There’s something extra special about the Great Smoky Mountains in the fall. Maybe it’s the perfectly crisp chill in the autumn air, or the changing of the leaves and the growing carpets of them fallen on forest trails. It could also be the fall festivities in these mountain towns, welcoming the changing of seasons and celebrating the hard-earned harvest. Planning your trip around fall events in the Smokies will add that extra something special to your time here, guaranteed.
Here are some fall events in the Smokies to help make the most of your annual visit.
September Fall Events
September 22-27: Mountain Heritage Days
- Location: Western Carolina University, Cullowhee, NC
- Time: Saturday (Main Event) Sept 27th, 11am – 3pm
- Details: What started as a one-day event is now expanding to an entire week of opportunities to become immersed in Appalachian culture and history on the beautiful campus of WCU through faculty-led lectures and hands-on involvement. Another addition to this year’s celebration is live music on Friday night at Bridge Park in Sylva. The main event on Saturday will have its traditional array of family-friendly activities such as music and clogging, mule and tractor rides, cultural demonstrations, arts and crafts vendors, and festival foods.
October Fall Events
October 4-5: John C. Campbell Folk Art School Annual Fall Festival
- Location: John C. Campbell Folk Art School campus, Brasstown, NC
- Details: The 49th annual Fall Festival welcomes back the artists who share their craft and the community and visitors who show up to appreciate it. It’s a weekend filled with music, dancing, art, craft, and delicious regionally-inspired food on a beautiful 270-acre campus.
October 10-12: Cashiers Valley Leaf Festival
- Locations: On the Village Green, Cashiers, NC
- Time: Saturday & Sunday 10am – 5pm, Sunday 10am – 3pm
- Details: Cashiers Valley Leaf Festival takes place on the Village Green in Cashiers and is free to attend. You’ll find all the art and craft that makes the Cashiers area special, from unique hand-crafted woodwork to fiber arts and more. Of course, there’ll be food trucks and live music, too.
October 18: Pumpkinfest
- Location: Franklin, NC
- Time: Saturday, 9am – 4pm, Rain or Shine
- Details: This annual celebration of all things Fall is in its 29th year of letting the good times roll! This is Franklin’s largest street festival, which serves up traditional fall festival sights and sounds along with some more unconventional (and super fun) activities to delight the whole family. Go for the World Famous Pumpkin Roll contest, the parade, and the more than 100 vendors.
October 18: Apple Harvest Festival
- Location: Downtown Waynesville, NC
- Time: Saturday, 10am – 5pm
- Details: Named one of the “10 Best Fall Harvest Festivals in the Nation, this annual celebration of everything apple and beyond is in its 37th year of charming everyone who attends. Go hungry and leave satisfied. Historic Main Street is filled with arts and crafts vendors and food trucks, in addition to the local shops and restaurants.
October 18: Harvest Festival
- Location: Stecoah Valley Center, Robbinsville, NC
- Saturday 10am – 5pm
- Details: Enjoy a full day of autumnal fun, with music, dancing, food, heritage demonstrations, arts & crafts vendors, clogging, and a quilt show, all with a county fair air. Kids’ activities include face painting, pumpkin blowing, and a scavenger hunt.
October 18-19: Maggie Valley Arts and Crafts Festival
- Location: Maggie Valley, NC
- Time: Saturday & Sunday, 9am – 4pm
- Details: This is Maggie Valley’s largest gathering, showcasing the best artisans of the Southeast. You will find a bit of everything at this popular and longest-running event at the Maggie Valley Festival Grounds. Regional art and craft takes the main stage, but of course, there are fun discoveries and lots of food options all weekend.
October 24-26: NOC Haunted Guest Appreciation Weekend
- Location: NOC Campus, Bryson City, NC
- Time: Friday 11am – Sunday 8pm
- Details: Get outdoors with the Nantahala Outdoor Center during their Guest Appreciation Festival weekend. It’s a time to enjoy gear sales, face painting, live music, an artisan market, and your last chance for rafting, zip-lining, and mountain biking for the 2025 season. Plus, this year, they’re throwing a spooky twist in the mix with Halloween around the corner.
October 25: Smoky Mountain Bluegrass Festival
- Location: Maggie Valley, NC
- Time: Saturday 11am – 6pm
- Details: Bask in bluegrass music all day at the Smoky Mountain Bluegrass Festival, held on the beautiful Maggie Valley Festival Grounds. This is a MUST for bluegrass lovers, but there’s something for everyone—artist demonstrations, music, raffles, great food, and a play area for kids (and adults)—oh, and award-winning bluegrass bands.
October 25-26: Darnell Farms Plow Days
- Location: Bryson City, NC
- Time: All Day
- Details: Join Darnell Farms in Bryson City, NC, for the annual Plow Days Festival. Fun activities for all ages, including a corn maze, plow demonstrations, butter beer, and apple cider floats! This is the ultimate fall vibes festival on a beautiful family farm.
November Fall Events
November 8: WNC Pottery Festival
- Location: Sylva, NC
- Time: Saturday 10am – 4pm, Rain or shine
- Details: The WNC Pottery Festival at Sylva Bridge Park showcases clay artists from around the country. This is a must-see for pottery enthusiasts, featuring over 40 master potters giving live demonstrations. There is a $5 entrance fee, and no dogs are allowed.
November 15-17: Annual WNC Festival of Trees
- Location: The Beal Center, Hayesville, NC
- Time: Friday & Saturday 10am – 6pm and Sunday 10am – 4pm
- Details: For those eager to start holiday decorating, don’t miss the Annual WNC Festival of Trees at the Beal Center in Hayesville, NC. Expect decorated trees, a vendor market, and the opportunity to feel good by supporting local scholarships and community programs, with 100% of proceeds going to charity.
Ongoing Fall Event
Throughout the Fall (Sept 13 – Nov 2): Darnell Farms Events
- Location: Swain County, Bryson City, NC
- Details: Family fun on hay rides, getting lost in the corn maze, and spending time in the pumpkin patch on this family-owned farm.
We look forward to welcoming you to these fall events in the Smokies! Plan your trip today.