Fall is a very busy time for various street festivals, events, art tours, and more in Asheville and our mountain small towns. Most are free to enjoy. These listings cover include activities within a two-hour drive of Asheville The autumn foliage color show adds to the excitement. See our Fall Foliage Forecast for a week-by-week color report. For events throughout the year, see our list of seasonal calendars.
Upcoming Fall Events & Festivals: September through November
Drum Circle, Fall
Hear and feel the beat at the weekly drum circle every Friday night in downtown Asheville in Pritchard Park from April-October. And dance the night away!
Asheville Eliada Corn Maze
Get lost in Eliada's 8-Acre Corn Maze! The Fall fun includes tractor rides, pumpkins, apple slushies, corn cannons, spider climber, lawn games, Music at the Maze, food trucks, and more. All proceeds go to support Eliada's children and youth. Open weekends: Sept 25-Nov 1, 2026. Fri: 3-7PM | Sat: 10AM-7PM | Sun: 10 AM-6 PM.
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North Carolina Stage Company: Misery
North Carolina Stage Company presents Stephen King's thriller Misery in downtown Asheville. Matinee and evening performances October 14 through November 1. A novelist meets his number one fan. Due to the content, recommended for ages 16 and up.
See the Shadow of the Bear, Cashiers
Watch the mysterious Shadow of the Bear appear on sunny days, 5:30-6:15 PM, mid-October through early November near Cashiers, NC. View from Rhodes Big View Overlook on US Highway 64. Psst: A secret season repeats in late winter.
Stecoah Fall Arts & Crafts Drive-About Tour
A Fall self-guided driving tour through studios and workshops across Swain and Graham counties, including Bryson City. Meet local artisans, watch them work, and shop handmade crafts. Printed maps… More Information
Howl-O-Ween at WNC Nature Center
Bring the kids for a guided sunset tour of the red and gray wolf habitats at WNC Nature Center, plus wolf-themed games, crafts, and a Halloween costume contest.
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21 Yeses, New Dialect, Asheville
New Dialect brings 21 Yeses to the Wortham Center, a contemporary dance piece where light and movement work together. Choreographer Banning Bouldin teams with production designer Michael Brown of Bon Iver fame.
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Halloweenfest in Downtown Brevard
Heart of Brevard’s free Halloweenfest fills downtown Brevard on October 24 with a costume contest and parade, bounce houses, trick-or-treating, a hula hoop dance party, and craft and food vendors.
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Beaverdam Studio Tour
Take a self-guided tour of 17 artists’ studios plus 7 visiting artists in North Asheville’s scenic Beaverdam Valley. Browse art in ceramics, sculpture, book arts, enamels, jewelry, painting, glasswork, textiles, photography, and wood. Saturday 10 am-5 pm. Sunday 10 am to 4 pm.
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The Pink Lady Party
Celebrate Halloween at The Pink Lady Party, October 29, 7-10 PM at Omni Grove Park Inn. Enjoy tarot readings, themed cocktails, small plates, dueling pianos, and a costume contest. Ages 21+.
Hollerween at Fitz and the Wolfe
Fitz and the Wolfe hosts Hollerween, October 30–31, with live country music, Appalachian spooky stories, costume contests, and Halloween food and drink specials in downtown Asheville.
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FAB Fest, Fall Dates
FAB Fridays run from April-October, featuring the best in local Food, Arts, and Brews (FAB) on Central Street in Downtown Rutherfordton. Come out for live music, a variety of food trucks, beer,… More Information
Comedy Zone with Shaun Jones
Comedian Shaun Jones brings his sharp, relatable stand-up to the Wortham Center’s Tina McGuire Theatre. Known for HBO, BET’s Comic View, and Star Search, Jones headlines two nights of Comedy Zone.
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The Sister Moon Project: Sting & The Police
Hear “Roxanne,” “Fields of Gold,” and more reimagined through a jazz lens. Saxophonist Grace Kelly, vocalist Chrissi Poland, and the Christian Tamburr Quartet celebrate the music of Sting and The Police.
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Christmas at Biltmore
It is not too early to book your tickets to see the elaborate holiday decorations inside and outside the Biltmore House.
Western North Carolina Pottery Festival
Meet 40+ master potters from across the country at this premier juried art event. Watch them in action and buy amazing creations that you will treasure for a lifetime.
Tryon Beer Fest
A festive time with local food, games, live music, and a great selection of craft beers and ciders. Downtown Tryon. Noon-6 PM. Tickets capped at 1,000.
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Dorrance Dance, Asheville
Dorrance Dance, the internationally recognized New York-based company led by MacArthur Fellow Michelle Dorrance, brings tap to the Wortham stage. Praised by The Guardian as “tap’s current hot… More Information
Winterfest & Christmas Light Show @ Tryon
Drive through an extravagant, 2-mile Christmas light show, synchronized to music at Tryon International. Open every night of the week. Check website for prices.
Dallas Brass, Asheville
Dallas Brass marks more than four decades of brass excellence with a mix of classical favorites, Broadway hits, patriotic standards, Hollywood themes, and swing-era classics for audiences of all ages.
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Toe River Fall Studio Tour
The Fall Studio Tour lets you explore 80+ artist studios and galleries across Mitchell and Yancey counties. Drive scenic country roads, meet artists in their creative spaces, and discover diverse…
Annual Handcrafted Holiday Market, Tryon
Shop handmade pottery, jewelry, fiber arts, and holiday ornaments from regional artists at Tryon Arts & Crafts School. Free, open weekly through December 18, with rotating work each week.
