Get ready to have a WOOLLY good time in Banner Elk, North Carolina! The Woolly Worm Festival is back, and it's a guaranteed blast for the whole family.

This beloved event, now in its 46th year, will take place on October 21-22 at the Historic Banner Elk School.

The legend goes that the 13 fur bands of a woolly bear caterpillar can predict the upcoming winter weather. Brown and lighter bands mean mild weeks, while black bands forecast cold and snowy ones.

For the past 45 years, folks have been racing these little critters in the hope that their chosen worm will clinch victory, predict the winter, and even score a cash prize that's now up to a whopping $1,000! Sunday's winner gets $500 but no weather forecasting accolades.

Leading up to the event, local kids gather worms and sell them for $1 to the Key Club of Avery High School, who sell them for $2 to those who come wormless. These adorable contestants even get amusing names like Hairy Potter, Woolly Nelson, and Dale Wormhardt as they race up strings toward the finish line.

But the fun doesn't end there! The festival features more than just worm races. Enjoy live bluegrass and country music acts, including incredible tributes to Elvis Presley and Dolly Parton. Local artists showcase their handmade wares, making it a perfect time for early Christmas shopping.

And let's not forget the delectable food vendors, offering everything from French pastries to delicious hot dogs courtesy of the Boy Scouts.

Admission to the Woolly Worm Festival — one of the best fall festivals in North Carolina — is wallet-friendly, with $8 for adults and just $5 for kids aged 6-12. Kids aged 5 and under get in for FREE! If you want to join the woolly worm racing action, it's only $10 to enter your very own woolly worm.

Join us in Banner Elk for a weekend filled with fun, adventure, and woolly worm excitement.

VIP Subscriber Offers

Contact Susie (susie@carolinatraveler.com) to take advantage of these ticket offers…

1. Renaissance Festival (Sep. 30 – Nov. 19, Huntersville, NC) – Up to 2 adult and 2 child passes
2. Renaissance Festival VIP parking contest (Sep. 30 – Nov. 19, Huntersville, NC) – see the Carolina Traveler page on Facebook
3. Dickens Christmas Show and Marketplace (Nov. 9-12, Myrtle Beach, SC) – Two passes
4. Chistmas Carousel marketplace (Nov. 24-26, Raleigh, NC) – Two passes

Click to learn more about being a VIP subscriber.

Top — Midway at the NC State Fair Bottom — Midway at the SC State Fair

The Fair Is Here!

Did you know the North Carolina State Fair is ranked in the top ten state fairs? Running from October 12-22, 2023, the NC State Fair is organizing a host of new events:

• Tuesday, October 17 — Senior Citizens' Day (seniors age 65+ get free admission)
• Wednesday, October 18 — Military Appreciation Day (parade at 10 AM)
• Thursday, October 19 — Smithfield Hunger Relief Day (bring six cans of food in exchange for free admission)

Attend the South Carolina State Fair from October 11-22, 2023. Returning for its fourth year, the CIRCUS at the Fair is free with fair admission and takes place daily at 2 PM, 4:30 PM, and 7:30 PM showings, which run 40 minutes.

Returning for a fourth year at the South Carolina State Fair, the CIRCUS at the Fair is back and better than ever with fresh and exciting entertainment, familiar and new! Experience the breathtaking talents of aerial artists, acrobats, clowns, magicians, and even a laser illumination performer!

We suggest planning your visit on a weekend between two of the best fall festivals in North Carolina — that way you can take part in as much autumn NC fun as you can!

Experience the glory of yesteryear on a fall train ride through the Smoky Mountains on the steam engines of the Great Smoky Mountain Railroad.

All Aboard The Great Smoky Mountain Railroad's Premier Fall Foliage Excursion

Get ready for a real deal journey through North Carolina's transportation history while soaking in the fall vibes in the Smoky Mountains! If you want the ultimate autumn spectacle, jump on one of the train rides the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad has got lined up.

The Nantahala Gorge Excursion is like the holy grail of fall foliage trips. Picture this: a 4.5-hour round trip starting from Bryson City, covering a solid 44 miles in the mountains. You'll be cruising alongside the cute Nantahala River and through the Nantahala Gorge. Oh, and don't miss the historic Fontana Trestle – a cool bridge over Fontana Lake.

Now, if you're craving that authentic small mountain town vibe, the Tuckasegee River Excursion is your go-to. It's a 32-mile roundtrip adventure lasting around four hours. Trust me, this is the way to experience North Carolina's fall colors – straight from the cozy seat of a train! 🚂🍂

Step into a world of medieval wonder and whimsy at the Carolina Renaissance Festival!

Gather at dusk in the Appalachian woods for a Haints in the Holler haunted hike, where the most diabolical and conniving spirits of western NC may lurk around every spindly tree…

Double, Double, Toil And Trouble: Two Spooky Tours in North Carolina

If fall festivals in North Carolina are not quite up your alley, and you prefer more of an intimate gathering to celebrate the Halloween season, we've got two exceptional tours for you and your close friends and family.

Prepare yourself for a chilling journey into the unknown with this eerie trek – not meant for the faint-hearted. As darkness descends, your odyssey commences, guided only by the feeble glow of lanterns that cast ghostly, flickering shadows. The trail meanders through ancient trees, revealing mischievous apparitions from our Appalachian past.

Amidst the ominous atmosphere, storytellers will weave tales of local legends and spectral folklore, intensifying the suspense that cloaks the adventure. Their words breathe life into the forest, leaving you to ponder the lurking mysteries just beyond the tree line.

This Halloween hike guarantees an unforgettable and bewitching experience suitable for adults and children aged ten years and up. Brace yourself to confront the eerie tales deeply embedded within the Appalachian woods, departing with memories destined to haunt your dreams! 🌲👻 Book a haunted hike in the woods.

Yacht Basin is home to many of Southport's seafood restaurants