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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! 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 & October

Free

Chihuly at Biltmore

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A new experience of the artist’s iconic creations makes its debut at Biltmore Estate next spring. Presented in an intimate gallery setting, Chihuly at Biltmore includes pedestal works, drawings,… read more

A new experience of the artist’s iconic creations makes its debut at Biltmore Estate next spring. Presented in an intimate gallery setting, Chihuly at Biltmore includes pedestal works, drawings, and large-scale installations of chandeliers, towers, mille fiori, and neon.

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Livermush Festival

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Enjoy livermush sandwiches from food trucks and local restaurants while enjoying live music, hog calling, an eating contest, and more in downtown Marion. Make sure to cast your vote on the best… read more

Enjoy livermush sandwiches from food trucks and local restaurants while enjoying live music, hog calling, an eating contest, and more in downtown Marion. Make sure to cast your vote on the best livermush dish at the Food Truck Rodeo!

Free

Labor Day Weekend Events & Things to Do

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See our special list of top events, festivals and things to do during Labor Day Weekend in Asheville and the surrounding towns and mountains.

See our special list of top events, festivals and things to do during Labor Day Weekend in Asheville and the surrounding towns and mountains.

Tier 2

Art on the Greene

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Buy art and support the restoration of the historic school in Banner Elk. Find a big variety of artists working with metal, glass, pottery, wood, jewelry, and more. Many other things to do nearby… read more

Buy art and support the restoration of the historic school in Banner Elk. Find a big variety of artists working with metal, glass, pottery, wood, jewelry, and more. Many other things to do nearby. 10 AM-5 PM. Free admission. 

Tier 2

Canton Labor Day Festival

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The Town of Canton has been putting on a huge celebration for Labor Day since 1906! The two-day festival features music, the WNC Handcraft Expo, and Food trucks from 12-9:30 PM on Sunday and 12-9… read more

The Town of Canton has been putting on a huge celebration for Labor Day since 1906! The two-day festival features music, the WNC Handcraft Expo, and Food trucks from 12-9:30 PM on Sunday and 12-9 PM on Monday at Sorrells Park. On Monday, watch as the big Labor Day Parade goes through downtown Canton from at 10 -11:30 AM.

Also on Monday, don't miss the Smoky Mountain Cruiser's …

Tier 2

Drum Circle

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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!

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!

Free

FAB Fest, Fall Dates

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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,… read more

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, and shop local art, including jewelry, pottery, paintings, fiber art, sculptures, woodwork, glass blowing, and more! 6 PM. Free admission. 2024 Dates: April 5, May 3, June 7, July 5, August 2, September…

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Fall Art in the Park, Blowing Rock

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Art in the Park in Blowing Rock, NC, hosts dozens of fine art and handcraft vendors at each show. Some of the best local and regional artists and craftspeople showcase their handcrafted jewelry,… read more

Art in the Park in Blowing Rock, NC, hosts dozens of fine art and handcraft vendors at each show. Some of the best local and regional artists and craftspeople showcase their handcrafted jewelry, pottery, fiber, glass, photography, painting, and more. 10 AM – 5 PM

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Downtown After Five

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Enjoy great music, food, and beer in downtown Asheville at this free, popular outdoor concert. Held every third Friday of the month from April-September from 5-9 PM. 2024 Dates: April 19, May 17,… read more

Enjoy great music, food, and beer in downtown Asheville at this free, popular outdoor concert. Held every third Friday of the month from April-September from 5-9 PM. 2024 Dates: April 19, May 17, June 21, July 19, August 16, and September 20, 2024.

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Asheville Art in the Park, Fall Dates

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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 Square Park. 10 AM-5 PM

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 Square Park. 10 AM-5 PM

Tier 2

ColorFest

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The artsy village of Dillsboro welcomes 40 demonstrating artists along Front Street with their colorful creations. Browse many nearby galleries too. Free admission. 10 AM-4 PM. 

The artsy village of Dillsboro welcomes 40 demonstrating artists along Front Street with their colorful creations. Browse many nearby galleries too. Free admission. 10 AM-4 PM. 

Tier 2

Cashiers Valley Leaf Festival

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Held on the Village Green in the middle of Cashiers at peak color time, see the works of 100+ artists while enjoying live music and great food. The free festival is open 10 AM - 5 PM on Friday,… read more

Held on the Village Green in the middle of Cashiers at peak color time, see the works of 100+ artists while enjoying live music and great food. The free festival is open 10 AM - 5 PM on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.

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Church Street Art & Craft Show

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Main Street in Waynesville transforms into an arts & crafts marketplace, one of the finest juried art shows in NC. Also, enjoy live mountain music, clogging, entertainment, and food. Browse… read more

Main Street in Waynesville transforms into an arts & crafts marketplace, one of the finest juried art shows in NC. Also, enjoy live mountain music, clogging, entertainment, and food. Browse many downtown galleries. Free. 10 AM-5 PM.

Tier 2

Spruce Pine Potters Market

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Longtime gathering with 30+ potters and clay artists selling their handmade pottery, figurative sculpture, stoneware, earthenware and more. Free admission. 10 AM-5 PM both days. 31 Cross Street,… read more

Longtime gathering with 30+ potters and clay artists selling their handmade pottery, figurative sculpture, stoneware, earthenware and more. Free admission. 10 AM-5 PM both days. 31 Cross Street, Spruce Pine. Near Penland School.

