2026 north carolina october festivals
Fall is one of the best times of year to be in North Carolina. Families all over the Triad look forward to crisp mornings, colorful leaves, and weekends packed with fall fun. If you’ve been searching for a October 2026 calendar with festivals, you’re in the right place. Whether you love browsing craft vendors, enjoying live music, sampling delicious bites from food trucks, or watching your kids light up on carnival rides, there’s a festival nearby perfect for the whole family.
Many families are looking for things to do in October, especially with kids between sports, school, and Halloween excitement. The truth is, it can feel overwhelming to find events that work for all ages. That’s why we’ve pulled together a complete list of October festivals 2025 and family-friendly activities happening across the Triad and beyond. Here are some of the biggest fall festivals in NC. These events are all about making memories and giving your family fun ways to celebrate the season.
Have an event to add? Please email us here and we will add it to our directory. Don’t forget to check out our Pumpkin Patch Directory and our events calendar!
Ongoing Fall Festivals & Events
These are the festivals and fall activities running throughout October that you can drop in on most weekends. Perfect if you’re planning ahead or looking for something spontaneous to do with the kids.
Ghost Train® Halloween Festival – Tweetsie Railroad
Address: Tweetsie Railroad, Blowing Rock, NC
Website: tweetsie.com
Date(s): September 25 – October 31, 2026 (Friday & Saturday nights)
Fun on the Farm – Patterson Farm
Address: 10390 Caldwell Rd, Mount Ulla, NC
Website: visitpattersonfarm.com
Date(s): September 14 – November 21, 2026
The Farm Dobson
Address: 769 Bray Ford Road, Dobson, NC
Website: letsgotothefarm.com
Date(s): September 12 – November 8, 2026
Pumpkin Parties
Address: Reserving Royalty Character Company & Children’s Venue, High Point, NC
Date: Various dates in October
Details: https://www.reservingroyalty.com/events
Maize Adventure
Address: 1615 Kersey Valley Road, Archdale, NC
Website: maizeadventure.com
Date(s): Saturdays & Sundays September 26 – November 1, 2026
Wicked Whimsies Haunted Trail
Address: 6130 Yadkinville Road, Pfafftown, NC
Website: wickedwhimsies.com
Date(s): Fridays and Saturdays in October 2026 (not October 31), Lil Whimsies Wednesday, October 21
Fall-O-Ween at Jellystone Park
Address: Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park Campground, Asheboro, NC
Website: asheborojellystone.com/events-calendar
Date(s): Weekends in October 2026
Capybara Pumpkin Carving – Liberty Acres Animal Haven & Equine Rescue
Address: 8790 Sylvan Rd, Liberty, NC 27298
Website: libertyacres.org
Dates: September 26 – October 31, 2026
Spooky Woods
Address: 1615 Kersey Valley Road, Archdale, NC
Website: spookywoods.com
Date(s): Weekends, October 2 – November 7, 2026 (evenings only)
Scarrigan Farms
Address: 1213 Oak Ridge Farm, Mooresville, NC
Website: scarriganfarms.com
Date(s): Select dates October 2 – November 1, 2026
Scream Dreams
Address: Thomasville, NC
Website: HOME –
Date(s): Every Friday and Saturday in October 2026
Hubb’s Farm Corn Maze and Pumpkin Patch
Address: 10276 US Hwy 421 North, Clinton, NC
Website: hubbsfarmnc.com
Date(s): September 19 – November 7, 2026
Armstrong Artisan Farm Fall Activities
Address: 1499 Brook Cove Rd., Walnut Cove, NC
Website: armstrongartisanfarm.com
Date(s): Now through October 31, 2026
Fall on the Farm at Smith Hollow Farm
Address: 5920 Smith Hollow Road, Kernersville, NC
Website: smithhollowfarm.com/fall-festival-corn-maze-pumpkin-patch
Date(s): Saturdays & Sundays October 3 – November 8, 2026
Carolina Classic Fair
Address: Winston-Salem, NC
Website: carolinaclassicfair.com
Date(s): October 2 – 11, 2026
Carolina Renaissance Festival
Address: Huntersville, NC
Website: carolina.renfestinfo.com
Date(s): Saturdays & Sundays, October 3 – November 22, 2026
The Corntacular Adventure
Address: Harvests Ridge Farm, 545 Service Road, Ruffin, NC
Website: comegetlost.com
Date(s): October 1 – 31, 2026
Alpha & Omega Corn Maze
Address: 1129 Cheek Road, Hamptonville, NC
Website: alphaomegacornmaze.com
Date(s): Now through November 14, 2026
Rainbow Magic Alpaca Farm Pumpkin Patch
Address: 3628 Lewiston Rd. Greensboro, NC
Website: https://www.rainbowmagicalpacafarm.com/
Dates: September 23 – October 31, 2026
First Weekend of October 2026
Kick off the month at the Carolina Classic Fair or enjoy a road trip to the Renaissance Festival. These big events mix live music, carnival rides, and plenty of food truck bites.
