Falling Into the Season: North Carolina Fall Festivals 2023
Remember going to those fall festivals when you were younger? The ones where you would go on hayrides, pick pumpkins and devour sweet apple cider donuts? Ah, the good ol’ days.
As college students, it’s hard to breathe in the crisp autumn air when we’re drowning in coursework and on-campus responsibilities. It’s easy to get overwhelmed and not have time to appreciate the changing season. Lucky for you, we at The Edge know how to provide the best off-campus trips to ease your worries —particularly fun events where you can reenact those fond autumn memories from childhood.
If you are a fall lover, below are some fall festivals across North Carolina to get you out of the Elon bubble and into the fall spirit!
Image from Visit Raleigh
Triangle Oktoberfest
Location: Raleigh, NC
Date: October 6-7, 5-10 p.m. & 12-8 p.m.
Travel Time from Elon: 1-1.5 hours
Whether you are of German heritage, aspire to visit Germany or simply love lagers and pretzels, Triangle Oktoberfest is your place to be. Located in Cary, this festive folk festival is considered one of the largest, most authentic German events in North Carolina. Several food vendors offer authentic German foods, from savory sausage platters to mouth-watering apple strudels. If you are 21+, over 50 types of beers are offered from local craft breweries for you to sip on while listening to German folk music. The event also offers various activities and competitions for people to spectate or compete in, such as the Wiener Dog Race and Stein Hoisting Competition.
The Edge tip: We recommend booking tickets in advance and wearing your best lederhosen or dirndl!
Image from Explore Asheville
Lovely Asheville Annual Fall Festival
Location: Asheville, NC
Date: October 14, 10 a.m.-9 p.m.
Travel Time from Elon: 3 hours
Visiting Asheville in the fall is one of the top things to do in North Carolina. Known for its stunning scenery, Asheville provides plenty of opportunities to appreciate the autumn season, especially at their Lovely Asheville Annual Fall Festival. The event celebrates the natural beauty and conservation of Asheville’s surrounding area, giving tourists and locals alike the chance to admire the change of scenery. One of the many activities offered at the event is the exhibit featuring world-famous celebrities who come from the vibrant city. You get to experience Asheville’s beautiful sights, famous icons and local vendors all in one event. Whether you plan on going for a day trip or a weekend getaway, we recommend bringing a camera to take lots of photos!
Image from Watauga Democrat
Brushy Mountain Apple Festival
Location: North Wilkesboro, NC
Date: October 7, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
Travel Time from Elon: 1.5-2 hours
Known as one of the largest arts and crafts festivals in the Southeast, the Brushy Mountain Apple Festival is the best event to go to for all art lovers. The annual fundraising event commemorates the hard-earned apple harvest by northwestern North Carolina apple farmers. It is located in Downtown North Wilkesboro and is packed with all sorts of local artisans, food concessions, entertainment and, of course, apples! We recommend loading up on Appalachian Heritage crafts and local apple recipes while enjoying live music and folk dance performances. This apple-loving festival will have you munching on apple treats all day long.
Image from This is Raleigh
NC State Fair
Location: Raleigh, NC
Date: October 12-22, 8-12 a.m.
Travel Time from Elon: 1-1.5 hours
You haven’t truly experienced fall in North Carolina if you haven’t gone to the NC State Fair. Starting back in 1853, the NC State Fair has served as the ultimate fairground. This agriculture-based event has everything from livestock shows, carnival rides, art exhibits, food concessions, live music, antique markets and more.
The Edge tip: To have the best time at this grand fair, we recommend you create a guide in advance on where to visit. It’s easy to get carried away with all the NC State Fair has to offer, so we want you to plan ahead for yourself and your friends to have an unforgettable experience!
If you end up making a trip to any of these fall festivals, be sure to DM us your photos @theedgemag on Instagram.