Fall Festival Fun in Asheville

September in Asheville is summer’s final last gasp before cooler temperatures arrive, and with them, the turning of the leaves. It’s the perfect time of year for catching up on some celebrations around the city - for everything from food to art. AND, If you book 3 or more consecutive days directly with us in September, we'll give you $10 off per night. Use the code SEPTEMBER10 when you check-out to receive the discount!

Take a look at just some of the exciting and unique festivals Asheville and surrounding towns have to offer this month; we’ve divided them into categories: Cultural, Food and Drink, Art, and Miscellaneous events.

Cultural

Goombay Celebration, Sept. 20-22, S. Market Street: Goombay is a free, 3-day street celebration of African culture. The event features local vendors and music and dance performances by local artists. 

Heritage Weekend, Sept. 21-22, Folk Art Center: The Folk Art Center is home to the Southern Highland Craft Guild, which sponsors this celebration of mountain heritage, music, art, and traditional crafts. Enjoy bluegrass and gospel music, cloggers, and the 39th Annual World Gee Haw Whimmy Diddle Competition. 

Blue Ridge Pride Festival, Sept. 28, 11 a.m. - 7 p.m., Pack Square: Celebrate and support the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender community, starting with a procession from Scandals Nightclub on Grove St. at 10 a.m. The family-friendly party continues in Pack Square Park with vendors, food, and 2 stages of music and entertainment until 7 p.m. 

Food and Drink

Chow Chow, Sept 12-15: The week-long celebration of the Asheville food scene will hold several events in various locations around the city. It’s meant to be an immersive experience for exploring all of the culinary aspects of the area and will include tastings, seminars, tours, chef demonstrations, and panel discussions. Visit the website for a complete schedule of places and events. 

Tour de Fat Asheville, Sept. 21, 11 a.m. - 6 p.m., New Belgium Brewery: The annual event raises money for Asheville on Bikes, and features bike parades, music, cirque performances, comedians, and of course, New Belgium beer. 

The Asheville Coffee Expo, Sept. 28, 9 a.m.-1 p.m., Pleb Urban Winery: Enjoy a caffeine rush over a beer buzz? Check out the Coffee Expo for tastings, competitions between baristas, and learning about new drinks and blends. 

Oktoberfest, Sept. 28, 11 a.m. -11 p.m., Hillman Beer: You don’t have to be German to appreciate this Oktoberfest! Enjoy live music, food from Rise Above Deli, a special beer release, and a commemorative stein. Best part about this event? It’s within walking distance to The Residences at Biltmore!

Southern Appalachian Oktoberfest, Sept. 28, 12-6 p.m., Southern Appalachian Brewery: Even if you’re not a beer fan, you can’t miss this Oktoberfest, if only because of the 6th Annual Dachshund Races! The brewery will also release its fall seasonal beer, the Mountain Top Polka Band will play, Polka dance instruction will take place, and there will be food, a German costume contest, and a Kids’ Zone. 

Art

Art in Autumn, Sept. 21, 10 a.m. - 6 p.m., Main Street in Weaverville: The festival features 114 juried artists and craftspeople, as well as food and live music. 

NC Ceramic Arts Festival, Sep. 21, 11 a.m. - 5 p.m., Pack Square Park: See and purchase ceramic arts of all genres from more than 40 vendors of tilework, sculpture, jewelry, pottery, and more. In addition to the artists, there will be food trucks, raku demonstrations, and live entertainment. 

Misc.

North Carolina Mountain State Fair, Sept. 6-15, WNC Agricultural Center (Fletcher): Ride classic carnival amusements, visit with animals, eat fair food, and celebrate the heritage and culture of the mountains at this annual event. 

Lake Lure Dirty Dancing Festival, Sept. 13-14, Morse Park (Lake Lure): You’re guaranteed to have “the time of [your] life” at the only party in the country that celebrates the legacy of the movie filmed in Lake Lure. Over the two days, you can watch the movie by the lake, learn the dances from the movie, carry a watermelon, and of course, practice your lake lifts. 

Call for more information: 1-888-786-3648