Fall in Asheville isn’t just a season—it’s a celebration.
When the air turns crisp and the mountains shift into technicolor, this creative community comes alive with music, makers, and moments that stay with you. From long-loved traditions to new celebrations born of resilience, this is autumn in the Blue Ridge—deeply-rooted, ever-evolving.
Explore by theme to find your perfect fall itinerary.
Arts, Heritage & Culture
RAD Resilience
September 13 | River Arts District
One year after Hurricane Helene, RAD Resilience tells the story of a community rebuilding—through creativity, connection, and courage. More than 350 artists (including 100 displaced by the storm) share new works across studios and at the RAD Art Market. Expect music, food trucks, interactive projects, and a spirit of transformation that spans the entire district.
Heritage Weekend
September 21–22 | Folk Art Center
Spend the weekend immersed in Southern Appalachian heritage with craft demos, mountain music, and hands-on traditions like blacksmithing and broom-making. The fan-favorite Whimmy Diddle Competition at 2pm celebrates the playful side of cultural preservation.
Asheville Art in the Park
October 4, 11 & 18 | Pack Square Park
Downtown Asheville transforms into an open-air gallery with artists offering handmade goods, from contemporary jewelry to mountain folk art.
Craft Fair of the Southern Highlands
October 16–19 | Harrah’s Cherokee Center
One of Asheville’s oldest traditions, this juried show brings together over 200 makers from across the region. Watch live demos and shop works in wood, clay, fiber, and more—each piece grounded in history, made for today.
Art by the Tracks
October 25 | Black Mountain
Celebrate the region’s artists at this juried fine art and craft show. Held near the historic 1909 railway depot, proceeds support its continued preservation.
Beaverdam Studio Tour
October 25–26 | North Asheville
Meet more than two dozen artists in their home studios throughout Beaverdam Valley. From textiles and sculpture to photography and pottery, this self-guided tour reveals the creative process behind the work.
RADfest
November 8–9 | River Arts District
Asheville’s River Arts District pulses with creative energy during this two-day celebration of art and culture. Connect with local makers in their studios, browse pop-ups, and catch the final days of A Tale of Two Cities, a collaborative exhibit with the New Orleans Academy of Fine Arts.
North Carolina Ceramic Arts Festival
TBD | A-B Tech Conference Center
Explore all things clay at this celebration of ceramic artistry. With nearly 35 national vendors, the festival features tilework, sculpture, pottery, and more—from decorative pieces to functional wares.
Music, Dance, Literary & Cultural Festivals
Goombay Festival
September 5–7 | Pack Square Park
One of Asheville’s longest-running festivals, Goombay honors the richness of the African diaspora with music, food, dance, and community.
Punch Bucket Literary Festival
September 19-20 | The Renaissance Hotel + The Grey Eagle
The second year of this Asheville-based literary festival will feature over eighty author events, including readings, publishing panels, workshops, a book fair, & live music.
Blue Ridge Pride Festival
September 27 | Downtown Asheville
Y’all means all. Celebrate Asheville’s LGBTQ+ community with a joyful parade, performances, and vendor village in Pack Square Park.
Burnpile
October 4, 2025 | Burial Beer Co. Forestry Camp
Burial’s annual music and beer festival brings together 60+ top breweries and an eclectic music lineup featuring Allah-las & Rattlesnake Milk. Held on the historic Forestry Camp campus, this is Asheville’s creative spirit, poured and amplified.
Lovely Asheville Fall Festival
October 11–12 | Pack Square Park
Two days of live music, poetry, food vendors, and family fun—all grounded in the themes of nature, art, and community care.
LEAF Global Arts Festival
October 16–19 | Lake Eden, Black Mountain
A multi-day gathering that brings the world to the mountains. With performances across genres, global cuisine, healing arts, and poetry slams, LEAF is where connection and creativity meet.
Asheville Sessions
November 6-9 | Various Locations
Asheville is commemorating the centennial of the 1925 Asheville Sessions, one of the first commercial recordings of Appalachian music, with a four-day Americana celebration featuring concerts, panel discussions, and the release of a new, remastered album. The event highlights Asheville’s pioneering role in country/roots music history and connects that legacy to its vibrant contemporary music scene.
