What to do this Weekend in the Mountains

Asheville is always a hub of mountain events, festivals and attractions. But it's also a great home base for daytrips to surrounding towns  in the southwest and the Smokies as well as the northeast and the Blue Ridge Mountains. Asheville's central location offers scenic drives from 15 minutes to 2 hours for virtually all Western North Carolina towns.

What to do this weekend in nearby mountain cities:

Art and Craft Events:
Date:       October 5-14
NC City:   Throughout Western North Carolina
Event:      American Craft Week   A celebration of the wonders of American craft and its contribution to the culture and economy of the country. Dozens of participants in Western North Carolina host special events from open studios to major gallery exhibits. The celebration begins at 6 PM with a presentation by Jan Davidson, Executive Director of the John C. Campbell Folk School,  Get a link and read more...

Date:      October  5    
NC City:  NORTH WILKESBORO
Event:     Brushy Mountain Apple Jam   This event features a large variety of arts and crafts, food and entertainment. Held annually on the first weekend of October. Friday events begin at 6 PM; Saturday's at 9 AM and continue until 5 PM. There will be live entertainment at Get a link and read more...

Date:      October 5
NC City:  WAYNESVILLE
Event:     Art After Dark   Downtown galleries and studios remain open until 9 PM.  The evening features special openings, demonstrations, artist receptions, and music.  Get a link and read more...

Date:      October 6
NC City:  OLD FORT 
Event:     ArtsMart   Locally created arts and crafts displayed inside the historic Old Fort Depot. Stop by to chat with the creators of these one-of-a-kind items while you shop for yourself, family or friends. Something for everyone including baskets, paintings, woodwork, wreaths, candles and live demonstrations. Get a link and read more...

Date:      October 6
NC City:  BLOWING ROCK
Event:     Art in the Park   A juried arts & craft show featuring 90 artists held in the picturesque downtown park once a  month from May to October. Some of the best local and regional artists and craftspeople showcase their handcrafted jewelry, pottery, fiber, glass, photography, painting and  Get a link and read more...

Date:       October 5-7
NC City:   OLD FORT
Event:     Oktoberfest    An annual festival featuring a variety of musicians, food and craft vendors, raffles and children's activities. There is also the amazing Duck Race. This is a Free event held at the  Mountain Gateway Museum grounds, Get a link and read more...

October 6
NC City:  DILLSBORO
Event:    ColorFest, Art and Taste of Appalachia   Autumn's colors and flavors take center stage Saturday, Oct. 6, during this fourth annual festival. This arts and food event fills the sidewalks of Dillsboro with a variety of mountain artisans demonstrating their skills, plus food vendors serving up a taste of the North Carolina mountains.  Local musicians and street entertainers add music to Get a link and read more...

Date:      October 6-7
NC City:  HENDERSONVILLE  
Event:    Art on Main   A  fine arts and fine crafts show held in Historic Downtown Hendersonville. The Downtown area is transformed into a giant outdoor art gallery featuring the finest artists and artisans from the southeast. Art on Main attracts 3,000-4,000 art lovers   Get a link and read more...

Date:      October 6-7
NC City:  BRASSTOWN  
Event:     John C Campbell Folk School Fall Festival   Celebrate the rich heritage of Appalachia at the 39th annual Folk School Fall Festival, featuring over 200 juried and non-juried craftspeople. Handcrafted items for sale include jewelry, woodturning, pottery, weaving, ironwork, photography, rugs, woodcarvings, furniture, paintings, baskets, and much more. Live music and dance on two stages, great food, craft demonstrations, and kids' activities   Get a link and read more...


Nature and Heritage Programs:

Date:      October 6
NC City:  MARS HILL  
Event:     Mars hill Fall Heritage Festival   Traditional mountain music and old-time craft demonstrations, local arts and crafts fill the town of Mars Hill and the Mars Hill College campus at this family-friendly festival. Food available  Get a link and read more...

