# Things to do with kids in Gaston County, NC

> 24 upcoming family events and 2 places and ongoing programs in Gaston County, NC, in the Charlotte–Concord–Gastonia area. Listings whose address ZIP code is in this county (Census Bureau ZIP-to-county file). Dates and times are Eastern Time. Today is Sat, Oct 24.

Source: Grassy Knees is a directory of real family events, places and programs for kids across major U.S. metro areas, where every listing is researched from the organizer’s own page and shows the date we last checked it. https://grassyknees.com covers 42 metro areas as of Oct 24, 2026, with more added regularly. About: https://grassyknees.com/about
Freshness: listings are re-checked on a daily research run (latest check 2026-10-24), and new events are added as organizers post them. Sell-outs, weather cancellations and time changes show up on the live page first: https://grassyknees.com/charlotte/counties/gaston-county-nc

## Events ahead

- [Bootanical: Stowe at Sea](https://grassyknees.com/charlotte/activities/bootanical-stowe-at-sea--listing-77687254059ade261810981e) — Sat, Oct 24 · 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM · Daniel Stowe Conservancy, Belmont · All ages · Paid · checked Oct 20. Bootanical is Daniel Stowe Conservancy's family Halloween day in the gardens, themed this year around pirates and the sea. Children are encouraged to come in costume (sea-themed…
- [Saturday Drop-In STEM at Gaston County Main Library](https://grassyknees.com/charlotte/activities/saturday-drop-in-stem-at-gaston-county-main-library--listing-dc181a38eb48ad927bcd22af) — Sat, Oct 24 · 10:30 AM – 1:30 PM · Gaston County Public Library – Main Library (Story Nook), Gastonia · Free · checked Oct 20. Once a month the Gaston County Public Library's Main Library in Gastonia sets up a drop-in STEM center in its Story Nook for children from pre-K through 5th grade. Over a…
- [Sensory Friendly Hour at Union Road Branch Library](https://grassyknees.com/charlotte/activities/sensory-friendly-hour-at-union-road-branch-library--listing-b35bcad8d17db8d02c9cc610) — Mon, Oct 26 · 9:00 AM – 10:00 AM · Gaston County Public Library – Union Road Branch, Gastonia · Free · checked Oct 20. Gaston County Public Library's Union Road Branch in Gastonia opens for a Sensory Friendly Hour on Monday morning, October 26, from 9 to 10 a.m. Families can explore the library…
- [Octoberfest at Stanley Branch Library](https://grassyknees.com/charlotte/activities/octoberfest-at-stanley-branch-library--listing-a2c7dcbd5d616f22f5d08c5e) — Wed, Oct 28 · 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM · Gaston County Public Library - Stanley Branch · Free · checked Oct 16. Gaston County Public Library's Stanley Branch hosts a one-hour Halloween costume party with crafts, games and treats. Children come dressed in costume. A small-town, low-key…
- [A Hogwarts Halloween at Belmont Branch Library](https://grassyknees.com/charlotte/activities/a-hogwarts-halloween-at-belmont-branch-library--listing-a5c22195657ab8ed9bbe5802) — Thu, Oct 29 · 4:00 PM – 5:30 PM · Gaston County Public Library - Belmont Branch · Free · checked Oct 16. Witches, wizards and muggles are invited to Gaston County Public Library's Belmont Branch for a Harry Potter–themed Halloween afternoon. Activities include house sorting, Harry…
- [Adopt a Ghost for Teens at Mount Holly Branch Library](https://grassyknees.com/charlotte/activities/adopt-a-ghost-for-teens-at-mount-holly-branch-library--listing-191a84f65d34297945a94a96) — Thu, Oct 29 · 3:45 PM – 4:45 PM · Gaston County Public Library - Mount Holly Branch · Ages 11+ · Free · checked Oct 16. A free Halloween craft hour for teens at the Mount Holly Branch of Gaston County Public Library. Participants choose a ghost to adopt, discover its 'haunting' backstory and build…
- [Tweens & Teens Halloween Painting at Union Road Branch Library](https://grassyknees.com/charlotte/activities/tweens-and-teens-halloween-painting-at-union-road-branch-library--listing-4a3eaa4509481ba25eedaae6) — Thu, Oct 29 · 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM · Gaston County Public Library – Union Road Branch, Gastonia · Ages 10+ · Free · checked Oct 20. Tweens and teens ages 10 and up can paint spooky wooden crafts to take home as Halloween decorations at Gaston County Public Library's Union Road Branch in Gastonia. The one-hour…
