Festival season 2026 is here!
From the Virginias and the Carolinas to Georgia, Tennessee, and Kentucky, our annual compendium is the perfect travel companion. Inside, you’ll find gatherings celebrating food and drink, the arts, music, and more—all worth building a mountain road trip around. Pick your favorite festival theme and start planning!
By Karen Neathawk
MAY
Thru May 2. New River Birding & Nature Festival. Fayette County, WV.
Thru May 3. Cider, Wine & Dine Weekend. Hendersonville, NC.
Thru May 3. Shenandoah Apple Blossom Festival. Winchester, VA.
Thru May 10. Hamilton Gardens Rhododendron Festival. Hiawassee, GA.
Thru May 21. Spring at Biltmore. Asheville, NC.
Thru June 7. Dollywood’s Flower & Food Festival. Pigeon Forge, TN.
Thru Sept 7, 2027. Upcountry Road to Freedom: Upstate South Carolina During the American Revolution. Greenville, SC.
May 1-2. Clinch River Spring Antique Festival. Clinton, TN.
May 1-2. Community School’s Strawberry Festival. Roanoke, VA.
May 1-2. Fried Apple Pie Festival. Sparta, NC.
May 1-2. Knox Cheese Fest. Knoxville, TN.
May 1-2. Outlandish Adventure Festival. Knoxville, TN.
May 1-3. The Greenbrier Concours d’Elegance. White Sulphur Springs, WV.
May 2. Airing of the Quilts. Dillsboro, NC.
May 2. Blowing Rock Trout Derby. Blowing Rock, NC.
May 2. Budbreak Wine and Craft Beer Festival. Mount Airy, NC.
May 2. Dolly Day & Dash. Ringgold, GA.
May 2. MayFaire Spring Crafts & Garden Festival. Clifton Forge, VA.
May 2. Mother’s Day Market. Strasburg, VA.
May 2. Smoky Mountain Bigfoot Festival. Townsend, TN.
May 2. Spring Flea Market. Hinton, WV.
May 2. Spring Water Festival. Williamston, SC.
May 2. Virginia Vintage Spring Outdoor Market. Christiansburg, VA.
May 2-3. Asheville BuskerFest. Asheville, NC.
May 2-3. Fort Ashby Days. Fort Ashby, WV.
May 2-31 (weekends only). Virginia Fantasy Festival. Madison, VA.
May 3. Strawberry Festival. Chattanooga, TN.
May 6-9. Dogwood Festival. Mullins, WV.
May 6-9. SpringSkunk Music Fest. Greer, SC.
May 6; July 4; Aug 1; Sept 5. Music on Main Street concerts. Sparta, NC.
May 7, 14, 21, 28. Acoustic Sunsets Spring Concert Series. Hiawassee, GA.
May 8-10. Artisphere. Greenville, SC.
May 8-10. Mayfest. Strasburg, VA.
May 9. Cumberland Valley Cruise-In. Corbin, KY.
May 9. Mother’s Day Gala. Collegedale, TN.
May 9. Of These Mountains Spring Marketplace. Clayton, GA.
May 9-10. Crozet Spring Arts & Crafts Festival. Crozet, VA.
May 9-10. Fiber Festival. Sautee Nacoochee, GA.
May 9-10. Lake Lure Spring Arts & Crafts Festival. Lake Lure, NC.
May 9-17. West Virginia Strawberry Festival. Buckhannon, WV.
May 13-16. Grottoes Bluegrass Festival. Grottoes, VA.
May 15-16. Blackey Day. Blackey, KY.
May 15-16. Bloomin’ BBQ Music & Food Festival. Sevierville, TN.
May 15-17. Appalachian Trail Days Festival. Damascus, VA.
May 15-17. Greek Festival. Greenville, SC.
May 15-24. The Fair at Heritage Park. Simpsonville, SC.
May 16. Art in the Park. Blowing Rock, NC.
May 16. Chautauqua’s Brews and Bands. Wytheville, VA.
May 16. Children’s Festival of Reading. Knoxville, TN.
May 16. Georgia Mountain Fire & Smoke Cooking Festival. Hiawassee, GA.
May 16. Hometown Market/Hometown Spirit. Fairmont, WV.
May 16. Jfest. Chattanooga, TN.
May 16. John Randolph Spring Arts Kickoff. Salem, WV.
May 16. Local Colors Festival. Roanoke, VA.
May 16. Mountain Laurel Festival. Wartburg, TN.
May 16. Music & Merchants. Pulaski, VA.
May 16. National Kids to Parks Day. Mouth of Wilson, VA.
May 16. SWVA Big Rig Showdown. Lebanon, VA.
May 16. Tunes in the Park. Greer, SC.
May 16. Virginia Wine & Craft Festival. Front Royal, VA.
May 16. Wayne Scott Strawberry Festival. Unicoi, TN.
May 16. Yadkin Valley Wine Festival. Elkin, NC.
May 16-17. Bringing in the May Faerie Festival. Berkeley Springs, WV.
May 16-17. Dahlonega Arts & Wine Festival. Dahlonega, GA.
May 16-17. Smoky Mountain Scottish Festival and Games. Townsend, TN.
May 16-17. Strawberry Jam at Darnell Farms. Bryson City, NC.
May 16-Sept 27. Xavier Riddle and the Secret Museum: The Exhibit. Greenville, SC.
May 17. Concert in the Park: Alair Summer Concert Series. Blowing Rock, NC.
May 20-23. Dr. Ralph Stanley Hills of Home Festival. McClure, VA.
May 20-25. Webster County Woodchopping Festival. Webster Springs, WV.
May 21-23. Plum Hollow Alternative Bluegrass Festival. Campobello, SC.
