Unique Ways to Celebrate Fall in Gaston County
16 hours ago
5 min read
Fall in Love with Autumn in Gaston County! Fall themed and flannel-filled festivals to outdoor movies, ghost paddles, and more. Fall is packed with unique ways to celebrate fall around every corner.
Ranlo Fall Festival
September 18, 2026 | Ranlo
Join us on September 18th and 19th for our annual Ranlo Fall Festival! This two day event starts Friday 6:00pm-9:00pm and continues into Saturday 1:00pm-9:00pm. Get ready for: Live Music Carnival Rides Food & Craft Vendors Family Activities.
Brew & Cue
October 2, 2026 | Bessemer City
Every fall, downtown Bessemer City comes alive with the sights, sounds, and flavors of the Brew & Que Festival! This annual celebration brings together the best of Southern living—mouthwatering barbecue, craft beer from local brewers, and live music that fills the streets with energy and joy.
At the heart of the festival is the BBQ competition, proudly sanctioned by the Southern BBQ Network, where pitmasters fire up their smokers and showcase the true art of slow-cooked perfection. But the fun doesn’t stop there—local craft breweries set up along the streets, pouring everything from crisp lagers to bold IPAs and seasonal favorites. Pair that with a wide variety of food vendors serving up festival favorites, tasty sides, and sweet treats, and you’ve got a flavor-filled day for everyone.
Lowell's Fall Festival
October 3, 2026 | Harold Rankin Park in Lowell
Mark your calendar for Lowell’s Annual Fall Festival on Saturday, October 3, 2026, from 3–7 p.m. at Harold Rankin Park, located at 519 Park Circle. Enjoy live music by The Tams, food trucks, a beer garden, a kids zone, artisan and craft vendors, trackless train rides around the event grounds, and much more! Special thanks to Presenting Sponsor CaroMont Health and Gold Sponsor Native Air. Vendor registration opens Friday, August 7, with limited space available.
Pumpkin Piddle Paddle
October 23, 2026 | River Street Park in Mount Holly
oin us for the next edition of the Pumpkin Piddle Paddle at River Street Park in Mount Holly! This family-friendly fall event brings the community together for an evening of fun, entertainment, food, and seasonal activities along the creek. Bring your pumpkins to be part of the floating display and enjoy a festive night filled with music, games, and treats for all ages. This event is free and perfect for families looking to celebrate the season.
Lantern Parade
October 24, 2026 | River Street Park in Mount Holly
Nine years strong, the Mount Holly Lantern Parade returns with this year’s theme, The Wide World of Sports—a celebration of movement, teamwork, and community creativity. This free community event is presented by Awaken Gallery in collaboration with the City of Mount Holly and the Mount Holly Community Development Foundation, with support from Stanton Enterprise and the Mount Holly TDA.
History & Ghost Moon Paddle
September 25th, 2026
October 30th, 2026
Paddle into history and mystery on the Catawba River with Riverside Paddle & Row’s guided History & Ghost Tour. Enjoy a spooky evening on the water as storytellers from the Gaston County History Museum share chilling tales and local legends. For inquiries and bookings, please call 704-813-4591.
Moon Paddles
September 26th, 2026
October 26th, 2026
Experience the magic of the full moon from the water with two special evening paddle events with Anchored Soul: the Hunter Moon Paddle on September 26 and the Harvest Moon Paddle on October 26. Paddle into the evening as the sun sets and the moon rises, creating a memorable way to enjoy the outdoors under the glow of the full moon. The cost is $30 per person and includes a board, paddle, leash and PFD belt. Bring your own equipment and join at no cost, but advance reservations are requested so equipment can be prepared ahead of time. For reservations, contact Heidi at 910-SUP-HEIDI (910-787-4343). Harvest Moon fun fact: The Harvest Moon is traditionally the full moon closest to the autumn equinox. Its bright light historically gave farmers extra time to work into the night during harvest season, while many Native American communities were gathering seasonal crops such as corn, pumpkins, squash, beans and rice.
