Mark Your Calendar: Asheville Fall Festivals & Activities By Date & Location

ByChristine Frascarelli Updated on
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If you are craving a gorgeous fall in the NC Mountains, plan your trip around the best Asheville fall festivals, activities, and events – foliage included. Top festivals across the area include Hendersonville’s NC Apple Festival, the NC Mountain State Fair, Asheville Greek Festival, Fall for Greenville, VeganFest, and AVL Oktoberfest. Get the details below!

gourds and pumpkinsPin

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As locals, we just love fall in the Blue Ridge Mountains, and many of our readers plan their trips around peak fall foliage season. Think gorgeous red, yellow, and orange leaves, especially along the Blue Ridge Parkway. Along with the infamous fall colors, the seasonal apple orchards in Hendersonville, NC open their doors, kicking off with numerous WNC street fairs. Below, discover the best fall events in Asheville along with top-rated ghost tours, spooky haunted places, and more. You might also enjoy our complete AVL events calendar, especially for your upcoming holiday planning.

September 2024

Shakespeare in the Park (Friday, Saturday, and Sunday Evenings)

Tom at Shakespeare in the ParkPin

Shakespeare in the Park, performed by the Montford Park Players, is one of our favorite things to do in May through October. Bring chairs (or use theirs), and enjoy on-site snacks and beverages for this free/donation-based outdoor theater. These aren’t your average plays either. Expect modern dancing, body glitter, and endless surprises. This fall, watch Henry VI 1.2.3 under the stars at Montford’s Hazel Robinson Theater. On occasion, plays can be harder to hear and run quite long. Be prepared.

NC Apple Festival (August 30 – September 2, 2024)

Labor Day weekend, enjoy the famous NC Apple Festival in Hendersonville, North Carolina. This large street fair pays homage to Hendersonville’s reputation as “Apple Alley” with its plentiful apple orchards. Encounter food, educational booths, music, children’s activities, and concerts. See all that you can do in Hendersonville, including our favorite museums, wineries, and breweries. Just be forewarned that this is a popular Western North Carolina fall event and will be wall to wall people. If crowds aren’t your jam, we’d suggest skipping it.

Maggie Valley Arts & Crafts Festival (August 31 to September 1, 2024)

To-go Coffee at the Maggie Valley Arts and Crafts FestivalPin
Tom with coffee at the Maggie Valley Arts and Crafts FestivalPin

Shop for handmade arts and crafts at the Maggie Valley Arts & Crafts Festival. As one of the area’s longest-running events, find pottery, jewelry, artisanal soaps, woodworking, lawn decor, and more. We worried Maggie Valley’s arts scene wouldn’t compare to AVL’s, but we were wrong. Enjoy great prices, beautiful art, and ample parking. We own quite a few items purchased here, including blown glass cups, fall scented candles, and ink coasters. While in the area, see what else you can do in Maggie Valley, including waterfalls, a lookout tower, and quirky shops.

Autumn at Oz at Beech Mountain (September 6 – 8; 13 to 15; 20 to 22, 2024)

Beech Mountain’s Autumn at Oz is one of the most celebrated fall events near Asheville. This is a three-weekend, immersive experience and an ode to the Wonderful Wizard of Oz. Meet characters from your favorite classic story and shop for crafts. Partake in face painting, food, beverages, live performances, and photo opportunities. Follow the yellow brick road in North Carolina.

NC Mountain State Fair (September 6 – 15, 2024)

It wouldn’t be fall in the Blue Ridge Mountains without the massive NC Mountain State Fair in Fletcher, NC. Find equestrian and trade shows, all of your favorite fair rides, and of course, fair food. Watch competitions and live entertainment, including music, hypnotists, swimming pigs, escape artists, cooking demos, and more.

Lake Lure Vintage Vibes Weekend (September 6 – 8, 2024)

Lake Lure Washburn Marina NC with dark blue green lake and shore with buildings and boats and mountains behind themPin

Formerly the Dirty Dancing Fest, attend the revamped Lake Lure Vintage Vibes Weekend. Enjoy food, music, arts, crafts, and more. See all that you can do around the Lake Lure and Chimney Rock area.

Art in Autumn (September 21, 2024)

Head to Weaverville, NC for its beloved Art in Autumn Outdoor Arts & Crafts Festival. Chat with and shop from over 100 local artists and craftspeople – both at the fair as well as local Weaverville businesses. Listen to live music. During the show, artists’ work is judged with monetary rewards. Discover all that you can do around Weaverville, including visiting Lake Louise.

Blue Ridge Pride Festival (September 21, 2024)

Celebrate, educate, and advocate with the Blue Ridge Pride Festival. Join the parade that leads to Downtown Asheville’s Pack Square. Watch musicians and entertainers while strolling through the numerous food, clothing, art, and education vendors. Support the area’s LGBTQ+ community.

