Day drives outside Uptown can provide glimpses at vibrant fall colors. | Photo by CLTtoday
Autumn is officially here, but most leaves haven’t changed color — yet.
If you’ve already peeped a few red, yellow, and orange leaves in Charlotte, they’re only going to become more bountiful. According to Smoky Mountain’s fall foliage predictions, leaves in the Mecklenburg County area are starting to lose their chlorophyll — the compound responsible for their green color. This transition will give us a few weeks when we can see the foliage before it hits the ground.
“Pirates of the Caribbean” in Concert | Friday, Oct. 3-Saturday, Oct. 4| Times vary | Ovens Auditorium | $38+ | Experience “Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl” with the Charlotte Symphony performing the iconic score live alongside the full film.*
Fall in love with this season in Chapel Hill. | Photos provided by Visit Chapel Hill
You’ve heard of bar hops and ale trails, but have you ever tried a fall crawl?
Gather your friends or family and take a trip to Orange County, to experience live music, local artists, food festivals, and yes, football.Here’s just a sample of what’s in store just a two-hour drive away:
Moorefields Bluegrass Festival | Oct. 11 | Relax on the scenic 70-acre grounds in Hillsborough while listening to Bluegrass music and sampling bites from local food trucks.
Festifall Arts Market | Oct. 18 | Downtown Chapel Hill transforms into a market blending art and music.
Salt & Smoke & Sound Festival | Oct. 18 | Indulge in a day of dining + dancing with celebrated local chefs and musicians.
There’s more to explore nearly every weekend through November. See the full calendar of events to start planning a quick overnight getaway.
Prepare your taste buds. PoppyCox will open a stall at Optimist Hall in October, marking its first brick-and-mortar eatery. Expect to order Nashville hot chicken once it opens between Marina’s Tapas and Enat Ethiopian — we’ll let you know an exact date. (The Charlotte Observer)
Opening
Three businesses are opening at The District Exchange starting today: Life is Sweet, Barley Jean Bakery, and European Nails Art Studio. ICYMI, the two-story shopping and dining hub in downtown Concord is transforming the former Cabarrus Theater. Get the full scoop.
Development
More than 1,000 homes are coming to nearby Cabarrus County. PulteGroup plans to develop Carolina Ridge in spring 2026 at Lower Rocky River and Morrison roads in Midland, with traditional single-family homes and a neighborhood for people 55 and older. A grand opening is expected to take place next fall. (Charlotte Business Journal)
Civic
The City of Charlotte Housing and Neighborhood Services Department is launching a new accessory dwelling unit (ADU) program. The program offers up to $80,000 in interest-free financing to help homeowners build the smaller, self-contained home. See if you qualify.
Travel
American Airlines will relaunch its nonstop service from CLT to Athens, Greece on May 21, 2026. The seasonal flight began this summer and stopped on Sept. 1. Book your flight and get acquainted with CLT. (Charlotte Business Journal)
Try This
Bounce houses, parachutes, and ball pits aren’t just for kids. Play More Charlotte, an adults-only social club that promotes nostalgic play, is hosting its bi-annual “Grown Up Play Day,” on Saturday, Oct. 11, at Blume Studios — tickets are $30. (Axios Charlotte)
Drink
Paco’s Tacos is celebrating 15 years in SouthPark with fan-fave cocktails that were archived through the years. Think: Skinny watermelon margaritas and the spicy “firestarter.” The specialty drinks run through Sunday, Sept. 28.
Festival
Looking for a weekend activity the whole family will enjoy? The Charlotte Kid’s Festival returns Saturday, Oct. 4, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. with activities, educational experiences, and performances. Psst... The festival has a new home this year at The Shoppes at University Place. Plan your visit.*
Biz
At CLTtoday, we share hyper-local and need-to-know information about your Charlotte faves. Now, it’s time for you to tell us the best biz in the city. Click on this form to start nominating in various categories.
Sports
How are the Panthers preparing to face the New England Patriots? Go beyond the scoreboard for the biggest stories on the Carolina Pantherswith Locked On’s daily, team-focused podcasts.
Outdoor
Just because summer has come to an end, doesn’t mean your days on the open water have to. Take a short road trip to SC’s Olde English District for kayaking, fishing, floating, or boating through scenic waterways. Start planning your getaway.*
At Warby Parker, every pair of glasses starts at $95. Pick your perfect pair and experience eye care that’s simple, convenient, and delightful.*
Finance
Finance
🚙 Are you getting the best rate in Charlotte?
Presented by Money
Money.com’s car insurance comparison tool could save you up to 19%. | Photo via Shutterstock
There’s a lot we don’t know. But we do know that “15 minutes could save you 15% or more” by switching car insurance providers.
Why? This marketing campaign works because the numbers speak for themselves — and the claim is true.
Comparing car insurance really can save you 10% to 19% more money. And Money.com has an easy-to-use (and free) car insurance tool to help you find providers in Charlotte. Check it out.
Swap this summer’s top trending beaded bags for something a little more seasonally appropriate: rich hues of leather + luxurious suede. These are our top five bags for fall:
👜 We’re calling it now: This softly-brushed, chocolate-hued suede purse will be the bag of the season.
👜 Lucky Brand’s full-grain leather mini tote features top handles and a removable crossbody strap for added versatility.
👜 Level up any autumn outfit with this elegant satchel bag that’s on sale for under $40.
👜 This stadium-approved clear handbag is the perfect game day accessory.
👜 Luxuriously soft handfeel and rugged durability are two standout features of this fun heart-shaped leather purse.
The fun doesn’t have to end here. After reading the newsletter, head over to our games page. Games refresh with new challenges every day at 6 a.m. from crossword puzzle to Sudoku to themed word search.
First, a big “thank you” to Amelia for covering while I was out of town! I disappeared to Raleigh for a quick trip and concert with my wife. While there, I spent time with my Managing Editor, Cat, and fellow Newsletter Editor, Allie — if you don’t subscribe to RALtoday, here’s your sign. We visited Fount Coffee + Kitchen (which had a great PSL), then I visited the North Carolina Museum of Natural History. Such a fun trip!
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