For many, fall is the favorite season for a visit to North Carolina. The frequent sunny warm days of crisp autumn air provide comfortable conditions for spending time outdoors at one or more of the many fun fall festivals. This September round-up of festivals and special events offers several ideas for fun ways to enjoy the early days of fall in North Carolina.
Clayton Harvest Festival
September 16 - 20, 2009 - Clayton, North CarolinaClayton's most exciting autumn event offers carnival rides, the annual arts and crafts and business vendor fair, a Merchants Auction, antique car and truck show, and plenty of local entertainment. Clayton is located along Route 70, between Raleigh and Smithfield.
Best of Badin Festival
September 18 - 19, 2009 - Badin, North CarolinaEach year on the third weekend in September, the quaint village of Badin, located at the foot of the rugged Uwharrie Mountains and known for its French flavor and French Colonial architecture, celebrates fall with a festival featuring an array of vendors, games, music, food and more. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, Badin is a lovely setting for enjoying a day of fall fun in North Carolina.
Crystal Coast Super Boat Grand Prix
September 18 - 20, 2009 - Morehead City, North CarolinaSuper Boats take to the Intracoastal Waterway, while landlubbers enjoy a car show (September 19 on the Morehead City Waterfront) and more.
Brewgrass Festival
September 19, 2009 - Asheville, North CarolinaOver 30 American breweries showcase more than 100 different beers while entertainment is provided by a lineup of national and regional bluegrass musicians. Tickets are Sold Out
CenterFest Arts Festival
September 19 -20, 2009 - Durham, North CarolinaThe longest-running street arts festival in North Carolina and Durham's largest arts and community festival, this annual event features more than 150 juried visual artists and performing artists from across the nation, music and entertainment, yummy festival food, and fun family friendly educational activities. Adding to the fun, the festival site is located in the vibrant Durham Central Park District, surrounded by galleries, restaurants and the Farmers' Market.
Carrboro Music Festival
September 20, 2009 - Carrboro, North CarolinaLocated in Chapel Hill's next-door-neighbor, Carrboro, this popular music festival is the largest day-long free music festival in North Carolina The festival features an array of musical styles, presented in various indoor and outdoor venues.
Annual Festival in the Park
September 24 - 27, 2009 - Charlotte, North CarolinaFor over 40 years, this annual festival has been delighting local Charlotteans as well as visitors from around the globe with good music, good art and good times. Held in Freedom Park, near uptown Charlotte, festival fun includes over 150 artists and artisans demonstrating and displaying their arts and crafts, plus almost a thousand entertainers and performers providing ongoing entertainment. Attracting an estimated 100,000 visitors, this popular Charlotte event is known for its relaxed, yet stimulating, celebration of the arts.
Benson Mule Days
September 24 - 27, 2009 - Benson, North CarolinaAlways held the fourth Saturday weekend in September, this four-day festival, which attracts around 70,000 people, has offered traditional Southern fun for more than 50 years. Featured events this year include rodeos, a mule pulling contest, arts and crafts, vendors, street dances, carnival rides, camping, parades, bluegrass shows and more. (Future Benson Mule Days dates are: 2010 - September 23 - 26.)
Mayberry Days
September 24 - 27, 2009 - Mount Airy, North CarolinaFans of the Andy Griffith Show will enjoy this family-friendly festival, which takes place each year in Andy Griffith's hometown of Mount Airy. Relax to the music of local bands, playing songs from the time that Andy was growing up in Mount Airy, enjoy a cold bottle of pop while playing a game of checkers, and be sure to look for special guests from the show.
Annual International Folk Festival
September 25 – 27, 2009 - Fayetteville, North CarolinaThis annual festival, which has been named a Southeast Tourism Society Top 20 Event, celebrates the area's rich multicultural population and diversity with international food, pageantry, unique arts and crafts, music, dance and more.