Asheville Greek Festival (September 27 and 28, 2024)

Gyro at the Asheville Greek FestivalPin
Beer at the Asheville Greek FestivalPin

Head to beautiful Historic Montford for the Asheville Greek Festival. Hosted by the Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, get a slice of Greece in your own backyard with your favorite Greek food, music, dancing, shopping, and fun. Learn more about and celebrate Greek heritage and culture. See all of the delicious food you can eat in our Greek Fest Guide. I love this event for the neighborhood and amazing vendors. We’ve bought candles in local craft beer cans as well as wine and oil olive imported from Greece. Go hungry!

More September Events

October 2024

There are so many fun things to do in Asheville in October.

Albino Skunk Music Festival (October 2 – 5, 2024)

If you love Americana, Bluegrass, Folk, and Rock music, Greer, South Carolina’s Albino Skunk Music Festival is for you. Camp or RV, if you like, and find music, food, drink, and more. Littles can enjoy drive-in movie nights, nature trails, tree swings, and a playground.

Asheville Oktoberfest (October 5, 2024)

Asheville Oktoberfest in Pack Square is one of the city’s most-anticipated events. This is, of course, the German-inspired, local version of Oktoberfest. Enjoy brews from the best breweries in the city, including cider, ginger beer, and distilled beverages. Eat delicious food, and play games.

Asheville VeganFest (October 6, 2024)

Cheers with mac and cheese at VeganFestPin
Asheville VeganFest gluten-free cookie doughPin

One of our personal favorite Asheville fall festivals, the VeganFest in Pack Square has the best gluten-free and vegan treats. Shop from vendors selling baked goods, art, clothing, plants, and more. Enjoy delicious vegan food trucks. Sip healthy and boozy bevies. Read more about vegan/veggie restaurants in AVL as well as our top GF picks for food. We especially love that vegan food trucks from all over the area and out-of-state drop by.

Cashiers Valley Leaf Festival (October 11 – 13, 2024)

At the Cashiers Valley Leaf Festival stroll through tents featuring over 90 vendors, filled with arts and crafts. There is food, drink, and live music.

Fall For Greenville, SC (October 11 – 13, 2024)

Tom at Fall For Greenville Wine GardenPin
Fall For Greenville vendor serving foodPin

You might be wondering if driving an hour and 20 minutes to Greenville, SC for a weekend is worth it for a jam-packed street fair with music. Trust us: it is! Even though we don’t love literally wall-to-wall-people events, Fall for Greenville is a must for delicious Greenville eats, indie music, and the beer and wine tents. It’s the perfect way to see what Greenville has to offer along with 6 stages for 80+ bands.

LEAF Festival (October 11 – 13, 2024)

Located at Lake Eden, the LEAF Festival celebrates culture and community. Watch a variety of cultural performances including dance, music, and puppets. Attend educational and craft workshops. Participate in a competition. Each day is jam-packed with events, tributes, and ceremonies.

Craft Fair of the Southern Highlands (October 17 – 20, 2024)

Hosted in Downtown Asheville’s Harrah’s Cherokee Center, the Craft Fair of the Southern Highlands showcases a variety of contemporary and traditional arts and crafts, including metal, clay, glass, fiber, mixed media, and jewelry. Listen to live music, watch a craft demonstration, and shop for gifts.

Waynesville Apple Harvest Festival (October 19, 2024)

Head to the annual Waynesville Apple Harvest Festival, a street fair in quaint Waynesville, NC. Celebrate the Great Smoky Mountains – and all things fall and apples – with vendors and Downtown Waynesville’s best shops and restaurants.

More October Events

Spooky Guides To Enhance Your Fall In Asheville

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Peeta's bakery at Henry River Mill VillagePin
Helen’s Bridge & “District 12” at Henry River Mill Village

From ghosts and abandoned towns to breathtaking fall foliage hikes and the creepiest legends, create the ultimate fall bucket list. We also have helpful itineraries including planning a weekend in Asheville and a whirlwind 36-hour itinerary to see blockbusters.

Ghost Tours To Book

Pink Lady dress and legend at the Omni Grove Park InnPin
Pink Lady at The Omni Grove Park Inn

If you enjoy guided tours, these are just a few popular ghost and history tours to check out:

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Christine Frascarelli

Read More About Me

Christine (pronouns: she/her) is the owner of Uncorked Asheville. After falling in love with those gorgeous Blue Ridge Mountains, Christine and her husband Tom decided to call Asheville, North Carolina home. When her pointy Italian nose isn’t stuck in a book, Christine is adopting all of the kitties, getting lost in the forest, and drinking an ESB. She has a BA in English and History from Smith College, her MLIS from USF-Tampa, and is a former U.S. Fulbright Scholar - Indonesia. Christine also owns The Uncorked Librarian LLC with books and movies to inspire travel.

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