What to Do in October in Mooresville, NC

October is a fantastic time to visit Mooresville, North Carolina, with pleasantly cool temperatures that are perfect for enjoying the many fun fall-related festivities and exploring the outdoors. Here are some ideas to fill your October days with fun, food, and maybe even a little fright:

Head Downtown for Food, Wine, Cars, and the Arts

Downtown Mooresville is gearing up for a vibrant October filled with cultural events and culinary delights. On October 4th, immerse yourself in the Uncorked and Artsy festival, where you can savor wine and beer tastings while exploring the works of local and regional artists. Enjoy live music, painting demos, and store specials, all while supporting the Mooresville Arts. Later that evening, relax at Symphony Under the Stars and listen to the Lake Norman Philharmonic perform a classical concert.

On October 5th, indulge in a variety of cuisines at the Festival of Food Trucks, featuring over 15 food trucks and delicious brews from Mooresville’s local breweries. Don’t miss out on these exciting events and experience the best of downtown Mooresville this fall! While you’re munching around, be sure to shop the from the creative vendors the Marigold Market, open at the same time as the Festival of Food Trucks! Entry to the market is free.

If you’re a race fan or motorsports enthusiast, you have to come downtown on October 8 from 5 – 8 p.m. to be a part of the 2024 Mooresville Motorsports Celebration. At this event, two racing legends, Shirley Muldowney and Elliott Forbes-Robinson, will be inducted into the NC Auto Racing Hall of Fame and will be honored with the dedication of their sidewalk plaques along the NC Auto Racing Hall of Fame Walk of Fame. Along with this special ceremony, you can look at vintage cars, enjoy food from local food trucks, play games, and much more. 

Get a Little Wild at a Fall Festival

Get ready for a wild fall adventure in the Mooresville area! Zootastic Park in Troutman will host its annual Fall Festival on October 26-27, featuring pumpkin decorating, face painting, trick-or-treating, animal encounters, rides, and delicious food. Over at Lazy 5 Ranch, enjoy pumpkin picking, a straw castle, a corn box, and pumpkin slingshot from October 5-20. Feast on delicious food like hot dogs, hamburgers, and roasted corn, and take a horse-drawn wagon ride to feed the animals. Both festivals offer a fun-filled experience for the whole family, so mark your calendars and get ready for a fall to remember!

Get Your Fall Coffee Fix

Defined Coffee, a local small-batch specialty coffee roaster and coffee shop, whips up an unbelievably tasty Southern Belle, a recreation of the classic pumpkin spice latte (PSL). You can also try other unique specialty coffee drinks like the Blueberry Pie from regional favorite Summitt Coffee. For black coffee with a flavored kick, order the Apple Cinnamon French Toast from Black Powder Coffee, a small-batch coffee bean roaster and coffee shop local to Mooresville. 

Visit a Local Brewery

Mooresville is home to many amazing breweries such as King Canary Brewing, Ghostface Brewing, OnTap, and many more. From two-story tap houses to downtown hotspots and everything in between, there’s always a great place to enjoy live music, a rotation of taps from North Carolina brewers, and awesome food. 

Shop Around at Merino Mill

Merino Mill is a former textile mill is now home to various retailers and restaurants, including Main St. Antiques & Design Gallery, with nearly 500 vendors. This expansive space covers 160,000 square feet, so prepare to hunt for treasures! The mill is also a filming location, notably for the Cinemax show “Banshee”.

Pick Your Pumpkin at Carrigan Farms

At Carrigan Farms, you can take a tractor-drawn hayride to the pumpkin patch and pick your own pumpkin. Indulge in amazing apple cider doughnuts and slushies while you’re there! Insider Tip: This event is a local favorite and draws big crowds, so plan to book your tickets in advance, arrive early, and bring gardening gloves to protect your hands while pumpkin picking!

Enjoy the Great Outdoors at Lake Norman State Park

Even in October, Lake Norman State Park offers plenty of opportunities to enjoy the outdoors. Hike or bike the park’s 30 miles of trails and enjoy the fall foliage. Rent kayaks, paddleboards, or canoes. The park also offers excellent fishing; try catching crappie, bluegill, perch, catfish, or bass.

Get Your Heart Racing at Scarrigan Farms

For a truly spooky experience, dare to visit Scarrigan Farms, the region’s scariest haunted trail, located at Carrigan Farms and open Thursdays-Sundays September 27-November 1, 2024. Insider Tip: It wouldn’t be a visit to Carrigan Farms without trying their apple cider doughnuts!