Looking for things to do in the Triangle this fall?
There’s always a great festival, market, celebration and more on tap. Mark your calendar for our top local picks this season in Wake, Durham, Orange and Chatham counties.
October
Pumpkin Patch Express
Saturdays and Sundays in October
Celebrate fall every Saturday and Sunday in October with a train ride on the Ellerbe Creek Railway at the Museum of Life and Science, plus pumpkin decorating, a hay maze and autumn-inspired games and activities.
Triangle Oktoberfest
Oct. 2-3
Take part in family-friendly activities and enjoy traditional Bavarian food and authentic German-style beer at central North Carolina’s largest Oktoberfest event, hosted by Apex Sunrise Rotary Club and Cary MacGregor Rotary Club at Koka Booth Amphitheatre. Dance to polka music, compete to showcase your strength in the ashlagen hammer competitions, cheer on your favorite pups in the wiener dog race, and treat your little ones to kid-friendly games. All proceeds benefit local charities.
Falling for Local
Oct. 3
Enjoy local live music and business demos at Dorothea Dix Park during this family-friendly event in collaboration with Shop Local Raleigh and Dix Park Conservancy. Experience loads of fall fun with hayrides, lawn games, more than 180 local vendor booths and a pumpkin patch. Support Triangle-based entrepreneurs by dining at more than 50 local food trucks and sipping craft beer from more than 20 North Carolina breweries and cideries.
Moorefields Bluegrass Festival
Oct. 10
The 70-acre Hillsborough property (which includes the 1785 home owned by Revolutionary war leader Alfred Moore) hosts a family-friendly festival with food trucks and live music by Slippery Hill, GrassStreet, Pickard Mountain, Nixon, Williams & Gage, Hodnett Family Band and others.
Diwali Celebration
Oct. 10
Cary’s celebration of the five-day festival – which celebrates the victory of light over darkness – at Koka Booth Amphitheatre features musical, theatrical and dance performances, a craft bazaar, Indian food, art and more. The event is sponsored by Hum Sub Inc., United Arts Council and the Town of Cary.
NC Wine, Cheese, and Chocolate Festival
Oct. 14
Explore the unique shops of Raleigh’s Lafayette Village as you sample wines, cheeses and chocolates. Bring lawn chairs and enjoy live performances and local vendors in the courtyard.
N.C. State Fair
Oct. 15-25
Carnival rides, games and funnel cakes galore: the largest event in our state showcases the finest of North Carolina at the N.C. State Fairgrounds. Highlights include a livestock show, horticultural exhibits, live music, motorsports derby, nightly fireworks and more.
Pittsboro Pride Festival & Parade
Oct. 17-18
This weekend of fun, food, music, vendors and activities at The Plant invites the LGBTQIA+ community and allies to join in festivities including a drag show, dance party and parade.
Pupalooza
Oct. 24
Join Durham Parks and Recreation for an afternoon of howling good times for furry friends and their owners at Durham Central Park. Dress your pup in its cutest costume, enjoy creative activities, shop local vendors and more.
Duke Homestead’s Halloween Phantasmagoria
Oct. 30
Wander Duke Homestead State Historic Site after dark and see what Victorian-era wonders you find. Explore historical concepts of spiritualism and experience Halloween traditions from generations past. This is a one-of-a-kind Halloween experience not designed to scare!
Pittsboro Street Fair
Oct. 31
Join thousands of locals and visitors at the Rotary Club of Pittsboro’s annual street fair. Buy from local food vendors, sip craft beverages and enjoy a jam-packed lineup of live music. Follow the sounds of lively music downtown to find the expansive market of local artists sprawled out between Hanks and Salisbury streets, to shop for unique jewelry and decor.
November
Root Fest
Nov. 7
Kick off the first Saturday of Carrboro Farmers Market‘s winter hours with a fun-filled celebration of root vegetables. Enjoy vendor specials, educational displays, root vegetable recipe samples, trivia, a raffle and more.
NC Chinese Lantern Festival
Nov. 21-Jan. 10
Experience hundreds of magical lanterns illuminated with thousands of lights at Koka Booth Amphitheatre – a colorful setting for visitors from across the state created by talented Chinese artisans. This vibrant cultural showcase also includes martial arts, traditional dance, drum performances and acrobatics.
Gallop & Gorge 8K
Nov. 26
Join the 22nd edition of this Thanksgiving Day turkey trot – the third and final race in the Le Tour de Carrboro series. The 4.97-mile course winds through Carrboro’s downtown and residential areas, beginning and ending in front of Weaver Street Market. Bring the kids to take part in free Little Turkey races on the Libba Cotten Bikeway following the Gallop & Gorge awards presentation.
December
A Carolina Inn Holiday
Throughout December
Get in the festive spirit with brunch with Santa, cookie decorating, holiday tea and markets at The Carolina Inn throughout the month of December.
Lucky Strike Tower Lighting
Dec. 2
Join the community and watch in awe as the Lucky Strike Water Tower at the American Tobacco Campus is lit up in twinkling holiday lights. Plus, discover local performers, holiday music and more.
Holiday Express
Dec. 2-18
Pullen Park will be transformed into a whimsical world of holiday spirit, imagination and inspiration! Take a train ride on the famous Holiday Express, hop into a life-size snow globe, visit Santa in his mobile workshop, learn how to become an elf and much more.
Chapel Hill-Carrboro Community Holiday Parade
Dec. 5
Join Chapel Hill Community Arts & Culture, Downtown Chapel Hill and the towns of Chapel Hill and Carrboro for a festive, entertaining, safe and inclusive community parade to celebrate the winter holiday season. Stake out your curbside spot and watch more than 40 arts, cultural and community groups parade down Franklin Street.
The Nutcracker
Dec. 10-24
This familiar holiday classic is performed by Carolina Ballet’s cast of professional dancers with a unique twist thanks to magnificent sets and refreshed choreography and costumes at Raleigh Memorial Auditorium.
Durham Holiday Parade & Fun Fest
Dec. 12
Watch dynamic floats and cheer on hometown bands, drill teams, schools, community groups and more as they make their way down Main Street in downtown Durham. Also enjoy holiday performances, food and non-food vendors and a visit from Santa.
Reindeer Run 5K
Dec. 12
Put on your antlers and most festive running gear for the 22nd annual race in Pittsboro. Younger runners may enjoy the three-quarter-mile fun run around Central Carolina Community College’s campus and downtown Pittsboro.
Historic Oakwood Candlelight Tour
Dec. 12-13
Close to a dozen houses in Raleigh’s Historic Oakwood neighborhood open their doors to visitors for this annual tour. The Society for the Preservation of Historic Oakwood docents are stationed in each home, which date from the mid-1800s to the early 1900s in styles like Queen Anne and Craftsman, to teach attendees about each location’s history.
A Christmas Carol
Dec. 16-20
Enjoy a masterful musical production of the Dickens classic at DPAC, produced by Raleigh’s Theatre in the Park.
This musical comedy adaptation of the Christmas classic has won numerous awards since 1974. Photo by Catherine Davis Photography
Want to get creative this season? Check out our roundup of Fall arts events!
