September Festivals

September has a way of teasing the arrival of fall without rushing summer out the door. The mornings are a little crisper, the mountain views a little clearer, and the first hints of autumn begin to color the landscape. It's the perfect in-between season, the ‘golden hour’ month of the year—still warm enough for an outdoor concert of mountain music, cool enough to indulge in kettle corn, and the perfect time to linger over handmade crafts at local markets without a care in the world.

In other words, it’s the right time for a festival.

Within a 60-mile radius of the Highlands-Cashiers Plateau, Western North Carolina comes alive with festivals that celebrate everything from Appalachian traditions and toe-tapping bluegrass to apples, pickles, and small-town charm. These early fall gatherings offer the perfect excuse for a scenic road trip. Think of them as a joyful warm-up for leaf season—a celebration of mountain culture before the hills erupt in brilliant shades of gold, red, and orange. These festivals prove that autumn's best moments begin long before the leaves reach their peak.

The North Carolina Apple Festival

September 4-7, Hendersonville, NC

For eight decades, the North Carolina Apple Festival has marked the unofficial start of fall in Hendersonville, drawing visitors from across the Southeast to celebrate one of the region's most important agricultural traditions. Taking place Labor Day weekend in the heart of downtown Hendersonville, the beloved festival combines small-town charm with big-time entertainment, creating an event that is as much about community as it is about apples.What began as a tribute to Henderson County's thriving apple industry (they grow 80 percent of the state’s apples) has evolved into one of North Carolina's most anticipated annual festivals. "The festival has grown tremendously over the past 80 years, but its heart hasn't changed," says Vicki Gunning, the festival's 2026 president. "It began as a celebration of our local apple growers and continues to honor that agricultural heritage while offering visitors live entertainment, arts and crafts, great food, and activities for all ages. It's a wonderful blend of tradition and new experiences."

This year, organizers expect more than 250,000 visitors to attend the festival's 80th anniversary celebration, filling Main Street with music, food, and family-friendly fun. Yet amid the carnival atmosphere, the true stars remain the apples and the growers who cultivate them.

For first-time visitors, Gunning recommends making the orchard exhibits a priority. "Having 14 orchards all in one place is a unique experience," she says. "It's a chance to sample different apple varieties, enjoy fresh cider and apple treats, and learn about the families who have been growing apples in Henderson County for generations."

Beyond the orchard displays, guests can browse hundreds of arts and crafts vendors, enjoy live music throughout the weekend, and indulge in everything from apple fritters and cider doughnuts to classic fair favorites in the bustling food court. And don’t forget the King Apple Parade on Labor Day! Whether you're a longtime attendee or making your first visit, the North Carolina Apple Festival offers a quintessential mountain-town experience—and a delicious reminder of why Henderson County remains known as North Carolina's apple capital.

For more information, visit: ncapplefestival.org

Pickle Fest at Darnell Farms

September 5-6, Bryson City, NC

If you think pickles are just cucumbers in a jar, Pickle Fest at Darnell Farms in Bryson City is about to change your mind. This popular festival celebrates all things pickled, drawing thousands of visitors each year for a weekend packed with quirky competitions, Appalachian traditions, and family-friendly fun.

The festival showcases an astonishing variety of pickled foods, from classic cucumbers to pickled garlic, pickled strawberries, and plenty of unexpected creations in between. Vendors, food trucks, live demonstrations, and specialty tastings fill the farm, giving guests the chance to discover new flavors while enjoying the mountain scenery.

Festival favorites include the pickle-eating contest and the always-entertaining pickle toss, where participants attempt to toss pickles into their partner’s mouth. General Manager Audrey Lambert makes a point of reminding everyone that they introduce something new each year. Last year’s crowd-pleasing addition featured pickled foods from around the world, highlighting the many cultures that have embraced the art of preservation.

Canning remains a cornerstone of Appalachian heritage, and Pickle Fest honors that tradition with demonstrations from experienced local canners. Visitors can learn time-tested techniques and tips for making regional favorites like chowchow, a beloved Southern relish made from pickled vegetables.

Adding to the fun is the festival’s own pickle mascot, who keeps guests smiling throughout the weekend.