- [Learning for Littles at Daniel Stowe Conservancy](https://grassyknees.com/charlotte/activities/learning-for-littles-at-daniel-stowe-conservancy--listing-a599f0e5c7a5d8654080862f) — Fri, Oct 30 (+3 more dates) · Daniel Stowe Conservancy – The Trailhead Store picnic area, Belmont · Ages 0–4 · Free · checked Oct 16. Learning for Littles is a free, outdoor, nature-themed session for toddlers and their caregivers at Daniel Stowe Conservancy. Each 45-minute meetup outside The Trailhead Store…
- [Cars + Coffee: Trunk-or-Treat at Daniel Stowe Conservancy](https://grassyknees.com/charlotte/activities/cars-coffee-trunk-or-treat-at-daniel-stowe-conservancy--listing-a9f26aa2b145f5314dff4b19) — Sat, Oct 31 · 9:30 AM – 11:00 AM · Daniel Stowe Conservancy – Garden Pavilion parking lot, Belmont · Free · checked Oct 24. Daniel Stowe Conservancy's monthly Cars + Coffee meet gets a Halloween twist: car owners of all makes and models gather in the Garden Pavilion parking lot, decorate their…
- [Not So Spooky Storytime at Gaston County Main Library](https://grassyknees.com/charlotte/activities/not-so-spooky-storytime-at-gaston-county-main-library--listing-96fa1adbe259e85f6a348393) — Sat, Oct 31 · 10:30 AM – 11:15 AM · Gaston County Public Library – Main Library (Story Nook), Gastonia · All ages · Free · checked Oct 20. On Halloween morning the Gaston County Public Library's Main Library in Gastonia holds a Not So Spooky Storytime for the whole family in its Story Nook. Librarians read Halloween…
- [Homeschool Series: Nature's Winter Survival Challenge (Grades 2 + 3)](https://grassyknees.com/charlotte/activities/homeschool-series-nature-s-winter-survival-challenge-grades-2-3--listing-1ed02617085b952bd3524b18) — Wed, Nov 4 · 9:30 AM – 11:30 AM · Daniel Stowe Conservancy, Belmont · From $15 · checked Oct 24. An outdoor homeschool class at Daniel Stowe Conservancy for students in grades 2 and 3, led by the conservancy's environmental educators. Children take on a challenge-style…
- [Homeschool Series: Wildlife Super Senses (Grades 4 + 5)](https://grassyknees.com/charlotte/activities/homeschool-series-wildlife-super-senses-grades-4-5--listing-881c4dbeb9eea57e8d842b9c) — Wed, Nov 4 · 9:30 AM – 11:30 AM · Daniel Stowe Conservancy, Belmont · From $15 · checked Oct 20. Part of Daniel Stowe Conservancy's fall homeschool series, this two-hour class for students in grades 4 and 5 is led by the garden's environmental educators. Children explore how…
- [Turkey Shoot on Goat Island — Cramerton](https://grassyknees.com/charlotte/activities/turkey-shoot-on-goat-island-cramerton--listing-0c9aa114d793a77a8522ae70) — Sat, Nov 7 · 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM · Goat Island Park, Cramerton · All ages · Free · checked Oct 24. A family target challenge on Goat Island run by Cramerton Parks & Recreation: hit the bullseye on the turkey targets and you can win a frozen Thanksgiving turkey. The first shot…
- [Belmont Veterans Celebration in Stowe Park](https://grassyknees.com/charlotte/activities/belmont-veterans-celebration-in-stowe-park--listing-fd17b5fe0a8a865816cdf889) — Sun, Nov 8 · 1:30 PM – 3:30 PM · Stowe Park, Belmont · All ages · checked Oct 24. A community tribute in downtown Belmont honoring people who have served in the military. Visitors can see military displays, browse veteran-focused vendors and hear live music…
- [Duke Energy Free Tuesdays at The Schiele Museum](https://grassyknees.com/charlotte/activities/duke-energy-free-tuesdays-at-the-schiele-museum--listing-47f77bb0b8d30207e86e183f) — Tue, Nov 10 (+1 more date) · 4:00 PM – 8:00 PM · The Schiele Museum of Natural History, Gastonia · Free · checked Oct 14. Free museum admission for everyone on the second Tuesday of each month, 4–8 PM. Beginning October 2026, free timed tickets (4, 5, 6 or 7 PM entry) must be reserved through the…
