Festivals, Films, & Family Fun - Your Charlotte Weekend Guide 🎉🍂

Christen Ripoli - REALTOR
Oct 1
7 min read

🌟Five To Try in the Greater Charlotte Area🌟

☕️ Films, Festivals & Fall Flavor 🎬🍂

October is here, and Charlotte is buzzing with events for every age and interest. Whether you’re sipping your way through the city’s coffee scene, exploring local markets, stepping back in time at the Renaissance Festival, or enjoying a day just for the kids, this week is packed with fall fun.

This week’s Five to Try is a perfect mix of cozy, creative, and community-centered events. 💛

And as always, THANK YOU for the support, referrals, and love. Your trust keeps my business growing through relationships, and I’m forever grateful!

Let’s dive in!

1️⃣ CLT Coffee Festival ☕️🍩

Caffeine lovers, rejoice! The CLT Coffee Festival is bringing together local roasters, coffee shops, and artisan vendors for a day of tastings, workshops, and community fun. Come ready to sip, sample, and discover your new favorite brew.

🗓️ Saturday, October 4 | 10 AM - 3 PM

📍 Victoria Yards CLT

🔗 Event Info

2️⃣ CLT Kids Fest 🎈🎶

A day built just for kids! CLT Kids Fest features live entertainment, hands-on activities, food trucks, and interactive exhibits that will keep little ones entertained from start to finish. A fun way for families to kick off the fall season together.

🗓️ Saturday, October 4 | 11 AM - 4 PM

📍 The Shoppes at University Place

🔗 Festival Info

3️⃣ Carolina Film Festival 🎬🌟

Celebrate independent filmmaking at the Carolina Film Festival, hosted at the Independent Picture House. Expect thought-provoking screenings, Q&A sessions with filmmakers, and a community of movie buffs who love storytelling on the big screen.

🗓️ Saturday, October 4 | Red Carpet at 1:30 PM, Event at 2 PM

📍 Independent Picture House

🔗 Festival Details

4️⃣ Bowl Street Market 🛍️🎶

The Bowl Street Market is all about shopping small and local. Browse handmade goods, vintage finds, and unique gifts while enjoying food vendors, live music, and community vibes. Perfect for a Saturday stroll!

🗓️ Saturday, October 4 | 10 AM - 3 PM | Every first Saturday through November

📍 The Bowl at Ballantyne

🔗 Market Info

5️⃣ Carolina Renaissance Festival 🏰🍗

Travel back in time at the Carolina Renaissance Festival! From jousting knights to artisan crafts, costumed performers, and turkey legs the size of your head, this fall tradition is a family favorite.

🗓️ Opens Saturday, October 4 | 9:30 AM - 5:30 PM | Weekends through November 24

📍 Huntersville

🔗 Festival Details

NOTE: There's much more happening around Charlotte this week, so check out this Facebook group for tons of family-friendly events happening all over the Charlotte area. Family Fun in Charlotte and Union County I'm also trying to build up another group What's Up Charlotte. If you haven't already joined, I'd love your support!

🍁Fall in Charlotte🍁

Looking for the best ways to enjoy the season? I’ve put together a custom map highlighting some of the top fall activities in Charlotte and the surrounding counties - from festivals and pumpkin patches to scenic spots and local favorites.

📍 Explore the map here: Click to View

Mortgage News

📉 Mortgage Rates Ease Slightly to Close Out September

As we wrap up the month, mortgage rates saw small but steady declines in most categories. The 30-year fixed ticked down to 6.37%, while the 15-year fixed matched last week’s dip, holding at 5.89%. FHA and VA loans also edged lower, both down 0.02%.

The 7/6 SOFR ARM continues to be the most affordable option, dropping again to 5.82%, while jumbo loans remained unchanged at 6.28%.

These modest decreases bring welcome relief for buyers, helping keep monthly payments slightly lower and improving affordability as we move into fall.

*Most recent mortgage rates according to https://www.mortgagenewsdaily.com/

Featured Homes

📍1152 Stone Marker Drive, Monroe📍

Welcome to 1152 Stone Marker Drive - a pristine, 2-year-old home in one of Monroe’s most desirable golf communities! This beautifully designed one-story layout features 3 bedrooms and over 1,800 sq ft of open living space, perfect for both relaxing and entertaining.

The kitchen is the heart of the home with a massive island, abundant storage, and seamless flow into the dining and living areas. The primary suite is a true retreat, complete with a light-filled sitting room, spa-inspired bathroom, and generous walk-in closet.

Step outside to a fenced backyard ready for gatherings, pets, or play. A widened driveway and 3-car garage offer convenience and curb appeal. Plus, enjoy resort-style amenities - pool, cabana, tennis, pickleball, fitness center, and a premier golf course - all just 25 minutes from Uptown Charlotte.

