Fall Festivals and Events
From egg-on-a-spoon races, Medieval marketplaces, and oyster shucking contests to Scottish bag-piping, wooden boat building, and whirligig selfies, our favorite fall 2024 events capture the essence of having a great time in the Carolinas in fall.
Raylrode Daze Festivul | Branchville, SC
September 26-28 – Raylrode Daze Festivul – Branchville (SC Midlands)
A fun-filled day of vintage train rides, live music, and local crafts awaits at one of the most charming small towns in the Palmetto State. Fun fact: Branchville is home of the world’s oldest railroad junction. Enjoy family-friendly activities like cornhole tournaments and “egg on a spoon” races, delicious Southern food, and a parade celebrating the town's rich railroad heritage. Learn more about Raylrode Daze Festivul and check out additional articles on the best fall train rides, how to get tickets to the NC Polar Express, and train heritage destinations in North and South Carolina.
September 27-29 – Atalaya Arts & Crafts Festival – Murrells Inlet (SC Pee Dee)
If Huntington Beach State Park has been on your bucket list, this fall 2024 events highlight is the time to check it out! Explore a vibrant array of local art, handcrafted goods, and live music at the historic Atalaya Castle. Built in the 1930s by the Huntington family, the Moorish-style castle transports visitors to a Medieval marketplace. Learn more about the Atalaya Festival and other things to do at Huntington Beach State Park.
Fried food deliciousness at the North Carolina Seafood Festival in Morehead City
October 4-6 – North Carolina Seafood Festival – Morehead City (NC Coast)
Fried, grilled, blackened or bronzed – try all the fish preparations at the NC Seafood Festival! One of the tastiest of the fall 2024 events in NC, this menu highlights include chef demos, an oyster-shucking contest, Sunday shag-dancing, the Blessing of the Fleet, the Port of Pours immersive beer tasting experience, and a bounty of mouth-watering seafood at the Fisherman’s Village. Learn more about the North Carolina Seafood Festival as well as another one of our favorite fresh seafood destinations.
October 10-13 – U.S. Disc Golf Championship – Rock Hill (SC Midlands)
Drive, flick, putt…or spectate! Set your beach chairs up to fitness top disc golf pros compete on stunning courses at the 30th Major at The Arena Course at Winthrop Lake. When the sun sets, get on your dancing feet and strut your stuff at the Fresh & Now Evening Concert Series. Spectators can go for an ace on Monday following the professional tournament. Learn more about the United State Disc Golf Championship as well as other events and hear us out on why Rock Hill, SC is one of the best Christmas destinations for families in 2024.
The Crystal Coast Highland Games | Beaufort, NC and Charleston Beer Fest | N Charleston, SC
October 19 – Crystal Coast Highland Games – Beaufort (NC Coast)
BYOK (bring your own kilt) to one of our favorite 2024 events ever — a massive celebration of Celtic and Scottish heritage and high-energy competition. Witness powerful athletes go head-to-head in caber tossing, stone putting, and hammer throwing. Enjoy lively Scottish bagpipe music, traditional dance demonstrations, and vibrant parades. Learn more about the Crystal Coast Highland Games as well as another one of our favorite fall 2024 events in 2024…the Beaufort Pirate Invasion!
October 19 – Lincoln County Apple Festival – Lincolnton (NC Piedmont)
Who will take home the Apple Queen crown in this annual favorite of fall 2024 events? Attend this beloved family-friendly event that draws crowds upwards of 80,000, just 30 miles west of Charlotte. Sink your teeth into the taste of fall with thousands of farm-fresh Red Delicious, Honeycrisp, and Jonathan apples. We can already smell the apple pie! Learn more about the Lincoln County Apple Festival — plus, we get to the core of the best apple picking farms and apple festivals in the Carolinas.
Southport Wooden Boat Show | Southport, NC
Photo credit @BobSchnellPhoto
October 26 – Charleston Beer Fest – Charleston (SC Lowcountry)
Head to the ultimate South Carolina beer destination for the chance to sample pours from 60+ regional breweries. The Riverfront Park setting alone makes this event worth attending, and your general admission ticket includes a commemorative festival mug for all your sampling, festival admission, live entertainment, and the chance to compete in the Beer Games for prizes! Learn more about Charleston Beer Fest and check out on our article on the best breweries in Charleston, according to a local.
November 2 – Southport Wooden Boat Show – Southport (NC Coast)
Marvel at handcrafted wooden boats, watch skilled boat-building exhibits, and enjoy lively nautical activities like harbor tours on the Cape Fear River. Don't miss the boat parade and kids' model boat races, as well as the “steam-bending” demonstration, a centuries-old technique used to soften wooden planks for boat-shaping. Learn more about the Southport Wooden Boat Show. If wooden boats are your thing, you will definitely want to read about Georgetown Wooden Boat Show in the SC Lowcountry, another one of our favorite fall 2024 events.
Street dancing at the NC Whirligig Festival | Wilson, NC
November 2-3 – North Carolina Whirligig Festival – Wilson (NC Piedmont)
Local artist Vollis Simpson fashioned 30 whirligigs from salvaged materials to create dynamic works of art that spin with the wind. Enjoy samples from over 100 food vendors, set your kids loose on extreme inflatables, and watch in amazement as other self-taught artists create masterpieces in real-time at his whimsical park. The North Carolina Whirligig Festival is one of the most quintessentially Carolina fall 2024 events.
November 2-3 – Everything Outdoor Fest – Simpsonville (SC Upstate)
Thrill-seekers, daredevils, adrenaline junkies, coalesce with your people at the Dirt, Water, and Road Villages. Try challenging activities like zip-lining, archery, rock-climbing, ATV-riding, and paddleboarding at Historic Hopkins Farm. Industry experts will be roaming the premises and eager to answer all your questions. For a break, head to the Zen Zone for deep breaths and yoga. Learn more about all the activities available at the Everything Outdoor Fest.
November 9 – Rockabillaque – North Charleston (SC Lowcountry)
Here’s a one-of-a-kind chance to celebrate the vibrant rockabilly subculture that emerged in the 1950s, combining elements of upbeat rock ‘n’ roll and twangy country music. Dance like no one’s watching to live rockabilly music, go cruising at vintage car shows, and dress to impress – think high-waisted jeans, leather jackets, poodle skirts, and pompadour hairstyles.
Learn more about Rockabillaque, and don't forget to check out one of our favorite small towns for classic car cruise-ins.