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Craft Fair of the Southern Highlands

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Meet 200 craftspeople who come together in downtown Asheville with their fine handcrafted items while local musicians play live on the arena stage and craft educators share their knowledge.… read more

Meet 200 craftspeople who come together in downtown Asheville with their fine handcrafted items while local musicians play live on the arena stage and craft educators share their knowledge. Admission from 10 AM-5 PM.

Tier 2

Maggie Valley Fall Arts & Crafts Show

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Meet 100 artisans and crafters from throughout the Southeast with a big variety of art. Outdoors at the Festival Grounds (3374 Soco Road) in the valley. 9 AM-4 PM each day. Free admission and… read more

Meet 100 artisans and crafters from throughout the Southeast with a big variety of art. Outdoors at the Festival Grounds (3374 Soco Road) in the valley. 9 AM-4 PM each day. Free admission and parking.

Tier 2

Apple Harvest Festival

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Find all things apple in downtown Waynesville, including cider, fried pies and other apple delicacies. Also find live mountain music, dance, craft and demo booths along scenic Main Street for the… read more

Find all things apple in downtown Waynesville, including cider, fried pies and other apple delicacies. Also find live mountain music, dance, craft and demo booths along scenic Main Street for the iconic small town fall festival.

Past Events

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Holiday Season Top 50 Events (November & December)

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See our favorite events, festivals and art shows during the holiday season in Asheville and western North Carolina mountains, including many small towns and Biltmore Estate. 

See our favorite events, festivals and art shows during the holiday season in Asheville and western North Carolina mountains, including many small towns and Biltmore Estate. 

Arts & Crafts Drive-About Tour

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Take a free self-guided driving tour of the galleries and working studios of Graham and Swain Counties and buy arts and crafts directly from the artist. Pick up a map at the Stecoah Valley… read more

Take a free self-guided driving tour of the galleries and working studios of Graham and Swain Counties and buy arts and crafts directly from the artist. Pick up a map at the Stecoah Valley Cultural Arts Center near Fontana Lake. 10 AM-5 PM.

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Thanksgiving Day & Weekend

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See things to do on the holiday weekend, including the best restaurants open on Thanksgiving Day. Kick off the holiday season in style!

See things to do on the holiday weekend, including the best restaurants open on Thanksgiving Day. Kick off the holiday season in style!

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The Haunted Trail, Adventure Center of Asheville

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Celebrating the Halloween season, this family-friendly haunted trail is ideal for ages 3-12 and features live actors, spooky sounds, and props for a no-touch, no-contact heart-pumping experience.… read more

Celebrating the Halloween season, this family-friendly haunted trail is ideal for ages 3-12 and features live actors, spooky sounds, and props for a no-touch, no-contact heart-pumping experience. Also enjoy spooky live entertainment, no-touch activities, and food and beverages available including hot chocolate. 11 nights in October, 7-9 PM. 

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Asheville Eliada Corn Maze

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Named one of the top 12 corn mazes in the country and the largest in Western North Carolina, this corn maze includes four miles of trails covering 12 acres on the campus of Eliada Homes. All… read more

Named one of the top 12 corn mazes in the country and the largest in Western North Carolina, this corn maze includes four miles of trails covering 12 acres on the campus of Eliada Homes. All proceeds go toward caring for the children at Eliada. Open Fridays from 3 PM-7 PM, Saturdays from 9 AM-7 PM, and Sundays from 10 AM-6 PM. 

Beaverdam Studio Tour

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Take a self-guided tour of 30 artists’ studios in North Asheville’s scenic Beaverdam Valley. Buy art from ceramists, painters, sculptors, jewelers, and glass and textile artists. 10 AM-5 PM

Take a self-guided tour of 30 artists’ studios in North Asheville’s scenic Beaverdam Valley. Buy art from ceramists, painters, sculptors, jewelers, and glass and textile artists. 10 AM-5 PM

Uncommon Market

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Asheville’s largest curated, pop-up market for antiques, art, vintage decor, jewelry, and beyond is in the River Arts District. Rain or shine. 10 AM-4 PM. (1 Foundy Street)

Asheville’s largest curated, pop-up market for antiques, art, vintage decor, jewelry, and beyond is in the River Arts District. Rain or shine. 10 AM-4 PM. (1 Foundy Street)

North Carolina Ceramic Arts Festival

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This one-day shopping and demonstration show features 40 ceramic artists with a diverse array of tilework, sculpture, jewelry and pottery. Watch raku demonstrations and enjoy live music. Food… read more

This one-day shopping and demonstration show features 40 ceramic artists with a diverse array of tilework, sculpture, jewelry and pottery. Watch raku demonstrations and enjoy live music. Food trucks too. Pack Square Park in downtown Asheville, 10 AM-5 PM. Free admission.

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Apple Butter Festival, Bakersville

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Enjoy the sights, smells, and tastes of autumn on the Creekwalk with music, crafts, and homemade apple butter making during peak fall color. Free admission. 92 Crimson Laurel Way. 10 AM-4 PM

Enjoy the sights, smells, and tastes of autumn on the Creekwalk with music, crafts, and homemade apple butter making during peak fall color. Free admission. 92 Crimson Laurel Way. 10 AM-4 PM

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Woolly Worm Festival

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Celebrate the coming of the snow season with woolly worm races, live entertainment and lots of food and craft vendors in downtown Banner Elk during peak fall color. Highly popular!

Celebrate the coming of the snow season with woolly worm races, live entertainment and lots of food and craft vendors in downtown Banner Elk during peak fall color. Highly popular!

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