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 through November
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
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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Sapphire Valley Arts and Crafts Show, October
This Blue Ridge celebration brings together local artisans showcasing pottery, textiles, woodwork, paintings, and fine jewelry alongside live regional music and family-friendly activities. Kids… More Information
Fall Art in the Park, Blowing Rock
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,…
Mars Hill Lunsford Heritage & Music Festival
For 2026, this event will be held on the Upper Quad on the campus of Mars Hill University. The festival is the second-longest-running folk festival in Western North Carolina. It gets its name from… 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…
ColorFest! Arts and Crafts, Dillsboro
The artsy village of Dillsboro welcomes 40 demonstrating artists along Front Street with their colorful creations. Enjoy live music, food vendors, and browse many nearby galleries, too. Free…
Oktoberfest, Downtown Asheville
Oktoberfest in downtown Asheville is a daytime celebration of great drink, great food, and Bavarian culture. Sip seasonal ales, beers, and ciders, and shop vendors selling bratwurst, pretzels, and traditional sides.Vendors selling bratwurst, pretzels, and traditional sides. Purchases required for food and the Prost Pass tasting experience. No pets. 1-6 pm.
Hilltop Fall Festival
The first Saturday in October brings the the annual Hilltop Fall Festival in downtown Rutherfordton and Forest City. Enjoy this free festival runs from 10 am to 5 pm with 135 vendors, live music, a car show, and bounce houses. Rain date: October 10. Check website for details about the 2026 event.
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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
NC Mountaineer & Apple Butter Festival, Bakersville
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…
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.
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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!
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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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.
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,…
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.
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…
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
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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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
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+.
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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
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 outdoor oyster roast, 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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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.
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…
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.
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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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
Black Mountain Blues Festival
Plan now for a trip to Black Mountain for the three-day Black Mountain Blues Festival. Billed as a world-class festival with an amazing mountain vibe, past performers on stages set throughout Downtown Black Mountain have included Eric Gales, Robert Randolph, Corey Harris and Sugaray Rayford. Launch party on June 9, 2026, at White Horse Black Mountain.
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Hot Springs Arts Trail
Explore Hot Springs Arts Trail on September 26, 10 AM-7 PM. Discover local art, live music, and tasty food throughout town, from Gallery 339 to Big Pillow Brewery. Create your own trail name graffiti art.
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Mountain Heritage Days
Western Carolina University expands its 51-year Mountain Heritage Day tradition into Mountain Heritage Days—a week-long Appalachian cultural celebration in Sylva, NC. The festival features faculty lectures, heritage demonstrations, Friday night concerts, and Saturday's beloved family activities including live music, clogging, mule rides, traditional crafts, and authentic mountain food from 11am-5pm.
Gin & Jazz Social
Step back into the Roaring Twenties at Gin & Jazz Social 2026, held the weekend following F. Scott Fitzgerald's birthday at The Omni Grove Park Inn & Spa. This Gatsby-era celebration brings vintage glamour to life on Friday, September 25, from 6:30-9 PM.
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Skyview Golf Tournament
Watch professional and amateur golfers, including HBCU talent, at the Skyview Golf Tournament, September 22-23, 2026. This longest-running African American Pro-Am tournament plays at Country Club of Asheville this year. Free for spectators. Registration is open.
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Highlands-Cashiers Film Festival
This annual celebration of storytelling brings together filmmakers, media artists, and audiences from around the world for four days of film, conversation, and creative exchange. Proceeds benefit… More Information
Heritage Weekend at Folk Art Center
This free festival features traditional music, dancing and heritage craft demonstrations. A highlight is the World Gee Haw Whimmy Diddle Competition on Saturday.
"Guess Who's Coming to Dinner" Live at the YMI
Experience the celebrated stage production "Guess Who's Coming to Dinner" at The YMI Cultural Center, September 11-20. This seasoned cast returns for its second season at America's oldest African American cultural center.
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Art in Autumn Fest
Art in Autumn turns 19 on the 19th! Fun outdoor arts and crafts festival in Weaverville that includes 100 juried artists, food, and live music. Parking is available at the Weaverville Primary…
Dillsboro Youth Arts Festival
Bring the family for a free day of creativity featuring hands-on art activities, live glassblowing and blacksmithing demonstrations, local food vendors, and interactive experiences designed just for kids.
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