30 Family-Friendly Events You Can’t Miss in October
Options across the Charlotte area
October 2-3
Fifth Annual CBC Oktoberfest. Cabarrus Brewing Company, 329 McGill Ave. NW, Concord. All ages. Times vary. Cabarrus Brewing Company is stretching its Oktoberfest across two weeks to help with limited crowds and safety. Dates include Sept. 25-26 and Oct. 2-3 with reservable time slots. Enjoy festive décor, marzen beer, and more. facebook.com/cabarrusbrewingco.
October 3
Camp Pumpkin Patch. Camp North End. 1824 Statesville Ave. All ages. 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. Free admission. Come pick a pumpkin at the Mount and enjoy treats from Popbar, Leah & Louise, and Wentworth & Fenn. camp.nc
October 4
Carolina Panthers vs. Arizona Cardinals. Bank of America Stadium, 800 S. Mint St. All ages. 1 p.m. Catch all the action of a Carolina Panthers game when they take on the Arizona Cardinals on their home turf. panthers.com.
October 10
Pumpkin Patch at Truist Field. Truist Field, 324 S. Mint St. All ages. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. $10 small pumpkin, $20 regular pumpkin. Let the kids pick out a pumpkin at Truist Field. Be sure to check out the pumpkin decoration station and fall-themed food and drinks at the concession stands. Make a reservation, and bring a face mask. charlotteknights.com.
October 11
Crunchy Leaves Hike. Latta Nature Preserve, Shelter 3, 6211 Sample Rd. All ages. Free. 1-2:30 p.m. Register online to explore the trails and crunch some leaves. apm.activecommunities.com/mecklenburgparks.
Sensory-Friendly Sundays at Sea Life Aquarium. Sea Life Aquarium Charlotte-Concord, 8111 Concord Mills Blvd., Concord. All ages. 10-11 a.m. $8+. Families with children on the autism spectrum or children with sensory processing disorders are invited enjoy the aquarium for an hour prior to regular hours for an adjusted experience. visitsealife.com.
October 16
Southern Fall Favorites Cooking Class. Chef Alyssa’s Kitchen. 4001-C Yancey Rd., Ste. 100. Ages 11-18. 6 – 8:30 p.m. $140, one ticket is for two people. Learn to make shrimp and grits, roasted fall vegetables, and apple galette. All guests are required to wear facemasks. Purchase tickets and reserve your spot online. chefalyssaskitchen.com
October 17
27th Annual Apple Harvest Festival. Windy Hill Orchard and Cider Mill, 1860 Black Hwy., York, SC. All ages. 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Take a little day trip to Windy Hill Orchard for music, hard cider, apple donuts, a bounce house, hayrides, and more. Register for the morning or the afternoon session, and note that apple picking has ended for the season. windyhillorchard.com.
Myers Park Branch Story Explorers: Spooky STEAM! Online. Ages 5-11. 3-4 p.m. The Myers Park library staff will host this Halloween themed STEAM event via Zoom. cmlibrary.org.
October 18
Pups on the Patio. Optimist Hall, 1115 Brevard St. All ages. 1 – 4 p.m. A local foster organization will have puppies onsite and available for adoption. Parents can enjoy an adult libation from Spindle Bar’s beverage truck in the courtyard. optimisthall.com
October 24
Bingo in the Park: Hallowingo. Chestnut Square Park, 320 Chestnut Pkwy., Indian Trail. All ages. Four sessions between 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Free. Register online to participate in drive-in Halloween bingo for candy and prizes. secure.rec1.com/NC/city-of-indian-trail/catalog.
October 24-25
Biketoberfest 2020. Various routes in Charlotte. All ages. Cycle your way through this urban adventure. Safely complete the course with fewer crowds by choosing a provided route; participants can also complete a scavenger hunt. biketopberfestclt.org.
October 25
Pints & Puzzles. Brewers at 4001 Yancey. 4001-A Yancey Rd. All ages. 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. Free entry. Bring the family to the brewery for a socially-distanced Sunday Funday. Puzzles are provided for teams up to six people. There’s a limit of eight teams at a time. The table that completes their puzzle first wins a $100 gift card to the taproom. visit.brewersat4001yancey.com
October 30
Kids’ Night Out: Dinner and a Movie. Flour Power Studios of Rea Farms, 9826 Sandy Rock Place, Ste. E. Ages 5-8. 6-8 p.m. $39. Little chefs can made themed foods and watch “The Great Pumpkin.” Participants may wear friendly Halloween costumes. flourpowerstudios.com/register/reafarms/KidsNightOut.
