August
- Matthews Alive (Matthews, NC) – Aug 29 – Sept 1 – Live music, rides, vendors, parade.
- Queen City Arts Festival (Charlotte, NC) – Aug 30 – Visual art, performances, food.
- Labor Day Celebration (U.S. National Whitewater Center) – Aug 30–31 – Adventure events, music, family fun.
- Battle of Charlotte Living History Weekend (Waxhaw, NC) – Aug 30–31 – Historical reenactments, artisans, demos.
September
- Yiasou Greek Festival (Charlotte, NC) – Sept 5–7 – Greek cuisine, dancing, church tours.
- Cabarrus County Fair (Concord, NC) – Sept 5–13 – Rides, contests, animals, fair food.
- Charlotte International Arts Festival – Sept (entire month) – Art installations, performances across the city.
- Jollof Festival (Charlotte, NC) – Sept 13 – West African food, culture, music, arts.
- Charlotte Asian Film Festival (Charlotte, NC) – Sept 13events – Asian cinema and cultural.
- South Carolina Apple Festival (Westminster, SC) – Sept 9–10 – Crafts, music, local eats.
- SpartOberfest (Spartanburg, SC) – Sept 9–10 – German-themed beer fest, entertainment.
- South Carolina Foothills Heritage Fair (Seneca, SC) – Sept 20–24 – Livestock, exhibits, rides.
- National Alpaca Farm Days (various farms) – Sept 27–28 – Alpaca meetups, demos, fleece shopping:
- Good Karma Ranch (Iron Station, NC)
- Farm and Fleece Alpaca Ranch (Concord, NC)
- Serenity at Stony Point Alpaca Farm (Statesville area, NC)
- Carolina Pride Pastures (Pomaria, SC)
October
- Carolina Renaissance Festival (Huntersville, NC) – Weekends Oct 4–Nov 23 – Jousting, themed villages, period entertainment.
- Mountain Monarch Festival (Sapphire, NC) – Oct 4 – Monarch butterflies, crafts, music.
- Autumn Treasures (Waxhaw, NC) – Oct 11 – Crafts, food, music in a festive downtown stroll.
- Pineville Fall Festival (Pineville, NC) – Oct 16–18 – Music, rides, chili cook-off, fireworks.
- Mint Hill Madness Festival (Mint Hill, NC) – Oct 17–19 – Family fun, rides, music, fireworks.
- Carolina BalloonFest (Statesville, NC) – Oct 17–19 – 50th anniversary; hot air balloon mass ascensions, evening glow, kids zone, drone show, wine garden.
- Fort Mill Fall Festival (Fort Mill, SC) – Oct 18 – Family entertainment, games, food.
- Dupont Forest Festival (Cedar Mountain, NC) – Oct 18 – Outdoor recreation celebration.
- Lexington Barbecue Festival (Lexington, NC) – Oct 25 – BBQ tastings, vendors, live music.
- BHBC Fall Festival (Charlotte, NC) – Oct 25 – Community resources with festival vibes.
November
- Hopkins Holiday Market (Simpsonville, SC) – Nov 15 – Craft vendors, holiday shopping.
- Creekside Fall Fair (Brevard, NC) – Mid-to-late Nov – Local crafts, food, family fun (annual staples).
- Asheville Holiday Market (Asheville, NC) – Late Nov weekend – Artisan holiday market (typically begins around Thanksgiving).
- Boone Winterfest (Boone, NC) – Late November – Winter kickoff, ice skating, crafts, music.
- Charlotte Holiday Festival (Charlotte, NC) – Late Nov – Holiday lights, performances, family programming.
- Dogtoberfest (Various Charlotte parks) – Early October – Dog-friendly festival with samples, vendors, contests.
- Charlotte Food Truck Rally & Craft Beer Festival (Charlotte, NC) – Various October weekends – Food trucks + local brews.
- Lake Lure Festival of Lights (Lake Lure, NC) – Starts late November – Holiday light display by boat or car.
- Highlands Food + Wine Festival (Highlands, NC) – Mid-Nov – Culinary and wine weekend.
- Saluda Arts & Crafts Holiday Show (Saluda, NC) – Late Nov – Handmade gifts, seasonal crafts.
- Holiday at the Park (Fort Mill, SC) – Late Nov – Tree lighting, family entertainment.
- Cherokee Indian Fair (Cherokee, NC) – Specific October dates – Native American culture, crafts, performances.
