There’s really no better time to visit Asheville than the fall and not just for the beautiful leaf season, but because there’s so much going on in
Asheville fall sunset
the mountains. Fall finally ushers in cooler nights and crisp, sunny days. It’s finally sweater weather season and everyone wants to get out and see what makes our area unique. Festivals are endless during this time of year and here we’re going to highlight some of the ones to look forward to.
Asheville Festivals:
Chow Chow Festival will bring together Asheville area farmers, brewers, chefs, artists, and more to showcase Asheville’s creative and expansive culinary scene with a variety of events throughout the weekend. The three-day festival will take place in downtown Asheville, with many of the events taking place at Pack Square. There are numerous free and ticketed events taking place, including demonstrations from chefs and artisans, wine and beer tastings, community yoga, and live music.
- WHERE: Downtown Asheville at Pack Square Park
- WHEN: September 12-15
NC Ceramic Arts Festival ceramic artists will set up in Pack Square Park to showcase various ceramic arts, like tilework, sculpture, jewelry, and pottery. The festival will also include food truck vendors and live entertainment.
- WHERE: Downtown Asheville at Pack Square Park
- WHEN: September 21 from 11am - 5pm
23rd Annual Brewgrass Music Festival, Western North Carolina’s original craft beer festival, is transforming from a beer festival to a bluegrass music festival, highlighting regionally and nationally known bluegrass musicians. Headliners include the Sam Bush Band, Unspoken tradition, Jaime Kent, and Sanctum Sully. While the traditional beer tasting is no longer included, there will be nine different bars present during the festival, serving over 100 beers and ciders for festival attendees to enjoy.
- WHERE: Salvage Station
- WHEN: October 5 from 3pm - midnight
WNC Garlic Festival is a celebration of all things garlic (and a designated vampire safety zone). Festival attendees can enjoy traditional and unique garlic dishes, including garlic ice cream with garlic sprinkles, garlic fudge, garlic cookies, or honey fermented garlic.
- WHERE: Downtown Asheville at Sow True Seed
- WHEN: October 5 from noon - 6pm
Asheville Oktoberfest is a little taste of Germany with Asheville flair. This festival celebrates Asheville’s local beer scene, showcasing a variety of beer and ciders from 20 breweries- many will feature a seasonal ale specific for Oktoberfest. Enjoy traditional German side dishes, including bratwurst and pretzels while you listen to yodeling and Polka music coming from the stage. The Oktoberfest Games will also return with Brezel Toss (pretzel toss), Stein Hissen (stein hoist), Staffellauf (relay race), and Fass Roll (Keg Roll). Event is likely to sell out, so advance ticket purchases are available.
- WHERE: Downtown Asheville at Pack Square Park
- WHEN: October 5 from 1pm - 6pm
Festivals East of Asheville:
The WNC Bigfoot Festival is an all-encompassing festival honoring the elusive creature all while showcasing Marion’s local beer, food and restaurants, music, arts, crafts, and culture. This Bigfoot themed festival features a Town Hall session with the stories from locals about their Bigfoot sightings, a Bigfoot Calling Contest, Bigfoot Knocking Contest, and the Bigfoot 5K. This year’s expanded, two day festival, will also feature a Bigfoot Film Festival and over 150 vendors selling a wide range of handcrafted and Bigfoot inspired goods.
- WHERE: Downtown Marion
- WHEN: September 13 from 6pm - 9pm and September 14 from 9am - 4pm
Mountain Glory Festival is a craft fair festival, featuring locally made arts and crafts. Enjoy lots of classic festival foods and a wide variety of entertainment, focusing on old time mountain music. There is also a “Children’s Arena” with hands-on activities and the popular best-dressed pet contest. This festival is fun for the entire family!
- WHERE: Downtown Marion
- WHEN: October 12 from 9am - 5pm
Fall LEAF Festival will have over 12,000 people from all over the country coming together to experience this music and arts festival at the beautiful Lake Eden. LEAF Festival features six performance stages, eight family adventure villages, over 100 vendors, over 400 performing artists, and dozens of interactive activity centers.
- WHERE: Lake Eden in Black Mountain
- WHEN: October 17-20
Festivals South of Asheville:
Dirty Dancing Festival this popular Lake Lure festival celebrates the iconic film Dirty Dancing. Kick start the weekend with a Friday night, lakeside showing of the movie. Saturday you’ll have the time of your life with movie-inspired dance lessons and activities like a watermelon carrying contest, movie character look-alike contest, and a lake lift competition.
- WHERE: Morse Park Meadows in Lake Lure
- WHEN: September 13 from 5pm - 11pm and September 14 from 9am - 5pm
2019 Lake Lure Arts & Crafts Festival features only artisans who sell their own hand-made creations, such as candles, jewelry, pottery, metal, and more. There are over 90 artisans vendors, along with food vendors, live music, mini golf and face painting for the kids.
- WHERE: Lake Lure
- WHEN: October 19-20 from 10am - 6pm
Tryon International Film Festival, now in is its 5th year is an internationally recognized film festival. The film festival takes place downtown, with shops, restaurants and bars hosting filmmakers and fans. Seven screening venues, including the beautifully renovated Tryon Theatre, are open during the three-day festival and will wrap up with an awards ceremony on Sunday evening. Attendees can also walk the streets of historic Tryon and enjoy the parties, live entertainment, and art.
- WHERE: Downtown Tryon
- WHEN: October 11-13
Transylvania's 37th Halloweenfest is an all-day festival in the heart of Brevard. Start the action with the Flight of the Vampire 5K, 10K, and Children’s Fun Run- sure to get your blood pumping. Crafters, artists, and food vendors will line the streets for Heart of Brevard’s street festival. Enjoy pumpkin carving and costume contests, pumpkin plinko, downtown trick-or-treating, and a pet costume contest and parade.
- WHERE: Downtown Brevard
- WHEN: October 26 from 8am - 5pm
2019 Tryon Beer Festival features an array of local, regional and national craft beers, along with an oyster roast, authentic German food, games, and other treats. Live music with Asheville’s Empire Strikes Brass headlining the festival. The festival is limited to 1000 attendees, giving this festival an authentic small-town festival feel with a relaxed, fun atmosphere.
- WHERE: Downtown Tryon at Depot Plaza
- WHEN: November 2 from 2pm - 6pm
Festivals North of Asheville:
Appalachian Folk Fest celebrates the traditions and culture of the people who have called the North Carolina mountains homes since the early 1800s. Attendees can tour The Vance Birthplace, make your own candle, watch blacksmiths at work, and try their hand at the potter’s wheel. The festival also features bluegrass and gospel music, along with crafts and food from Mountain View Barbecue and Deli.
- WHERE: Weaverville at Vance Birthplace
- WHEN: October 19 from 10am - 3pm
No Place Like Homeplace Beer Fest returns for the second year and will highlight 19 regional breweries and cideries, some recognizable and established regional favorites, along with some up-and-coming brands. Located in Burnsville, attendees will get to experience the beautiful town and countryside of Yancey County, along with brews, great food vendors and live music!
- WHERE: Downtown Burnsville
- WHEN: September 28 from 5pm - 9pm
Where to Stay
Greybeard has vacation rentals available to help you explore the very best of our mountain communities. See a festival you’re interested in? Click on the links below to check out our rentals in those areas.
- Asheville Rentals- within 15 minutes of downtown
- East of Asheville Rentals
- South of Asheville Rentals
- North of Asheville Rentals