May 21-24. Kentucky Mountain Laurel Festival. Pineville, KY.
May 21-24. Rooster Walk Music & Arts Festival. Martinsville, VA.
May 22. Greer Alive. Greer, SC.
May 22. Memorial Day Car Show. Dawsonville, GA.
May 22-23. Fly Fishing & Outdoor Festival. Maggie Valley, NC.
May 22-23. Season Opening for KY Splash Waterpark. Williamsburg, KY.
May 22-23. The Great Scot! Parade and Scottish Games. Greenville, SC.
May 22-24. Festival in the Park. Roanoke, VA.
May 22-24. Memorial Day Gospel Music Weekend. Stuart, VA.
May 22-24. Vandalia Gathering. Charleston, WV.
May 22-24. WV Dandelion Festival. White Sulphur Springs, WV.
May 22-Sept 4 (Fridays). Concerts on the Creek. Sylva, NC.
May 23. BavarianFest. Helen, GA.
May 23. Dog Days at Breaux Vineyards. Purcellville, VA.
May 23. Gathering in the Gap. Big Stone Gap, VA.
May 23. Memorial Day Parade. Blairsville, GA.
May 23. Mile High Kite Festival. Beech Mountain, NC.
May 23. Plumb Alley Day. Abingdon, VA.
May 23. Strawberry Festival. Alderson, WV.
May 23. Tour de Madison. Madison, VA.
May 23. ValleyFest. Massanutten, VA.
May 23-24. Art on the Greene. Banner Elk, NC.
May 23-24. Arts, Crafts & Music Festival. Blairsville, GA.
May 23-24. Charlottesville Arts Festival. Charlottesville, VA.
May 23-24. Garden Jubilee. Hendersonville, NC.
May 23-24. Hiawassee Pro Rodeo. Hiawassee, GA.
May 23-24. Spring Arts in the Park. Blue Ridge, GA.
May 23-25. White Squirrel Weekend. Brevard, NC.
May 24. Street Food Festival. Chattanooga, TN.
May 27-30. Arts Plein Air and Market. Christiansburg, VA.
May 28-31. Graves Mountain Music Festival. Syria, VA.
May 29. Clinch River Days Festival. St. Paul, VA.
May 29-30. Mountain Made Makers Market. Mt. Nebo, WV.
May 29-30. Old Mill & Float the Fork Festival. West Milford, WV.
May 29-31. Smoky Mountain Fan Fest. Kingsport, TN.
May 30. Dogwood Masters Old Dog Classic Regatta. Oak Ridge, TN.
May 30. Garden Gala. Chattanooga, TN.
May 30. KnoxWalls Murals and Music Festival. Knoxville, TN.
May 30. R&R 5K Run. Williamsburg, KY.
May 30. Rodeo Night at Wind Vineyards. Moneta, VA.
May 30-31. Capitol Street Art Fair. Charleston, WV.
May 30-31. Sidewalk Art Show. Roanoke, VA.
JUNE
June 3-6. Calhoun County Wood Festival. Grantsville, WV.
June 4. Acoustic Sunsets Spring Concert Series. Hiawassee, GA.
June 4-6. Helen to the Atlantic Balloon Race. Helen, GA.
June 4-6. Mine Made Adventure Park Bluegrass Festival. Leburn, KY.
June 4-6. Mountain Music Festival. Oak Hill, WV.
June 4-6. Old Fort Trails & Trains Festival. Old Fort, NC.
June 4-6. Poke Sallet Festival. Harlan, KY.
June 4-7. Charity Horse Show – Saddlebred. Blowing Rock, NC.
June 4-7. NC Trail Days. Elkin, NC.
June 5, 12, 19, 26; July 3, 10, 17, 24, 31. Off the Rails Concert Series. Dalton, GA.
June 5-6. Blue Grass & Old-Time Fiddlers Convention. Mount Airy, NC.
June 5-6. Blue Ridge Fiber Fest. Sparta, NC.
June 5-6. Flatwater Tales Storytelling Festival. Oak Ridge, TN.
June 5-6. NC Gold Festival. Marion, NC.
June 5-6. Rhinestone Fest, for the Love of Dolly. Knoxville, TN.
June 5-6. Riding the Rhododendrons on the Ridge. Troutdale, VA.
June 5-6. U.S. 25 Yard Sale. Grant County, KY.
June 5-7. Toe River Arts Tour. Mitchell and Yancey counties, NC.
June 6. BABA (Bands, Art, Bourbon & Ale) Festival. Wytheville, VA.
June 6. GardenFest. Middletown, VA.
June 6. Hop Blossom Craft Beer Festival. Winchester, VA.
June 6. Livermush Festival. Marion, NC.
June 6. Mineral County Strawberry Festival. Keyser, WV.
June 6. Not Your Average Festival. Roanoke, VA.
June 6. Troutacular! Spruce Pine. Spruce Pine, NC.
June 6. Twilight Firefly Market. Chattanooga, TN.
June 6. Virginia Black Bear Festival. Stanardsville, VA.
June 6-7. Georgia Mountain Scottish Festival & Highland Games. Hiawassee, GA.
June 6-7. Pulaski County Spring Flea Market. Dublin, VA.
June 7. The Walnut Street Bridge Festival. Chattanooga, TN.
June 8-11. A Mountain Quiltfest. Pigeon Forge, TN.
June 8-14. Shenandoah Valley Bach Festival. Harrisonburg, VA.
June 10-12. Children’s BUG CAMP. Oak Ridge, TN.
June 10-14. High Country Jazz Festival. Boone and Blowing Rock, NC.
June 11-13. Beach Music Festival. Stuart, VA.
June 11-13. Blazin’ Bluegrass Spring Festival. Whitley City, KY.
