By Jon Tharp, Broker · October 1, 2026
At a Glance
Fall festival season in Western North Carolina runs from early October into November. Highlights include the Church Street Art & Craft Show (Oct. 10) and Apple Harvest Festival (Oct. 17) in downtown Waynesville, PumpkinFest in Franklin (Oct. 17), and the Smoky Mountains Bluegrass Festival in Maggie Valley (Oct. 24). ColorFest in Dillsboro opens the season on Oct. 3, and the WNC Pottery Festival in Sylva closes it Nov. 7.
Somewhere in downtown Franklin this month, someone is going to try to beat a pumpkin that rolled 1,021 feet down Phillips Street.
Through the next month or so, you can find master potters in Sylva, bluegrass in Maggie Valley, stickball in Cherokee and upwards of 20,000 people at the Apple Harvest Festival on a Saturday in Waynesville. Here is what is coming up and how to plan for it.
Opening Weekend in Dillsboro and Brasstown
The season starts Saturday, Oct. 3, with the 18th annual ColorFest in downtown Dillsboro from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Dozens of artisans will show authentic Cherokee art, pottery, loom beading, chair caning, baskets, rustic furniture and handmade soaps, with live music and artisan demonstrations. It is free. (Source: https://smokymountainnews.com/arts-entertainment/ae-latest/coming-together-fall-festival-season-kicks-off-in-wnc/)
The same weekend, the John C. Campbell Folk School in Brasstown holds its 50th annual Fall Festival, Oct. 3 and 4 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Expect more than 200 fine craft exhibitors, dozens of artisans demonstrating traditional and contemporary crafts, and live bluegrass, gospel, Americana, folk and mountain music, plus clogging and food vendors. (Source: https://smokymountainnews.com/arts-entertainment/ae-latest/coming-together-fall-festival-season-kicks-off-in-wnc/)
The Cherokee Indian Fair
The 114th annual Cherokee Indian Fair runs Oct. 6 through 10 at the Acquoni Expo Center, 1501 Acquoni Road in Cherokee. A parade kicks things off Tuesday, and a carnival runs all week alongside community arts and crafts exhibits, stickball competitions and children's activities.
Country singer-songwriter Dylan Scott performs Saturday night. General fair admission is $20, and the concert is included at no extra cost. (Source: https://smokymountainnews.com/arts-entertainment/ae-latest/coming-together-fall-festival-season-kicks-off-in-wnc/)
Church Street Art & Craft Show in Waynesville
On Saturday, Oct. 10, the 43rd annual Church Street Art & Craft Show fills downtown Waynesville from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. More than 100 artisans and crafters take part, selling fiber art, glass, leather, jewelry, photography, garden accessories and gourmet food.
Waynesville artist Teresa Pennington and property owner Richard Miller founded the show. Within a few years it outgrew Church Street and became one of Main Street's most popular annual events, now attracting over 20,000 visitors each year. Bluegrass bands and clogging groups perform on both ends of Main Street, and the day also brings bagpipes. It is free and goes on rain or shine. (Sources: https://www.downtownwaynesville.com/events-1/43rd-annual-church-street-art-craft-show, https://smokymountainnews.com/arts-entertainment/ae-latest/coming-together-fall-festival-season-kicks-off-in-wnc/)
Oct. 17: Apples in Waynesville, Pumpkins in Franklin
The 38th annual Haywood County Apple Harvest Festival returns to downtown Waynesville from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 17, hosted by the Haywood County Chamber of Commerce. It has been named one of the "10 Best Fall Harvest Festivals in the Nation," and historic Main Street will be lined with over 180 vendors, shops and restaurants.
