101 North Carolina Festivals: October

Autumn Leaves Festival

Sponsored by Surry-Yadkin EMC
Mt. Airy | autumnleavesfestival.com

The Autumn Leaves Festival is held in Mt. Airy, NC each fall and showcases our rich musical heritage, such as Old-Time, Blue Grass and Gospel performed by local musicians on the downtown stage. The unique arts & crafts of more than 200 craftsmen line the streets with many demonstrating their talents and skills passed down through the generations. Then there is “Food for the Soul” – ham biscuits, collards & cornbread, barbeque, hamburgers, ground steak and more served with hospitality by our local civic and other community groups.

Barbecue Festival

Sponsored by EnergyUnited
Lexington | barbecuefestival.com

There’s nothing like sniffing the aroma, sharing the flavor, enjoying the taste and savoring every morsel of a barbecue sandwich with thousands of other people at the same time. Festival attendees will be treated to the finest arts/crafts, the most exciting entertainment, fantastic special attractions, and of course, the best barbecue in the world!

Beast Fest

Sponsored by Four County EMC
Bladensboro | boosttheboro.org

Carnival rides, a wide variety of food vendors, arts & crafts vendors, performers, a children's halloween costume contest. At dusk, a live production "trunk or treat" will be going on for kids under 12.

Carolina BalloonFest

Sponsored by EnergyUnited
Statesville | carolinaballoonfest.com

A fun-filled weekend of entertainment, attractions and family activities. Bring cameras, lawn chairs and blankets to enjoy over 50 colorful hot air balloons which are scheduled to launch twice daily.

Carolina Kite Festival

Sponsored by Carteret-Craven Electric Cooperative
Atlantic Beach | birdsandkites.com

See colorful kites from around the world, candy drops for the children, kite building for kids, team flying, plus ascensions of kites of all kinds!

Carolina Renaissance Festival

Huntersville | carolina.renfestinfo.com

The Carolina Renaissance Festival operates 8 consecutive weekends, Saturdays and Sundays, October and November.

Havelock Chili Festival

Sponsored by Carteret-Craven Electric Cooperative
Havelock
chilifestival.org

Havelock's largest annual charity event with cooking contests, vendors and more.

Lake Eden Arts Festival (LEAF)

Black Mountain | theleaf.org

Each May & October an intergenerational family of 12,000 people join together upon the beautiful Lake Eden grounds to experience the power music, art and culture has to transform lives, strengthen community, and foster unity.

NC Oyster Festival

Sponsored by Brunswick Electric
Ocean Isle Beach | ncoysterfestival.com

A long-standing tradition, the annual NC Oyster Festival brings together toe-tapping music, culinary delights, unique shopping and the regionally-celebrated Oyster to thousands each year in the seaside town of Ocean Isle. Featuring a variety of arts & crafts vendors, entertainers, and unique Oyster contests.

NC Seafood Festival

Sponsored by Carteret-Craven Electric Cooperative
Morehead | ncseafoodfestival.org

Recognizing the importance of seafood to eastern North Carolina. Great food, entertainment, vendors and shopping, plus a "Blessing of the Fleet" to recognize our state's commercial fishing vessels and the North Carolinians that make a living from the sea. Join in the fun the first weekend in October!

NC Yam Festival

Sponsored by Brunswick Electric
Tabor City | ncyamfestival.com

Proudly honoring the North Carolina sweet potato! NC growers, buyers, sponsors, & vendors come together for this event, held annually during the fourth weekend in October!

Norman Fest

Sponsored by Pee Dee Electric
Norman | normanfestnc.com

Local vendors, chainsaw carving and helicopter rides are a few of the big draws to this small town festival south of Candor.

North Carolina Festival by the Sea

Holden Beach | bit.ly/festival-by-the-sea

The last full weekend in October, the Holden Beach Merchants Association hosts the very popular “NC Festival by the Sea.” This 2-day events is kicked off with a parade down the Holden Beach causeway. This is the only day of the year that you can walk across the Holden Beach bridge and each year several hundred enjoy this  time to take pictures and just stand and view our beautiful waterway.

Persimmon Festival

Colfax | colfaxpersimmonfest.com

On a historic farm with structures dating back into the early 1800s or before, the Annual Colfax Persimmon Festival celebrates the native American persimmon and historic farming with a wide range of exhibits, demonstrations, arts and crafts, live music, and of course, many persimmon-related items for purchase.

Wilmington Riverfest

Wilmington | wilmingtonriverfest.com

Celebrated on the first full weekend of October, this event runs through Historic Downtown Wilmington on Water Street, from the foot of Market Street to Cape Fear Community College. Currently drawing nearly a quarter-million people, this free, family-oriented celebration is a two-day event and has grown to be a widely anticipated annual celebration.

Swansboro Mullet Festival

Swansboro | swansborofestivals.com

A free, family-friendly festival that kicks off with a parade and also features a street carnival, arts & crafts, games, music and more. The kiddos will love the children’s area that includes games, a climbing wall, inflatables and the always popular “Mullet Toss!”

Seaboard Festival Day

Pee Dee Electric
Hamlet | seaboardfestival.com

Since 1982, the Seaboard Festival has celebrated Hamlet's history as the "Hub of the Seaboard."

Wings Over Water Wildlife Festival

Outer Banks | wingsoverwater.org

The east coast’s premier wildlife festival features birding, paddling, history, photography, art and more.

Woolly Worm Festival

Banner Elk | woollyworm.com

This family event welcomes more than 16,000 people every year. Woolly worm races with cash prizes, vendors, line dancing, great music by local groups and impromptu on-stage guests. Come enjoy the camaraderie of the day and cheer on your favorite Woolly!

Read more about the Woolly Worm Festival and Mr. Woolly Worm, as covered by Carolina Country!