June 11-13. Laurel Cove Music Festival. Pineville, KY.
June 11-14. Canaan Mountain Bike Festival. Davis, WV.
June 12-13. Greenville Jazz Fest. Greenville, SC.
June 12-13. Ronceverte River Festival. Ronceverte, WV.
June 12-13. Yadkin Valley Carnival. Elkin, NC.
June 12-14; Nov 6-8. Northeast Georgia Arts Tour. Clayton, GA.
June 12-15, 18-21. Day Out With Thomas at Tweetsie Railroad. Blowing Rock, NC.
June 12-23. Chautauqua History Comes Alive Festival. Greenville, Mauldin, and Spartanburg, SC; Brevard, NC.
June 13. Art in the Park. Blowing Rock, NC.
June 13. Best.Weekend.Ever. Harrisonburg, VA.
June 13. BOCO WILD. Buchanan, VA.
June 13. Country Meets City. Williamsburg, KY.
June 13. Cumberland Valley Cruise-In. Corbin, KY.
June 13. Hops in the Hills Craft Beer Festival. Maryville, TN.
June 13. Knoxville Water Lantern Festival. Knoxville, TN.
June 13. North Carolina Ground Steak Festival. Dobson, NC.
June 13. Rockbridge Outdoors Fest. Buena Vista, VA.
June 13. Spruce Pine Alien Festival. Spruce Pine, NC.
June 14. Concert in the Park: Alair Summer Concert Series. Blowing Rock, NC.
June 15-Aug 2. Dollywood’s Smoky Mountain Summer Celebration. Pigeon Forge, TN.
June 18-20. Almost Heaven BBQ Bash. Buckhannon, WV.
June 18-20. Hiawassee Rod Run. Hiawassee, GA.
June 18-20. Wild Trails Festival. Lewisburg, WV.
June 19-20. Fiddlers’ Convention. Abingdon, VA.
June 19-20. Maury River Fiddlers’ Convention. Buena Vista, VA.
June 19-20. Mountain Fling Arts & Crafts Show. Blairsville, GA.
June 19-20. NC Rhododendron Festival. Bakersville, NC.
June 19-20. Smoky Mountain Quilters of Tennessee 44th Annual Quilt Show. Knoxville, TN.
June 19-21. Boonerang Music & Arts Festival. Boone, NC.
June 19-21. Red Wing Roots Music Festival. Mount Solon, VA.
June 20. Brewfest. Knoxville, TN.
June 20. CommUNITY BBQ Bash Art and Farmers Market. Chattanooga, TN.
June 20. Flame Azalea Festival. Robbinsville, NC.
June 20. Georgia State Fiddlers Convention. Blairsville, GA.
June 20. High Knob Music Festival. Norton, VA.
June 20. Hometown Market/Pride Block Party. Fairmont, WV.
June 20. Jackson Square Lavender Festival. Oak Ridge, TN.
June 20. Taste of the Valley Wine, Beer, and Spirits Festival. Luray, VA.
June 20. Tunes in the Park. Greer, SC.
June 20-21. Rhododendron Festival. Roan Mountain, TN.
June 20-27. Chautauqua Festival. Wytheville, VA.
June 21. Father’s Day Blues & Brews. Chattanooga, TN.
June 23-27. Boyd County Fair. Ashland, KY.
June 24-28. West Virginia Freedom Festival. Logan, WV.
June 25-27. Doc McCabe Bluegrass Festival. Big Island, VA.
June 27. Freedom Blast. Greer, SC.
June 27. Heritage Day and Wood Kiln Opening. Lenoir, NC.
June 27. Star City Motor Madness. Roanoke, VA.
June 27-Jan 24. Picturing America’s Pasttime: A Snapshot of the Photo Collection at the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum. Greenville, SC.
JULY
July 1-4. Stanley Homecoming. Stanley, VA.
July 1-12. Salem Fair. Salem, VA.
July 2. Clemson MBA Fireworks on the Fourth. Greenville, SC.
July 2-5. Charleston Sternwheel Regatta. Charleston, WV.
July 2-26. Wintergreen Music Festival. Wintergreen, VA.
July 3. Fireworks at the Lighthouse. Mt. Nebo, WV.
July 3. Freedom Food Festival. Lexington, VA.
July 3. Pops on the River. Chattanooga, TN.
July 3. Summer Jam. Massanutten, VA.
July 3-4. Christmas in July Festival. West Jefferson, NC.
July 3-4; Oct 24-25; Nov 28. Ride the Rails. Mineral Bluff, GA.
July 4. 4th Fest. Harlan, KY.
July 4. 4th of July Celebration. Wytheville, VA.
July 4. 4th of July Parade/Fireworks. Sparta, NC.
July 4. 4th of July Parade & Festival. Blowing Rock, NC.
July 4. Annual 4th of July Celebration & Fireworks. Helen, GA.
July 4. Fourth of July Downtown Get Down. Luray, VA.
July 4. Independence Day Anvil Shoot Celebration. Clinton, TN.
July 4. Independence Day Celebration at Crab Orchard Museum. Tazewell, VA.
July 4. Independence Day Fireworks. Woodstock, VA.
July 4. Independence Day Parade & Fireworks. Galax, VA.
July 4. July 4th Celebration. Williamsburg, KY.
July 4. July 4th Fireworks Extravaganza at Tweetsie Railroad. Blowing Rock, NC.
July 4. July 4th Fireworks Over Lake Chatuge. Hiawassee, GA.
July 4. Lake Blue Ridge Fireworks. Blue Ridge, GA.
July 4. Patriot Festival. Pigeon Forge, TN.
July 4. Red, White, & Blairsville Fourth of July Celebration & Fireworks. Blairsville, GA.