🔑 Highlights:

3 bedrooms | 2 bathrooms
1,850 sq ft of bright, open living
Kitchen with oversized island
Primary suite with sitting room + spa-inspired bath
Fenced backyard + 3-car garage
Resort-style amenities in Stonebridge Fairways
Zoned for Western Union Elementary and Parkwood Middle & High

📍2065 Gable Way Lane, Matthews📍

Welcome to 2065 Gable Way Lane - a charming townhome in the Chestnut Oaks community of Matthews, NC! This 3-bedroom, 2.5-bathroom home offers 1,685 square feet of comfortable living with a layout designed for convenience and connection.

Step inside to find a freshly painted interior, professionally cleaned carpets, and a spacious main-level primary suite with an ensuite bath and generous closet. The inviting living and dining areas feature a cozy gas fireplace, while the well-appointed kitchen provides ample cabinet space and prep areas. Upstairs, you'll find two more bedrooms and a full bathroom.

Enjoy outdoor living on your covered front porch and benefit from the detached 2-car garage for added storage. With access to community amenities like a pool, clubhouse, and walking trails - all with low Union County taxes - this home offers both lifestyle and location.

🔑 Highlights:

3 bedrooms | 2.5 bathrooms
1,685 sq ft of thoughtfully designed space
Main-level primary suite with ensuite bath
Cozy gas fireplace
Detached 2-car garage
Community pool, clubhouse & trails
Low Union County taxes
Zoned for Indian Trail Elementary, Sun Valley Middle & High

Under Contract Homes

📍7807 Hummingbird Lane, Charlotte📍

This charming Apple Tree Village townhome is officially off the market! With nearly 1,500 sq ft of living space, a thoughtful two-story layout, and a convenient location, 7807 Hummingbird Lane was a fantastic find for the right buyer.

Congratulations to my sellers and to the new homeowners who will soon enjoy this well-situated Charlotte gem! 💛

Video of the Week

Check out this video featuring: Golf Course Living in Monroe NC | Stonebridge Home for Sale | Living In Charlotte

Looking for homes for sale in Monroe, NC? This beautiful 3-bedroom, 2-bath home is located in the highly desirable Stonebridge Golf Community, just 40 minutes south of Charlotte. Built in 2023, this single-story home features an open floor plan, a gourmet kitchen with a huge island, a spacious primary suite with sitting room, and a fenced backyard perfect for entertaining.

Residents enjoy resort-style amenities including a golf course, pool, cabana, fitness center, tennis and pickleball courts. Plus, Union County schools and shopping/dining are nearby.

Don’t miss your chance to live in Stonebridge!

📧 christen.ripoli@gmail.com

📞 330.301.0687

Charlotte Market Minute

📢 Charlotte Market Update | September 23rd - September 30th 📢

A total of 1,131 properties were sold, with the average sales price coming in at $506,508 and the median sales price at $385,000. Properties spent an average of 53 days on the market and sold for 97.66% of list price - holding steady with recent weeks. The average price per square foot this week landed at $232.71. The most affordable property sold for $52,000, while the highest sale reached $7.1 million. Whether you’re watching the numbers or preparing to buy or sell, Charlotte’s housing market continues to show opportunities at all price points. Let’s connect and create a strategy for your goals!

📊 Here’s your weekly snapshot:

1,131 total properties sold
Average sales price: $506,508
Median sales price: $385,000
Average price per square foot: $232.71
Properties are selling for an average of 97.66% of list price
Average days on market: 53
Lowest sale: $52,000
Highest sale: $7.1M

Have questions about how this impacts your home plans? I’d love to help!

📩 Christen.Ripoli@gmail.com

📞 330.301.0687

🏡 Christen Ripoli, REALTOR® | Real

Discover "What's Up Charlotte?"

Looking for fun things to do around the Queen City? Check out the Facebook page What’s Up Charlotte? - your one-stop hub for local events, festivals, family-friendly activities, date night ideas, small business spotlights, and so much more!

It’s the perfect place to find weekend plans, connect with fellow Charlotteans, and uncover hidden gems in our city. Whether you’re new to the area or a longtime local, this community has something for everyone.

👉 Join the conversation here: What’s Up Charlotte?

Christen's Connections

"I know a guy" (and plenty of ladies too!). Are you in need of a connection? Maybe you want to have a deck added onto your home, or you need new blinds, or perhaps a cleaning service - I've got an extensive list of the best connections in the area. Consider me your own personal Yelp! Clicking on the link above will bring you to my quick connections list, but I have lots more saved in my Google Drive. Let me know how I can help!

Referrals

We love it when you have an incredible experience moving to the area and we're so grateful when you refer us to your friends and family considering making the move!

Share our channel with them as well as our other social media profiles so that we can keep in touch.

BEST WAY TO SEND ME A REFERRAL

1. Call (Let's talk about your referral)

2. Introduce me in a group text or email

Thank you in advance!!