With many seasonal events in North Carolina cancelled this year due to coronavirus, you may be looking for new activities to get you in the fall spirit. Explore Co-Editor in Chief Ella Sullivan’s North Carolina Fall Guide to see what is still going on in the Tar Heel State. Be sure to check event websites directly before attending in case of cancellations.
Nature Connects : Art with Lego Bricks
Asheville
July 16 – Nov. 1
Explore the North Carolina Arboretum to see Sean Kenney’s traveling exhibit which features 16 lifesized sculptures made out of legos.
Rural Hill Amazing Maize Maze
Huntersville
Sept. 12 – Nov. 1
Rural Hills boasts one of the largest mazes in the Southeast. Get lost in their seven mile-long corn maze while using their new app to collect your map pieces, fill in crossword puzzles and figure out the word scrambles. Pre-purchased tickets are required for this event.
32nd Annual Sculpture in the Garden
Chapel Hill
Sept. 13 – Dec. 6
Explore the North Carolina Botanical Garden’s curated landscapes with added sculptures from local artists. The sculptures are dispersed throughout the garden and allow for social distancing guidelines to be followed.
Bearfootin’ Art Walk
Hendersonville
Sept. 28 – Oct. 24
Explore the historic downtown of Hendersonville as you explore their outdoor Bearfootin’ Art Walk. The exhibit places painted bears all around downtown. An auction is also held to sell each bear with profits going directly to local non-profits and Downtown Hendersonville.
Haunted Hills Terror Drive
Pittsboro
Oct. 2 – Oct. 31
Drive through Shakori Hills Community Arts Center to get in the spooky mood. The 10 to 15 minute drive-through features spooky scene sets, scary props, lighting, special effects, local performers and audio.
Art in the Park
Blowing Rock
Oct. 3
See some of the best local and regional craftspeople and their work in a variety of mediums. This year, the event has been changed a little due to coronavirus and features many new precautions to keep attendees safe.
Film Fest 919
Chapel Hill
Oct. 14 – Oct. 31
This year, Film Fest 919 will have screenings at two outdoor venues, the Drive-in at Carraway Village and The Green at Southern Village. In the past, the festival has attracted Oscar hopefuls like Parasite.
Apple Harvest Daze
Waynesville
Oct. 17
This year Waynesville’s Apple Harvest Festival has been reworked to become Waynesville’s Apple Harvest Daze. This event will still feature vendors but will no longer have live music due to coronavirus.
Maggie Valley Arts and Crafts Show
Maggie Valley
Oct. 17 – Oct. 18
Attend Maggie Valley’s triannual arts and crafts show. This event is one of the longest running and most popular in Maggie Valley and features artists from all over the Southeast.
Tarheel Antique Festival
Efland
Oct. 17 – Oct. 18
Visit The Barn at Lloyd’s Dairy for a weekend filled with outdoor antique vendors and auctions. The event was inspired after American Pickers visited the farm.
Hart Square’s 35th Annual Festival
Vale
Oct. 24
Attend this event to take a trip down history lane. Different artisans and demonstrators showcase their historical craftsman skills and crafts while in historical buildings. This year the event has made some adjustments due to coronarius.
Carolina Am
Wrightsville Beach
Oct. 30 – Nov. 1
This year the Carolina Pro-Am (Professional- Amateur) Competition has been changed to the Carolina Am (Amateur) Competition. The event will highlight ametur paddle surfers and feature many competitions.
TowneBank Outer Banks Marathon
Nags Head
Nov. 6 – Nov. 8
Run through the Outer Banks in this annual event. Various distanced events also take place during the weekend like the Southern Fried Half Marathon. New precautions have been added to this event due to coronavirus.
Fort Dobb’s Military Timeline
Statesville
Nov. 14
See historical actors portraying soldiers and support personnel from all periods of North Carolina history. The event features living history displays that incorporate historical tools, activities, dress and weapon-firing demonstrations.
Celebration of Seagrove Potters Studio Tour
Seagrove
Nov. 20 – Nov. 22
Seagrove is the pottery capital of the United States and this event highlights local potters through studio showings. Look for yard signs of participating potters and pick up a map at your first stop. This event replaces Seagrove’s usual indoor market event due to coronavirus.
Chatham Artists Guild Studio Tour
Chatham
Dec. 5 – Dec. 13
Explore local Chatham County artist’s studios through the Chatham Artists Guild’s annual Studio Tour.
117th Anniversary of Powered Flight
Kill Devil Hills
Dec 17.
Join the First Flight Society for their annual celebration of the Wright Brothers’ first flight. While there, be sure to also explore the Paul E. Garber First Flight Shrine exhibit within the Wright Brothers National Memorial.
