October harvests cooler weather and delicious experiences. Enjoy state fairs, seasonal festivals, fall foods, and more this month.
State Fair of Virginia
Doswell, Virginia
September 25-October 4, 2026
This agricultural fair at Meadow Event Park features livestock competitions, pig races, chainsaw carving, midway rides, concerts, food, and exhibits highlighting Virginia’s rural heritage, farming, and “Best of Show” traditions.
National Storytelling Festival
Jonesborough, Tennessee
October 2-4, 2026
storytellingcenter.net/festival/main
This premier event in what many consider America’s oldest town features master storytellers sharing folklore, personal tales, myths, and Appalachian narratives under tents. Ghost stories and evening performances create an immersive rural cultural experience rooted in oral traditions.
Carolina Renaissance Festival
Huntersville, North Carolina
October 3-November 22, 2026 (during weekends)
This large outdoor village re-creates a 16th-century European marketplace with jousting, comedy, music, artisan crafts, historical demonstrations, food, and interactive entertainment across 25 acres of woodlands.
Graves Mountain Apple Harvest Festival
Syria, Virginia
October 3-18, 2026 (during weekends)
gravesmountain.com/apple-harvest-festival-first-3-weekends-in-october
This multi-weekend event takes place on a 1,800-acre farm and offers apple picking, cider, hayrides, petting zoo, bluegrass music, crafts, and farm foods amid the Blue Ridge Mountains.
Suffolk Peanut Festival
Suffolk, Virginia
October 8-11, 2026
This agricultural festival at Suffolk Executive Airport honors Virginia’s peanut industry with rides, concerts, demolition derby, contests, fireworks, peanut butter sculpting, and family activities.
Georgia National Fair
Perry, Georgia
October 8-18, 2026
This state-sponsored fair emphasizes agriculture with livestock shows, Georgia Grown exhibits, rides, concerts, food, and youth events on expansive fairgrounds, showcasing rural Georgia’s farming traditions and community spirit.
Apple Butter Festival
Berkeley Springs, West Virginia
October 9-11, 2026
The 51st annual event features apple butter stirred in copper kettles, a parade, over 200 vendors, crafts, beard and hog calling contests, and live music in the historic downtown. A Beer Garden Party kicks off the festivities on October 9.
Holiday Quilling Class
Bushnell, Florida
October 12, 2026
Expert volunteers teach the historic art of quilling during this class from 10 a.m. to noon at Dade Battlefield Historic State Park. The cost is $3 per vehicle (or Floridians can use a Florida State Parks Annual Pass) plus $10 per person. Ages 12 and under can take the class for free. Pre-register by calling 352.793.4781 or emailing dadeprograms@floridadep.gov.
North Carolina State Fair
Raleigh, North Carolina
October 15-25, 2026
This large agricultural fair includes livestock shows, antique farm machinery, a Heritage Circle, folk festival, rides, deep-fried foods, competitions, and exhibits celebrating the state’s rural and farming heritage.
South Carolina State Fair
Columbia, South Carolina
October 15-25, 2026
The annual fair on the state fairgrounds features agricultural displays, livestock, competitions, rides, concerts, food, and attractions rooted in the state’s farming traditions.
Shrimp & Grits Festival
Jekyll Island, Georgia
October 23-24, 2026
This coastal event celebrates a Lowcountry staple with chef demos, Gullah-Geechee influences, artisan makers, shrimp-boat tours, and local foods, blending rural coastal heritage with regional culinary experiences.
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