As the summer winds down, fall festival season is upon us. For those feeling festive and ready to ring in the new season, here are some upcoming community arts and culture events in Charlotte and surrounding areas within the next few weeks and continuing through the fall.
Please refer back to this list as it will continue to be updated with more programs within the coming weeks.
Don’t see your festival reflected in this list? Let us know by emailing wfae@wfae.org and we will consider including it.
Charlotte
Charlotte International Arts Festival
The Charlotte International Arts Festival opens Sept. 13 and ends Sept. 29. More than 200 events will be hosted over the next couple of weeks. To view a full list of this weekend's events, visit https://www.charlotteartsfest.com/events.
To read more from WFAE about the Charlotte International Arts Festival, click here.
When: Sept. 13-29
Where: Multiple locations including some in uptown Charlotte and Ballantyne’s Backyard. For the full list of locations, visit https://www.charlotteartsfest.com/locations.
Nomadness Fest 2024
The Nomadness Fest is a festival for Black, Indigenous, People of Color and allies to share stories and resources related to leisure travel, creating community and how media and technology relate to travel and culture. The theme of the event this year is “The Future is Ours: Reimagining BIPOC Travel.”
To secure your spot, visit https://nomadnessfest.com/tickets/.
When: Sept. 14, 11 a.m.-6 p.m.
Where: Camp North End, 1824 Statesville Ave, Charlotte
The 28th Festival of India
The India Association of Charlotte is presenting the Festival of India, a two-day festival this Saturday, Sept. 14, and Sunday, Sept. 15. The festival will showcase performances, arts, crafts, food, clothing, henna and workshops.
For more information, visit https://indiafestival.iacofcarolinas.org/.
When: Saturday, Sept. 14, 12-8 p.m.; Sunday, Sept. 15, 12-6 p.m.
Where: Belk Theatre, 130 N Tryon St. and Ballantyne’s Backyard, 11611 N Community House Rd.
Tickets: $5 (at the gate) Saturday. Free entry Sunday.
Sunday’s event is in partnership with the Charlotte International Arts Festival.
K-Fest: Celebration of Korean Culture
Seoul Food Meat Co. and Urban District Market host the inaugural K-Fest at Seoul Food in Mill District. The free festival features a K-pop dance contest, karaoke, music, food, drink and martial arts. For more information about the event, visit https://www.seoulfoodmeatcoclt.com/k-fest.
When: Saturday, Sept. 14, 12-10 p.m.
Where: Seoul Food, 421 E 26 St. Charlotte
Tickets: Free
Lowcountry Culture Festival
QCity Metro presents the Lowcountry Culture Festival. The event will showcase soulful music, art vendors, Lowcountry food, cocktails, basket weaving and opportunities to learn about the Lowcountry. Visit https://qcitymetro.com/lowcountry-culture/, to purchase tickets and learn more about the event.
To read WFAE’s coverage about the Lowcountry Culture Festival, click here.
When: Saturday, Sept. 14 from 1-6 p.m.
Where: Ballantyne’s Backyard, 11611 N Community House Rd.
Tickets: $75
This event is an official partner of the Charlotte International Arts Festival.
Ethiopian New Year’s Festival
On Saturday, Sept. 14, Tesfa Ethiopia is hosting the Ethiopian New Year Festival. The event will celebrate ringing in the year 2017 in Ethiopia. There will be music, games and food. For tickets and other information, visit https://www.eventbrite.com/e/tesfa-ethiopia-presents-ethiopian-new-years-festival-field-day-tickets-1007280000597.
To read more about Tesfa’s previous Ethiopian New Year celebration, click here.
When: Sept. 14, 4-7 p.m.
Where: ourBridge for KIDS, 3925 Willard Farrow Rd, Charlotte.
Tickets: Free
Mid-Autumn Festival
The Vietnamese Association of Charlotte, Asian Market and other community organizations to host the Mid-Autumn Festival. The festival will take place at Asian Market. Festival activities include lantern and moon cake decorating, face painting, coloring, origami, music. live performances and more. There will also be East and Southeast Asian cuisine. Visit https://www.vietcharlotte.org/upcoming-events/mid-autumn-festival for more information about the Mid-Autumn Festival.
When: Sunday, Sept. 15, noon-8 p.m.
Where: Asian Market, 4430 The Plaza, Charlotte
Tickets: Free admission and parking
Festival of Lebanon
The Festival of Lebanon hosted by St. Stephen Maronite Church will occur this weekend at the church and will feature Lebanese food, live music, a kids area and more.
When: Sept. 20 from 4-8p.m. and Sept. 21 11a.m.-7p.m.