Day Out with Thomas
Address: NC Transportation Museum, Salisbury, NC
Date: September 25-27 & October 2-4
Details: https://www.nctransportationmuseum.org/day-out-with-thomas/
Ultimate Fall Fest
Address: Ultimate Kids, Greensboro, NC
Date: October 3, 2026, 3 pm – 6 pm
Details: Ultimate Kids
Bell Tower Brewfest
Address: Downtown Salisbury, NC
Date: October 3, 2026, 12 pm – 6 pm
Details: Bell Tower BREWFEST – Downtown Salisbury, NC
Brushy Mountain Apple Festival
Address: North Wilkesboro, NC
Date: October 3, 2026
Website: applefestival.net
Asheboro Fall Festival
Address: Downtown Asheboro, NC
Date: October 3, 2026, 10 am – 5:30 pm
Details: 51st Annual Asheboro Fall Festival
Whitsett Harvest Festival
Address: 811 NC-61, Whitsett, NC
Date: October 3, 2026, 10am-3pm
Details: (7) WHITSETT ANNUAL FALL FESTIVAL | Facebook
AutumnFest
Address: Downtown Mebane, NC
Date: October 3, 2026, 10 am – 5 pm
Details: https://www.visitdowntownmebane.com/autumnfest
Kernersville Oktoberfest
Address: Körner’s Folly, Kernersville, NC
Date: October 3, 2026, 1:30pm – 6pm
Details: Featured Events – Körner’s Folly
Summerfield Touch-a-Truck
Address: Summerfield Athletic Park, Summerfield, NC
Date: October 3, 2026, 10:00 am – 1:00 pm
Details: (7) Facebook
Art in the Arboretum
Address: Greensboro Arboretum, Greensboro, NC
Date: October 4, 2026, 1 pm – 5 pm
Details: https://greensborobeautiful.org/artinthearboretum/
October weekends are full of local farm festivals across NC. Corn mazes, apple cider donuts, and pumpkin picking dominate the scene. It’s the perfect time for family photos among the fall colors.
The Autumn Leaves Festival
Address: Downtown Mount Airy, NC
Date: October 9 – 11, 2026
Website: autumnleavesfestival.com
Bur-Mil Park Fall Festival
Address: Bur-Mil Park, Greensboro, NC
Date: October 10, 2026, 10 am – 3 pm
Details: https://www.guilfordcountync.gov/government/departments-and-agencies/parks/parks/bur-mil-park/fall-fest
Fall on the Farm
Address: A Fairview Farm, 3053 Fairview Farm Rd, Asheboro, NC
Date: October 10, 2026, 5 pm – 9 pm
Details: Fall on the Farm Ticket – Presale **Reduced** | A Fairview Farm
Boo Bash Carnival
Address: High Point City Lake Park, High Point, NC
Date: October 10, 2026, 2 pm – 8 pm
Details: Boo Bash Carnival
Kaleideum After Dark: The Witching Hours
Address: Kaleideum, Winston-Salem, NC
Date: October 10, 2026, 2 pm – 8 pm
Details: Boo Bash Carnival
Junior League of Greensboro’s Play with Purpose
Date: October 11, 2026 from 1 pm to 5 pm
Location: Miriam P. Brenner Children’s Museum, Greensboro, NC
Details: Play with Purpose: Growing Healthy Futures – Junior League of Greensboro, NC
Horizons Fall Fest
Address: Horizons Residential Care Center, Rural Hall, NC
Date: October 11, 2026, 1 pm – 5 pm
Details: https://www.horizonscenter.org/horizons-fall-fest/
Yadktober Fest 2026
Address: Shallow Ford Daylily Farm, 2021 Daylily Farm Drive, Yadkinville, NC
Date: October 11, 2026
Website: Yadkin Riverkeeper
Carolina Balloon Festival
Date: October 16-18, 2026
Location: Statesville, NC
Details: https://www.carolinaballoonfest.com/
Wooly Worm Festival
Address: Banner Elk, NC
Date: October 17 & 18, 2026, Sat 9 am – 5 pm, Sun 9 am – 4 pm
Details: Woolly Worm Festival – Banner Elk, NC | NC Fall Festival
Ardmore RAH (1 mile, 5K and 10K runs) and Festival
Date: October 17, 2026 from 8 am – 11:30 am
Location: Redeemer Church, Winston-Salem, NC
Details: runsignup.com
Boo at the Zoo
Date: October 17 and 18, 2026 from 9 am to 3 pm
Location: NC Zoo, Asheboro, NC
Details: North Carolina Zoo
Fall For Madison Festival
Date: October 17, 2026 from 10 am to 5 pm
Location: Downtown Madison, NC
Details: Fall For Madison Festival
Yadkin Valley Grape Festival
Date: October 17, 2026 from 11 am – 5 pm
Location: Downtown Yadkinville, NC
Details: yvgf.com
Ghost Stories in the Historical Park
Date: October 17, 2026 from 6 pm to 7:30 pm
Location: High Point Museum, High Point, NC
Details: Calendar • Ghost Stories in the Historical Park
Quaker Lake Pumpkin Festival
Date: October 17, 2026 from 2 pm to 6:30 pm
Location: Quaker Lake Camp, Climax, NC
Details: Facebook Event
As Halloween approaches, you’ll still find plenty of non-spooky fall festivals. From apple festivals in the mountains to downtown art walks, the last weeks of October round out the season.
