FALL FESTIVALS & HOLIDAY HAPPENINGS

Fall Hayrides & Corn Maze

Sept. 13 – Nov. 2, 2025

Darnell Farms

Hayrides to the pumpkin patch where you can pick your perfect pumpkin. Take a stroll out and enjoy getting lost in our corn maze!

Hayesville

Chili Cook Off

October 17, 2025

On the Square in Hayesville

Punkin Chunkin weekend kicks off on Friday evening with the “Anything Pumpkin” and Chili Cook-off competition on the Historic Hayesville Square. Tickets will be sold on a firstcome first-serve basis at the event. Only 250 tickets are available. Price is $6. Please come and enjoy the music and dine out at our many restaurants located on the historic downtown square.

DuPont Forest Festival

October 18, 2025

DuPont State Forest-Guion Farm Access Area

Held annually on National Public Lands Day, the DuPont Forest Festival is an event celebrating the adventure and beauty of DuPont State Forest. The DuPont Forest Festival is a free, family friendly event open to the public with a mix of drop-in activities, demonstrations, group tours, and hikes, all perfect for outdoor enthusiasts of all ages.

Apple Harvest Festival

October 18, 2025

Downtown Waynesville Learn More

Hailed as one of the “10 Best Fall Harvest Festivals in the Nation,” this annual street festival showcases the bounty of local apple farmers whose mountain-grown apples offer a delicious way to embrace the fall season. Delight in an array of appleinspired treats, from cider to cakes and pies. Wander along Main Street, with nearly 200 unique arts and crafts booths, concessions, cloggers, eclectic shops, and inviting restaurants.

Plow Days

October 25-26, 2025

Darnell Farms

Darnell Farms’ largest fall harvest festival! Enjoy the season with activities, local seasonal food, crafts, local vendors, and plenty of pumpkins, hayrides, and fun for the whole family!

Spooky Save-the-Dates

• 10/25: Halloweenfest –Brevard

• 10/30: Downtown Trickor-Treat – Bryson City

• 10/31: Trunk or Treat –Stecoah

• 10/31: Downtown Treat Street – Sylva

• 10/31: Treats on the StreetWaynesville

• 10/31-11/1: Screamfest –Maggie Valley

The Coach Potato Race

November 8, 2025

Black Mountain Trailhead

The Couch Potato is an annual MTB race with a short enough course to make it doable from "off the couch". This is if you have some prior miles in your legs and used to the Pisgah terrain. Rolling over rugged mining roads, classic Pisgah singletrack, cursing climbs and giggling descents. This course will test your skills and desire as you explore the intoxicating terrain of the Pisgah National Forest. Good food, brews and comradery will be at the finish to comfort you after a long day in the saddle!

Stecoach Arts & Crafts Studio & Gallery Tour

November 28-29, 2025

Studios and galleries in Bryson City, Swain & Graham counties.

Discover local, hand-made crafts during two free drive-about tours of artists’ studios and galleries in Bryson City and Swain & Graham counties. Meet the artists and watch them work. 10 am – 5 pm each day. Printed drive-about maps will be available at each location and directional signs will be near each stop on the tour.

NOVEMBER - DECEMBER

THE POLAR EXPRESS™

THE POLAR EXPRESS™

Great Smoky Mountains Railroad Depot in Bryson City

Experience the magic this holiday season! Join us for a truly magical recreation of the classic holiday story, THE POLAR EXPRESS™ Train Ride. Climb aboard one of our powerful locomotives and historic train cars as it departs our Bryson City Depot for the North Pole to pick up Santa Claus himself. Upon arriving at our depot, you’ll be immersed in the story as our chefs serve you hot chocolate and sweet treats while singing and dancing all the way to the Pole! On the return trip to Bryson City, Santa will visit each coach and hand out the first gift of Christmas to each child.