July 4. Red, White & Boom. Spartanburg, SC.
July 4. Star-Spangled Banner Elk. Banner Elk, NC.
July 4-5. Art on the Greene. Banner Elk, NC.
July 4-5. Balloons Over Rockbridge Hot Air Balloon & Music Festival. Lexington, VA.
July 4-5. Independence Day Celebration. Yadkinville, NC.
July 4-5. Sweet Corn Festival at Darnell Farms. Bryson City, NC.
July 9-12. Grandfather Mountain Highland Games. Linville, NC.
July 10-11. North Carolina Blackberry Festival. Lenoir, NC.
July 10-11. Old Time & Bluegrass Fiddlers’ Convention. Tazewell, VA.
July 10-11. Rock the Country. Ashland, KY.
July 10-12. Berea Craft Festival. Berea, KY.
July 10-12. Fanboy Expo. Knoxville, TN.
July 10-12. Festival on the Square. Hayesville, NC.
July 10-12. John Henry Days. Talcott, WV.
July 10-18. Putnam County Fair. Eleanor, WV.
July 10-19. Gatlinburg Craftsmen’s Fair (Summer). Gatlinburg, TN.
July 11. Cumberland Valley Cruise-In. Corbin, KY.
July 11. Mountain City Sunflower Festival. Mountain City, TN.
July 11. New Deal Festival. Arthurdale, WV.
July 11-12. Arts & Crafts Show. Maggie Valley, NC.
July 15-18. West Virginia’s Branch Mountain Bluegrass Festival. Moorefield, WV.
July 15-19. Craft Fair of the Southern Highlands. Asheville, NC.
July 16-18. 4848 Festival. Snowshoe, WV.
July 16-18. Shriners Bluegrass Festival. Olive Hill, KY.
July 17. Symphony by the Lake at Chetola. Blowing Rock, NC.
July 17-18. Alleghany County Fiddler’s Convention. Sparta, NC.
July 17-18. Championship Rodeo. Galax, VA.
July 17-18. Chillin’ & Grillin’ in the Glades. Wise, VA.
July 17-18. Grainger County Tomato Festival. Rutledge, TN.
July 17-18. Master Musicians Festival. Somerset, KY.
July 17-19. Hungry Mother Festival. Marion, VA.
July 17-19. Smith Mountain Lake Pirate Days. Moneta, VA.
July 17-25. Fun Fest. Kingsport, TN.
July 17-Sept 6. Shenandoah Valley Music Festival. Orkney Springs, VA.
July 18. Art Walk. Dillsboro, NC.
July 18. Christmas in July. Independence, VA.
July 18. Grooves in the Garden Outdoor Music Festival. Knoxville, TN.
July 18. Hometown Market. Fairmont, WV.
July 18. Jeepin’ on Main & Community Picnic. Williamsburg, KY.
July 18. Pancakes with Pirates. Moneta, VA.
July 18. Tunes in the Park. Greer, SC.
July 18. Twilight Hot as Hades Market. Chattanooga, TN.
July 18-19. Butternut Creek Arts & Crafts Festival. Blairsville, GA.
July 19. Concert in the Park: Alair Summer Concert Series. Blowing Rock, NC.
July 19. Gran Fondo Asheville. Asheville, NC.
July 19. Hamlett-Dobson Farm Fest. Kingsport, TN.
July 20-26. Chattanooga Taco Week. Chattanooga, TN.
July 21-26. Charity Horse Show – Hunter/Jumper I. Blowing Rock, NC.
July 22-26. FloydFest. Check, VA.
July 22-25. Whitley County Fair. Williamsburg, KY.
July 24-25. Dino Festival. Martinsville, VA.
July 24-25. Hillbilly Jam. Maggie Valley, NC.
July 24-25. Main Street Moments. Tazewell, VA.
July 24-25. Smoke on the Mountain Barbecue Championship. Galax, VA.
July 24-26. Mary Draper Ingles Festival. Radford, VA.
July 24-26. Take a Break from the Interstate Market. Alleghany County, NC.
July 24-Aug 2. Virginia Highlands Festival. Abingdon, VA.
July 25. Art in the Park. Blowing Rock, NC.
July 25. Brushy Mountain Peach & Heritage Festival. Wilkesboro, NC.
July 25-26. Green Bean Festival. Blairsville, GA.
July 26-Aug 2. Grassy Creek Mineral & Gem Show. Spruce Pine, NC.
July 27-Aug 1. Frederick County Fair. Clear Brook, VA.
July 28-Aug 2. Charity Horse Show – Hunter/Jumper II. Blowing Rock, NC.
July 29-Aug 2. Appalachian String Band Music Festival. Clifftop, WV.
July 29-Aug 9. South Carolina New Play Festival. Greenville, SC.
July 30-Aug 1. Mountain Dance & Folk Festival. Swannanoa, NC.
July 30-Aug 2. NC Mineral & Gem Fest. Spruce Pine, NC.
July 31-Aug 1. Botetourt County Fair. Buchanan, VA.
July 31-Aug 2. Corn Festival. Stanton, KY.
July 31-Aug 2. CreepyCon Halloween & Horror Convention. Knoxville, TN.
AUGUST
Aug 1. Margarita Festival. Chattanooga, TN.
Aug 1. Pickin’Fest. Floyd, VA.
Aug 1-2. Art on the Greene. Banner Elk, NC.
Aug 1-2, 8-9. Sunflowers & Selfies. Helen, GA.
Aug 1-6. New River Gorge Summit. Pipestem, WV.
Aug 2. Boone Gran Fondo. Boone, NC.
Aug 3-8. Old Fiddlers’ Convention. Galax, VA.
