Take a look at fun October events in North Carolina. Please call ahead and check websites and social media for the latest updates before traveling long distances, especially for those in Western North Carolina following the devastating effects of Tropical Storm Helene. Local officials are strongly encouraging visitors to reschedule their upcoming trips to the impacted region for another time.
Photo credit: Melinda Boling/Miller Davis Agency
Patterson Farm Fall Fun on the Farm
Sept. 16-Nov. 11, 2024, Mount Ulla
Ready for fall fun on the farm? Visit Patterson Farm from Sept. 23 through Nov. 4 for a pumpkin patch, a corn maze and more family-friendly farm activities. Activity hours this fall will be Monday through Friday from 12 to 5 p.m., and Saturdays and Sundays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. While you’re there, be sure to stop by the market and Ice Cream Shop for fall sweets and treats!
Advance ticket purchases are highly encouraged. Purchase your tickets here.
Admission includes a barnyard, playground, wagon rides, a corn maze on weekdays and weekends, a Cow Train (weekends only), Pumpkin Patch (pumpkins not included in admission), Food Trucks on weekends, and more.
For more information, visit visitpattersonfarm.com/plan-your-visit/fall/fall-fun-on-the-farm.
51st Annual Spring Hope National Pumpkin Festival
Oct. 5, 2024, Spring Hope
Visit the small town of Spring Hope this October for the 51st Annual Spring Hope National Pumpkin Festival. The daylong event features a full lineup of family-friendly events, including a giant pumpkin weigh-off, pumpkin recipe judging, a parade, food and craft vendors, and live music throughout the day. Children will especially enjoy the petting zoo, pony rides, face painting and pumpkin decorating. The festival takes place from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Find more information and a full schedule of events at visitspringhope.com.
Brushy Mountain Apple Festival
Oct. 5, 2024, North Wilkesboro (still happening, see update)
This one-day festival is one of the largest arts and crafts festivals in the Southeast and one of the biggest fundraisers of the year for Wilkes County. Hosted by the Brushy Mountain Ruritan Club, the festival features hundreds of artisans and crafters lining the streets of downtown North Wilkesboro. The event spotlights Appalachian heritage crafts such as woodcarving, chair making, soap making, pottery and quilting, and attendees will have the opportunity to purchase a variety of unique items. More festival highlights include live music, dancers, food concessions and, of course, plenty of local apple growers selling apples, apple cider and dried apples.
The free event takes place from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more details, visit applefestival.net or call (336) 921-3499.
John Blue Cotton Festival
Oct. 12, 2024, Laurinburg
Step back in time at the annual John Blue Cotton Festival in Laurinburg this October. Held on the grounds of the historic John Blue Home, the festival celebrates the fall cotton harvest with a day of family-friendly activities, including tours of the home and early-1800s cabins, live entertainment, a museum, food and crafts vendors, games, and much more. Visitors can also check out the pre-Civil War mule-powered cotton gin, restored sawmill and tobacco curing barn, and antique tractors and engines. Children will especially enjoy the hayrides, train rides, face painting and pony rides offered, as well as a variety of kids’ games.
For more details and a full schedule of activities, visit johnbluefestival.com or call (910) 706-1456.
North Carolina State Fair
Oct. 17-27, 2024, Raleigh
From tasty funnel cakes to livestock shows, the North Carolina State Fair is a can’t-miss event. Held in Raleigh each October, the city comes alive for 11 days of old-fashioned fair fun. From talented entertainers and fascinating agriculture exhibits to unusual foods and rides for all ages, the fair offers something for everyone. For example, you can test your cooking skills and brush up on your knowledge of state agriculture before heading to the rides and games on the midway.
To learn more about the fair’s hours and prices, visit ncstatefair.org.
See more: 6 Reasons to Visit the North Carolina State Fair
41st Annual Mountain Glory Festival
October, Marion (cancelled for 2024)
Marion, North Carolina celebrates the arrival of autumn in the Blue Ridge during their annual Mountain Glory Festival. For 41 years, beautiful downtown Marion has hosted this popular celebration on the second Saturday in October.
Celebrate small-town life in the mountains. Visitors looking for original handicrafts will find plenty of choices for shopping with three jam-packed blocks, featuring over 150 craft, food, non-profit, and sponsor booths of locally made arts and crafts, festival foods, and local restaurants. Plus, two stages presenting Marion’s finest musicians.
Don’t miss the annual Mountain Glory Quilt Show inside the McDowell Arts Council. The quilt show is the gallery’s featured, October exhibit. The kids will have fun in the “Children’s Arena” with hands-on activities, local entertainment and the ever-popular best-dressed pet contest. All activities and entertainment are free and family oriented.
Free shuttle services will run from Rose’s parking lot to the Festival site every half hour. Handicap Parking will be available behind State Farm Insurance. The festival is sponsored by the City of Marion.