Trolls: A Field Study by Thomas Dambo
November 15-February 17 | North Carolina Arboretum
From November 15 through February 17, the North Carolina Arboretum hosts Trolls: A Field Study, featuring twelve interactive troll sculptures by Danish artist Thomas Dambo scattered throughout the gardens and trails. Six of the trolls will also join the Arboretum’s Winter Lights display (Nov 15–Jan 4), offering visitors a whimsical way to explore nature, art, and local storytelling.
Hola Asheville
TBD | Pack Square Park
Journey through the cultures of Latin America with music, food, and family-friendly experiences representing more than 20 countries.
Food, Beer & Farm Experiences
Clawtoberfest
September 20, 2025 | Highland Brewing
Raise a stein at Highland’s Oktoberfest celebration for the return of Clawhammer Märzen Lager. Enjoy traditional stein games, food, and music by Lagerhosen and Hustle Souls from 1–9 p.m.
ASAP Farm Tour
September 20–21 | WNC Farms
Tour working farms across Western North Carolina, meet the growers, and enjoy seasonal tastings. A self-guided experience that reconnects visitors with the roots of local food.
Asheville Greek Festival
September 26–27 | Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church
A tradition of food, dance, and hospitality. Take in the sights and sounds of Greek culture—and don’t forget to try the drive-thru for grab-and-go delicacies.
Carolina Mountain Cheese Fest
September 28 | Oak & Grist, Black Mountain
Come hungry—this lively event features tastings, demos, and vendors celebrating the region’s artisan cheese community.
Asheville VeganFest
October 5 | Pack Square Park
Celebrate compassionate living and plant-based innovation with cruelty-free goods, food trucks, and community wellness experiences.
Burton Street Community Fair
TBD | West Asheville
Celebrate West Asheville’s historic Burton Street neighborhood with local food, live music, and a spirit of neighborhood pride.
Outdoor Adventures & Seasonal Races
Oktoberfest Half Marathon & 5K
September 27 | Hi-Wire Brewing, River Arts District
After being flooded in 2024, this race returns stronger than ever—just like Asheville. Celebrate resilience with a scenic run through the RAD and Montford, followed by a beer at the finish line.
Wicked Spooky 5K
October 25 | South Slope
A costume race through downtown Asheville, starting and finishing at the Funkatorium. Fun, festive, and a little frightful.
Nature, Family & Farm Fun
Flock to the Rock
September 13 | Chimney Rock State Park
Chimney Rock is back open, and so is its signature fall event. See raptors up close, enjoy guided hikes, and catch the hawk migration from one of the most stunning views in the state.
Eliada Fall Festival & Corn Maze
Sept. 26–Nov. 1 (Weekends Only) | Eliada Home
Every dollar supports kids at Eliada Home. Enjoy the giant corn maze, hayrides, jumping pillow, and more.
Haunted Trail at Adventure Center of Asheville
Oct. 3–4, 10–11, 17–19, 23–26
Spooky lights, silly scares, pirates, and mermaids. Designed for kids (and grown-ups who are kids at heart), this is Halloween Asheville-style.
Black Mountain Home Fall Festival
October 11 | Black Mountain
A free, family-friendly day with hayrides, music, games, a car show, and silent auction—all on the scenic campus of Black Mountain Home.
Live music, theater and comedy is back in Asheville! Check out some of these acts hitting the stage in Asheville this fall.