Aug 4-8. Pickin’ in Parsons Bluegrass Festival. Parsons, WV.
Aug 7-8. Grayson County Agricultural Fair. Elk Creek, VA.
Aug 7-8. Lewisburg Literary Festival. Lewisburg, WV.
Aug 7-8. Mount Mitchell Arts & Crafts Fair. Burnsville, NC.
Aug 7-8. Newport Agricultural Fair. Newport, VA.
Aug 7-8. Steppin’ Out Festival. Blacksburg, VA.
Aug 7-8. Waldensian Festival. Valdese, NC.
Aug 7-9. West Virginia Peach Festival. Fort Ashby, WV.
Aug 8. Cumberland Gap FolkFest. Cumberland Gap, TN.
Aug 8. Irish Fest on the Hill. Knoxville, TN.
Aug 8. Mingle at the Market. Vinton, VA.
Aug 8. Route 11 Yard Crawl. Shenandoah County, VA.
Aug 8. SedaliaFest. Big Island, VA.
Aug 8. Treasure on the Mountain. Snowshoe, WV.
Aug 8-15. High Knob Outdoor Fest. Norton, VA.
Aug 13-22. State Fair of West Virginia. Lewisburg, WV.
Aug 14-15. Meet the Mountains Festival. Johnson City, TN.
Aug 14-22. Georgia Mountain Fair. Hiawassee, GA.
Aug 14-23. Staunton Music Festival. Staunton, VA.
Aug 15. 4th Annual Lost River Classic Gravel Race. Mathias, WV.
Aug 15. Annual Tomato Festival. Fairmont, WV.
Aug 15. Art in the Park. Blowing Rock, NC.
Aug 15. Great Smoky Mountains Hot Air Balloon Festival. Townsend, TN.
Aug 15. Pedal the Gap Inaugural Bike. Cumberland Gap, TN.
Aug 15. Tunes in the Park. Greer, SC.
Aug 16. Concert in the Park: Alair Summer Concert Series. Blowing Rock, NC.
Aug 16-22. Jefferson County Fair. Kearneysville, WV.
Aug 20-22. Great Smoky Mountain Jeep Club Invasion. Pigeon Forge, TN.
Aug 21-23. Southern Gap Trails & Tunes Festival. Grundy, VA.
Aug 22. GermanFest. Knoxville, TN.
Aug 22. Rockbridge Community Festival. Lexington, VA.
Aug 22. Smith River Fest. Axton, VA.
Aug 22. Watermelon Festival. Sale Creek, TN.
Aug 27; Sept 3, 10; Oct 3, 8. Acoustic Sunsets Fall Concert Series. Hiawassee, GA.
Aug 28. Fourth Friday. Tazewell, VA.
Aug 28-30. Fanboy Expo. Knoxville, TN.
Aug 29. Crossing the Gap Charity Car Show. Cumberland Gap, TN.
Aug 29. Twilight Grand Market. Chattanooga, TN.
Aug 29. WNC Bigfoot Festival. Marion, NC.
Aug 29-30. Knoxville Asian Festival. Knoxville, TN.
Aug 29-30. Railroad Heritage Weekend at Tweetsie Railroad. Blowing Rock, NC.
Aug 31-Sept 5. Claiborne County Fair. Tazewell, TN.
SEPTEMBER
Sept 3-6. Front Porch Fest. Stuart, VA.
Sept 4. Labor Day Car Show. Dawsonville, GA.
Sept 4-6. West Virginia Italian Heritage Festival. Clarksburg, WV.
Sept 4-7. Labor Day Flea Market & Gun Show. Hillsville, VA.
Sept 4-7. North Carolina Apple Festival. Hendersonville, NC.
Sept 5. Folk Pottery & Arts Festival. Sautee Nacoochee, GA.
Sept 5. Grape Stomp Fest. Blairsville, GA.
Sept 5. NC Hellbender Festival. Spruce Pine, NC.
Sept 5. Rollin’ Neath the Roan Car Show. Bakersville, NC.
Sept 5. Taste of the Mountains Main Street Festival. Madison, VA.
Sept 5-6. Art on the Greene. Banner Elk, NC.
Sept 5-6. Arts & Crafts Show. Maggie Valley, NC.
Sept 5-6. Chattanooga Reptile & Exotic Pet Expo. East Ridge, TN.
Sept 5-6. Hiawassee Pro Rodeo. Hiawassee, GA.
Sept 5-6. Pickle Fest at Darnell Farms. Bryson City, NC.
Sept 5-6. SC Apple Festival. Westminster, SC.
Sept 6. Big Kahuna Wing Festival. Knoxville, TN.
Sept 10. Taste of Blount. Maryville, TN.
Sept 10-12. Knott County Gingerbread Festival. Hindman, KY.
Sept 10-13, 17-20, 24-27; nightly Oct 1-Nov 1. Oktoberfest. Helen, GA.
Sept 11-12. Aiken’s Makin’ Art & Craft Show. Aiken, SC.
Sept 11-12. Nicholas County Potato Festival. Summersville, WV.
Sept 11-13. Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion. Bristol, VA/TN.
Sept 11-19. Chattahoochee Mountain Fair. Cornelia, GA.
Sept 11-20. North Carolina Mountain State Fair. Fletcher, NC.
Sept 11-20. Tennessee Valley Fair. Knoxville, TN.
Sept 12. Atomic Fall Fest. Oak Ridge, TN.
Sept 12. Art in the Park. Blowing Rock, NC.
Sept 12. Blue Ridge Bee Festival. Bedford, VA.
Sept 12. Boones Mill Apple Festival. Boones Mill, VA.
Sept 12. Olde Salem Days. Salem, VA.
Sept 12. Paw Paw Festival. Paw Paw, WV.