The celebration introduces one of Darnell Farms’ busiest seasons. From September 12 to November 1, visitors can also enjoy hayrides and explore the farm’s corn maze Wednesday through Sunday.

For more information, visit: darnellfarms.com/pickle-fest

Mountain Song Festival

September 11-12, Brevard, NC

The Mountain Song Festival returns to the picturesque Brevard Music Center this September, bringing together three days of world-class acoustic music, mountain charm, and community spirit.

Hosted by Grammy-winning hometown favorites Steep Canyon Rangers, Mountain Song has become the unofficial finale to Brevard’s summer festival season. The event celebrates everything from bluegrass and old-time music to folk, jazz, and progressive acoustic sounds, creating a lineup that appeals to longtime fans and first-time attendees alike.

“Each year tends to have a different flavor,” says festival co-founder and director John Felty. “We try to have a healthy mix of both traditional and progressive styles. We put a lot of effort into presenting new artists who are honoring the traditions while still moving the music forward.”

That blend of roots and innovation keeps audiences returning year after year, but the setting is equally memorable. Nestled in a mountain cove surrounded by lakes, streams, and towering trees, the Brevard Music Center offers one of the region’s most scenic concert experiences.

“It’s just a great atmosphere to listen to live music,” Felty says. “The covered, open-air auditorium allows fresh mountain air to breeze through the venue, and the natural setting creates a wonderful experience for attendees.”

The festival also reflects the community’s commitment to conservation. Since its inception, organizers have emphasized recycling and composting programs designed to minimize waste and protect the natural resources that make Transylvania County such a special destination.

Beyond the music, Mountain Song serves a larger purpose. Founded to benefit the Cindy Platt Boys & Girls Club of Transylvania County, the festival has helped fund youth programs for 20 years. According to the club, the event historically provides more than 10 percent of its annual funding, helping ensure local children have access to programs that foster academic success, leadership, wellness, and a sense of belonging. The festival also gives local youth opportunities to volunteer, work as a team, and give back to their community.

“We are really proud that for 20 years the festival has raised significant support for the Boys & Girls Club,” Felty says. “At the same time, it has brought world-renowned artists to our community and become an iconic event people look forward to every year.”

For more information, visit: mountainsongfestival.com

Mountain Heritage Days

September 21-26, Cullowhee, NC

For more than half a century, Mountain Heritage Days at Western Carolina University has celebrated the rich traditions, stories, and culture of Appalachia. Held on the campus, the beloved festival continues to evolve while staying true to its roots, offering visitors an immersive experience filled with music, crafts, food, demonstrations, and cultural programming.

“The spirit of celebrating Appalachian culture for more than 50 years has carried on,” says Peter Koch, education specialist at the Mountain Heritage Center. “We love to share and highlight things like clogging, storytelling, and traditional music, which includes but is not limited to bluegrass. We’re also embracing the multicultural aspects of the region, particularly the influence of Cherokee culture, which has become a much larger part of the festival than it was decades ago.”

That connection is especially meaningful in Cullowhee, a site with deep Cherokee history. One of the festival’s highlights is traditional Cherokee stickball, an ancestral precursor to modern lacrosse. “We invite players from different Cherokee communities to come to Cullowhee and play,” Koch explains. “Five hundred years ago, there were people playing stickball all over this area. It’s exciting to help bring that history back.”

Visitors can also explore artisan crafts, shape-note singing, wood carving, basket weaving, antique farm engines, and a demonstration area showcasing traditional Appalachian skills. Returning this year is Stories from the Table, an oral-history program about Appalachian foodways run by two professors, where residents share family food traditions and culinary memories.

The day concludes indoors at Balsam Theatre with a performance by a clogging group, the Mountain Heritage Awards, and a concert by regional headliner Red Camel Collective.

“For a first-timer, it can be as immersive as you want it to be,” says Koch. “On one level, it’s just a really fun festival. But it’s also a place where we celebrate, investigate, and showcase Appalachian culture. We tell stories—some are difficult, some are joyful—but all of them help us better understand this place and its people.”

For more information, visit: wcu.edu/engage/mountain-heritage-days