The fall season in North Carolina is truly extraordinary. Everywhere you turn, you will be greeted with vibrant colors, rustic foliage, festive foods and lively events. This fall season, you will notice many fall activities and festivals scheduled from the coast to the mountains that you won’t want to miss out on. Here is a list of the top upcoming fall festivals in NC you should definitely add to your bucket list:
Craft Fair of the Southern Highlands
One of the top festivals in NC, the 76th annual Craft Fair of the Southern Highlands is scheduled for October 19th to October 22nd this year. The event will be hosted at the Harrah’s Cherokee Center in downtown Asheville. Over 200 artisans are expected to display their craftworks.
Displays will range from traditional works of clay, glass and leather to contemporary works of the modern age. Visitors can explore the crafts on displays, purchase items they admire and enjoy live music. It is one of the top Asheville NC fall festivals you must not miss.
Tickets to the event are priced at $10 for individuals aged 12 and above. Admissions for children under 12 are free.
Autumn Leaves Festival Mt Airy
The Autumn Leaves Festival is held annually in October at the heart of Downtown Mount Airy in North Carolina. The festival is a mix of good music, arts and crafts, delicious foods, must-see attractions and much much more. There is a bit for everyone to enjoy during this 3-day festival!
The festival will be held on October 13th and continue until October 15th. There will be live music from local musicians, over 200 craftsmen showcasing their talents and over 25 food vendors serving piping hot foods. Admissions to the Autumn Leaves Festival are free for all!
Carolina Balloon Fest – Fall Festivals in NC
The Carolina Balloon Fest is a popular, family-friendly three-day event held every year on the third weekend of October at the Statesville Regional Airport. This year, it is scheduled from October 20th to the 22nd.
The festival features hot air balloons, live entertainment on stages, a kid’s play area, a marketplace, an aerialist circus performance and skydiving exhibitions, amongst other exciting attractions. Hot air balloon flights are scheduled twice daily, so don’t miss out! Tickets to the event are available starting from $15.
Brushy Mountain Apple Festival
The Brushy Mountain Apple Festival is considered one of the largest one-day arts and crafts celebrations in the Southeast USA. The best part about this fiesta is that it is free to enter. This may be why over 160,000 people visit this festival every year.
This festival features over 425 arts and crafts booths, 100 food concessions and 4 different music stages, delivering a variety of genres, including Bluegrass, Country and Appalachian Heritage. There is plenty to do at the event but one of the highlights is the local apples! Several local apple growers will be at the event, selling their apples and creative handcrafted apple produce.
Barbecue Festival Lexington NC
The 39th Lexington Barbecue Festival will be held on October 28th this year. Admissions to the event are generally free for all to come enjoy!
This festival is centered on serving the state’s best BBQ, showcasing fine arts and crafts, delivering multiple stages of live entertainment and sharing special attractions. In particular, this festival celebrates and serves one barbeque style, the Lexington-style BBQ. So, if you are craving world-class BBQ, this is perhaps the best place to have a taste this fall season.
Carolina Renaissance Festival Charlotte, NC
The Carolina Renaissance Festival is being held every Saturday through Sunday from 30th September to 19th November. This festival was originally introduced in 1994, starting with six meager acres of attractions, exhibits and entertainment.
Fast forward to the present day, the festival has turned into a twenty-five-acre theme park filled with kitchens, charming castles and cottages, pubs, games of skills, immersive entertainment and much more! Join in on the entertainment and pageantry and witness what life was like back in the 16th century.
Tickets for the festival are $32 for individuals aged 13 and above and $20 for those below 12.
Lovely Asheville Annual Fall Festival
The Lovely Asheville Annual Fall Festival (LAAF) is one of Asheville’s first exclusive fall festivals. This event is scheduled for October 14th and 15th at Pack Square Park in Asheville.
The festival will be filled with family-friendly events, delectable foods, entertainment, cultural activities, informative speakers, merchants and much more. Local small businesses will also set up shops at the venue to sell their handcrafted arts and crafts, fashion designs and foods. This event is also free for all to attend.
Wilmington Riverfest
One of our favorite fall festivals in NC is the Wilmington Riverfest is celebrated in the first week of October, taking place from Downtown Wilmington to Cape Fear Community College. Thanks to its free, family-oriented nature, the event brings in thousands of people every year.
This is better described as a cultural street festival where craft vendors, concession booths, street food artisans, live fireworks and other exciting forms of entertainment are available. This year, they will even have a Wilmington Riverfest Pageant Queen and Wilmington Riverfest Pageant Teen!
Falll Festivals In NC: Final Thoughts
Fall festivities are on the rise. Strap on your boots and grab a pumpkin-spiced latte for the road. There is plenty of fun and excitement jam-packed into these events, so don’t miss out!
