2023 CAROLINA'S FINEST

Autumn Leaves Festival

Finest Festival

By Leah Chester Davis

November 2023

No wonder folks make their way to the Autumn Leaves Festival in Mount Airy each October! Cooler weather, colorful leaves, and street-filled tents with hundreds of vendors including artisans and craftspeople, food purveyors (including fresh apple butter made on-site), a Kidzone, and talented musicians translate to loads of fun.

Autumn Leaves Festival

Downtown Mount Airy | autumnleavesfestival.com

The festival showcases the rich musical heritage of the region as well as a juried craft show, the perfect place to do a little Christmas shopping while enjoying the sights, sounds and flavors of an autumn festival. Held in the downtown area of the town that is lovingly referred to as Mayberry by fans of The Andy Griffith Show, the Autumn Leaves Festival is a great place to celebrate the autumn season. Free and paid parking is available.

“I love both the ocean and mountains, but there’s nothing like the mountains in the fall.”

—Clara Stewart, Godwin, a member of South River EMC

This year’s runners-up

NC Seafood Festival, Morehead City
Festival of Trees, Cashiers

About the Author

Carolina Country Contributing Editor Leah Chester-Davis loves to explore North Carolina. Her business, Chester-Davis Communications (chester-davis.com), specializes in food, farm, gardening and lifestyle brands and organizations.