Our region is recovering from Helene. Please check with individual businesses before booking travel.
Small Towns and Attractions That Are Open Now
Asheville & Western NC Recovery Info and Resources
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
Chihuly at Biltmore
Enjoy a new experience of the artist’s iconic creations at Biltmore Estate. Presented in an intimate gallery setting, Chihuly at Biltmore includes pedestal works, drawings, and large-scale… read more
Enjoy a new experience of the artist’s iconic creations at Biltmore Estate. Presented in an intimate gallery setting, Chihuly at Biltmore includes pedestal works, drawings, and large-scale installations of chandeliers, towers, mille fiori, and neon.
Drum Circle
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!
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,… 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…
Asheville Eliada Corn Maze
Corn maze fun can be found just five miles from downtown Asheville! Eliada's Fall Festival & Corn Maze offers corn cannons, custom corn maze, hay rides, food trucks, and pumpkins for sale. All… read more
Corn maze fun can be found just five miles from downtown Asheville! Eliada's Fall Festival & Corn Maze offers corn cannons, custom corn maze, hay rides, food trucks, and pumpkins for sale. All proceeds benefit the children at Eliada Homes. Open weekends: Fridays: 3 pm – 7 pm, Saturdays: 10 am – 7 pm, Sundays: 10 am – 6 pm.
The Haunted Trail, Adventure Center of Asheville
Venture through 18 live-action outdoor scenes with magical lights and spooky sounds portraying renditions of classic Halloween themes. This outdoor trail is geared toward families with kids ages 3-12 (no "gore" or contact). Plus, the Aerial Glow Trail is great for guests 4 years and older. Dates: Oct 4-5, 11-12, 18-20, 24-27, 2024.
Asheville Flamenco Festival
Experience the passionate rhythms of Flamenco with performances, community events, and classes in the Asheville area. Don’t miss the kickoff at LEAF Festival on October 19 in Black Mountain! Then… read more
Experience the passionate rhythms of Flamenco with performances, community events, and classes in the Asheville area. Don’t miss the kickoff at LEAF Festival on October 19 in Black Mountain! Then celebrate with a fiesta, Flamenco dance and guitar classes at various sites in the area. The festival culminates with a special performance at the Kittredge Theater at Warren Wilson College on October…
The Pink Lady Party
Lift your spirits with a Halloween celebration at The Omni Grove Park Inn. Gather for a night of treats and no tricks at the ghostly Pink Lady Party. Immerse yourself in the chilling excitement of a "Haunted Who Did It" game, delight in private tarot card readings, savor themed cocktails and delectable small plates. Adults, $95.
Past Events
Craft Fair of the Southern Highlands
Meet over one hundred artists, makers, and craftspeople who come together in downtown Asheville at Harrah’s Cherokee Center-Asheville. Shop pottery, sculpture, furniture, tapestry, apparel, mixed… read more
Meet over one hundred artists, makers, and craftspeople who come together in downtown Asheville at Harrah’s Cherokee Center-Asheville. Shop pottery, sculpture, furniture, tapestry, apparel, mixed media, jewelry, and more. Enjoy local musicians and craft educators.10 am - 5 pm.
LEAF Festival - Canceled for 2024
A weekend at LEAF is the equivalent of going on a year-long multicultural musical and dance odyssey - longtime favorite festival held in Black Mountain on a lake with camping and limited tickets… read more
A weekend at LEAF is the equivalent of going on a year-long multicultural musical and dance odyssey - longtime favorite festival held in Black Mountain on a lake with camping and limited tickets.
Maggie Valley Fall Arts & Crafts Show
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.
Asheville Art in the Park, Fall Dates
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
Apple Harvest Festival
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.
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… read more
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 Robbinsville.
Spruce Pine Potters Market
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.
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. The free festival is open 10 am- 5 pm on Friday and Saturday, and 10 am… read more
Held on the Village Green in the middle of Cashiers, see the works of 90+ artists while enjoying live music and great food. The free festival is open 10 am- 5 pm on Friday and Saturday, and 10 am - 3 pm on Sunday.
Tryon International Film Festival (TRIFF)
Experience the 10th annual Tryon International Film Festival in the charming small town of Tryon, NC. Discover diverse voices, inspiring stories, and a vibrant community of filmmakers and… read more
Experience the 10th annual Tryon International Film Festival in the charming small town of Tryon, NC. Discover diverse voices, inspiring stories, and a vibrant community of filmmakers and audiences in the First Peak of the Blue Ridge region, south of Asheville. Tickets range from $5-$150 per person.
Church Street Art & Craft Show
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.