CHARLOTTE, N.C. (WBTV) - Disney On Ice brings Hollywood magic, the Renaissance Festival opens and the Panthers go primetime.
9 things to do in Charlotte this weekend is part of our new newsletter The Go Guide! Every week, get the scoop on the latest events and happenings around Charlotte right in your inbox. To subscribe, make sure to check “The Go Guide” in our newsletter page.
Here’s a list of things to do the weekend of Oct. 2-4, 2026:
Disney On Ice presents Spotlight Magic! (Bojangles Coliseum), Thursday through Sunday: The magic of Disney is going Hollywood in the Queen City with their latest ice skating extravaganza: Spotlight Magic! Get ready for your closeup as Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Daisy and Goofy welcome you to the red carpet and introduce you to Disney’s biggest stars from classics like Zootopia, Tangled, Toy Story and more. Be there as Stitch welcomes Angel for her Disney on Ice debut. Tickets start at $36.55.
FabFest Charlotte Beatles Festival (Knight Theater & CPCC Parr Center), Friday & Saturday: All you need is love! Celebrate the music of one of the world’s most popular bands with a festival all about the Fab Four. First, rock out with Tosco Music’s Beatles tribute with over a dozen local acts performing their most popular songs in all types of styles. Get ready to belt out songs like “Strawberry Fields Forever” and “A Hard Day’s Night.” Then on Saturday, it’s double the fun with two stages and one giant party. Here, you’ll find art exhibitions, a Beatles cover song contest, Beatles yoga, trivia, bingo and so much more. Admission starts at $22.50 for the Friday show, while admission to the festival on Saturday is free.
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Carolina Renaissance Festival, opening Saturday: Hear ye! Hear ye! The biggest medieval party returns to Huntersville for an adventure through Camelot. Step back in time where horseback knights joust, dragons roar and mermaids wave hello. Feast on giant-sized turkey legs and stew. Shop to your heart’s content at the artisan marketplace. Open Saturdays and Sundays from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Admission is $36 for adults, $22 for children.
Charlotte Kids Fest (The Boardwalk at University City), Saturday 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.: It’s a day all about the young and the young at heart. Charlotte Kids Fest returns to University City with activities for the whole family. Enter one of six zones where children are encouraged to create, perform, experiment and play. Along with the restaurants at The Boardwalk, there will also be food trucks and a vendor market. Admission is free.
Concord International Festival (Downtown Concord), Saturday 12 to 6 p.m.: Experience different cultures from around the world all in one place. The Concord International Festival returns where families can celebrate the diversity that makes Charlotte a melting pot of cultures, traditions and communities. Walk through the stands to learn about each culture and what makes each so unique. Savor flavors from around the world and take home a piece of culture with you at the craft vendor market. Admission is free.
Hola Charlotte Festival (Tryon Street), Saturday 12 to 6 p.m.: Returning for its 13th year, the Hola Charlotte Festival transforms Uptown into the largest Hispanic Heritage celebration in Charlotte. Head to Tryon Street between Brooklyn Village Ave and 4th Street and celebrate our community’s diversity with cultural performances, food, activities, parades and more. Check out the Latin American Cultural Village and learn all about each country with authentic items and instruments. Luis Enrique will headline the main stage. Admission is free.
K-FEST (Urban District Market), Saturday 12 to 10 p.m.: K-Fest is back to bring Seoul to the Queen City. K-Fest celebrates all things Korea and is returning for its third year. Eat like a Korean local with street food and drinks or sing your heart out at the karaoke contest. If you’ve got the moves, enter the K-Pop dance contest. You’ll also find traditional Korean games, vendors and your chance to enter raffles. Admission is free.
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Kacey Musgraves (Spectrum Center), Saturday 7:30 p.m.: The country superstar is bringing her “Middle of Nowhere” tour to the Spectrum Center this weekend. Catch Kacey Musgraves in her latest arena tour as she promotes her seventh studio album of the same name. She will be joined by singer-songwriter Estevie. Tickets start at $61.60.
Panthers vs. Detroit Lions (Bank of America Stadium), Sunday 8:20 p.m.: Sunday Night Football is coming to the Queen City with the Detroit Lions roaring their way to our home turf. The primetime game is the first of three scheduled for the Panthers this season, and the first since 2016, putting the Carolinas back in the NFL spotlight. Tickets start at $134.80.
Have an event you want to submit? I’m always looking for things to do around Charlotte. Send me your event to Carmichael.Cruz@WBTV.com.
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