September Highlights
September 3, 2025: LUCERO: Celebrating 20 years of “Nobody’s Darlings” at Grey Eagle Music Hall
September 5–27, 2025: The Montford Park Players present King Lear at Hazel Robinson Amphitheatre
September 5, 2025: Katie Pruitt – The Time Wasn’t Wasted Tour at Wortham Center for the Performing Arts
September 6, 2025: GODSPEED YOU! BLACK EMPEROR at Hatch Amphitheater
September 6, 2025: The Brian Jonestown Massacre at The Orange Peel
September 7, 2025: Christone “Kingfish” Ingram at The Orange Peel
September 10, 2025: James McMurtry at Grey Eagle Music Hall
September 10, 2025: Pixies with Spoon and Fazerdaze at Asheville Yards
September 11, 2025: Jo Koy: Just Being Koy Tour at Thomas Wolfe Auditorium
September 13, 2025: Michael Franti & Spearhead with The Elovaters at Asheville Yards
September 14, 2025: Sierra Ferrell at Asheville Yards
September 16, 2025: Panda Bear at The Orange Peel
September 16, 2025: Vance Joy with Sammy Rae & The Friends, Jonah Kagen, and Kyle Schuesler at Asheville Yards
September 17, 2025: Turnstile with Mannequin Pussy, Speed, and Jane Remover at Asheville Yards
September 19 – October 12, 2025: Grease at Asheville Community Theatre
September 20, 2025: THE MOUNTAIN GOATS at Hatch Amphitheater
September 20, 2025: Stereolab at The Orange Peel
September 21, 2025: Father John Misty with Cut Worms at Asheville Yards
September 23, 2025: Lucy Dacus at Asheville Yards
September 24, 2025: Mt. Joy – 2025 HOPE WE HAVE FUN Tour at ExploreAsheville.com Arena
September 24 – October 12, 2025: The Shark is Broken at NC Stage
September 27, 2025: Molly Tuttle at The Orange Peel
September 27, 2025: Rilo Kiley at Asheville Yards
September 27, 2025: Soweto Gospel Choir at Wortham Center for the Performing Arts
October Highlights
October 1, 2025: Lake Street Dive with Trousdale at Asheville Yards
October 2, 2025: Wheatus (Acoustic) at Grey Eagle Music Hall
October 3–25, 2025: The Montford Park Players present She Kills Monsters at Hazel Robinson Amphitheatre
October 8, 2025: Neko Case at The Orange Peel
October 9, 2025: Aaron Lewis and the Stateliners – American As It Gets Tour at Thomas Wolfe Auditorium
October 10, 2025: Black Moth Super Rainbow at Grey Eagle Music Hall
October 10, 2025: Ben Folds With The Asheville Symphony at Thomas Wolfe Auditorium
October 10-11, 2025: Pilobolus: Other Words Collection at Wortham Center for the Performing Arts
October 14, 2025: Black Rebel Motorcycle Club at The Orange Peel
October 15, 2025: Ben Sollee at Grey Eagle Music Hall
October 15, 2025: MJ Lenderman with David Nance & Mowed Sound at Asheville Yards
October 20, 2025: AFI at The Orange Peel
October 21, 2025: Joanne Shaw Taylor at Wortham Center for the Performing Arts
October 23, 2025: Josh Blue: Berserker Tour at Wortham Center for the Performing Arts
October 25, 2025: Turnpike Troubadours: Wild America Tour with Dawes and Robert Ellis at ExploreAsheville.com Arena
October 29, 2025: Parcels at ExploreAsheville.com Arena
October 31, 2025: Paula Poundstone at Wortham Center for the Performing Arts
November Highlights
November 2, 2025: Indigo De Souza at The Orange Peel
November 3, 2025: Purity Ring at The Orange Peel
November 5 – November 23, 2025: Is This a Room at NC Stage
November 7, 2025: TOBYMAC – Heaven on My Mind: Start to Finish at Thomas Wolfe Auditorium
November 9, 2025: Geese – The Getting Killed Tour at Grey Eagle Music Hall
November 11, 2025: Bowling for Soup at The Orange Peel
November 12, 2025: Durand Jones & The Indications at The Orange Peel
November 13, 2025: The Lemonheads: Love Chant World Tour at Grey Eagle Music Hall
November 14, 2025: Murder By Death: Farewell Tour 2025 w/ BJ Barham at Grey Eagle Music Hall
November 14, 2025: José González at The Orange Peel
November 15, 2025: Dwight Yoakam & The Mavericks at ExploreAsheville.com Arena November 16, 2025: NEEDTOBREATHE – The Barely Elegant Acoustic Tour at Thomas Wolfe Auditorium
November 16, 2025: Garrison Keillor Tonight! at Wortham Center for the Performing Arts
November 17-19, 2025: They Might Be Giants at The Orange Peel
November 21-22, 2025: Watchhouse at The Orange Peel