Lil’ Whimsies Night
Date: October 21, 2026 from 6 – 8 pm
Location: Wicked Whimsies Haunted Attraction, Pfafftown, NC
Details: Home
Boo at the Zoo
Date: October 24 and 25, 2026 from 9 am to 3 pm
Location: NC Zoo, Asheboro, NC
Details: North Carolina Zoo
Hocus Pocus Halloween Bash
Oct. 22 and 23, 2026 from 5 pm to 9 pm
Summerfield Farms
Details here: Hocus Pocus Halloween Bash Tickets, Multiple Dates
NASCAR Day Festival
Address: Randleman, NC
Date: October 24, 2026, 9 am – 6 pm
Details: https://randlemanchamber.com/nascar-day-festival
Best Halloween Events & Trunk or Treats in the Triad 2026
Details: https://triadmomsonmain.com/best-halloween-events-trunk-or-treats-in-the-triad/
Fall Fest
October 30, 2026 from 6 – 8:30 pm
Calvary Baptist Church, Peace Haven Rd, Winston-Salem
Details here: Fall Fest | Calvary (calvarynow.com)
Fun on the Farm
October 31, 2026 from 9 am – 5 pm
Denton FarmPark
Details here: Fun on the Farm
Don’t forget the food. NC October festivals are famous for barbecue plates, apple cider, roasted corn, and funnel cakes. Pair that with local craft vendors and carnival rides, and you’ve got a perfect family day.
The North Carolina Seafood Festival
Dates: October 2-4, 2026
Address: 412 D Evans Street, Morehead City, NC 28557
Website: http://www.ncseafoodfestival.org/
Triangle Oktoberfest
Date : October 2-3, 2026
Location: Cary, NC
Details: https://www.triangleoktoberfest.org/
NC State Fair
Date: October 15-25, 2026
Location: Raleigh, NC
Details: https://www.ncagr.gov/divisions/ncstatefair
NC Oyster Festival
Date: October 17 & 18, 2026
Location: Ocean Isle Beach, NC
Details: https://ncoysterfestival.com/
NC Livermush Festival
Date: October 17, 2026
Location: Uptown Shelby, NC
Details: https://www.nclivermushfestival.com/
Lexington BBQ Festival
Address: Main Street, Lexington, NC 27292
Website: https://www.barbecuefestival.com
Dates: Saturday, October 24, 2026
Greensboro Italian Festival
Date: October 24, 2026
Address: 2210 North Elm Street Greensboro, NC 27408
Website: ITALIAN FESTIVAL | St. Pius X
If you love live entertainment, don’t miss the October music festivals happening across the state. From bluegrass in the mountains to jazz and folk closer to the Triad, these festivals offer fun for adults while still being kid-friendly. Bring a blanket, grab something tasty from the food trucks, and let the kids dance while you relax.
Shakori Hills GrassRoots Festival of Music & Dance
Address: Shakori Hills Community Arts Center, Pittsboro, NC
Date: October 1-4, 2026
Details: Shakori Hills
Busker’s Bash
Address: Downtown Salisbury, NC
Date: October 2, 2026, 5 pm
Details: https://www.ncfestivals.com/events/2025/downtown-salisbury-best-buskers-bash
Hola Charlotte Festival
Date: October 3, 2026 from 12 pm – 7 pm
Location: Uptown Charlotte, NC
Website: https://www.holacharlottefestival.com/
Confluence: The Carolinas’ #1 Music Industry Conference + Showcase Fest
Date: October 7-10, 2026
Location: Charlotte, NC
Website: https://confluencecarolinas.com/
Sleepy Fest
Date: October 31, 2026
Location: Saxapahaw, NC at Haw River Ballroom
Website: https://www.sleepycatrec.com/sleepyfest
Why Families Love NC October Festivals
Parents love that these festivals have something for everyone. Toddlers get pony rides and pumpkin painting. Older kids enjoy corn mazes and haunted trails. Parents get local shopping, craft beer tents, and live music. Best of all, the whole family makes memories together.
Attending NC October festivals is also a chance to support local businesses and farmers. Many events take place on family-owned farms or downtown streets filled with small vendors. By showing up, you’re not just making your kids smile—you’re giving back to your community.
FAQ: October Festivals Near Me
What are the best fall festivals in NC for families?
The Carolina Classic Fair in Winston-Salem, Patterson Farm in Mount Ulla, and Tweetsie Railroad’s Ghost Train are all great picks for family-friendly fun.
Are there October festivals near me that include live music?
Yes! The Carolina Renaissance Festival and many county fairs feature live music along with food trucks and rides.
Do October festivals have food trucks?
Most do! Food trucks are a staple at NC fall festivals 2025, offering everything from funnel cakes to BBQ.
When is the Carolina Classic Fair in 2025?
The fair runs October 3 – 12, 2025, at the Winston-Salem fairgrounds.
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