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Handcrafted Games by Master Makers, Exhibit
Discover handcrafted board games, puzzles, and tabletop art at Grovewood Gallery's "Top of Their Game" exhibition, November 14-December 31, 2026. Opening reception November 14, 2-5 PM. Free admission and parking. Located beside Omni Grove Park Inn.
Aluminum Tree & Ornament Museum (ATOM) Exhibit, Brevard
Step into mid-century holiday magic at Brevard’s Aluminum Tree & Ornament Museum. See vintage aluminum trees, 400+ Shiny Brite ornaments, and color-wheel light shows in a Fun and Fabulous Fifties display.
National Gingerbread Competition
The Omni Grove Park Inn and Spa will host the 2026 National Gingerbread House Competition this fall. The public can view it Nov. 17, 2026–Jan. 3, 2027. Non-guests can visit after 6 pm on Sundays…
Ingles SoCon Volleyball Championship
Watch college women's volleyball at the Ingles SoCon Volleyball Championship, November 19-22, at Harrah's Cherokee Center. The downtown Asheville arena hosts four days of elite play. Ticketed event, spectators welcome. Check game times on website.
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Cold Mountain Wolf Howl Experience at WNC Nature Center
For a unique date night, sip Highland Brewing's Cold Mountain winter ale, then take a guided night tour of the red and gray wolves at WNC Nature Center. This ticketed event is 21+, and you'll take bottles home.
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Marshall Handmade Market
This year, the Marshall Handmade Market returns to Marshall High Studios on Blannahassett Island in the French Broad River. The market hosts some of the best makers in the region. It will be a… More Information
Forest City Hometown Holiday Lights
See the million lights that create a magical Main Street in our Forest City with many events throughout, including carriage rides. Lighting ceremony on Thanksgiving Day.
Past Events
Luminere Immersive Nightscapes at Biltmore
Experience Biltmore after dark with illuminated displays across the house and gardens. Arrive before sunset to enjoy picnic dinners and beverages, then watch as projected light and sound transform… More Information
Craft Fair of the Southern Highlands
Meet over one hundred artists, makers, and craftspeople who come together in downtown Asheville at ExploreAsheville.com Arena inside the Harrah’s Cherokee Center-Asheville. Shop pottery,…
Animal Haven of Asheville Fall Fundraiser
Animal Haven of Asheville's annual Fall Fundraiser on Sunday, October 18, brings a vegan buffet, live music, a silent auction, and a chance to meet 60+ rescued farm animals.
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Lake Lure Autumn Arts Festival
See and buy craft and art by 90+ artists from many different disciplines. Also enjoy live music and entertainment, many food vendors and the beauty of the lake. Free admission. Be sure to follow… More Information
Asheville Art in the Park, Fall Dates
October 3, 10, and 17, 2026: From pottery to jewelry, sculpture to two-dimensional art, this art festival brings together a wide array of traditional and contemporary mountain art downtown in Pack…
Harvest Festival, Stecoah Valley
Experience quintessential traditional mountain life with Appalachian dance, music, food, arts and crafts in the beautiful Nantahala National Forest at Stecoah Valley, near Fontana Lake and…
Toe River Chamber Ensemble Debuts "Hurricane Helene" Symphony at Free Fall Concert
The Toe River Chamber Ensemble's free fall concert in Burnsville on Tuesday, October 13, features Beethoven, Mendelssohn, Grieg, and the world debut of the new symphony Hurricane Helene.
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Farmshire Vegan Fair at Sweeten Creek Brewing
Farmshire Vegan Fair comes to Sweeten Creek Brewing on Sunday, October 11, from 1 to 6 p.m., with vegan food trucks, local makers, live music, and raffles supporting Farmshire's animals. Just show up!
Cashiers Valley Leaf Festival
Held on the Village Green in the middle of Cashiers, see the works of 90+ artists while enjoying live music and great food during a time of year when the leaf color is glorious. The free… More Information
Live from the Gorge, NOC
Enjoy an evening of live music in the Nantahala Gorge at NOC’s Live from the Gorge, featuring performances by The Hillclimbers and Amanda Platt and the Honey Cutters.
More InformationOct. 9–10, 16–17, 22–25, 29–30: Haunted Trail at Adventure Center of Asheville. A family-friendly Halloween trail with spooky lights, pirates, and mermaids.
Oct. 10: Black Mountain Home Fall Festival. Free, with hayrides, music, games, a car show, and a silent auction.
Oct. 10–11: Lovely Asheville Fall Festival (LAAFF), Pack Square Park. A free two-day music festival in its 5th year, with R&B, jazz, Afrobeats, and reggae stages, plus a tribute to Roberta Flack and Nina Simone.
Oct. 11: Carolina Mountain Cheese Fest, Oak & Grist, Black Mountain. Tastings, demos, and local cheesemakers. Proceeds benefit the WNC Cheese Trail.
Oct. 16–18: Lake Eden Reunion, Black Mountain. A small weekend of music, dance, camping, and the launch of the book Live Life Like a Festival.
Oct. 25: Asheville VeganFest, Pack Square Park. Plant-based food trucks, vendors, and wellness activities.
Oct. 31: Wicked Spooky 5K, South Slope. A costume run on Halloween, with a new kids' race this year.
Nov. 6: Downtown Art District's First Friday. Free, with new exhibits, live music, and an artist passport you get stamped as you go.
Nov. 13: Wolf Howl Tour. Walk to the red and gray wolf habitats after dark at WNC Nature Center and learn how North America's wolves live and survive. This evening program is for adults and teens 13 and up. Anyone under 18 must come with an adult. Tickets are $35–40, and the rain date is Nov. 14.
Nov. 14–15: RADfest, River Arts District. Free, 10 AM–5 PM.