Where: St. Stephen Maronite Church, 8015 Ballantyne Commons Pkwy, Charlotte, NC
Tickets: Free
Haitian Family Reunion
The Carolina Haitian Food Festival Committee to host the fourth annual Haitian Family Reunion on Saturday, September 21 from 3-8p.m. There will be music and live performances, a DJ, Haitian food trucks, storytelling, art activities, vendors and more. To sign up for the reunion, visit https://www.eventbrite.com/e/haitian-family-reunion-tickets-923142242297.
When: Saturday, Sept. 21 from 3-8p.m.
Where: 4435 E. WT Harris Blvd, Charlotte, NC
Tickets: Free
Festival in the Park
Festival in the Park is back for its 60th year this weekend September 20-22 in Freedom Park. The event will feature arts vendors of different mediums, live performances, and food. For more information about the various artists and booths, visit https://festivalinthepark.org/festival-in-the-park/.
To learn more about the history of Festival in the Park, check out WFAE’s coverage here.
When: Friday, Sept. 20 4-9 p.m.; Saturday, Sept. 21 10am-9p.m.; Sunday Sept. 22, 10 a.m.-5p.m.
Where: Freedom Park, 1908 East Blvd, Charlotte, NC
Tickets: Free
This event is an official partner of the Charlotte International Arts Festival.
Jollof Festival
Johnson C. Smith University to host the Jollof Festival Charlotte on September 21 from 1-6p.m. The event will showcase variations of Jollof rice dishes and live performances. To register for the event, visit https://www.eventbrite.com/e/jollof-festival-charlotte-tickets-890830737717.
When: Saturday, Sept. 21 from 1-6p.m.
Where: Johnson C. Smith University, 100 Beatties Ford Road, Charlotte, NC
Tickets: Free
UNC Charlotte International Festival
The International Festival at UNC Charlotte will take place Saturday, September 21 at Barnhardt Student Activity Center. Students and community members will have booths at the event which highlight more than 30 countries and cultures. The event will feature art, traditional attire, international food, cultural performances, family-friendly activities and storytelling. Admission to the festival as well as parking are free. For more information about the UNC Charlotte International Festival, including a campus map, visit https://ifest.charlotte.edu/.
When: Saturday, Sept. 21, 10 a.m.-6p.m.
Where: UNC Charlotte, Barnhardt Student Activity Center
Tickets: Free
This event is an official partner of the Charlotte International Arts Festival.
Serb Fest & Soccer Tournament
On Saturday, September 21 the Serb Fest kicks off at 10 a.m at St. Simeon Church. The event features Serbian cuisine including roasted lamb, pork, serbian crepes and baklava. There will also be live performances, kids activities and a soccer tournament. The soccer tournament winner and runner up will receive a monetary prize. To learn more about the Serb Fest, visit https://www.sv-simeon.com/serb_fest.html.
When: Saturday, Sept. 21 10a.m.-10p.m.
Where: St. Simeon Church, 7609 Mallard Creek Rd, Charlotte NC
Tickets: Free
34th Latin American Festival
The Latin American Coalition to host the 34th Latin American Festival Saturday, September 21 at Ballantynes Backyard. The all day festivity will feature tents, performances, and food from cultures across Latin America. Admission is free but registration for the event is required. To learn more about permitted items and to sign up for the festival, visit https://www.latinamericancoalition.org/festival-latinoamericano/.
When: Saturday, Sept. 21 12-9p.m.
Where: Ballantyne’s Backyard, 11611 N Community House Rd, Charlotte NC
Tickets: Free
This event is an official partner of the Charlotte International Arts Festival.
A Vibe Called Fresh: Westside Symphony
A Vibe Called Fresh ‘24 to take place Saturday, September 21 at West Complex in the Historic West End District. The festival will include R&B karaoke, roller skating, a hula hoop contest, food, trivia and a concert from the Charlotte Symphony Orchestra in the evening. Admission and parking are free. For more information, visit https://www.eventbrite.com/e/a-vibe-called-fresh-24-westside-symphony-tickets-991352661497.
When: Saturday, Sept. 21, 2-9p.m.
Where: West Complex, 1600 West Trade Street Charlotte, NC
Tickets: Free
Hispanic Heritage Festival of the Carolinas
The 3rd Annual Hispanic Heritage Festival returns on Saturday, September 28 at 3p.m. The festival will feature performances from Dominican, Venezuelan and Honduran performers and more. Doors open at 2p.m. Visit https://www.milb.com/charlotte-knights/tickets/hispanicheritagefestival for more information about the event and to purchase tickets.
When: Saturday, Sept. 28, 3p.m.
Where: Truist Field, 324 S Mint St, Charlotte, NC 28202
Tickets: Starting at $20, free for kids 8 and under
Hola Charlotte Festival
The 12th annual Hola Charlotte Festival to take place on October 5 in Uptown Charlotte on Tryon St. The festival will celebrate Latin American heritage, showcase cultural performances, feature family activities and traditions and more. For more information about the Hola Charlotte Festival, visit https://www.holacharlottefestival.com/.