Come for locally grown apples and apple products, then stay for mountain music, dance groups and a children's fun area. Admission is free, and the festival always falls on the third Saturday in October. (Sources: https://www.haywoodchamber.com/signature-events/, https://smokymountainnews.com/arts-entertainment/ae-latest/coming-together-fall-festival-season-kicks-off-in-wnc/)
Down in Franklin, the 30th annual PumpkinFest runs 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. the same day. The main event is the "World Famous PumpkinRoll" on Phillips Street. Sign-up is 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., rolling runs 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., and you can buy a pumpkin at the event or bring your own. There is also a costume parade and contest, a pumpkin pie eating contest and dozens of vendors. It goes on rain or shine. (Source: https://smokymountainnews.com/arts-entertainment/ae-latest/coming-together-fall-festival-season-kicks-off-in-wnc/)
The Stecoah Harvest Festival brings a quilt show, pie contest, live animals and heritage demonstrations to the Stecoah Valley Cultural Arts Center in Robbinsville. The listing gives both Oct. 16-17 and Oct. 17-18, so call 828.479.3364 or check stecoahvalleycenter.com before you go. It is free. (Source: https://smokymountainnews.com/arts-entertainment/ae-latest/coming-together-fall-festival-season-kicks-off-in-wnc/)
Bluegrass in Maggie Valley
The Haywood County Arts Council brings the Smoky Mountains Bluegrass Festival to the Maggie Valley Festival Grounds on Saturday, Oct. 24, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Taking the stage are Haywood County bluegrass legends Balsam Range, along with Appalachian Roadshow, Red Camel Collective, Unspoken Tradition and Olivia Jo.
The IBMA has twice named Balsam Range Entertainer of the Year, in 2014 and 2018. The festival is the arts council's annual fundraiser, with music-themed vendors, raffles, artist member demonstrations and local food and drinks. Advance tickets are $69.55 (tax included), and kids 12 and under get in free. (Source: https://smokymountainnews.com/arts-entertainment/ae-latest/coming-together-fall-festival-season-kicks-off-in-wnc/)
Closing Out the Season in Sylva
The 20th annual WNC Pottery Festival wraps things up Saturday, Nov. 7, at Bridge Park in Sylva from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The juried event showcases more than 40 master potters from an array of states. Admission is $8, children under 12 are free, and dogs are not allowed inside. (Source: https://smokymountainnews.com/arts-entertainment/ae-latest/coming-together-fall-festival-season-kicks-off-in-wnc/)
Frequently Asked Questions
What festivals are happening in Waynesville NC in October?
Downtown Waynesville hosts two free festivals in October. The 43rd annual Church Street Art & Craft Show runs 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 10, and the 38th annual Haywood County Apple Harvest Festival runs 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 17. Church Street attracts over 20,000 visitors each year, and the Apple Harvest Festival draws upwards of 20,000 attendees.
When is PumpkinFest in Franklin NC?
The 30th annual PumpkinFest is Saturday, Oct. 17, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. in downtown Franklin. Pumpkin Roll sign-up runs 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., and the event is held rain or shine. Call Franklin Town Hall at 828.524.2516 for details.
How much are tickets to the Smoky Mountains Bluegrass Festival?
Advance tickets are $69.55 per person with tax included, and children 12 and under get in free. The festival runs 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 24, at the Maggie Valley Festival Grounds, with tickets available at haywoodarts.org/smoky-mountains-bluegrass-festival or 828.452.0593.
About the Author
Jon Tharp is a licensed NC real estate broker with Keller Williams. He's helped buyers and sellers across Western North Carolina for over 10 years, specializing in mountain homes, land, and short-term rental investments, with offices throughout WNC covering all mountainous areas. If something in this post has you thinking about a move, he's easy to reach — (828) 347-9055 or smokymountainhomes4sale.com or Jon@jontharphomes.com.
Ready to Make Western NC Your Home Base?
Whether you're looking to buy, considering a short-term rental investment, or ready to sell, the Jon Tharp Team brings deep local knowledge and marketing that puts your home in front of 50,000+ buyers in the first 30 days.
Search available homes across Western NC or call Jon directly at (828) 347-9055.
Talk to JonWhat Our Clients Say
43 five-star Google reviews — read them all on Google
"Jon is hands down the most dedicated and knowledgeable realtor that I have ever worked with. His expertise made the entire process of selling my home and finding a new one a smooth process."
Amy Davis · 2025
"Jon & his team are the greatest! Very professional, friendly like your neighbor, and always get back to your texts, phone calls & emails within minutes or same day, not days or weeks."
Cynthia Oelschlager · 2025
"I can’t say enough good things about Jon and his team. I was looking for investment properties and Jon spent time researching where would be a good place for an Airbnb — he found 2 beautiful properties."
Diane Cogswell · 2025
More from the Blog