For festival information visit mtngloryfestival.com or call (828) 652-2215. To find additional area events, attractions and lodging information, visit blueridgetraveler.com or call toll free (888-233-6111) to receive a free visitor guide and map.
Lincoln County Apple Festival
Oct. 19, 2024, Lincolnton
The annual Lincoln County Apple Festival sure is a-peel-ing. The festival attracts more than 80,000 visitors every year.
Downtown Lincoln transforms into an apple lover’s paradise, with nine blocks of vendors, including five local apple growers, a full-block farmers market, local talent on three stages and more than 200 vendors with crafts and exhibits with something for everyone. Not to mention, just about every type of apple delicacy is available from simple juicy, ripe apples to delicious ciders, yogurts and pies.
Visit lincolncountyapplefestival.com to learn more.
Apple Harvest Festival
Oct. 19, 2024, Waynesville (TBD, see update)
The annual Apple Harvest Festival takes place in beautiful downtown Waynesville, celebrating all things apple. Local growers will be selling many varieties of their delicious mountain-grown apples, and the streets will be filled with almost 200 arts and crafts booths, food, music, cloggers and more. Of course, many vendors will be offering apple cider, cake, pie and other goodies featuring the favorite fall fruit.
The festival runs from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. To learn more, visit haywoodchamber.com or call (828) 456-3021.
Carolina BalloonFest
Oct. 18-20, 2024, Statesville
Iredell County celebrates its heritage of hot-air ballooning at the Carolina BalloonFest the third weekend in October. During the three-day festival, guests will have the opportunity to see hot-air balloons of all shapes and sizes flying above Statesville and watch the balloon glows taking place on Friday and Saturday evening. Attendees can even book their own private hot-air balloon ride or take a tethered balloon ride.
Aside from hot-air balloons, the festival also features an artisan marketplace, a North Carolina wine and beer garden, live entertainment, a kids zone, aerialist circus performances, and more.
To learn more, buy festival tickets or book a hot-air balloon ride, visit carolinaballoonfest.com.
Woolly Worm Festival
Oct. 19-20, 2024, Banner Elk (TBD, see update)
The 47th Annual Woolly Worm Festival takes place the third weekend in October in downtown Banner Elk. This festival is attended by an estimated 20,000 guests each year and is one of the High Country’s largest and most unique festivals.
Up to 1,000 worm racers vie for the top position and the honor of having their worm predict the upcoming winter weather at the festival’s famous Woolly Worm races. The winning worm takes away a whopping $1,000 on Saturday and $500 on Sunday. Worm races are limited, so be sure to come early and register your worm.
Admission is $6 for adults, $4 for children ages 6 to 12, and free for children age 5 and under.
Visit averycounty.com/chamber-events/annual-woolly-worm-festival for more information.
North Carolina Yam Festival
October 26, 2024, Tabor City
Head to Tabor City for a full schedule of yam-themed celebrations on the fourth Saturday in October. This year’s festivities will include cooking contests, a pageant, an art show, a pie eating contest, food and craft vendors, live entertainment and much more.
For more information and festival updates, visit ncyamfestival.com or facebook.com/ncyamfestivalpageant or call (910) 377-3248.
Ferrell Supply Market
Oct. 19, 2024, Lucama
Get your shopping on at the Ferrel Supply Market this fall. With over 40 vendors from food trucks to southern style, find everything you could need or want at this event. The market is hosted by the Ferrell Family and Ferrell Supply store.
For more information or get your tickets in advance, visit ferrellsupply.com.
See more: Ferrell Supply Honors Family and Heritage in Lucama
Hamlet Seaboard Festival
Oct. 26, 2024, Hamlet
All aboard for the Hamlet Seaboard Festival! This annual celebration, which is Richmond County’s largest, honors the city’s heritage as a railroad town. Started in 1982 as a railroad memorabilia display on Main Street, the festival became so popular that it grew into an annual event.
Held on the last Saturday in October, the Seaboard Festival features impressive crafts, delicious food and activities for the whole family, including magicians and fun runs.
Find more information on the festival at seaboardfestival.com or by calling (910) 557-5570.
Albemarle Craftsman’s Fair
Oct. 25-27, 2024, Elizabeth City
Attend the Albemarle Craftsman’s Fair at the Museum of the Albemarle, located at 501 S. Water Street in Elizabeth City, North Carolina. The Albemarle Craftsman’s Fair is one of the oldest juried craft shows in the state and offers fine artisan items, as well as the opportunity to watch the artists demonstrate the creation of their wares. Learn more at albemarlecraftsmansfair.com.
Fun on the Farm at Denton Farm Park
Oct. 25-26, 2024, Denton
Visit Denton Farm Park this October for two days full of family fun. Highlights include pumpkin picking, games, food, sunflowers, train rides, hay rides, inflatables, craft vendors, petting zoo, baked goods and more. Stop in the buildings of the grounds including the general store, church, shoe shop and gas station. For prices and more information, visit dentonfarmpark.com.