Cramerton Fall Fest
October 17, 2026 | Centennial Center, Cramerton
Join us for the Cramerton Fall Festival and Fall Carnival, a fantastic event featuring free admission! Set at the Ballfields behind the C.B. Huss Recreation Complex at 8 Julian Street, guests can enjoy a vibrant atmosphere filled with local craft vendors, where kids can trick-or-treat and adults can shop. Mark your calendars for an evening of fall fun, which includes exciting games with awesome prizes, a cakewalk, free Halloween crafts for all ages, and thrilling costume contests.
Cotton Ginning Days
October 9-11, 2026 | Dallas Park, Dallas, NC
Exhibitors from all over the southeast will convene in Dallas, North Carolina on October 9 through 11, 2026 for the annual 'crank-up' of antique steam and gasoline engines and tractors at Cotton Ginning Days. In addition to the engine show, many activities are planned including a kids county fair, heritage arts area, handmade craft vendors, and music. So mark your calendars and plan to join GAMTRA and Gaston County Parks and Recreation Department as we present Cotton Ginning Days. As always, the food is good and admission and parking are free.
Mountaineer Days
October 10, 2026 | Centennial Center, Cramerton
Enjoy a full day of live entertainment at Mountaineer Days in King Mountain, friendly competitions and hands-on demonstrations at the festival. The Liberty Falls Amphitheater features performances by Nu-Blu, Mason Cole and Common Clay, while the Gazebo Stage hosts fun-filled contests including the Sweet Potato Recipe Contest, Beard, Mustache & Goatee Competition, Pumpkin Pie Eatin’ Contest and Pet Costume Parade. Head to Heritage Village for special guests Spencer Bolejack and Liberty Mountain, plus sack races and egg-in-spoon races. Throughout the day, Heritage Village comes alive with demonstrations from Liberty Mountain, including apple butter making, blacksmithing, chainsaw demonstrations, basket weaving, corn milling, live encampments, a petting zoo, Revolutionary War reenactors, salt making and much more.
Movies in the Park at Stowe Park, Belmont
October 10th | Hotel Transylvania
October 31st | Hocus Pocus
November 7th | Paddington | 7:00 PM
November 14th | Homeward Bound | 7:00 PM
Grab your friends, grab your chairs, and head down to Stowe Park for a fun night of movies under the stars at 7 pm! Aurora Starlit Cinema will be featuring a jumbo outdoor screen, epic immersive sound, FREE arcade games, and cornhole. Popcorn, candy, and non-alcoholic beverages will be available for purchase, making it a perfect evening for the whole family.
Gastonia Fall Festival
October 17th, 2026 | 3 -7 pm
Come out to downtown Gastonia on Saturday, October 17 from 3:00 PM - 7:00 PM for Fall Fest. There will be food trucks, a beer garden, live music, vendors, entertainment, a free KidsZone with mechanical rides, inflatables, and carnival games with prizes.*Please bring your own lawn chair and/or blanket to sit and enjoy the music*
Turkey Shoot
November 7, 2026 | Cramerton
Get ready to test your aim at our Turkey Shoot event on Goat Island! Join us for a fun-filled challenge where you could win a frozen Thanksgiving turkey by hitting the bullseye on our turkey targets with paintballs.
Flannel Fest
November 21, 2026 | Centennial Center, Cramerton
Flannel Fest returns Saturday, November 21 from 5–9 PM at the Centennial Center with live bands, food trucks, craft brews, and flannel-themed contests—making it the ultimate night of fall fun!
Unique Ways to Celebrate Fall in Gaston County
As you plan your autumn getaways, make Gaston County your destination for unforgettable experiences. With a calendar full of diverse events, scenic outdoor settings, and vibrant community gatherings, there's no better place to embrace the spirit of fall. Don't miss out—explore our events, enjoy local cuisine, and create lasting memories with your loved ones using our fall guide. Your perfect autumn starts here in Gaston County.
