Isaias Brings Rain to Charlotte This Weekend: Rain or Shine Events and Indoor Picks for Oct. 9 to 11

Friday looks dry, but the weekend turns wet. As of the National Weather Service forecast for Charlotte updated Thursday evening, showers become likely Saturday, mainly after 2 p.m., with east northeast wind gusts up to about 32 mph. Rain chances climb to 90% Saturday night and Sunday, with possible thunderstorms Sunday, before Monday clears up with sunshine and a high near 80. (National Weather Service forecast for Charlotte)

Local forecasters, including WBTV, tie the weekend rain to Hurricane Isaias, which the weather service expected to approach the northern Gulf Coast on Friday. No watches or warnings were posted for Charlotte when we checked Friday morning. Forecasts for tropical systems shift, so check the latest before you commit to an outdoor plan.

Get outside on Friday

Friday is the dry day, and there is plenty on it.

• Team Penske Open House, Mooresville. Free, 2 to 5 p.m. at 200 Penske Way. Fans can walk through select areas of the race shop and see race cars, trophies, and pit equipment. No registration is needed, the team says it runs rain or shine, and pets are not allowed. (Team Penske)
• Arts and Acoustics, downtown Mooresville. 6 to 9 p.m. along Main Street, with live music in and outside shops and local artists at work. No tickets required. (Downtown Mooresville)
• Lanterns and Legends Walking Tour, Fort Mill. Lantern lit tours of downtown history leave the Fort Mill History Museum at 6:45 and 7:45 p.m. Tickets are $17, recommended for ages 12 and up, and tours run rain or shine. (Fort Mill History Museum)

Saturday morning is your best outdoor window

If you want a market or a maze, go early. The rain is expected mainly after 2 p.m.

• South End Market runs every Saturday, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Atherton Mill, rain or shine. (South End)
• Old Town Market in Rock Hill runs 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in Fountain Park, 300 E. Main St. (Visit Rock Hill)
• Rural Hill Corn Maze in Huntersville opens at 10 a.m. at 4431 Neck Road. Tickets work on any open day, and the organizer says it will post any extreme weather closure on its social media. (Rural Hill tickets)

Rain or shine, by design

The Carolina Renaissance Festival in Huntersville is open Saturday and Sunday, 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., and its website says it is "Open Rain or Shine." Pack a poncho rather than an umbrella if you plan to stand in a crowd at the joust. (Carolina Renaissance Festival)

At Charlotte Motor Speedway in Concord, the Bank of America 400 is scheduled for Sunday at 3 p.m., with the O'Reilly Series race Saturday at 4 p.m. The speedway notes its schedule is subject to change. Oval racing does not run on a wet track, so watch the speedway's official channels for updates on race day. (Charlotte Motor Speedway schedule)

Indoor picks

• Charlotte Symphony, Scheherazade. Friday and Saturday at 7:30 p.m. at the Belk Theater, 130 N. Tryon St., with pianist Orion Weiss in Barber's Piano Concerto and a 6:30 p.m. pre-concert talk. (Charlotte Symphony)
• Spider's Web at the Old Courthouse Theatre, Concord. Agatha Christie's comic mystery plays Friday and Saturday at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday at 2:30 p.m. at 49 Spring St. NW. Adult tickets are $24. (Old Courthouse Theatre tickets)
• Charlotte Hornets vs. Milwaukee Bucks. Sunday at 7 p.m. at Spectrum Center. (Spectrum Center)

What is still uncertain

Several outdoor events this weekend, including fall festivals at Camp North End and Commonwealth in Plaza Midwood on Saturday and the Parada Dominicana at Camp North End on Sunday, had not posted a rain policy when we checked. If rain is falling, look at the organizer's page or social accounts before you go.

For the full list of verified events, see our events calendar. Details can change quickly in a weekend like this one, so confirm with the organizer before you leave home.

Last verified October 9, 2026.