Sept 12. Rock the Block. Dobson, NC.
Sept 12. Rockbridge Beer & Wine Festival. Lexington, VA.
Sept 12. Run Walk or Roll 5K. Harrogate, TN.
Sept 12. SOOIE. | Mauldin BBQ Cook-Off. Mauldin, SC.
Sept 12-13. Fall Market at the Greenway. Cleveland, TN.
Sept 13. Concert in the Park: Alair Summer Concert Series. Blowing Rock, NC.
Sept 14-Oct 31. Dollywood’s Harvest Festival. Pigeon Forge, TN.
Sept 15-19. Plein Air Festival. Blowing Rock, NC.
Sept 17-19. Blazin’ Bluegrass Fall Festival. Whitley City, KY.
Sept 17-19. Dailey & Vincent Music Fest. Hiawassee, GA.
Sept 17-19. Dumplin Valley Bluegrass Festival. Kodak, TN.
Sept 17-19. Nothin’ Fancy Bluegrass Festival. Buena Vista, VA.
Sept 17-20. euphoria Food, Wine & Music Festival. Greenville, SC.
Sept 18-20. Fall Naturalists’ Rally. Roan Mountain, TN.
Sept 18-20. Ole Time Festival. Edinburg, VA.
Sept 18-20. Upstate Renaissance Faire. Greer, SC.
Sept 18-Oct 31. Enchanted Pumpkin Patch. Lookout Mountain, GA.
Sept 19. Blue Ridge Mountain Heritage Festival. Sparta, NC.
Sept 19. Blues & BBQ Festival. Blue Ridge, GA.
Sept 19. Cherokee Heritage Festival. Hayesville, NC.
Sept 19. Hometown Market/End of Summer Bash. Fairmont, WV.
Sept 19. Tunes in the Park. Greer, SC.
Sept 19. White Lightning Trail Festival. Cumberland Gap, TN.
Sept 19. Wilderness Trail Festival. Christiansburg, VA.
Sept 19. Youth Arts Festival. Dillsboro, NC.
Sept 19-20. Pulaski County Fall Flea Market. Dublin, VA.
Sept 19-20. West Virginia Wine & Jazz Festival. Morgantown, WV.
Sept 21-27. Mayberry Days. Mount Airy, NC.
Sept 22-26. SC Foothills Heritage Fair. Seneca, SC.
Sept 23-26. Antlers & Acorns: The Boone Songwriters Festival. Boone, NC.
Sept 23-26. Henry County Fair. Ridgeway, VA.
Sept 25. Greer Alive. Greer, SC.
Sept 25-27. 73rd Annual Hardy County Heritage Weekend. Moorefield, WV.
Sept 25-27. Chattanooga Taco Festival. East Ridge, TN.
Sept 25-27. Community Apple Festival. Chilhowie, VA.
Sept 25-27. Mountain Heritage Arts & Crafts Festival. Kearneysville, WV.
Sept 25-Oct 31 (Friday and Saturday nights). Ghost Train at Tweetsie Railroad. Blowing Rock, NC.
Sept 26. Burke’s Garden Fall Festival. Tazewell, VA.
Sept 26. Chattanooga Bacon & Barrel Food & Whiskey Festival. Chattanooga, TN.
Sept 26. Harvest Moon Festival. Cumberland Gap, TN.
Sept 26. North Georgia Highland Games. Clayton, GA.
Sept 26. Oktoberfest Kickoff Concert. Massanutten, VA.
Sept 26. Pratt Fall Festival. Pratt, WV.
Sept 26. Railfest. Greer, SC.
Sept 26. WoodsTACO Street Taco Festival. Woodstock, VA.
Sept 26. Yadkin Valley Pumpkin Festival. Elkin, NC.
Sept 26-27. Fall Folk Arts Festival. Kingsport, TN.
Sept 26-27. Queen City Mischief & Magic. Staunton, VA.
Sept 26-27. Smith Mountain Lake Wine Festival. Moneta, VA.
Sept 26-Oct 4. Mountain State Forest Festival. Elkins, WV.
Sept 27-Oct 3. National Quartet Convention. Pigeon Forge, TN.
Sept 30-Oct 3. Albino Skunk Music Festival. Greer, SC.
OCTOBER
Oct 1-3. Kentucky Apple Festival. Paintsville, KY.
Oct 1-4. West Virginia Pumpkin Festival. Milton, WV.
Oct 2-3. 3 Sisters Bluegrass Festival. Chattanooga, TN.
Oct 2-3. Unicoi County Apple Festival. Erwin, TN.
Oct 2-4. National Storytelling Festival. Jonesborough, TN.
Oct 3. Art in the Park. Blowing Rock, NC.
Oct 3. Asheville Oktoberfest. Asheville, NC.
Oct 3. Aunt Het Fall Festival. Fountain Inn, SC.
Oct 3. Brushy Mountain Apple Festival. North Wilkesboro, NC.
Oct 3. ColorFest. Dillsboro, NC.
Oct 3. Dayton Days Autumn Celebration. Dayton, VA.
Oct 3. Farm City Day. Hendersonville, NC.
Oct 3. Ketner’s Mill Fair. Whitwell, TN.
Oct 3. Sonker Festival. Mount Airy, NC.
Oct 3. Spruce Pine BBQ Festival. Spruce Pine, NC.
Oct 3. Steins & Wine Around the Square. Hayesville, NC.
Oct 3-4. Apple Harvest Festival. Burlington, WV.
Oct 3-4. Indian Summer Festival. Suches, GA.
Oct 3-4. John C. Campbell Folk School Fall Festival. Brasstown, NC.
Oct 3-4. North Georgia Fried Pickle Festival. Dalton, GA.