When: Saturday, Oct. 5, 12-6p.m.
Where: Brooklyn Village, 420 S Tryon St, Charlotte, NC 28202
Tickets: Free
Armenian Food Festival
The Armenian Fall Festival will take place October 18-20. The event will feature Armenian food, pastries, family-friendly activities and performances. To learn more, visit https://saintsarkis.net/october-2024-festival.
When: Friday, Oct. 18, 5 -9p.m.; Saturday, Oct. 19, 11 a.m.-9p.m.; Sunday, Oct. 20, 12-8p.m.
Where:
Saint Sarkis Armenian Apostolic Church, 7000 Park Rd, Charlotte NC, 28210
Tickets: Free
ourBRIDGE 11th International Fall Festival
The ourBRIDGE International Fall Festival will take place on October 19 and will feature horse riding, music, performances, mehndi/henna, pumpkin carving, Ethiopian coffee, international food and a petting zoo. For more information about the event, visit https://www.charlotteartsfest.com/events/detail/ourbridge-11th-annual-fall-festival. ourBRIDGE is also seeking volunteers to help with the festival. To learn more about volunteer opportunities, email volunteering@joinourbridge.org.
When: Saturday, Oct. 19, 3-7p.m.
Where: ourBRIDGE for KIDS, 3925 Willard Farrow Dr. Charlotte, NC 28215
Tickets: Free
This event is an official partner of the Charlotte International Arts Festival.
Concord
El Grito Festival
El Grito Festival will kick off Hispanic Heritage Month with music, food, dancing, crafts and other activities.
To read more in-depth coverage from WFAE about Hispanic Heritage Month and upcoming events, click here.
When: Sunday, Sept. 15, 12-6 p.m.
Where: Route 29 Pavilion, 5650 Sandusky Blvd, Concord
Tickets: Free
This event is an official partner of the Charlotte International Arts Festival.
Concord International Festival
The Concord International Festival presented by El Puente Hispano and the city of Concord will take place Saturday, October 5. The event will feature cultural booths from various countries, performances, art, international food and more. To learn more about the festival, visit https://concordinternationalfestival.com/.
When: Saturday, October 5, 12-6 p.m.
Where: Downtown Concord, 45 Spring St SW, Concord, NC 28025
Cornelius
Cornelius Festival of Cultures
The town of Cornelius hosts the Cornelius Festival of Cultures. The event will feature live performances from various cultural groups, arts and crafts, food and more. Visit https://cornelius.org/park/classes___programs/special_events/summer_events/cornelius_festival_of_cultures.php for more information.
When: Saturday, Sept. 14, 3-6 p.m.
Where: Cain Park, 21336 Catawba Ave., Cornelius
Tickets: Free
Davidson
Davidson Fall Arts Festival
The town of Davidson hosts its annual Fall Arts Festival. The festival will feature live music, art from local vendors, food and more. To learn more about the festival, visit https://www.townofdavidson.org/1117/Davidson-Fall-Art-Festival.
When: Sept. 14 from 4-8 p.m.
Where: Historic Downtown Davidson
Gastonia
Latin American Festival
The Gastonia Police Department and WOW Supermarket to host the 3rd annual Latin American Festival on Sunday, September 24. The event at WOW Supermarket will have vendors, food trucks, a mechanical bull, games and more. For more information about the Latin American Festival, visit https://www.gastongov.com/Calendar.aspx?EID=1533.
When: Sunday, Sept. 24, 11a.m.-7p.m.
Where: WOW Supermarket, 2557 W. Franklin Blvd. Gastonia, NC
Tickets: Free
Harrisburg
Harrisburg Multicultural Festival
The Harrisburg Arts, Culture & Heritage Committee with support from Harrisburg Parks and Recreation to host the Harrisburg Multicultural Festival. The half day festival will be held at Harrisburg Park on Saturday, September 21 from 10 a.m-2 p.m. Various cultural vendors, food, dances, music, fashion and more will be featured at the event. To learn more, https://www.harrisburgnc.org/644/Harrisburg-Multicultural-Festival.
When: Saturday, Sept. 21, 10 a.m-2 p.m.
Where: Harrisburg Park, 4100 Main Street, Suite 101, Harrisburg, NC
Tickets: Free
Rock Hill
Patchwork Tales Storytelling Festival
The York County Library presents the 23rd annual Patchwork Tales Storytelling Festival on Saturday, September 21. The event will include storytelling from both local and national performers, music and more. To view a full schedule of the event, visit https://www.yclibrary.org/patchwork-tales.
When: Saturday, Sept. 21, 11a.m.-6p.m.
Where: The White Home, 258 E White Street Rock Hill, SC
Tickets: Free
