Wolly Worm Festival
Woolly Worm Festival – Banner Elk, NC
October 18–19, 2025
Get ready for a mountain tradition like no other! The 48th Annual Woolly Worm Festival, hosted by the Avery County Chamber of Commerce and Banner Elk Kiwanis, returns to Banner Elk, North Carolina, October 18–19, 2025.
This beloved family-friendly event draws over 20,000 visitors each year for a weekend full of woolly worm races, unique craft and food vendors, live entertainment, children’s activities, and plenty of small-town charm. Race your own woolly worm for a chance to win the $1,000 grand prize—and the prestigious honor of predicting the High Country’s winter weather!
For more than four decades, this quirky, heartwarming festival has been a place to make lasting family memories and enjoy the crisp autumn air of the Blue Ridge Mountains.
📍 Location: Banner Elk, NC
🎟 Tickets Available Starting: September 1, 2025