Oct 3-11. Fall Color Ramble. Linville, NC.
Oct 8-10. Secret City Improv Comedy Festival. Oak Ridge, TN.
Oct 8-11. Blue Highway Fest. Big Stone Gap, VA.
Oct 8-28. Gatlinburg Craftsmen’s Fair (Fall). Gatlinburg, TN.
Oct 9-10. Ghosts of Racing and Ghost Walk. Dawsonville, GA.
Oct 9-10. SC Bigfoot Festival. Westminster, SC.
Oct 9-11. Autumn Leaves Festival. Mount Airy, NC.
Oct 9-11. Bank of America Fall for Greenville. Greenville, SC.
Oct 9-11. Cashiers Valley Leaf Festival. Cashiers, NC.
Oct 9-11. Hands & Harvest Festival. Monterey, VA.
Oct 9-11. Wardensville Fall Festival. Wardensville, WV.
Oct 9-11. West Virginia Bigfoot Festival. Sutton, WV.
Oct 9-11, 15-17. Georgia Mountain Fall Festival. Hiawassee, GA.
Oct 10. Cumberland Valley Cruise-In OctoberFest Corbin, KY.
Oct 10. Fall Festival. Massanutten, VA.
Oct 10. Mountain Glory Festival. Marion, NC.
Oct 10. Spooky Paws Pet Parade. Chattanooga, TN.
Oct 10. Taste of Our Towns. Lewisburg, WV.
Oct 10. Tiger Fall Festival. Tiger, GA.
Oct 10. Twilight Harvest Moon Market. Chattanooga, TN.
Oct 10. Vinton Fall Festival. Vinton, VA.
Oct 10-11. Apple Butter Festival. Berkeley Springs, WV.
Oct 10-11. Crozet Fall Arts & Crafts Festival. Crozet, VA.
Oct 10-11. Fall Arts in the Park. Blue Ridge, GA.
Oct 10-11. Heritage Days Festival. Rogersville, TN.
Oct 10-11. Page County Heritage Festival. Luray, VA.
Oct 10-11. Spruce Pine Potters Market. Spruce Pine, NC.
Oct 10-11. Sugar Mountain Resort’s Oktoberfest. Sugar Mountain, NC.
Oct 10-11. Virginia Wine & Garlic Festival. Amherst, VA.
Oct 10-11, 17-18. Georgia Apple Festival. Ellijay, GA.
Oct 11. HoLa! Festival. Knoxville, TN.
Oct 15-18. Craft Fair of the Southern Highlands. Asheville, NC.
Oct 15-18. Mountain State Apple Harvest Festival. Martinsburg, WV.
Oct 16-17. The Mountain Grrl Experience. Pikeville, KY.
Oct 16-17. Witches Wynd. Kingsport, TN.
Oct 16-18. Blue Ridge Mountains Parade of Homes. Blue Ridge, GA.
Oct 16-18. Fall LEAF Festival. Black Mountain, NC.
Oct 16-18. GO Outside Festival. Roanoke, VA.
Oct 16-18. Home Craft Days Festival. Big Stone Gap, VA.
Oct 16-18. Oktoberfest. Walhalla, SC.
Oct 17. Apple Harvest Festival. Waynesville, NC.
Oct 17. Artisan Makers Market. Greer, SC.
Oct 17. Bridge Day. Fayetteville, WV.
Oct 17. Gran Fondo Hincapie. Greenville, SC.
Oct 17. Moonlight Festival. Somerset, KY.
Oct 17. NC Liver Mush Festival. Shelby, NC.
Oct 17. Valle Country Fair. Valle Crucis, NC.
Oct 17. Wade’s Mill Annual Apple Butter Festival. Raphine, VA.
Oct 17. Yadkin Valley Grape Festival. Yadkinville, NC.
Oct 17-18. Arts & Crafts Show. Maggie Valley, NC.
Oct 17-18. Chattanooga Apple Festival. Chattanooga, TN.
Oct 17-18. Gold Rush Days Festival. Dahlonega, GA.
Oct 17-18. Lake Lure Fall Arts & Crafts Festival. Lake Lure, NC.
Oct 17-18. Oktoberfest. Chattanooga, TN.
Oct 17-18. Punkin’ Chunkin. Brasstown, NC.
Oct 17-18. Woolly Worm Festival. Banner Elk, NC.
Oct 22. History & Haunts. Sevierville, TN.
Oct 22-24. Southern Gap Elk Fest. Grundy, VA.
Oct 23. Greer Alive. Greer, SC.
Oct 23-25. Mountain Moonshine Festival. Dawsonville, GA.
Oct 24. Appalachian Autumn Festival. Greeneville, TN.
Oct 24. Appalachian Brew, Que, and Stew Festival. Hiawassee, GA.
Oct 24. Blue Ridge Folklife Festival. Ferrum, VA.
Oct 24. Mayhem on Main. Wytheville, VA.
Oct 24. Smoky Mountains Bluegrass Festival. Maggie Valley, NC.
Oct 24. Spooktacular Halloween Bash. Norton, VA.
Oct 24. West Virginia Book Festival. Charleston, WV.
Oct 24-25. Plow Days Festival at Darnell Farms. Bryson City, NC.
Oct 25. BRAGco (Bike Ride Across Greene County). Greene County, TN.
Oct 25. Jeeptoberfest in the Smokies. Sevierville, TN.
Oct 26-31. Hilloween: A Multi-Day Halloween Festival. Mitchell County, NC.
Oct 28-31. Haunted Grounds. Sale Creek, TN.
Oct 31. Halloween at the Fairgrounds. Hiawassee, GA
Oct 31. Halloween Bash. Galax, VA.
Oct 31. Sheriff’s Halloween Spooktacular. Sevierville, TN.
