It’s almost flannel season, Asheville. From pumpkin patches and corn mazes to apple picking and Halloween happenings, fall is one of our favorite seasons in the 828.
Get ready to come alive — or play dead at a haunted house — with this guide to 20+ must-do events this fall.
Fall festivals
Eliada Annual Fall Festival & Corn Maze | Friday, Sept. 26-Saturday, Nov. 1 | Times vary | Eliada | $15 | Find your way through the eight-acre corn maze, embark on a tractor ride, and let the kids go wild with fun fall games.
Blue Ridge Pride Festival | Saturday, Sept. 27 | 11 a.m.-7 p.m. | Pack Square Park | Free | Each year, the fest draws thousands of LGBTQ+ people and allies to the streets of Asheville to celebrate, support, and speak out while enjoying vendors, live performances, and community.
Harvest Festival and Fall Plant Sale | Saturday, Oct. 4 | 9 a.m.-5 p.m. | WNC Farmers Market | Free | Get everything you need for fall planting and treat yourself to some seasonal treats and artisanal crafts.
Carolinas Horror-Fest | Saturday, Oct. 4 | 10 a.m.-5 p.m. | Haywood Park Hotel | $20+ | The horror convention welcomes all kinds of fandoms for a day filled with vendors, guest speakers, cosplay, and plenty of ghost stories.
Ten Acre Garden’s Fall Festival | Saturday, Oct. 4 | 10 a.m.-6 p.m. | Ten Acre Garden, Canton | Free | Savor an afternoon of live music, wood-fired pizza, pick your own pumpkins, wagon rides, and fall treats.
Tour de Fat | Saturday, Oct. 4 | 11 a.m.-8 p.m. | New Belgium Brewing | Free | Don your costume and bring your bike to the brewery for a bike parade party, plus free live music by Polyrhythmics, Sam Greenfield, and Electrolust.
Asheville Oktoberfest | Saturday, Oct. 4 | 2-6 p.m. | Pack Square Park | Free | A full day of live music, games, and German-style food and beer awaits.
Craft Fair Of The Southern Highlands | Thursday, Oct. 16-Sunday, Oct. 19 | 10 a.m. | $12 | Harrah’s Cherokee Center Asheville | Explore a variety of fine American craft ranging from contemporary to traditional works of clay, wood, metal, glass, fiber, mixed media, and jewelry.
If you’re looking for even more festivals, check out our monthly Plan Ahead.
Orchards + pumpkin patches
Grandad’s Apples | 2951 Chimney Rock Rd., Hendersonville
This well-known spot is home to a market, store, pumpkin patch, and lots of family activities (the apple cannon, corn maze, and cow train open Labor Day weekend) — but pick-your-own is offered only on selected weekends, so keep an eye on social media for updates.
Stepp’s Hillcrest Orchard | 170 Stepp Orchard Dr., Hendersonville
The orchard plants 15 varieties of pumpkins each year, so you can pick your own gorgeous gourd off the vine from late September to October.
Jeter Mountain Farm | 1126 Jeter Mountain Rd., Hendersonville
The farm keeps its u-pick online calendar up to date, so stay updated for what’s ready for the taking on Thursdays-Sundays. While visiting the farm, stop by the Cider Co. Taproom to try the homemade hard cider.
Psst... we have a guide to apple picking with more spots to get gathering.
Haunted happenings
Haunted Trail | Friday, Oct. 3-Sunday, Oct. 26 | 6-9 p.m. | Adventure Center of Asheville | $18-$44 | Walk the family-friendly haunted trail (geared towards ages 3-13) with live actors, spooky sounds + a little comedy, then stop by the aerial Glow Trail or visit Pirates Cove.
The Haunted Farm | Saturday, Sept. 27-Saturday, Nov. 1 | 7-10:30 p.m. | 624 Townsend Rd., Hendersonville | $36+ | This year marks the 15th season of scares from the thrilling and terrifying haunted house.
Pinhead’s Graveyard | Friday, Sept. 26-Saturday, Nov. 8 | 562 Main St., Canton | $20-$35 | Meet horror movie characters like the eponymous Pinhead, Michael Myers, Freddy Krueger, Jason Voorhees, Leatherface, and Art the Clown as you wander the 100+ year-old building.
Ghosted: Asheville Haunted Comedy Tour | Dates vary | LaZoom | $44 | Hop on the bus to take a frightfully funny tour of Asheville’s dark side.
Haunted Asheville Ghost Tours | Dates vary | Locations vary | $27 | Embark on the Classic Walking Tour or the Supernatural Tour — either way, you’ll uncover the creepiest of local lore.
Gray Line Trolley’s Haunted History & Murder Mystery Tour | Through Saturday, Nov. 15 | Depart from Pack’s Tavern | $35+ | The city’s scariest history will come to light with tales of spirits and spies + ghosts and goblins.
The Halloween scene
HalloWolfBat | Saturday, Oct. 25 | 8 p.m. | The Orange Peel | $33 | See Dennis McNett’s larger-than-life puppets join the crowd as three metal bands take the stage for this annual fundraiser benefiting Foundation Skatepark.
Pumpkin Pedaller | Saturday, Oct. 25 | 2:30-7 p.m. | Wedge Brewing at Grove Arcade | Free | Put on your best costume for this community ride presented by Asheville on Bikes.
Wicked Spooky 5K | Saturday, Oct. 25 | 9 a.m. | The Funkatorium | $45+ | See if you can run scary fast and smoke the competition — in costume, of course.
The Pink Lady Party | Thursday, Oct. 30 | 7-10 p.m. | The Omni Grove Park Inn - Elaine’s Dueling Piano Bar | $103 | Don your best costume and dance the frights away with a themed cocktail in hand — plus, get a private tarot card reading.