Things to do › Fall Events
North Carolina fall events from September through November, split into events with dates and ones that run for weeks.
98 fall events are still ahead on our calendar (Oct 27-Nov 30, 2026): 70 with a single date or a short run, 28 that run for weeks, and 6 free, in 33 towns.
98Fall Events
70With Dates
28Run for Weeks
6Free
Events come from our North Carolina events dataset (last re-checked Oct 21, 2026); each date and price was read on the organizer’s own page, and “See event page” means the organizer does not publish one. Plans and rules change, so check the organizer or park page before you drive.
Fall Events With Dates
| Event | When | Where | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pumpkin Patch Express (Museum of Life and Science) | Oct 24-31: Weekends in October (hours not published) | Durham · Triangle | See event page |
| Indigo Girls with Linda Perry (Wilson Center) | Thu, Oct 29: 7:00 PM (doors 6:00 PM) | Wilmington · Coast | See event page |
| Greensboro Science Center Fright Light laser show | Fri, Oct 30 (Shows at 6:00, 7:00 and 8:00 PM) | Greensboro · Triad | $7 per ticket |
| Mrs. Doubtfire (WRAL Greatest Hits of Broadway, DPAC) | Oct 30-Nov 1 (not published) | Durham · Triangle | Tickets start at $50 (+ tax) |
| Boo! (Museum of Life and Science) | Sat, Oct 31 (10 AM-3 PM) | Durham · Triangle | See event page |
| Carolina Raptor Center: Raptor Tales story time | Sat, Oct 31: Raptor Trail open 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM (event time not published) | Huntersville · Charlotte Region | See event page |
| ECU Pirates football vs Temple | Sat, Oct 31 (Time TBA) | Greenville · Eastern Plain & Inner Banks | See event page |
| Halloween in the District: Trick or Treat and Costume Contest (Downtown Fayetteville) | Sat, Oct 31 | Fayetteville · Sandhills | See event page |
| Abbamania (Thalian Hall) | Thu, Nov 5 (7:30 PM) | Wilmington · Coast | See event page |
| Fayetteville Marksmen School Day Game vs Roanoke | Thu, Nov 5 (10:00 AM EST) | Fayetteville · Sandhills | See event page |
| Holly Day Fair (59th annual, Junior League of Fayetteville, Crown Expo) | Nov 5-8 (Nov 5-8; daily hours not published) | Fayetteville · Sandhills | See event page |
| ECU Pirates football vs South Florida | Fri, Nov 6: 7:30 PM (Friday) | Greenville · Eastern Plain & Inner Banks | See event page |
| The Electric Light Orchestra Experience with Wilmington Symphony Orchestra strings (Wilson Center) | Fri, Nov 6: 7:30 PM (doors 6:30 PM) | Wilmington · Coast | See event page |
| TowneBank Outer Banks Marathon and Half Marathon weekend (Outer Banks Sporting Events) | Nov 6-8 | Outer Banks · Coast | See event page |
| App State Football vs Georgia State (Heroes Day) | Sat, Nov 7 (time TBD) | Boone · High Country | See event page |
| Monty Python's Spamalot (Wilson Center, PNC Broadway and the Beach) | Nov 7-8 | Wilmington · Coast | See event page |
| North Carolina Whirligig Festival Our guide | Nov 7-8: Sat Nov 7 10:00 AM through Sun Nov 8 5:00 PM (Eastern) | Wilson · Triangle | See event page |
| UNC Asheville Bulldogs Men's Basketball vs Western Carolina | Sat, Nov 7 (5:30 PM) | Asheville · Asheville & Foothills | See event page |
| Western Carolina Catamounts Football vs Wofford (Heroes Day / EBCI Day) | Sat, Nov 7 (1:00 PM) | Cullowhee · Smoky Mountains | See event page |
| Ally Tipoff women's college basketball doubleheader (South Carolina vs North Carolina; NC State vs Kentucky) | Sun, Nov 8 (Starts 3:00 PM) | Charlotte · Charlotte Region | See event page |
| Dix Park: Instrument Petting Zoo | Sun, Nov 8 (2:00-4:00 PM) | Raleigh · Triangle | Free (free to the public thanks to Dix Park Conservancy donors); more prices on the event page |
| TobyMac, Chris Tomlin and Third Day | Sun, Nov 8 (Time not published on this page on the venue event list) | Greensboro · Triad | See event page |
| Tanglewood Festival of Lights: Paws in the Park Our guide | Nov 9-10: not published (reserve a spot online) | Clemmons · Triad | See event page |