- [Great American Campout in The Gardens at Stowe](https://grassyknees.com/charlotte/activities/great-american-campout-in-the-gardens-at-stowe--listing-ddaed1c48a4d7b1030a57820) — Nov 14 – Nov 15 · 12:00 PM – 10:00 AM · The Gardens at Stowe, Daniel Stowe Conservancy, Belmont · Paid · checked Oct 24. An overnight campout inside The Gardens at Stowe in Belmont. Campers check in Saturday between noon and 2 p.m. and check out Sunday by 10 a.m., with group activities or time to…
- [Bright Lights 5K and Fun Run at Daniel Stowe Conservancy](https://grassyknees.com/charlotte/activities/bright-lights-5k-and-fun-run-at-daniel-stowe-conservancy--listing-bcccce7098ca7e9c47d2510d) — Wed, Nov 25 · 6:00 PM · The Gardens at Stowe, Daniel Stowe Conservancy, Belmont · Paid · checked Oct 24. A night-before-Thanksgiving race through the illuminated paths of Daniel Stowe Conservancy's Holidays at the Garden light display. Runners and walkers choose the Bright Lights 5K…
- [Holidays at the Garden: Light Exhibit at Daniel Stowe Conservancy](https://grassyknees.com/charlotte/activities/holidays-at-the-garden-light-exhibit-at-daniel-stowe-conservancy--listing-3737eda3f7962c28f46fe5dd) — Sat, Nov 28 (+24 more dates) · 5:00 PM – 10:00 PM · Daniel Stowe Conservancy (The Gardens), Belmont · All ages · Paid · checked Oct 16. On select evenings from November 28 through December 30, Daniel Stowe Conservancy in Belmont turns its gardens into a winter light walk with more than one million lights…
- [Downtown Tree Lighting (Yule Love Mount Holly)](https://grassyknees.com/charlotte/activities/downtown-tree-lighting-yule-love-mount-holly--listing-970fa4fd3748dd093a70610e) — Tue, Dec 1 · 5:30 PM · Downtown Mount Holly, Main Street · Free · checked Oct 14. A brief tree lighting ceremony in downtown Mount Holly with Mayor David Moore, part of the city's 'Yule Love Mount Holly' series of free holiday events (Deck the Hall, the…
- [Christmas in Cramerton and Christmas Parade](https://grassyknees.com/charlotte/activities/christmas-in-cramerton-and-christmas-parade--listing-335c735d588d730189bbc999) — Thu, Dec 3 · 3:00 PM – 6:00 PM · Centennial Center, downtown Cramerton · Free · checked Oct 24. The Town of Cramerton's holiday afternoon downtown. From 3 to 6 p.m. 'Downtown Eats, Treats, and Holiday Cheer' sets up under the shade sails at Centennial Center with food…
- [Breakfast with Santa (Gastonia)](https://grassyknees.com/charlotte/activities/breakfast-with-santa-gastonia--listing-9d542281905cd07e5507a751) — Sat, Dec 5 · 8:00 AM – 9:00 AM · Rankin Lake Clubhouse, Gastonia · From $9 · checked Oct 14. Gastonia Parks and Recreation hosts breakfast with Santa at the Rankin Lake Clubhouse: assorted waffles, grits, bacon breakfast casserole, egg and cheese sliders, fruit, orange…
- [Santa at the Lake](https://grassyknees.com/charlotte/activities/santa-at-the-lake--listing-ad207d5d5bce98e8e36eae9f) — Sat, Dec 5 · 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM · Rankin Lake viewing pier, Gastonia · Free · checked Oct 14. Free family photos with Santa at the Rankin Lake lakefront viewing pier after Breakfast with Santa; bring your own camera. Rain location is inside the Rankin Lake clubhouse.
- [Christmas in the City (Gastonia)](https://grassyknees.com/charlotte/activities/christmas-in-the-city-gastonia--listing-c04388390833a316101a2968) — Sun, Dec 6 · 4:30 PM – 7:30 PM · Rotary Pavilion, Gastonia · Free · checked Oct 14. Downtown Gastonia holiday evening at the Rotary Pavilion with free entertainment from 4:30 p.m., the Gaston County Jaycees Christmas Parade heading east on Main Ave., and the…
- [Morning with Santa at Daniel Stowe Conservancy](https://grassyknees.com/charlotte/activities/morning-with-santa-at-daniel-stowe-conservancy--listing-4e1891389ef4b7bf50c2acf4) — Sat, Dec 19 · 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM · Daniel Stowe Conservancy – Great Hall, Belmont · All ages · From $30 · checked Oct 16. Morning with Santa is a two-hour holiday breakfast in the Great Hall at Daniel Stowe Conservancy. Families get a continental grab-and-go breakfast with pastries, yogurt, seasonal…

