Asheville Fall 2025 Events Guide: Festivals, Fairs & Local Favorites

Fall in Asheville isn’t just leaves and layered sweaters — it’s a full-on cultural season: juried craft shows, farm celebrations, music festivals, spooky family fun, and neighborhood block parties. If you want to experience Asheville at its busiest and most charming, plan a few weekends around these can’t-miss events. (Dates are the 2025 listings as published by Explore Asheville.) Explore Asheville

Arts, Heritage & Culture (September → November)

• RAD Resilience — Sept 13 | River Arts District. A creative comeback: artists displaced by Hurricane Helene and others showcase new works across studios and a packed RAD Art Market — community-first energy. Explore Asheville

• Heritage Weekend — Sept 21–22 | Folk Art Center. Hands-on craft demos, mountain music, and the delightfully weird Whimmy Diddle competition. Great for visitors who want Appalachian culture without the tourist filter. Explore Asheville

• Asheville Art in the Park — Oct 4, 11 & 18 | Pack Square Park. Downtown becomes an outdoor gallery for three weekends — excellent for casual shoppers and serious collectors alike. Explore Asheville

• Craft Fair of the Southern Highlands — Oct 16–19 | Harrah’s Cherokee Center. A juried showcase with regional makers — think heirloom-quality pottery, textiles, and woodwork. Explore Asheville

(There are more studio tours and juried shows through late October and into November — RADfest is one of the big wrap-ups.) Explore Asheville

Music, Dance & Cultural Festivals (September → October)

• Goombay Festival — Sept 5–7 | Pack Square Park. One of Asheville’s longest-running street festivals celebrating African and Afro-Diasporic culture with music, food, and dance. Explore Asheville

• LEAF Global Arts Festival — Oct 16–19 | Lake Eden (Black Mountain). Multi-genre music, storytelling, healing arts, and global food — a weekend that pulls in repeat visitors and locals alike. Explore Asheville

• Lovely Asheville Fall Festival — Oct 11–12 | Pack Square Park. A family-forward civic festival focused on art, music, and community themes. Explore Asheville

If live music is your thing, Asheville’s fall calendar is stacked — from intimate club dates to larger outdoor lineups. Check the venues (Orange Peel, Grey Eagle, Asheville Yards) for rotating shows through September and October. Explore Asheville

Food, Beer & Farm Experiences

• Clawtoberfest — Sept 20 | Highland Brewing. Local beer culture with stein games and German-style fun. Explore Asheville

• ASAP Farm Tour — Sept 20–21. Self-guided farm visits across WNC — great for visitors who want a hands-on food experience. Explore Asheville

• Asheville Greek Festival — Sept 26–27 and Carolina Mountain Cheese Fest — Sept 28 (Black Mountain). Seasonal food events that highlight regional producers. Explore Asheville

Outdoor & Family Fun (Runs & Seasonal Attractions)

• Oktoberfest Half Marathon & 5K — Sept 27 | Hi-Wire Brewing (RAD). A scenic run that ends with beer — only in Asheville. Explore Asheville

• Haunted Trail & Family Halloween Events — Oct weekends | Adventure Center & local spots. Kid-friendly spooks and cleverly themed trail events keep things festive without being full-blown nightmare fuel. Explore Asheville

• Eliada Fall Festival & Corn Maze — Sept 26–Nov 1 (weekends). Classic family fall staple that supports a local nonprofit. Explore Asheville

Local Tip: Timing the Leaves (and the Crowd)

Peak color depends on elevation — expect late September through mid/late October in town areas; higher elevations trend earlier. If you want foliage without bumper-to-bumper traffic, try weekdays or day-trips to Black Mountain or Brevard. (Yes, people still post those insta-photos — but you can beat them if you plan smart.)

Why this matters for buyers & sellers

• Buyers: Fall weekends are a great opportunity to feel neighborhood energy — farmers’ markets, street festivals, and art walks help buyers understand community character beyond price comps.

• Sellers: Staging a home for fall (warm touches, crisp curb appeal) and timing open houses around local events can increase foot traffic — especially if your listing’s within walking distance of a festival route or popular park.

  Ready to plan your visit (or move) to Asheville? Check out Firefly Realty's Asheville Guide or reach out to us at 828-771-2339!