Ten Things to do this Weekend in the NC Mountains

You can find links and more events on our  

NC Events Calendar

photo by Dr. Matt Estep, ASU, 10-9-16

1.   Look at the Leaves! Colors are developing and Boone, Blowing Rock, Grandfather Mountain and other High Country cities and locations should be near peak this weekend. The Great Smoky Mountains National Park shows good color at the highest elevations, proceeding down the mountains a little each day.

2.   Ghost Train Halloween Festival at Tweetsie Railroad  - October 14 - 15, 2016 - Blowing Rock NC.    Advanced ticket purchase is recommended for this very popular event. The ghastly special events include Ghost Train Rides Exciting Haunted House, Halloween Shows, 3-D Maze, Black Hole™, Trick-or-treating and the Freak Forest. Get a complete list of events and times at the website.

3.   Beats, Burgers & Brews at the Old Rock Café - October 14 - 15, 2016 - Chimney Rock NC.
 After leaf peeping, relax outdoors to the beat of bluegrass, Americana, folk, blues or other genres while enjoying a regional craft brew or glass of wine on our riverside deck. Talented local musicians and singer-songwriters liven up the scene on Friday & Saturday evenings in October at this popular burger joint in Chimney Rock Village. The Old Rock Café features one of the 2014 Zagat-rated “Must-try Burgers across the Country” with Hickory Nut Gap Meats’ 100% grass-fed beef burger. The full menu includes grilled sandwiches, salads and fresh-baked fruit cobbler.  

4.   The Haunted Farm - October 14 - 15, 2016 - Hendersonville halfway to Asheville.  If you dare... come visit this spooktacular farm sitting on a mysterious, blood-soaked stretch of land where the deranged Missy Mae Lively eternally pines for her lost groom. Just 15 minutes from Asheville, The Haunted Farm is  billed as the scariest halloween attraction in Western North Carolina. The Farm is  frightful fun with three main parts: The Woods, The Farm and The Haunted Hayride. New for 2015 - There are more gruesome scenes, horrifying sights, special effects, incredible details and startling scares then ever before. Don't miss the chance to defend against the Zombie Army with your paintball weapon.  Admission - $20 (cash only); $3 parking 

5.   Peanuts Pumpkin Patch Express  - October 14 - 16, 2016 - Bryson City NC - Peanuts Pumpkin Patch Express   The PEANUTS gang return the the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad Pumpkin Patch for this annual family fun favorite. The excursions, which are themed after Charles M. Schulz's classic story "It's The Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown," will be departing from the Bryson City Depot and arriving at the Pumpkin Patch. Event activities include campfire marshmallows, a coloring station, temporary tattoos, trick or treating, bouncy house, hayrides and live musical entertainment. Two trips per day at 12 PM and 3:30 PM.

6.    Annual Leaf-Lookers Gemboree  - October 14 - 16, 2016 - Franklin NC.    An Annual Gem Show with dealers from all over the southeast. Rough and Cut Gems, minerals, fine jewelry, supplies, beads, door prizes, dealers, exhibits and demonstrations. Adults: $2; Under 12 Free. Watch for $1 off coupons in local newspapers. Sponsored by Franklin Chamber of Commerce and Gem & Mineral Society of Franklin. Look for $1 off coupons in local newspapers.

quilt show at The Harvest Festival

7.    Annual Harvest Festival  - October 14 - 16, 2016 - Robbinsonville NC.   Mountain traditions come alive at the annual Harvest Festival in beautiful Stecoah Valley at the Cultural Arts Center on the grounds of the historic Stecoah School. The former community school was built in 1926, and today is the home of the Stecoah Valley Cultural Arts Center, an organization dedicated to preserving Southern Appalachian mountain culture. Tickets for the Saturday evening concert are on sale now  -  Admission-adults $25.00 Students k-12 $10.00.  Performing this year will be The Cleverlys. The Sunday afternoon concert is free. 

8.     Family Animal Encounters - October 15 - 16, 2016 - Chimney Rock NC.   Meet some of Grady the Groundhog’s woodland friends or possibly the birds of prey, a Red-tailed hawk and Great Horned Owl.  A Park naturalist will explain each animal’s role in our ecosystem, how they came to live at the park and lessons on what can be done to help protect wildlife. Animal Encounters meet at the Outdoor Classroom Saturday and Sunday. Afterward, grab a Track Trail brochure at Grady’s Den and take a hike along the Great Woodland Adventure trail with 12 interactive education stations.

Wooly Worm

9.    Wooly Worm Festival  - October 15 - 16, 2016 - Banner Elk NC.  The 38th Annual Festival includes the infamous wolly worm "waces" along with live entertainment, arts and crafts, food vendors and amusement rides.  A family-oriented weekend and one of the most popular NC mountain annual events. Admission is $5.00 for Adults, $3.00 for Children 6-12, Free for 5 and under.

10.   The Valle Country Fair - October 15, 2016 - Valle Crucis.   Enjoy an old fashioned County Fair at the peak of fall color leaf season. Activities include crafts, food, mountain music, 150 juried fine art and crafts booths, an activity area for kids, freshly pressed apple cider , Hot-out-of-the-kettle apple butter, Homemade jams & jellies, Brunswick stew, chili and barbecue.