Touch-a-Truck is a FREE event at Cabarrus Arena & Events Center, 4751 NC Highway 49, Concord, North Carolina, on November 1, 2025, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Admission is free and parking is $8.
Cabarrus Arena will transform into a playground of machinery. Bring your family to see, touch and safely explore their favorite vehicles and machines while meeting the people who operate them. Check out trucks, tractors, construction vehicles and more!
Ninja Nation will have a mobile obstacle course to take on.
Come dressed in your Halloween costume. There will be candy, giveaways and more.
From 9 to 10:30 a.m., the event will be low-sensory, with no sirens or flashing lights.
Julia’s Café and Books, at ReStore at 1133 N Wendover Road, Charlotte, North Carolina, is hosting a fall festival on Saturday, November 1, 2025, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
It’s free to attend.
The festival features costume contests for humans and pets, with prizes. Every participant receives a 10% gift card to the Wendover location or ReStore.
Great Elizabeth Pumpkin Wall 2024. Photo by Sharon Welling
The Great Elizabeth Pumpkin Wall has become a much-loved tradition, not just for Elizabeth residents, but for many others in the community. It’s a giant display of dozens of carved pumpkins, and is an amazing sight to see.
2025 is the 21st year of the Great Elizabeth Pumpkin Wall!
Great Elizabeth Pumpkin Wall 2020. Photo by Sharon Welling
Every year the pumpkins are illuminated behind that year’s Pumpkin Wall Word.
The Great Elizabeth Pumpkin Wall will be at 2017 Greenway Avenue, Charlotte, North Carolina.
Elizabeth residents will carve the pumpkins, and will have a ceremonial Pumpkin Wall lighting on Sunday, October 26, 2025, at 6:45 p.m.
The carving party is for residents of Elizabeth, but everyone is welcome to add a carved pumpkin to the wall.
2018 Great Elizabeth Pumpkin Wall. Photo: Mace Publishing, LLC
After that, the wall will remain lit every night through Halloween, and will be taken down on November 2, 2025, so you will have five nights to enjoy the Great Elizabeth Pumpkin Wall in 2025.
Photo: Mace Publishing, LLC
2019 Great Elizabeth Pumpkin Wall. Photo: Tom Hanchett
Want to enjoy a dinner out while visiting Elizabeth?
Here are some restaurants to try:
The Fig Tree, 1601 E. 7th Street
The Crunkleton, 1957 E. 7th Street
Viva Chicken, 1617 Elizabeth Avenue
Cajun Queen, 1800 E. Seventh Street
2016 Great Elizabeth Pumpkin Wall. Photo: Mace Publishing, LLC
Double-Check Before You Head Out!
We make every effort to make sure that everything on Charlotte on the Cheap is 100% accurate.
However, sometimes things change without notice, and we are not always notified. It’s also possible that we can make a mistake.
Please verify all deals and events with the venue or organizer before you go.
Naughty Donkey Farm Sanctuary, in Albemarle, NC, rescues and cares for abandoned and neglected senior and special needs animals.
The address is 24709 Canton Rd, Albemarle, NC.
They provide sanctuary, safe housing, nutritious food, medical care, and lots of love to dogs, cats, chickens, ducks, goats, alpacas, and, yes, one naughty donkey.
It’s just under an hour drive from Charlotte, and closer to Mint Hill, Midland and Mt. Pleasant.
Flocktoberfest takes place Saturday, October 25, 2025, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Tour the sanctuary
Meet the animals and hear their stories
Shop local vendors
Eat vegan food
Enjoy photo ops
Collect candy on Taco’s Trick or Treat Trail
The cost is $20 per car in advance, or $25 at the gate, all of which goes to help take care of the animals. If you can’t make it maybe you’d like to donate! Tickets and donation here.
Double-Check Before You Head Out!
We make every effort to make sure that everything on Charlotte on the Cheap is 100% accurate.
However, sometimes things change without notice, and we are not always notified. It’s also possible that we can make a mistake.
Please verify all deals and events with the venue or organizer before you go.
You might also be interested in:
Upcoming Events in the Charlotte area
Check out our full events calendar, where you can enter any date, or look at the events for the next few days here:
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Flocktoberfest at Naughty Donkey Farm Sanctuary (price is per car)
When
October 25, 2025 @ 10:00 am-4:00 pm
What
Flocktoberfest at Naughty Donkey Farm Sanctuary (price is per car)
Matthews Playhouse is presenting its Halloween Haunted Trail from Friday, October 24, to Sunday, October 26, 2025.
The trail is on Four Mile Creek Trail, behind the Matthews Community Center, 100 McDowell Street, Matthews.
