard Farrow Drive, Charlotte, NC
Cost: Free
Features: Cultural celebration with dancing, games, activities, coffee and food.
K-Fest: Celebration of Korean Culture
K-Fest: Celebration of Korean Culture
Date: Saturday, September 14, 2024
Time: 12 to 8 p.m.
Place: Seoul Food Meat Co. Mill District, 421 E 26th Street, Charlotte, NC
Cost: Free
Features: Music, karaoke contest, K-Pop dance contest, martial arts. Food and drink for purchase.
El Grito Festival
El Grito Festival
Date: Sunday, September 15, 2024
Time: 12 to 6 p.m.
Place: Route 29 Pavilion, Concord, NC
Cost: Free admission. Possible charge for parking
Features: Family-friendly Hispanic Heritage festival. Music, traditional food, crafts, dancing and family activities.
Festival in the Park
60th Festival in the Park
Date: September 20 to 22, 2024
Time: Friday: 4 to 9 p.m.; Saturday: 10ma.m. to 9 p.m.; Sunday: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Place: Freedom Park, 1900 East Boulevard, Charlotte, NC
Cost: Free
Features: More than 150 artists and artisans will display and sell their art. There will also be food vendors, performances, and family activities.
Festival of Lebanon
Festival of Lebanon
Date: Friday, September 20, and Saturday, September 21, 2024
Time: 4 to 8 p.m. on Friday and 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturday
Place: St. Matthews Catholic Church’s Gym, 8015 Ballantyne Commons Parkway, Charlotte, North Carolina
Cost: Admission is free
Features: Includes Lebanese music, food, a kids’ area, a raffle and more.
Serb Fest
Serb Fest
Date: Saturday, September 21, 2024
Time: 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Place: St. Simeon Serbian Orthodox Church, 7609 Mallard Creek Road, Charlotte, NC
Cost: Free
Features: Live music, authentic food for purchase, kids’ activities and a soccer tournament. Also, view the cutural displays and the beautiful interior of the church.
Ramble On Music Festival
Ramble On Music Festival
Date: Saturday, September 21, 2024
Time: 12 to 10 p.m.
Place: The Car Wash, 415 S Main Street, Davidson, NC
Cost: Free
Features: 6 bands, food and drink vendors, interactive art station, arts market
Harrisburg Multicultural Festival
Harrisburg Multicultural Festival
Date: Saturday, September 21, 2024
Time: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Place: Harrisburg Park, 191 Sims Parkway, Harrisburg, NC
Cost: Free
Features: Celebrate cultures from around the world with art, music, fashion, games, food and more.
UNC Charlotte International Festival
UNC Charlotte International Festival
Date: Saturday, September 21, 2024
Time: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Place: Barnhardt Student Activity Center, 9290 Barnhardt Lane, Charlotte, NC
Cost: Free
Features: This long-standing festival on the UNC Charlotte campus features booths from diverse cultures, dance and music performances, international games and the Parade of Nations.
A Vibe Called Fresh: Westend Symphony
A Vibe Called Fresh: Westend Symphony
Date: Saturday, September 21, 2024
Time: 2 to 8 p.m.
Place: West Complex, 1600 W Trade Street, Charlotte, NC
Cost: Free
Features: Celebration of community, culture and creativity. Members of Charlotte Symphony, along with local music creatives, are presenting a nostalgic journey to a DJ set from the early to mid 2000s. There will also be roller skating, a Go-go band, food, live art, vendors and more.
Downtown Gastonia Fall Bar Crawl
Downtown Gastonia Fall Bar Crawl
Date: Saturday, September 21, 2024
Time: 5 p.m.
Place: Downtown Gastonia
Cost: Free
Features: Six bars in Gastonia are participating. There will be entertainment at each one, and a vendor market on Main Street. Get your card stamped at each one for a chance to win prizes.
Latin American Festival
34th Latin American Festival
Date: Saturday, September 21, 2024
Time: 12 to 8 p.m.