## Places and ongoing programs

- [Family Storytime (Mount Holly)](https://grassyknees.com/charlotte/activities/family-storytime-mount-holly--listing-118a38f4586ea0e5b11a2f7b) — Tuesdays and Thursdays, 11:00-11:30 a.m. (time confirmed on the Dec 1 listing) · Gaston County Public Library - Mount Holly Branch · Free · checked Oct 14. Enjoy a themed family Storytime for toddlers, preschoolers, and their adults.
- [The Schiele Museum of Natural History](https://grassyknees.com/charlotte/activities/the-schiele-museum-of-natural-history--listing-890e6482da2675d3de143a65) — Mon–Fri 10 AM–4 PM; Sat 10 AM–5 PM; Sun 1–5 PM. Closed Easter, Thanksgiving Day… · The Schiele Museum of Natural History, Gastonia · All ages · From $10 · checked Oct 14. Natural history museum in Gastonia with museum exhibits including the new Elizabeth Williams Robinson Hall of Dinosaurs, The Farm, a Nature Trail and the James H. Lynn…

## Recently ended

- [BOO!seum at The Schiele Museum](https://grassyknees.com/charlotte/activities/boo-seum-at-the-schiele-museum--listing-7a2108565e2b2c5558ef0256) — ended Fri, Oct 23
- [Halloween Family Storytime in Centennial Park](https://grassyknees.com/charlotte/activities/halloween-family-storytime-in-centennial-park--listing-f52b50a5e897ac4a29a314de) — ended Fri, Oct 23
- [Pumpkin Piddle Paddle](https://grassyknees.com/charlotte/activities/pumpkin-piddle-paddle--listing-7b4f840567832a448fb10165) — ended Fri, Oct 23
- [Mini Pumpkin Painting at Dallas Branch Library](https://grassyknees.com/charlotte/activities/mini-pumpkin-painting-at-dallas-branch-library--listing-80c3f54a89ba4cdd76e07b7b) — ended Thu, Oct 22
- [Family Ghost Stories](https://grassyknees.com/charlotte/activities/family-ghost-stories--listing-0c8078c0c8cb1a626348e062) — ended Wed, Oct 21
- [Sprouts at Stowe](https://grassyknees.com/charlotte/activities/sprouts-at-stowe--listing-65a0b0cc46876da7c02bd2fa) — ended Wed, Oct 21
- [Stuffed Animal Sleepover](https://grassyknees.com/charlotte/activities/stuffed-animal-sleepover--listing-6f4e1e6f4b64cce1ecf7a4e2) — ended Wed, Oct 21
- [Family Event: Monster Slime](https://grassyknees.com/charlotte/activities/family-event-monster-slime--listing-e9354e929abced7bd6df4537) — ended Mon, Oct 19
- [Gastonia Fall Festival](https://grassyknees.com/charlotte/activities/gastonia-fall-festival--listing-09e2d7543822cd34bcfd4041) — ended Sat, Oct 17
- [Pumpkin Painting](https://grassyknees.com/charlotte/activities/pumpkin-painting--listing-b48cdf16f703e66019a71cef) — ended Thu, Oct 15
- [Spooky STEM Night](https://grassyknees.com/charlotte/activities/spooky-stem-night--listing-cc203c596dc189da4e6b4b8d) — ended Thu, Oct 15
- [100 Years in the Hundred Acre Wood](https://grassyknees.com/charlotte/activities/100-years-in-the-hundred-acre-wood--listing-caa9a2eb148d23b0f6ef8015) — ended Wed, Oct 14

## Nearby

- Towns in Gaston County, NC: [Belmont, NC](https://grassyknees.com/charlotte/towns/belmont-nc) (Markdown: https://grassyknees.com/charlotte/towns/belmont-nc.md), [Gastonia, NC](https://grassyknees.com/charlotte/towns/gastonia-nc) (Markdown: https://grassyknees.com/charlotte/towns/gastonia-nc.md), [Mount Holly, NC](https://grassyknees.com/charlotte/towns/mount-holly-nc) (Markdown: https://grassyknees.com/charlotte/towns/mount-holly-nc.md)
- [Things to do with kids in Charlotte](https://grassyknees.com/charlotte) (Markdown: https://grassyknees.com/charlotte.md)
- [This weekend in Charlotte](https://grassyknees.com/charlotte/this-weekend) (Markdown: https://grassyknees.com/charlotte/this-weekend.md)

Town pages are listed once a town has 3 current listings, county pages at 10.