Halloween Movie Night. Optimist Hall, 1115 Brevard St. All ages. Free admission. Come watch “Hocus Pocus” in the courtyard at 8 p.m. Parents can sip on Halloween-themed cocktails from Spindle Bar, or have a socially-distant tarot card reading. optimisthall.com
Halloween Harvest. Chef Alyssa’s Kitchen. 4001-C Yancey Rd., Ste. 100. Ages 11-18. 6 – 8:30 p.m. $140, one ticket is for two people. Learn to make beef and black bean chili, pumpkin and sage spoonbread, and candy apple cookies. All guests are required to wear facemasks. Purchase tickets and reserve your spot online. chefalyssaskitchen.com
October 31
2020 Queen City Oktoberfest. Funtastics Charlotte, 10400 Cadillac St., Pineville. All ages. Noon-6 p.m. Free entry. Find fun for the whole family at Funtastics. The event includes vendors, face painting, a bounce house, a bake sale, live entertainment, and for additional cost, go-karts, bumper boats, arcade games, and more. createamazingllc.com/events-1/2020-queen-city-oktoberfest.
Boo at the Ballantyne. The Ballantyne, 10000 Ballantyne Commons Pkwy. All ages. 11 a.m. $25-$45 for tea. The fun kicks off at 11 a.m. with a pumpkin carving contest. Stay for Trick or Tea from 1-4 p.m., a costume parade at 5 p.m., and a “Dive In Movie” in the indoor pool. Bring your own float to watch “Hocus Pocus.” theballantynehotel.com/upcoming-events.
Boo Ha Ha. Old Town Rock Hill, 300 Main St., Rock Hill. All ages. 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Free. Drive through this year’s Boo Ha Ha celebration. Begin on Main Street at the intersection of Main and Oakland before driving toward Fountain Park. Masked volunteers will hand out free pre-packaged bags of candy through the car windows for each child in the car at Fountain Park. wrhi.com/events/boo-haha.
Running Scared 5-Miler and Monster Mile. 300 S. Church St. All ages. 9 a.m. Take in the sights of uptown and the costumes of participants while making your way to the finish line at Romare Bearden Park. After the finish, enjoy food trucks, family activities, and music in the park. runsignup.com/Race/Info/NC/Charlotte/RunningScared5MilerMonsterMile.
ONGOING
2020 Amazing Maize Maze. Historic Rural Hill, 4431 Neck Rd., Huntersville. All ages. $12+. Register online to navigate your way through the corn maze. Bring your smart phone for the Historic Rural Hill app, and leave pets at home. ruralhill.net/events/rural-hill-amazing-maize-maze.
Chinese Lantern Festival. Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden, 6500 S. New Hope Rd., Belmont. All ages. $16-$24. 5-8pm. The Chinese Lantern Festival is open to visitors Wed.-Sun., Oct. 15-Jan. 3, except for Thanksgiving and Christmas. Reserve your spot to stroll through the beautiful illuminated displays. dsbg.org.
Frightmare on Dam Road. Mr. Putty’s Fun Park, 2333 Dam Rd., Tega Cay. 7-10pm. $15. On Fridays and Saturdays in October, Mr. Putty’s Fun Park presents York County’s only haunted house. Guests can also try haunted mini golf and zombie axe throwing for additional cost. mrputtys.com.
Music on the Lawn. Anne Springs Close Greenway, 2573 Lake Haigler Dr., Fort Mill. All ages. 6-9 p.m. $6 per person plus $5 for parking. Every Thursday from Aug. 6-Oct. 29, weather permitting, come listen to live music in the great outdoors. Food and beverages are available for purchase. Reserve your spot online, and bring chairs or blankets. ascgreenway.org/events/signature-events/music-on-the-lawn.
Nature PE. Reedy Creek Nature Center, 2900 Rocky River Rd. Ages 6-10. 3-4:30 p.m. Free. Every Thursday in October and November, except for Thanksgiving, children can get moving for fitness and fun. Hike, play games, and more, rain or shine. bit.ly/ReedyNaturePE.
Pumpkin Patches and Hayrides. Find more of our favorite family-friendly pumpkin patches and hayrides in our local guide.
Scarrigan Farms Haunted Trail. Carrigan Farms, 1261 Oakridge Farm Hwy., Mooresville. Ages 12 and older. $25. Family-friendly u-pick pumpkins are available beginning Oct. 1. Brave souls up for more adventure should check out Scarrigan Farms Haunted Trail, which begins Oct. 2. carriganfarms.com.
South End Market. 2000 South Blvd. All ages. 8 a.m.-1 p.m., Saturdays. Free admission. Shop locally sourced foods and crafts at the South End Market. southendmkt.com.
Wise Acres. 4701 Hartis Rd., Indian Trail. All ages. $6+. Reserve your spot online to pick a pumpkin with your little punkins! The farm also offers hayrides, play area, concessions, barrel train, farm animals, and fresh pizza on weekends. wiseacresorganic.com.
Crossroads Cinema. Camp North End. 1824 Statesville Ave. All ages. Free admission. Grab a chair and sit under the stars for this outdoor film series next to the historic Ford building. Pick up food from Leah & Louise, Bleu Barn Bistro, SARU, and La Caseta. Movies are shown at 7 and 9 p.m. every Thursday in October. Tickets are free but spots must be reserved online. Capacity is limited to 50 people per film. crossroadscinemacampnorthend.eventbrite.com