NOVEMBER
Nov 1. Veterans Parade. Tazewell, VA.
Nov 6-Jan 3. Dollywood’s Smoky Mountain Christmas. Pigeon Forge, TN.
Nov 6-Jan 10. Christmas at Biltmore. Asheville, NC.
Nov 7. Grilled Cheese and Tomato Soup Festival. Strasburg, VA.
Nov 7. Montpelier Hunt Races. Montpelier Station, VA.
Nov 7. Thomas Jefferson Wine Festival. Lynchburg, VA.
Nov 7-8. 4th Annual Christkindlmarkt. Collegedale, TN.
Nov 7-8. Everything Outdoor Fest. Simpsonville, SC.
Nov 7-8. Head of the Hooch Regatta. Chattanooga, TN.
Nov 7-9. 26th Annual Mistletoe Market. Abingdon, VA.
Nov 12. Winter Magic & Chili Cookoff. Gatlinburg, TN.
Nov 12-15. Film Fest Knox. Knoxville, TN.
Nov 13. Greer Alive. Greer, SC.
Nov 13-15. Toe River Arts Tour. Mitchell and Yancey counties, NC.
Nov 13-Dec 31. Enchanted Garden of Lights. Lookout Mountain, GA.
Nov 14. Claiborne County Christmas Festival & Lighted Tractor Parade. Tazewell, TN.
Nov 14. Mistletoe Market Craft Show. Blairsville, GA.
Nov 14. Veterans Day Parade. Strasburg, VA.
Nov 14-15. 5th Annual Christkindlmarkt. Signal Mountain, TN.
Nov 21. Asheville Holiday Parade. Asheville, NC.
Nov 21. Christmas Parade, Tree Lighting, Jingle Market. Dawsonville, GA.
Nov 21-22. 3rd Annual Christkindlmarkt. Chattanooga, TN.
Nov 21-22. Chattanooga Christmas Village Holiday Market. Cleveland, TN.
Nov 24-29. Great Smoky Thanksgiving Arts & Crafts Show. Gatlinburg, TN.
Nov 26-Dec 24. Mountain Country Christmas in Lights. Hiawassee, GA.
Nov 27. Christmas in the Park & Lighting of the Town. Blowing Rock, NC.
Nov 27. Lighting of the Village. Helen, GA.
Nov 27-28. Light Up Blue Ridge & Christmas Parade. Blue Ridge, GA.
Nov 27-Dec 30. Tweetsie Christmas. Blowing Rock, NC.
Nov 27-Jan 1. Christmas in the Park. Prestonsburg, KY.
Nov 28-29. Helen’s Christmas Market. Helen, GA.
Nov 28-Dec 24. Holiday Express Tour on the Blue Ridge Scenic Railway. Blue Ridge, GA.
DECEMBER
Dec 1-31. Tour of Trees. Blairsville, GA.
Dec 4. Christmas Parade and Tree Lighting. Galax, VA.
Dec 4. Fantasy of Lights Christmas Parade. Gatlinburg, TN.
Dec 4. Greer Christmas Tree Lighting. Greer, SC.
Dec 4. Light Up Woodstock and Holiday Parade. Woodstock, VA
Dec 4. Night of Lights. Greenville, SC.
Dec 4, 11, 18. Dickens of a Christmas. Roanoke, VA.
Dec 4-5, 11-12. Dillsboro Luminaries. Dillsboro, NC.
Dec 4-6. Christmas in Barbourville. Barbourville, KY.
Dec 5. Christmas at the Gorge. Tallulah Falls, GA.
Dec 5. Christmas in the Country. Kingsport, TN.
Dec 5. Christmas on Main. Martinsburg, WV.
Dec 5. Hinton’s Hometown Christmas Festival. Hinton, WV.
Dec 5. Holiday on the Square and Christmas Parade. Blairsville, GA.
Dec 5. Kris Kringle Mountain Market. Blairsville, GA.
Dec 5. MAINx24. Chattanooga, TN.
Dec 5. Poinsettia Christmas Parade. Greenville, SC.
Dec 5. ‘Tis the Season Holiday Market and Parade. Strasburg, VA.
Dec 5. Winter Market. Tazewell, VA.
Dec 5. Winter Wonderfest. Harrisonburg, VA.
Dec 5. Wintertide. Monterey, VA.
Dec 5-6. Helen’s Christmas Market. Helen, GA.
Dec 5-6, 12-13, 19-20. Merry Makers Market. Martinsburg, WV.
Dec 6. Greer Christmas Parade. Greer, SC.
Dec 10-12. Frosty’s Forest Fair. Fort Ashby, WV.
Dec 11-12. Candlelight Tours. Chatsworth, GA.
Dec 12. Christmas at the Choo-Choo. Chattanooga, TN.
Dec 12. Christmas in the Country at McDonald Farm. Sale Creek, TN.
Dec 12. Helen’s Annual Christmas Parade. Helen, GA.
Dec 12. Sunset Candy Cane Hunt. Tallulah Falls, GA.
Dec 12. Tour de Lights. Knoxville, TN.
Dec 12. Vogel’s Christmas Tree Lighting. Blairsville, GA.
Dec 12-13. Journey to the Manger. Bakersville, NC.
Dec 13. Yadkin Valley Christmas Parade. Elkin and Jonesville, NC.
Dec 19-20. Last Minute Market. Collegedale, TN.
Dec 31. Dropping of the Edelweiss. Helen, Georgia.
Dec 31. New Year Fireworks at the Fairgrounds. Hiawassee, GA.
Dec 31. New Year’s Eve Fireworks Show and Ball Drop. Gatlinburg, TN.
The story above first appeared in our May/June 2026 issue.
