46. International Festival
City: Charlotte, NC
Category: Annual Events & Festivals
Telephone: (704) 687-2521
Description: Explore the culture, art, crafts, food, and entertainment of more than 50 nations at this late-Sept festival set up as a colorful marketplace. Free.
47. Lincoln County Apple Festival
City: Charlotte, NC
Category: Annual Events & Festivals
Telephone: (704) 736-8458
Description: Held the third Sat in Sept in the Courthouse Square downtown, this popular festival draws 50,000 spectators with arts and crafts, children’s activities, a farmers’ market, quilt show, food booths, and a cooking contest for every apple creation you can imagine. Proceeds benefit local nonprofits. Free.
48. Matthews Alive!
City: Charlotte, NC
Category: Annual Events & Festivals
Telephone: (704) 814-9779
Description: This outdoor family arts and crafts festival is held on Labor Day weekend with a parade, children’s activities, food vendors, close to 200 craftsmen, and live entertainment. Free.
49. Mint Museum Potters Market Invitational
City: Charlotte, NC
Category: Annual Events & Festivals
Telephone: (704) 337-2000
Address: 2730 Randolph Rd.
Description: Introduced in 2005, this pottery festival featuring the work of more than 40 regional artists drew 2,000 buyers its first year. See and buy pieces by potters from North Carolina’s talented regions and rich traditions while supporting the museum’s decorative arts collection.
50. Southern Women’S Show
City: Charlotte, NC
Category: Annual Events & Festivals
Telephone: (704) 376-6594, (800) 849-0248
Address: 2500 East Independence Blvd.
Description: This late-September event features fashion shows, makeovers, cooking demonstrations, home decor, and information of special interest to women. Admission is $8 at the door, $7 in advance.
51. Sunset Jazz Festival
City: Charlotte, NC
Category: Annual Events & Festivals
Telephone: (704) 375-9553
Description: Sponsored by Pride magazine and Charlotte Center City Partners, this free three-day festival features local and regional jazz bands, jazz workshops, and an exhibit at the Harvey B. Gantt Center for African-American Arts + Culture on the festival’s history.
52. Symphony Guild Of Charlotte Asid Showhouse
City: Charlotte, NC
Category: Annual Events & Festivals
Telephone: (704) 525-0522
Description: Charlotte designers show off their talents, offering the latest in decorating trends during this three-week event in late September. A black-tie preview party with dinner, silent auction, and dancing often sells out. Lectures, a meet-the-designers party, neighborhood reception, and champagne brunch and preview also are planned.
53. Yiasou Greek Festival
City: Charlotte, NC
Category: Annual Events & Festivals
Telephone: (704) 334-4771
Address: 600 East Blvd.
Description: Greek food, music, dancing, and arts and crafts are featured at this authentic event sponsored by Charlotte’s large Greek community.
54. Bank Of America 500
City: Charlotte, NC
Category: Annual Events & Festivals
Telephone: (704) 455-3200
Description: Charlotte’s fall race week in mid-October includes Pole Night, the Nationwide series Charlotte 300 on Fri, and the Bank of America 500 Sprint Cup race on Sat night. The Bank of America 500 plays a pivotal role in NASCAR’s 10-race Chase for the Championship. Cost is $49 to $135, or $99 weekend packages.
55. Carolina Balloonfest
City: Charlotte, NC
Category: Annual Events & Festivals
Telephone: (704) 873-2892
Description: This two-day hot-air balloon event in late October paints the sky with colorful expressions of beauty and whimsy, and is the second oldest balloon rally in the nation. Carolina BalloonFest features balloon rides, contests, arts and crafts, military displays, activities for children, food, and wine tastings. Admission is $10 for adults, $5 for ages 6-12, and free for 5 and under. Tickets can be purchased online or at the gate. Note: bring cash as credit cards are not accepted at the festival.
56. Carolina Renaissance Festival
City: Charlotte, NC
Category: Annual Events & Festivals
Telephone: (704) 896-5555
Description: Hear ye! Hear ye! Medieval merriment abounds at this re-created European Market Faire from the 16th century. Hundreds of elaborately costumed performers fill the village, which is set up on 10 acres of beautiful woods and meadows for seven weekends. Watch a jousting tournament (don’t worry, the blood’s fake), defend a castle with medieval weaponry, and nibble on a turkey leg like Henry VIII.
57. Christmas Made In The South
City: Charlotte, NC
Category: Annual Events & Festivals
Telephone: (704) 847-9480
Description: Get into the holiday spirit early at this annual juried arts and crafts show highlighting more than 400 artists and craftsmen. The three-day event has taken place for three decades.
58. Dilworth Jubilee
City: Charlotte, NC
Category: Annual Events & Festivals
Description: Held at Dilworth’s quaint, home-lined Latta Park the first Sat in Oct, this neighborhood get-together has grown in popularity and draws visitors from all over the city. The oldest neighborhood festival in Charlotte, this 35-year tradition includes children’s activities, art, a road race, and a home tour. Tour tickets $20 in advance at Harris Teeter, $25 day of tour.
59. Haunted Homesite Tour
City: Charlotte, NC
Category: Annual Events & Festivals
Telephone: (704) 568-1774
Address: 3500 Shamrock Dr.
Description: Pumpkin decorating, bobbing for apples, candlelight tours of homes, and scary stories around a campfire are part of this Saturday-before-Halloween event.
60. Komen Charlotte Race For The Cure
City: Charlotte, NC
Category: Annual Events & Festivals
Telephone: (704) 347-8181
Description: This charitable event draws thousands of runners (and walkers) to Uptown to raise money for Susan G. Komen for the Cure, a foundation to defeat breast cancer. There is a competitive 5K run, non-competitive 5K, and one-mile fun run/walk. The event begins with a survivor recognition photo.