| WKML 95.7 Stars and Guitars (Crown Coliseum) | Mon, Nov 9 (Show time not published) | Fayetteville · Sandhills | See event page |
| Death Becomes Her (Broadway at DPAC) | Nov 10-15 (Times not published on this page on the DPAC event list) | Durham · Triangle | Tickets start at $55 plus tax (DPAC list) |
| Southern Christmas Show Our guide | Nov 11-22 | Charlotte · Charlotte Region | See event page |
| Stephen Lynch: The Me Tour | Wed, Nov 11 (Doors 7 PM; show 8 PM) | Asheville · Asheville & Foothills | See event page |
| Hudson Westbrook: The Hits Me Tour | Fri, Nov 13 (Doors 6:00 PM; show 7:00 PM) | Asheville · Asheville & Foothills | See event page |
| Marty Stuart and His Fabulous Superlatives (Wilson Center) | Fri, Nov 13: 7:30 PM (doors 6:30 PM) | Wilmington · Coast | See event page |
| The Drifters (Thalian Hall) | Sat, Nov 14 (7:30 PM) | Wilmington · Coast | See event page |
| Western Carolina Catamounts Men's Basketball vs Lipscomb | Sat, Nov 14 (7:00 PM) | Cullowhee · Smoky Mountains | See event page |
| A Magical Cirque Christmas | Sun, Nov 15 (Doors 5:00 PM; show 6:00 PM) | Asheville · Asheville & Foothills | See event page |
| Blade Runner Live: film with live orchestra (Wilson Center) | Sun, Nov 15: 6:30 PM (doors 5:30 PM) | Wilmington · Coast | See event page |
| Greensboro Science Center Winter Wonderlights Sensory Friendly Night | Tue, Nov 17 (5:30 PM - 9:00 PM) | Greensboro · Triad | See event page |
| Doja Cat: Tour Ma Vie World Tour with Latto | Wed, Nov 18 (7:30 PM) | Charlotte · Charlotte Region | See event page |
| Wicked (Steven Tanger Center) | Nov 18-Dec 6 (Showtimes not published on this page on the list) | Greensboro · Triad | See event page |
| Hiss Golden Messenger: I'm People Tour | Thu, Nov 19 (Show 8 PM; doors not published) | Asheville · Asheville & Foothills | See event page |
| Ingles Southern Conference Women's Volleyball Championships | Nov 19-22 | Asheville · Asheville & Foothills | See event page |
| App State Men's Basketball vs North Texas | Fri, Nov 20 (6:30 PM) | Boone · High Country | See event page |
| Grandfather Mountain Holiday Tree Arrival | Fri, Nov 20 (11:00 AM-12:00 PM) | Linville · High Country | See event page |
| Lowes Foods Christmas Parade and Tree Lighting | Fri, Nov 20 (5:45 PM) | Hickory · Asheville & Foothills | See event page |
| RUSH: Fifty Something Tour | Nov 20-22 (Fri Nov 20 7:30 PM; Sun Nov 22 7:30 PM) | Charlotte · Charlotte Region | See event page |
| 80th Annual Asheville Holiday Parade | Sat, Nov 21 (11:00 AM) | Asheville · Asheville & Foothills | See event page |
| 82nd ABC11 Raleigh Christmas Parade Our guide | Sat, Nov 21 | Raleigh · Triangle | See event page |
| App State Football vs ULM (Senior Day) | Sat, Nov 21 (time TBD) | Boone · High Country | See event page |
| Morganton Winter Carnival | Sat, Nov 21 (2:30 PM-5:30 PM; downtown lighting ceremony 5:30-6:00 PM) | Morganton · Asheville & Foothills | See event page |
| Piedmont Craftsmen's Fair (63rd annual) | Nov 21-22 (Sat Nov 21 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM; Sun Nov 22 12:00 PM - 5:00 PM) | Winston-Salem · Triad | See event page |
| Western Carolina Catamounts Football vs The Citadel (Hall of Fame Day / Senior Day) | Sat, Nov 21 (1:00 PM) | Cullowhee · Smoky Mountains | See event page |
| 'Twas the Night Before... by Cirque du Soleil | Nov 25-Dec 6 (Times not published on this page on the DPAC event list) | Durham · Triangle | See event page |
| UNCW Seahawks Live Oak Bank Holiday Classic (Trask Coliseum) | Nov 25-28 | Wilmington · Coast | See event page |
| Dix Park: Trophy Trot 5k (Thanksgiving Day race) | Thu, Nov 26 (Kids' race 8:45 AM; 5K 9:00 AM; ends 10:30 AM) | Raleigh · Triangle | See event page |
| Fayetteville Turkey Trot 5K and 1 Mile Run/Walk | Thu, Nov 26 (8:30 AM-11:00 AM) | Fayetteville · Sandhills | See event page |
| Carolina Raptor Center: Thanksgiving with the Raptors | Fri, Nov 27: Raptor Trail open 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM (event time not published) | Huntersville · Charlotte Region | See event page |