Place: Ballantyne’s Backyard, 11611 N Community House Road, Charlotte, NC
Cost: Free
Features: Latin American food, performances, visual artists, handmade crafts and more.
Festival Latino in Gastonia
Festival Latino
Date: Sunday, September 22, 2024
Time: 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Place: WOW Supermarket Gastonia, 2557 West Franklin Blvd, Gastonia, NC
Cost: Free
Features: Live music, games, food, raffles.
CharlOz
CharlOz
Date: September 26 to 29, 2024
Time: Times vary
Place: UNC Charlotte Main Campus, UNC Charlotte Center City Campus, ImaginOn, and more locations
Cost: Most events are free
Features: Celebration of the Oz books and movies. The festival features speakers, Oz character drawing demos, a Land of Oz exhibition, film, gaming, music, and a chance for kids to meet characters from Land of Oz. Children’s events are on Saturday at ImaginOn. The rest of the events are geared toward adults.
‘Tawba Walk Arts & Music Festival
‘Tawba Walk Arts & Music Festival
Date: Saturday, September 28, 2024
Time: 2 to 8 p.m.
Place: Oak Street Mill, 19725 Oak Street, Cornelius, NC
Cost: Free
Features: Live music on two stages, kids’ zone, multiple food truck courts, 100+ artists, craftspeople and vendors, more.
Charlotte Monarch Celebration
Charlotte Monarch Celebration
Date: Saturday, September 28, 2024
Time: 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Place: Reedy Creek Nature Preserve, 2986 Rocky River Road, Charlotte, NC
Cost: Free
Features: Learn about monarch butterflies and other pollinators. Free seed giveaway, photo booth, face painting, crafts, more.
Autumn Jubilee
Autumn Jubilee
Date: Saturday, September 28, 2024
Time: 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Place: Carl J. McEwen Historic Village, 7601 Matthews-Mint Hill Road, Mint Hill, NC
Cost: Free
Features: Tour the historic village and museums, and enjoy face painting, games, pumpkin decorating, vendors, old time music and more.
Queen City Zine Fest
Queen City Zine Fest
Date: Saturday, September 28, 2024
Time: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Place: Knight Theater, 430 S Tryon Street, Charlotte, NC
Cost: Free
Features: Queen City Zine Fest is a celebration of printed literature and art. It will spotlight artists who work in zines, printmaking, comics, illustration and more.
Hispanic Heritage Festival of the Carolinas
Hispanic Heritage Festival of the Carolinas
Date: Saturday, September 28, 2024
Time: 3 to 10 p.m.
Place: Truist Field,324 S Mint Street, Charlotte, NC
Cost: Tickets start at $15. Free for kids age 8 and under.
Features: Live music, artisan food and culture. Headliners are The Kazzabe Group from Honduras, Karlos Rose from the Dominican Republic, Porto Baloa from Venezuela, and guest DJ Coroking.
Enchanted Fairy Festival
Enchanted Fairy Festival
Date: Saturday, September 28, 2024
Time: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Place: Dallas Lavender Lane Farm, 937 Old Willis School Road, Dallas, NC
Cost: Free admission. $5 for parking
Features: Meet fairies and mermaids. Enjoy live music and entertainment, kids’ activities, art and craft vendors and food for purchase.
Ciao Italia Matthews
Ciao Italia Matthews
Date: Sunday, September 29, 2024
Time: 12 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Place: Stumptown Park, 120 S Trade Street, Matthews, NC
Cost: $5 for ages 21+; $3 for ages 12-20; Free for under 12
Features: Italian entertainment, food and beverage, car show, more.
All American Dog Show
All American Dog Show
Date: Sunday, September 29, 2024
Time: 2 to 5 p.m.
Place: Robbins Park, 17738 W Catawba Avenue, Cornelius, NC
Cost: Free for spectators (cost to enter your dog in a contest)
Features: Multiple dog contests, vendors and concessions.
Full September Calendar
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