Date:      October 6
NC City:  CHIMNEY ROCK   Event:    Off the Beaten Path Guided Hikes: Fall Wildflower   The Changing leaves is not the only source of Fall color in the mountains. In Chimney Rock Park there are magnificent fall flowers along the trails.  With guide Ron Lance, an internationally renowned and published naturalist, you can discover yet another beauty of the mountains. Get a link and read more...

Date:      October 6
NC City:  LINVILLE  
Event:     Creatures of the Night and Bonfire Delight at Grandfather Mountain   Families will enjoy this rare opportunity to visit Grandfather Mountain after dark. Get your Halloween juices flowing while listening to scary stories told by firelight and keep a tight hold on your loved ones' hand as you set off  Get a link and read more...

Sports and Outdoor Events: 
Date:       October 5-6
NC City:   BRYSON CITY
Event:     ACA Open Canoe Slalom Nationals & North American Championships  Some of the country's best paddlers will test their skills at the technical Nantahala Falls course, and will also compete in a downriver event, starting at Feribee Park, and finishing at the NOC Founder's Bridge. This event is open to participants of all ages   Get a link and read more...

Date:      October 6-7

NC City:  BEECH MOUNTAIN  
Event:     Autumn at OZ   Follow  the yellow brick road to the annual Autumn at Oz party. Be sure to dress warm, you never know when a twister will come through. Visitors can tour Dorothy's House, Uncle Henry's Barn, and a mini Oz museum. There will be food, crafters and games, plus chairlift rides up to Oz for Get a link and read more...

October 6
NC City:  HENDERSONVILLE
Event:     Farm City Day at Jackson Park   Farm City Day features both antique and modern farm equipment, music, square dancing, clogging, arts and crafts, children's activities, games, demonstrations and plenty of food. Free  Get a link and read more...

Date:      October 6
NC City:  BREVARD  
Event:     Hunger Games Walking Tour  Explore DuPont State Recreational Forest with your Mentor to discover the locations used in some of "The Games" during The Hunger Games movie. Master fundamental survival skills like orienteering, camouflaging, and shelter building. Lunch will be provided in Hunger Games style. Tour includes activities, lunch, Dupont State   Get a link and read more...

October 6-7
NC City:  CASHIERS  
Event:     High Hampton Apple Festival   High Hampton Inn’s second-annual Apple Festival celebrates fall’s favorite fruit with live music, delicious apple-based goodies, and local crafts. This free, day-long event is open to the public. Visitors who plan to stay for the weekend can also enjoy all of the amazing amenities that High Hampton Inn offers. From golf and tennis to miles of hiking trails and a 35-acre lake, there is something for everyone, including   Get a link and read more...

Date:      October 6-28
NC City:  BRYSON CITY  
Event:    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  .Get a link and read more...

Date:      October 6-31
NC City:  BRYSON CITY  
Event:     NOCtoberFest  NOC (Nantahala Outdoor Center) draws down the year with a month-long series of events geared to commemorate the rich variety of the season. The  Beer Garden menu will include schnitzels galore, old-fashioned German potato salad, classic beef goulash, and Bavarian dumplings. Beverage Selection will include: Spaten Octoberfest, Gaffel, Franziskaner, and hot mulled wine.  Activities include hayrides, a haunted house, The Great Pumpkin Pursuit Harvest Festival,  Face Painting and  Get a link and read more...

Music in the Mountains: 
Date:      October 6
NC City:  MARS HILL
Event:     Bascom Lamar Lunsford  Music Festival   An all-day festival celebrating regional music and dance traditions. The event is the second oldest folk festival in Western North Carolina and was named in honor of cofounder Bascom Lamar Lunsford. Lunsford was a musician and folklorist who dedicated his life to collecting and promoting the music of the Southern Appalachians. Through his work he became known as “Minstrel of the Appalachians.” The festival, which is now in its 44th year, brings out the region’s finest musicians and dancers.   Get a link and read more...
  
October 6
NC City:  LANSING  
Event:     StompFest   A Contemporary Art and Music Festival including Art and Food Vendors,  Storytelling and Music. Hosted by the New River Winery. Get a link and read more...