| Craftsmen's Christmas Classic Art & Craft Festival | Nov 27-29 (Fri 9 AM-6 PM; Sat 10 AM-6 PM; Sun 10 AM-4 PM) | Greensboro · Triad | See event page |
| Dick Vitale Invitational: West Virginia vs North Carolina | Fri, Nov 27 (12:00 PM) | Charlotte · Charlotte Region | See event page |
| Festive in Flight: A Holiday Drone Show Celebration | Fri, Nov 27: Event 5:00 PM; 500-drone show begins 7:00 PM (about 15 min) | Pinehurst · Sandhills | See event page |
| Holiday Tree Lighting | Fri, Nov 27 (5:00 PM-8:00 PM) | Hendersonville · Asheville & Foothills | See event page |
| North Carolina Holiday Flotilla at Wrightsville Beach Our guide | Nov 27-29 | Wrightsville Beach · Coast | See event page |
| Rock N Roll Rewind: 4th Annual Black Friday Show | Fri, Nov 27 (Doors 7 PM; show 8 PM) | Asheville · Asheville & Foothills | See event page |
| Carolina Hurricanes vs Ottawa Senators (Thanksgiving week home game) | Sat, Nov 28 (Puck drop time not published in the team's schedule release) | Raleigh · Triangle | See event page |
| Dowdy Park Tree Lighting | Sat, Nov 28 (5:00-7:00 PM; Santa arrives 5:30 PM) | Nags Head · Coast | Free (town says its events are free) |
| ECU Pirates football vs Florida Atlantic (Senior Day) | Sat, Nov 28 (Time TBA) | Greenville · Eastern Plain & Inner Banks | See event page |
| Fayetteville Marksmen Disney Night vs Roanoke | Sat, Nov 28 (6:00 PM EST) | Fayetteville · Sandhills | See event page |
| Fireside Collective's Family Jamboree | Sat, Nov 28 (Doors 7 PM; show 8 PM) | Asheville · Asheville & Foothills | See event page |
| Old Salem Christmas Kick-Off | Sat, Nov 28 (10:00 AM - 4:00 PM) | Winston-Salem · Triad | See event page |
| UNC Asheville Bulldogs Men's Basketball vs Georgia Southern | Sat, Nov 28 (2:00 PM) | Asheville · Asheville & Foothills | See event page |
| Very Merry Christmas (Opera House Theatre Company) (Thalian Hall) | Nov 28-29 (times not published on the listing) | Wilmington · Coast | See event page |
| App State Men's Basketball vs Dartmouth | Sun, Nov 29 (1:00 PM) | Boone · High Country | See event page |
| City of Wilmington Holiday Parade | Sun, Nov 29 (6:00-8:00 PM; Front St closed 5:00-7:15 PM) | Wilmington · Coast | Free |
| Celtic Angels (Thalian Hall) | Mon, Nov 30 (4:00 PM and 7:30 PM) | Wilmington · Coast | See event page |
Fall Events Running for Weeks
Not checked for each date: these run for weeks, and some open only on certain days or nights. Check the organizer’s page for the day you want.
| Event | When | Where | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Carolina Renaissance Festival | Oct 3-Nov 22 (Saturdays and Sundays 9:30 AM - 5:30 PM, rain or shine) | Huntersville · Charlotte Region | See event page |
| Beach Scavenger Hunt (Fort Macon State Park) | Oct 24-Feb 15, 2027: 10:00 AM (state parks list); detail page shows 10-11 AM | Atlantic Beach · Coast | See event page |
| Fort Macon free daily guided tour | Oct 24-Apr 14, 2027 (Daily 1:00 PM, about 45 minutes, mid-Oct to mid-April) | Atlantic Beach · Coast | Free |
| Museum of the Cherokee People | Oct 24-Mar 31, 2027: 9:00 AM-5:00 PM daily (last ticket 4:00 PM) | Cherokee · Smoky Mountains | Adults $15; children 6-12 $8; children 5 and under free |
| NC Aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores | Oct 24-Mar 31, 2027 (Daily 9 AM-5 PM) | Pine Knoll Shores · Coast | See event page |
| NC Aquarium on Roanoke Island | Oct 24-Mar 31, 2027 | Manteo · Coast | See event page |
| NC Museum of Natural Sciences (downtown Raleigh) | Oct 24-Mar 31, 2027 | Raleigh · Triangle | Free general admission |
| WNC Nature Center | Oct 24-Mar 31, 2027 (not published) | Asheville · Asheville & Foothills | Adults $16.95 plus tax ($11.95 City of Asheville residents); seniors 65+ $15.95 ($10.95); more prices on the event page |
| Carolina Panthers home games (Bank of America Stadium) | Oct 25-Jan 3, 2027 | Charlotte · Charlotte Region | See event page |
| Escape at the Millpond (Merchants Millpond State Park) | Oct 26-Dec 14 | Gatesville · Eastern Plain & Inner Banks | See event page |