The popular event is a fundraiser for the theatre’s Sponsor-A-Student and Scholarship Funds that aim to make the performing arts more accessible to members of the community.
Each day there will be a “Not So Spooky” trail and a “Full Fright” trail.
The “Not So Spooky” trail is a fun, light-hearted walk through the woods before the sun goes down and is suitable for young audiences. Costumes and interactions with characters is encouraged. It’s designed for children ages 6 and up.
There will also be a Halloween “Fun Zone” from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. It features Trunk-or-Treat, face painting, a DJ, crafts, games, and other family-friendly activities. The Fun Zone is free when you purchase a Not So Spooky Trail Ticket. Recommended for kids ages 2-12.
Then it transforms into the “Full Fright” Trail, which is designed to frighten you. It’s recommended for ages 10 and up. You’ll make your way through the dark woods with your tour guide.
This is an outdoor attraction.
Dates
Friday, October 24
Saturday, October 25
Sunday, October 26
Times
Not So Spooky: 5:30 to 7 p.m.
Halloween Fun Zone: 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.
Full Fright: 7:30 to 9:30 p.m.
Admission
“Not So Spooky” Trail: $10
Halloween Fun Zone: Free with trail ticket purchase
“Full Fright” Trail: $10
Double-Check Before You Head Out!
We make every effort to make sure that everything on Charlotte on the Cheap is 100% accurate.
However, sometimes things change without notice, and we are not always notified. It’s also possible that we can make a mistake.
Please verify all deals and events with the venue or organizer before you go.
You might also be interested in:
More Halloween events
Check out our growing list of Halloween events or look at few here:
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Matthews Playhouse’s Haunted Trail — “not so spooky” and “full fright” options, plus Halloween Fun Zone
Frank’s Chili Fest is a community street festival in Plaza Midwood that raises funds for unexplained pediatric death research and family grief support.
It will take place Saturday, October 18, 2025, from 12 to 4 p.m. at Commonwealth Avenue and Thomas Street in Plaza Midwood, Charlotte, North Carolina.
Charlotte Chalk Art Festival features a street Chalk Art Competition for ages 12 to 17 and 18+. Each category, including Youth Teams, will compete for cash prizes. If you’d like to compete in the competition, fill out this application.
Festival-goers will see a street chalk art gallery come to life while supporting art and crafts vendors, and food and beverage vendors.
There will be community chalking for everyone to enjoy.
Steele Creek Church, 1929 W Arrowood Road, Charlotte, North Carolina, is hosting Festival of Nations on Saturday, October 25, 2025, from 11 a.m to 3 p.m.
It’s free to attend.
Steele Creek Church is made up of people from all over the world and they love to celebrate their diversity.
Come enjoy authentic food, music, parades, cultural displays, and traditional clothing from dozens of nations represented in this church family. It’s fun, family-friendly, and full of flavor, faith, and community.
Browse selections from previous shows and from storage. Whether you’re looking for the perfect Halloween costume, or you want to add a personal “wow” factor to your wardrobe, you’ll find what you need here.
With hundreds of pieces from fantasy to modern, and everything in between, you’ll want to show up early and get first pick on these items starting at $1 before they’re gone.
The sale takes place at Wells Fargo Playhouse, at ImaginOn, 300 East 7th Street, Charlotte, North Carolina.
Photo courtesy of Children’s Theatre of Charlotte
Examples of Items
Period dresses
Animal costumes
Vests
Funky suits
Dress shirts
Jeans, shirts, sweaters (modern clothes)
Shakespearean doublets
Hats
Tails
Masks
Sewing patterns
Fabric
Double-Check Before You Head Out!
We make every effort to make sure that everything on Charlotte on the Cheap is 100% accurate.
However, sometimes things change without notice, and we are not always notified. It’s also possible that we can make a mistake.
Please verify all deals and events with the venue or organizer before you go.
You might also be interested in:
Upcoming Events in the Charlotte area
Check out our full events calendar, where you can enter any date, or look at the events for the next few days here:
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.
The festival takes place Saturday, October 18, 2025, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., at McColl Center, 721 N Tryon Street, Charlotte, North Carolina.
It’s free to attend.
Highlights
Queen City Zine Fest | 11 AM–5 PM: A curated showcase of Charlotte-based and regional zine publishers, featuring comics, illustrations, chapbooks, and more.
Big Ink | 11 AM–4 PM: Watch artists team up with renowned printmakers Lyell Castonguay and Carand Burnett to create large-scale woodblock prints on the BIG TUNA, a giant mobile press.
Open Studios: Meet McColl Center’s current Artists-in-Residence and see their work in progress.
Family + Kids Activities: Hands-on artmaking for kids, families, and art lovers of all ages.