| Fayetteville Marksmen (SPHL) home games at Crown Coliseum | Oct 29-Mar 27, 2027 | Fayetteville · Sandhills | See event page |
| ECU Pirates men's basketball non-conference home games (Williams Arena at Minges Coliseum) | Nov 2-Dec 21 | Greenville · Eastern Plain & Inner Banks | See event page |
| UNCW Seahawks men's basketball home games (Trask Coliseum) | Nov 2-Mar 2, 2027 | Wilmington · Coast | See event page |
| Candlelight Christmas Evenings at Biltmore | Nov 3-Jan 9, 2027 (not published) | Asheville · Asheville & Foothills | See event page |
| The Polar Express Train Ride (Great Smoky Mountains Railroad) Our guide | Nov 5-Jan 3, 2027: not published (choose date/time at booking) | Bryson City · Smoky Mountains | Coach Class from $50.85 adult (13+), $33.52 child (2-12), $0.00 infant; more prices on the event page |
| The Polar Express Train Ride (NC Transportation Museum) Our guide | Nov 6-Dec 23 | Spencer · Charlotte Region | See event page |
| Tanglewood Festival of Lights Our guide | Nov 13-Jan 1, 2027 (6:00 PM - 11:00 PM daily) | Clemmons · Triad | Per family vehicle (cars, vans, trucks): Mon-Thu $20 cash / $23 card; more prices on the event page |
| Winter Lights at the North Carolina Arboretum | Nov 13-Jan 3, 2027 (Gates open 6:00 PM, last entry 9:00 PM) | Asheville · Asheville & Foothills | See event page |
| Dowdy Park Holiday Markets | Nov 14-Dec 12 (Saturdays Nov 14, Nov 28, Dec 12, 9 AM-12 PM) | Nags Head · Coast | Free (town says its events are free and family-friendly) |
| National Gingerbread House Display at The Omni Grove Park Inn Our guide | Nov 17-Jan 3, 2027 | Asheville · Asheville & Foothills | See event page |
| Greensboro Science Center Winter Wonderlights | Nov 18-Jan 3, 2027 | Greensboro · Triad | See event page |
| Speedway Christmas (drive-thru light show) | Nov 20-Jan 3, 2027 (6:00 PM - 10:00 PM, rain or shine) | Concord · Charlotte Region | See event page |
| North Carolina Chinese Lantern Festival (11th year) Our guide | Nov 21-Jan 10, 2027 | Cary · Triangle | See event page |
| Carowinds WinterFest | Nov 27-Jan 3, 2027: not published (page says check the Carowinds app for show times) | Charlotte · Charlotte Region | See event page |
| Sandhills Garden of Lights | Nov 27-Jan 9, 2027 (5:00 PM - 10:00 PM, Wednesdays through Sundays) | Pinehurst · Sandhills | See event page |
| Tweetsie Christmas | Nov 27-Dec 30 | Blowing Rock · High Country | Adults 13+ $65; children 3-12 $45; ages 2 and under free; parking free |
| Holidays at the Garden (Daniel Stowe Conservancy) | Nov 28-Dec 30 | Belmont · Charlotte Region | See event page |
| Visits with Santa and Carriage Rides, Courthouse Square | Nov 28-Dec 20 | Morganton · Asheville & Foothills | See event page |
Keep Planning
- By month: October, November, December, January, February, March
- Regional event hubs: Coast, Asheville & Foothills, Charlotte Region, Triangle, Triad, Sandhills, High Country, Smoky Mountains, Eastern Plain & Inner Banks
- By day: Today, Tomorrow, This Weekend, Next Week, By Month
More Topic Guides
Frequently Asked Questions
What counts as a fall event?
Anything on our calendar that overlaps September through November. Events that have already ended drop off the list on their own.
Where do I find leaf-season hikes?
Our state parks guide lists every park, and the mountains guide narrows it to the high country. We do not publish leaf-color forecasts.
Are fall events free?
Some are; the price column shows what each organizer publishes.
Sources
- Each event links to the organizer’s own page, where its date, hours and price were read; all rows are in the North Carolina events dataset with a checked date on every row.
How we check: editorial standards, verification log, corrections.
Cite this page: It's North Carolina, “Fall Events”, itsnorthcarolina.com/things-to-do/fall-events/ (updated ). By the It's North Carolina editorial team. Free to quote with attribution and a link to this page; data and tables are licensed CC BY 4.0.