Mountaineer Days Heritage Festival returns to Patriots Park, 220 South Railroad Avenue, Kings Mountain, North Carolina, on Saturday, October 11, 2025, from 12 to 9 p.m.
This is a free event that features live music, rides, games, historic demonstrations, contests, inflatables and games for kids, and much more.
Special guests from Liberty Mountain and Spencer Bolejack from The History Channel’s “Mountain Men” will make appearances throughout the day.
The Jail-A-Thon will return, benefiting the Kings Mountain Historical Museum. For a $25.00 fee, citizens will be able to throw selected members of the community into jail.
In addition, there will be a free kick-off concert on Friday, October 10, 2025, at 6 p.m., by Rivermist.
On Saturday, November 1, 2025, from 12 p.m. to 8 p.m., Latin American Coalition, along with Levine Museum of the New South, is presenting the annual Día de Muertos celebration.
The event takes place at Camp North End, 300 Camp Road, Charlotte, NC.
Admission is free.
Photo: Mace Publishing, LLC
This event will be a local, family-friendly recreation of the Mexican Day of the Dead tradition, including an expansive altar exhibition, traditional face painting, dancing, and live music performances. Attendees will also be able to savor authentic Latin cuisine while learning about the holiday’s deep-rooted traditions.
Día de Muertos is a Mexican holiday with roots in indigenous cultures dating back to the Aztecs that honors the deceased as part of the natural cycle of life. This holiday celebrates death with vibrant customs, symbolizing the belief that it is not the end but a continuation of existence.
Schedule
12-6 p.m.: Kids Zone – Families can participate in free arts and crafts activities, including marigold flower-making and exploring traditional instruments, as well as small-fee activities such as face painting and canvas painting.
12:30-7:30 p.m.: Live performances – Bilingual local music and cultural dance group performances by Criss Cross Mango Sauce, Jazz Arts Charlotte, El Alma de la Luna Dance Academy, Grupo Folklórico El Canto, Chinelos Carnavaleros de Charlotte, Desfile de las Catrinas, Mariachi Guadalupano, Grupo Argullo and Alma Latina.
4:30 p.m.: Catrina Parade – Catrinas are also an iconic figure of the celebration, symbolizing death through vibrant costumes and creative makeup. This year’s Catrina parade is led by youth and community volunteers, and participants are encouraged to take part in honoring tradition and embracing the festive spirit – registration to participate here.
Photo: Mace Publishing, LLC
Altars in Ford Building
As guests enter the Ford Building, they will be greeted by larger-than-life catrinas and other traditional art installations created by local artist Luis Abundez.
Once inside, guests can revel in the numerous community altars; multi-tiered ofrendas honoring loved ones and a central component of Día de Muertos.
The top tier typically displays photographs and religious symbols, often including La Virgen de Guadalupe.
Photo: Mace Publishing, LLC
The middle tier holds offerings such as favorite toys, beverages, foods, personal mementos, sweets and Pan de Muerto.
The bottom tier is adorned with candles, and some include a wash bin to welcome the spirits of the departed.
Individuals and families interested in creating their own ofrenda for the festival can register here.
In addition to individual community submissions, this year’s altars will feature creations from organizations and groups across Charlotte, including Hispanic Federation, La Muerte CLT, Girl Scouts Tropa 03, Obra Collective, Dos Caminos, Consulado General de México en Raleigh, Levine Museum of the New South, and the Latin American Coalition.
Charlotte Kids Fest, one of Charlotte’s most popular events for kids, will be at Shoppes at University Place, 9325 JW Clay Blvd, Charlotte, NC, on October 4, 2025, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
It’s free to attend.
Photo courtesy of University City Partners
Charlotte Kids Fest is designed with kids and families in mind, and is especially for kids ages 10 and under, with performances and hands-on activities.
Photo courtesy of University City Partners
There will be several zones at the festival where families can enjoy performances and hands-on activities.
The Create Zone will spark imagination, with hands-on crafts and interactive workshops.
In the Discover Zone, children can experience the magic of live performance built to be both interactive and inspiring.
The Play Zone will be filled with outdoor games, sports, and friendly competitions.
Rounding out the experience, the Go Zone will give kids the thrill of getting up close to big construction and emergency vehicles.
In addition, dine from food trucks and shop from local vendors.
Urban District Market and Seoul Food Meat Co. are hosting their second K-Fest on Saturday, October 25, 2025, from 2 to 11 p.m. The festival takes place at Seoul Food Meat Co. Mill District, 421 E 26th Street, Charlotte, North Carolina.
The closest light rail station is at 25th Street.
K-Fest is a celebration of Korean culture, through performances, cultural displays, and engaging activities.
It’s free to attend and open to all ages. No outside food or drinks allowed.
